The state is nothing like a start-up December 11, 2024 Pat McFadden wants the state to be more like a start-up, but the ‘move fast and break things’ mentality has no place in public services on which so many depend. There is, however, a better model… The government’s announcement of a £100m innovation fund to embrace a “test-and-learn” mindset is undeniably ambitious. Speaking at University [...]
Callum Skye: first look inside the radical, British-built EV December 11, 2024 Callum has revealed the interior of the new Skye – a mould-breaking, British-made electric off-roader, due in 2026. The Skye’s cabin is surprisingly spacious for a compact car, including two child-sized rear seats that fold down to boost luggage capacity. Its minimalist aesthetic is combined with high-end materials, plus near-endless scope for personalisation. I sat [...]
Private clubs and boarding schools: Abu Dhabi’s plan to attract ultra-wealthy December 10, 2024 Abu Dhabi is targeting the ultra-wealthy with private clubs, elite schools, and revamped banking, aiming at those considering leaving the UK
Cineworld: The six cinemas to close as restructuring plan completes December 10, 2024 Cineworld has revealed it will close another six of its cinemas across the UK as its major restructuring process comes to an end. The troubled chain will shutter its sites in Castleford, Leigh, Middlesbrough, Northampton, Poole and Weymouth. The move comes after Cineworld previously closed five sites after first announcing the overhaul in July. The [...]
HS2: Costs for London Euston section reach over £7.5bn December 10, 2024 Rachel Reeves confirmed in the Autumn Budget HS2 will terminate at Euston station, following a political kerfuffle over how to find the necessary funding.
FCA rejects ‘light-touch’ regulation in push for City growth December 10, 2024 The heads of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) told MPs they will not adopt a “light-touch” approach to regulation today after criticism the City watchdog has hampered growth with burdensome red tape. Appearing before the Treasury Committee on Tuesday, FCA chief executive, Nikhil Rathi, and chair, Ashley Alder, warned of the challenges in delivering on [...]
London Stock Exchange exodus hits £107bn as Ashtead eyes the US December 10, 2024 The value of companies fleeing the London Stock Exchange for foreign markets has reached £107bn this year after FTSE 100 Ashtead announced it would be heading across the Atlantic today. In a statement this morning, the construction equipment firm confirmed a long-rumoured move to swap its primary listing to the US, where it has its [...]
Harrods: Christmas strikes set for crisis-hit department store December 10, 2024 Harrods, the crisis-hit iconic London department store, is braced for another blow as hundreds of workers voted to strike over the critical Christmas period. Employees represented by the United Voices of the World (UVW) union will walk out from 8pm on Friday, 20 December, to Sunday, 22 December, and again from 12am on Boxing Day [...]
Brick Lane Banksy destroyed by TfL due to risk of ‘anti-social activity’ December 10, 2024 Transport for London (TfL) has removed an artwork by Banksy from Brick Lane due to concerns over it encouraging "anti-social activity".
Property tycoon Nick Candy defects to Reform from Conservatives December 10, 2024 Property tycoon Nick Candy has defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK in a boost for the insurgent party. The former Tory donor, who is married to pop star and ex-Neighbours actor Holly Valance, told The Sun that there has been “too many broken promises and a complete breach of trust with the wealth creators [...]