Workers’ rights? Labour’s employment bill gives workers a worse deal February 26, 2025 Punishing employers doesn't help workers. Left as it is, Labour's new employment bill will only damage the labour market, writes James Reed.
Getting Brits to invest will take more than tweaking ISAs February 25, 2025 Rachel Reeves is considering reducing the tax-free limit on cash ISAs to encourage people to invest in stock and shares, but she should go even further, says Emma Revell It is one of the most popular and best understood savings tools available for Brits, but there could be a big shake up coming for the [...]
In Starmer’s Downing St, some unions are more welcome than others February 19, 2025 Some unions are just more welcome in Downing Street than others. A couple of weeks ago, leaders of the 11 trade unions formally affiliated with the Labour party were invited to talks in No 10 with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his deputy, Angela Rayner. The meeting was called to discuss the Employment Rights Bill [...]
Global investors shun UK market amid stagflation fears February 18, 2025 Britain has become the least attractive market to invest in among global fund managers, with sentiment towards UK stocks slumping. Stock pickers held 18 per cent less UK shares than their benchmarks suggested they should in February, compared to a 12 per cent overweight position on European stocks, according to Bank of America’s latest Global [...]
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 [...]
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.
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 [...]