Consumer confidence hits two-year high but ‘could soon falter’ September 25, 2026 Consumer confidence has surged to a two-year high in a surprise rise which will hand a much-needed boost to Andy Burnham ahead of the Budget – but experts have warned that momentum could soon run out. GfK’s closely-watched consumer confidence barometer rose to -13 in September, a rise of about one point since last month [...]
I’m a property developer – here’s why I’m still building in London September 25, 2026 Today’s housing market is hampered by higher interest rates, build cost inflation, weaker sales and headlines about war in the Middle East and Ukraine. But residential development has always been about managing cycles: with many projects taking more than a decade from conception through planning, construction to handing over the key to new homes. Property [...]
Class action vehicle lawsuit settles at £55m less than original value September 24, 2026 A class action lawsuit representing millions of UK motorists and businesses affected by inflated shipping fees has settled for £57m less than its original £150m target. The claim, brought by class action representative and former Which? campaigns specialist Mark McLaren, alleged that from October 2006 to September 2015, leading European shipping companies had breached competition [...]
Personal allowance hike on the menu at October Budget September 24, 2026 The Chancellor is weighing up proposals to raise the personal allowance at next month’s Budget in what could be the biggest shake-up to income tax rules in years. John Healey is reportedly considering unfreezing the income threshold at which earners start paying tax from £12,570 to as much as £15,570. The unfreezing would be the [...]
Why wearing a tie could boost your productivity September 24, 2026 The House of Lords may not require ties, but you should wear one. Yes, even if working from home, says Thomas Jackson Updated guidance published last week confirmed that while Peers in the House of Lords will still be expected to dress in business attire, they don’t have to wear a necktie. The tie itself [...]
Treasury’s new Head of Growth will have their work cut out September 24, 2026 Do you want the good news or the bad news? Trick question, I’m afraid. There is no good news. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has revised its forecast for UK economic growth this year from 0.9 per cent to 1.1 per cent, but – before you reach for the champagne – they’ve [...]
Burnham urged to boost West End with tax cuts and extra policing September 24, 2026 The West End risks losing its status as one of the world’s best shopping and hospitality destinations without immediate action to cut tax and boost policing, Andy Burnham has been warned. The New West End Company (NWEC), which represents 800 businesses involved in the world-famous district, has urged the government to slash business rates and [...]
Healey urged to cut business costs as consumer confidence slips September 24, 2026 Retailers have called on John Healey to slash the “burdensome” costs of doing business at the Budget next month, warning that consumer confidence will continue to stumble without urgent action. The British Retail Consortium (BRC), which represents top retailers like Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer, has urged the Chancellor to tackle the “triple blow” [...]
Financial literacy teaches young people to have aspiration, says Barings boss September 23, 2026 Financial literacy is crucial to teach young people to have aspiration about their future prospects, a senior leader at one of the world’s biggest investment firms has told City AM. Martin Horne, Co-Head of Global Investments at alternative asset manager Barings, said young people are able to have a much better understanding of how to [...]
On this day: Bruce Springsteen is born September 23, 2026 On 23 September 1949, Bruce Springsteen aka ‘The Boss’ was born in New Jersey. His life and music would go on to define post-war America, writes Eliot Wilson The way in which modern rock music developed means that the late 1940s are stuffed full of famous births. Take 1949 alone, and you will find enduring [...]