Council finances in dire straits, MPs say June 18, 2025 Councils could run out of money in 2026 due to unsustainable book balancing methods, according to parliamentarians. The hike in national insurance contributions (NIC), combined with spending on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), has squeezed local council finances, a new report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has found. Despite Reform’s DOGE campaign, they [...]
The London Stock Exchange has a Martin Lewis-shaped hole June 18, 2025 Martin Lewis has helped millions with his money-saving tips, but his views are too short-term, writes Simon Hunt. Cultural observers have been stroking their chins over a recent social trend: a growing number of Brits are going to church on Sundays, reversing decades of decline. It’s a curious phenomenon. But I would posit there’s a [...]
Deal fever: Banking giants plot takeovers to ramp up market share June 18, 2025 British banking is poised for a major shake-up as top names go on the hunt for fresh acquisitions. Lenders have been scouting new deals that would send shockwaves across the industry. Much of the prospective dealmaking involves London lender Shawbrook, whose private equity owners have been circling high street bank Metro. Ahead of this, Shawbrook [...]
Non-dom U-turn would keep South African billionaire in UK June 18, 2025 South Africa’s richest self-made woman would cancel her plans to leave Britain if Rachel Reeves goes ahead with a change to non-dom inheritance tax rules said to be under consideration by the Treasury. Magda Wierzycka, the billionaire entrepreneur behind UK venture capital fund Braavos, had intended to join the wave of rich foreigners departing Britain, [...]
Legal & General: FTSE 100 giant touts asset management plans June 18, 2025 Legal & General is set to delve further into the asset management markets after outlining its fresh growth plan on Tuesday. The firm’s asset management arm, which oversees £1.1 trillion in assets, is setting out targets for the coming year to notch over £500m in operating profit. If successful, this would mark a sharp jump [...]
St James’ Place: Labour’s dividend tax plans could backfire June 18, 2025 Any attempt to yield more revenues through increasing the top rate of tax on dividends may backfire and instead dry up revenue streams, Chancellor Reeves has been warned, as investors look to this year’s Autumn Budget with a sense of dread. Reeves is poised to hike taxes later this year by as much as £20bn [...]
We’ve been building since 1886 – the planning system is the worst it’s ever been June 18, 2025 Delays in the UK planning system – down to brick colour and tile choices – are stalling housing delivery. We need 3,000 new planners and faster approvals to meet national housing goals and boost economic growth, says Tim Roberts When Britain is in the midst of a housing crisis you don’t, as a house builder, [...]
UK unveils cyber security war chest after M&S and Co-op attacks June 18, 2025 The UK government has launched a £16m war chest with the aim to accelerate growth in the country’s cyber security industry in the wake of high-profile attacks against the likes of M&S, the Co-op and Harrods in recent months. Unveiling the funding, the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) said the cyber growth action [...]
Bolt vs Lime: Uber rival to launch e-bikes in London June 18, 2025 Bolt has unveiled plans to introduce electric bikes in London this summer, challenging Lime’s near-monopoly in the capital. The Estonian ride-hailer, which is the largest e-scooter and bike provider in Europe, will launch its London service in August under close supervision from Transport for London (TfL) and local councils. The move makes Bolt the first [...]
MP to take Thames Water to Supreme Court over restructuring plan June 17, 2025 A Liberal Democrat MP will take a case against Thames Water’s restructuring to the Supreme Court. Charlie Maynard, MP for Witney, was among a group which included the utility’s secondary creditors, who opposed a £3bn emergency loan agreement earlier this year. Thames Water has been battling to stave off special administration over the last year [...]