Mortgage approvals up a fifth since January last year March 3, 2025 Mortgage approvals rose 18 per cent year on year in January after interest rate cuts improved affordability. Mortgage approvals sat at 66,189 in January, up 18 per cent from 55,941 in January 2024, according to ONS data. “UK homebuyers appear to have begun the year on the front foot,” CEO of specialist lender Octane Capital, [...]
Three ways to restore confidence in UK public markets March 3, 2025 To reignite confidence in our public markets, we need domestic reforms that increase liquidity, foster investor confidence, and provide more avenues for capital flow, says Alastair King As Lord Mayor I have the privilege of traveling the world promoting London as a global financial powerhouse. Liberalised trade opens doors for stronger partnerships, smoother business, and [...]
FTSE 100 giants Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems surge following Ukraine defence summit March 3, 2025 UK and European defence shares rose to near-record highs on Monday morning lead by names such as Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems, after the defence summit in London, at which European leaders emphasised support for Ukraine and pledged to raise defence spending. The STOXX 600 rose 0.4 per cent boost, following ten consecutive weeks of gains [...]
FTSE 100 hits all-time high as defence stocks soar March 3, 2025 The FTSE 100 index rallied to an all-time high on Monday morning, bolstered by surging defence stocks as European countries signalled their willingness to up defence spending over the weekend. The UK’s blue-chip index rose 0.4 per cent or 32 points after the market opened. BAE Systems led the market higher. The firm’s stock jumped [...]
Co-op Live rakes in millions after overcoming disastrous launch March 3, 2025 Co-op Live, the UK’s largest indoor arena, bounced back from a disastrous launch to rake in millions during its first year in operation. The £365m Manchester venue hit national headlines at the start of 2024 when its grand opening was delayed several times. The fall out led to the resignation of boss Gary Roden days [...]
Spring Statement 2025: Rachel Reeves should be courageous and favour economics over ideology, says Interactive Investor boss March 3, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves needs to be “quite courageous” and not “allow ideology to get in the way of economics” when she delivers her Spring Statement on 26 March, the chief executive of Interactive Investor has said. Richard Wilson, speaking on an up-coming episode of City AM‘s Boardroom Uncovered podcast, added that the government’s growth agenda [...]
Workers rights: Don’t let ‘rogue’ firms undercut good employers, MPs urge March 3, 2025 Changes to the government’s workers’ rights package should be made to ensure “rogue firms” don’t undercut Britain’s best employers, MPs have urged. The Employment Rights Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament, should have loopholes closed to avoid some companies exploiting work insecurity, the House of Commons Business and Trade Committee (BTC) has [...]
‘The West must not divide’, Italy’s Meloni tells Starmer March 2, 2025 Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned Sir Keir Starmer the West must “avoid the risk” of dividing during a visit to Downing Street on Sunday. Starmer welcomed Meloni for a bilateral meeting ahead of a summit of political leaders in London focused on Ukraine and wider European security. Speaking in Downing Street, Meloni said that [...]
Starmer speaks of ‘driving purpose’ to unite Nato allies after White House clash March 2, 2025 Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said his “driving purpose” over the last few days has been reuniting Ukraine and the US after their presidents clashed in the White House. As Starmer gathers European leaders in London to forge a common position on ending the war in Ukraine, the Prime Minister said he is “working hard” [...]
Betting and Gaming Council hails gambling minister after AGM March 2, 2025 The Betting and Gaming Council have heaped support on gambling minister Baroness Twycross after her address at the group’s AGM. “In my short time in post, I have seen the value this sector brings,” the former London Assembly member said last week. “Not just in tax receipts and jobs created, but as a leisure activity, [...]