Jim O’Neill: Capital gains tax hike ‘looms’ as top option for Burnham September 2, 2026 Lord Jim O’Neill has warned a hike to capital gains tax “looms out” as one of the easiest revenue-raising options for Andy Burnham and his chancellor, John Healey, as the pair draw up plans for their first Budget in October. “They’ve ruled out the three main taxes, so if they’re going to have to find [...]
Burnham will fail unless he pivots on net zero September 2, 2026 Andy Burnham can’t reindistrialise, create jobs or drive down the cost of living while remaining committed to decarbonisation at any cost, says Joseph Dinnage Andy Burnham has promised a political revolution. Through his programme of devolution, the Prime Minister will apparently create new jobs, reindustrialise Britain and preside over new housing. Very laudable. Though he [...]
‘Misleading’ Frasers ad banned amid feud with watchdog September 2, 2026 The advertising watchdog has censured Frasers Group for running a “misleading” ad just days after its finance chief ramped up a bitter row with the regulator. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned an online advert published by Sports Direct, which is owned by Frasers, for a Puma sports top which it said misled shoppers [...]
UK economy stuck in ‘slow lane’ as business investment to slump September 1, 2026 A slump in business investment will drag on the UK economy’s potential for growth over the rest of the year as industry chiefs warned that the country was stuck in the “slow lane”. The British Chambers of Commerce has warned that the UK economy is set for a slowdown in momentum over the remaining two [...]
SNP slammed for ‘mind-boggling’ food price cap plans September 1, 2026 The Scottish government has been criticised for its “mind-boggling” plans to impose price caps on major retailers operating in the country, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Aldi. The Scottish National Party (SNP) has published a draft bill for the policy, which has been dismissed as an “unnecessary exercise” by leading retailers. SNP leader John Swinney’s initial [...]
Bingo giant takes hit from rising employment costs September 1, 2026 The country’s biggest bingo hall operator has hit out at the “significant” hikes to employment costs which dragged down its earnings despite surging Gen-Z interest in the pastime. Buzz Bingo, formerly Gala, blamed recent increases in employer national insurance contributions (NICs) and the minimum wage for its six per cent dip in underlying earnings, to [...]
Healey facing £6bn hit as UK borrowing costs reach highest point since financial crisis September 1, 2026 UK borrowing costs have hit their highest level since the financial crisis as gilts were swept up in a mass rout across global bond markets. The UK government is set to pay a higher rate on debt interest as 10-year gilt yields, the benchmark for borrowing costs, were up by as much as 15 basis [...]
Bunzl: Inflation spike lifts FTSE 100 outsourcing firm’s revenue September 1, 2026 Distributor Bunzl saw a boost in its bottom line after the firm was able to pass on inflationary pressures to customers. The FTSE 100 outsourcing group recorded a three per cent rise in revenue to £5.93bn in the first half of the year, bolstered by commodity-driven price adjustments and growth across North American markets. Bunzl’s [...]
House prices remain sluggish in ‘subdued’ property market September 1, 2026 House prices continued their sluggish run in August, gaining just 0.2 per cent on the previous month, as uncertainty caused by the Iran war and the upcoming Budget in October weigh on the market. The average UK house price grew by 1.6 per cent to £275,465 in the year to August, marking a slight improvement [...]
Ask the expert: Can I build a £1m pension by 60? September 1, 2026 Fidelity personal financial specialist Marianna Hunt is back on hand to answer your burning questions, and today a reader wants to know how to achieve a £1m pension pot. Q. I’m 32 and earn £50,000 per year. I only have about £55,000 in my pension currently and want to grow that to £1m by age [...]