Social media ban may push children to ‘darker corners of the internet,’ lawyers warn June 15, 2026 Sir Kier Starmer’s announcement to ban social media for under-16s on Monday morning may create privacy issues for children and encourage them to use less regulated platforms, legal experts have warned. Speaking at Downing Street on Monday, the Prime Minister said social media platforms are harming children’s wellbeing and making it easier for their mental [...]
Investors ‘reluctant’ to splash cash on UK banks amid crisis in Number 10 June 15, 2026 UK banks’ stock prices are being slapped with a political risk premium, City analysts have warned, as turmoil in Downing Street threatens to rock the sector. The FTSE 350 bank index has had a choppy start to the year with financial stocks facing a hammering from the Iran war as investors trimmed their equities exposure. [...]
Andy Burnham commits to triple lock despite backlash over ‘unsustainable’ policy June 15, 2026 Andy Burnham has committed to keeping the triple lock pension and allowing pensioners to escape paying income taxes despite the policy being opposed by swathes of economists and MPs. Burnham said he would keep the triple lock pension, the mechanism that ensures the taxpayer-funded state pension rises by whichever is highest out of wage growth, [...]
John Healey has delivered a fatal blow to Starmer’s premiership June 15, 2026 The defence minister’s resignation reveals the complete collapse of Keir Starmer’s authority, says Eliot Wilson The resignation of the Defence Secretary, John Healey, last week, with his Armed Forces Minister Al Carns a few hours behind him, was a very serious blow for Sir Keir Starmer. Let us be clear about the significance of this: [...]
‘Protecting children is right’: Starmer takes on Big Tech with social media ban for under-16s June 15, 2026 Keir Starmer has announced a ban on social media for under-16s, arguing that platforms are harming children’s wellbeing and fuelling a generation of unhealthy online habits. The Prime Minister said social media was making children “unhappy”, making it easier for bullies to harass and abuse young people and potentially damaging their mental health. Speaking at [...]
Asian stocks reach record highs on tech euphoria and US-Iran peace deal June 15, 2026 Stocks across Asia surged during Monday trading, as market euphoria from SpaceX’s IPO on Friday combined with relief over the US-Iran peace deal sent investors back into the stock market, pushing indexes to record highs. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 rocketed over five per cent in the first 90 minutes of trading, surpassing the 69,000 mark to [...]
Starmer agrees investment deal with Japan as EU deal questioned June 13, 2026 The UK government has agreed an £18bn investment deal with Japan in a bid to boost post-Brexit international ties but questions are now looming over Sir Keir Starmer’s “reset” deal with the EU. Starmer said “landmark agreements” with Japan on technology and life sciences would lift the UK economy and improve trade with the fourth [...]
Elon Musk becomes world’s first trillionaire after SpaceX mega float June 13, 2026 Elon Musk is never far from the headlines and now the Tesla and X owner is making history once again after the blockbuster float of his SpaceX company has made him the world’s first ever paper trillionaire. The 54-year-old’s net worth was estimated at 982.6bn US dollars (£733bn) before the float, according to Forbes, which has swelled [...]
Starmer clings on as defence spending plan in disarray after resignations June 12, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership has been dealt another major blow as defence ministers quit the government over a lack of funding for security. It was confirmed on Friday that the Defence Investment Plan had still not yet been completed after months of wrangling and delays. But on Thursday, John Healey resigned as defence secretary in [...]
The best places to eat sandwiches in Lisbon, from bifanas to pregos June 12, 2026 Most people have their own markers of summer. Elderflower trees blossom into white spidery nets, parks fill up and tops come off, the Premier League finally ends. But for sandwich lovers, the sign of supposedly warmer days ahead comes in the form of an Instagram post by Farringdon-favourite Quality Wines. Word quickly spreads: The bifana [...]