Andrew Bailey sends warning as officials say interest rate hikes ‘increasingly likely’ Economics Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has said that it will become “harder” to leave interest rates on hold if energy prices remain higher for longer. At an event in Oxford on Friday, the Bank of England chief indicated that interest rates would have to be raised from 3.75 per cent if oil and gas [...]
‘Knock that dead’: Burnham rules out calling early election Politics Andy Burnham has said the next election will be in 2029 as he ruled out an early snap vote during interviews with local broadcasters. In an interview with ITV North West and Yorkshire, Burnham confirmed that the next General Election would take place at the end of this parliament. Reports suggested that Number 10 was [...]
‘Last days of the honeymoon’: Anxious bosses prepare charm offensive at Labour conference Politics Ahead of the Labour Party Conference on Sunday, and one month away from the Budget, businesses are feeling nervous, write Mauricio Alencar and Felix Armstrong Stepping onto an early-morning Avanti West Coast train from London Euston is now a familiar feeling for the Prime Minister. Andy Burnham is set to make the journey more regularly [...]
Court fast-tracks Victoria’s Secret PINK brand clash with London shirtmaker September 25, 2026 Lingerie giant Victoria’s Secret has secured a fast-tracked trial in the High Court in London in October to determine whether a London-based shirtmaker breached a legal contract with the lingerie seller over its ‘PINK’ trademark. The case stems from a High Court settlement between the two retail firms in 2015, in which the court ruled [...]
Two countries, one holiday: Turkey’s glitzy Bodrum and Greece’s unbuttoned Kos September 25, 2026 Just a short ferry ride apart, Turkey’s Bodrum and Greece’s Kos make for an easy two-for-one trip. By Nicole Trilivas Two countries in one weekend. This kind of travelmaxxing can sound like overkill (or straight-up exhausting), but it’s reassuringly easy to pair Turkey’s internationally famous Bodrum with the more laid-back, summer-lazy Greek island of Kos. [...]
Met Police set to probe itself over ‘Putney Pusher’ suspect’s death September 25, 2026 The Metropolitan Police is set to probe its own handling of the arrest of the man, now dead, suspected of pushing a woman in front of a bus on Putney Bridge in 2017, after an assessment by the police watchdog. The police were referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following the death [...]
City businesses swap boardrooms for bikes and treasure hunts September 25, 2026 City businesses swapped boardrooms for bikes, treasure hunts and quizzes yesterday as businesses across the Square Mile came together for City Giving Day 2026. The annual fundraising and volunteering initiative hosted by The Lord Mayor’s Appeal, saw companies across the City turn the working day into community activities, challenges and fundraising. David Johnston OBE, Chief [...]
Barbados holidays: The quieter side of the island, with true local charm September 25, 2026 For years travellers have flocked to the pristine West Coast of Barbados – but could the South Side of the island offer a different perspective? Yes, essentially: those hoping to experience authentic Bajan culture as well as stay in luxury accommodation now have a variety of options on this lesser-explored part of the island. I [...]
Police shut exclusive Mayfair members’ club over ‘public safety’ fears September 25, 2026 Police have temporarily closed a Mayfair private members’ club, which has been visited by Sarah Ferguson, Kim Kardashian and Noel Gallagher, over safety concerns. The Metropolitan Police applied to Westminster City Council to suspend the license of Maison Estelle, which subsequently shut its doors on Tuesday. Police said reports of “serious crime, or serious disorder, [...]
The Building Safety Levy will cost eight times more in London than County Durham September 25, 2026 The new Building Safety Levy, introduced to pay for historic fire safety defects, will make many new developments unviable, especially in London where they are needed most, says Mark Holloway The introduction of the Building Safety Levy (BSL) marks a shift in how the government funds the remediation of historic building safety defects. Due to [...]