Google reviews have done more for public services than Whitehall February 18, 2025 Google Maps reviews have done more for public services than Whitehall, writes Michael Martins in today's Notebook.
James Howells: The man hoping to buy a rubbish dump in his search for £750m of bitcoin February 18, 2025 In 2013, James Howells’ ex-partner threw away a hard drive containing 8,000 bitcoins, now worth in excess of £750m. Having pleaded with – and sued – Newport council to let him comb through the rubbish dump where he believes it’s located, he is now considering a radical new option: buying the landfill. IT-worker James Howells [...]
Government hits NHS target early and opens door to more private investment February 17, 2025 Government hit NHS appointments target seven months early, as the health secretary warns there is a "hell of lot more to do"
‘This is Keir Starmer’s Poll Tax’: Labour warned inheritance tax protests won’t stop February 17, 2025 The Labour government’s reforms to farmers’ inheritance tax announced in the Autumn Budget has been branded as “Keir Starmer’s Poll Tax”. William Lees-Jones, who owns and runs Manchester-based JW Lees, which has produced real ale since 1828, added that the Prime Minister is “losing the argument and feeling rattled”. The pubs boss has liked the policy, which [...]
Almost 300 pubs closed last year ahead of cost rises February 17, 2025 The British Beer and Pub Association warned that urgent Government action is needed to avoid more “completely avoidable” closures.
Shein: Tariffs and cheap goods crackdown could hit London listing February 14, 2025 Fast-fashion retailer Shain faces an uncertain future amid the threat of Trump tariffs and a crackdown on the sale of cheap goods overseas. There were rumours that Shein planned to list in London with a £50bn float around this Easter, but according to the FT, this boon for London’s market is likely to be shelved [...]
Munich summit: Ukraine on ‘irreversible path to NATO’, Starmer tells Zelenskyy February 14, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer told Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the UK remains committed to Ukraine “being on an irreversible path to NATO.” Speaking to the Ukrainian President this morning, the Prime Minister “began by reiterating the UK’s concrete support for Ukraine, for as long as it’s needed”, a Downing Street spokeswoman has said. Sir Keir was “unequivocal [...]
Valentine’s day in 2025: Expensive dinners, cheap gifts and ‘bruv dates’ February 14, 2025 In case it wasn’t already clear by the availability of restaurant tables in central London this February 14th, Brits are ditching expensive gifts in favour of meals out with friends or partners this Valentine’s Day. It seems decades of films and songs have encouraged both singletons and those in relationships to get out of the [...]
After Allbright, is there a future for women-only members clubs? February 14, 2025 Allbright is just the latest women's members club forced to shut up shop in London, which begs the question: do women even still want them?
Rachel Reeves ‘investigated over expenses’ in HBOS banking job February 13, 2025 Rachel Reeves was investigated over her use of expenses while working in a banking job before becoming an MP. The Chancellor, alongside two colleagues, was subject to an internal probe into expenses claims, while she was a senior manager at Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) in the late 2000s, the BBC has revealed. Reeves is [...]