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 [...]
The Italian job: My favourite places in London to gorge on pasta February 13, 2025 The greatest restaurateur of my generation was Russell Norman, the founder of both Polpo and Brutto. Exuding charm and charisma, he immediately lit up a room; shining brighter than most Hollywood A-listers. Omnipresent at his Smithfield restaurant Brutto, he would recognise every guest by name, carefully choosing where to seat each to ensure everyone enjoyed [...]
Tax evasion likely ‘far higher’ than HMRC estimates February 12, 2025 The true scale of tax evasion is likely far higher than HMRC estimates, with the department “not sufficiently curious” about solving the problem, a government committee has said. The UK tax gap was £5.5bn in the 2022-23 financial year, equivalent to around 0.7 per cent of all taxes owed and considerably lower than similar economies. [...]
Steel tariffs: No10 won’t say if Trump wrong to impose import charges February 11, 2025 Downing Street has refused to say whether Donald Trump is wrong to impose 25 per cent tariffs on the UK’s steel exports to America. Trump’s executive order scrapped exemptions for the UK and all other countries, with all steel and aluminium exported to the States to face tariffs from March 12. Speaking from the Oval [...]
The Best Wine List in London February 11, 2025 STOP the press! I have found it! The golden fleece of gastronomy. This is the best wine list in London. Now, admittedly, I have not tried every single wine list in our sprawling capital but given my proclivities, I have tried a great many – and rarely, if ever, have I found one as beguiling, [...]
Dear Gen Z, put down the mini golf clubs and get to the pub February 11, 2025 Gen Z, our pubs are depending on you - so stop playing mini golf and get to your local, writes Katie Perrior in today's Notebook.
Farmers warn of ‘breaking point’ at Westminster tractor rally February 10, 2025 Protesting farmers at a tractor rally in Westminster have warned “we are at breaking point” as they called on the government to scrap planned changes to inheritance tax on farms. Protesters staged another tractor protest outside Parliament and Downing Street on Monday, organised by Save British Farming, as they continued to campaign against Labour’s plans [...]