Barclays’ high street U-turn exposes a divide in British banking April 8, 2026 Bank have ditched the high street over the last decade but is a comeback on the horizon? Samuel Norman explores the changes in this week’s column. In Westminster, the news cycle is never short of drama over U-turns. Subtle tweaks or direct bait-and-switches on policy are batted away by government spokespeople as mere “pivots” as [...]
MiQ Acquires Rocket Lab to Accelerate AI-Powered App Growth Globally April 7, 2026 Deal brings in-app growth and total-market reach together in one unified advertising solution
MFS software platform put up for sale after lender’s collapse April 7, 2026 A software platform developed for Market Finance Solutions has been put up for sale by administrators following the lender’s collapse, City AM can reveal. The software, which has been designed to be used in conjunction with Salesforce, was built as an “automated lending platform” including sales, underwriting and ‘KYC’ identity checks for new customers. “The [...]
WRITER Survey Finds 60% of Companies Plan to Lay Off Employees Who Won’t Adopt AI April 7, 2026 C-suite executives report they’re creating a two-tiered workforce: 92% are actively cultivating a new class of “AI elite” employees; 75% say their company’s AI strategy is “more for show” than real guidance
Leon founder: Labour ‘killing’ restaurant industry April 7, 2026 The founder of fast food chain Leon has accused the government of “killing” the restaurant industry by saddling the industry with a crushing tax burden. John Vincent, who founded Leon and recently bought it back, said on Tuesday “everyone knows restaurants are done” because of the government’s treatment of hospitality. The government has faced intense [...]
Blackstone swoops on Senior in £1.3bn aerospace supply chain play April 7, 2026 Manufacturing giant Senior has agreed to a £1.3bn takeover by a consortium backed by Blackstone and Tinicum, marking the latest London-listed industrial firm to be taken private as overseas buyers target UK assets. The recommended all-cash offer values the FTSE 250 engineer at £1.28bn, with an implied enterprise value of roughly £1.4bn, the companies told [...]
Businesses brace for costs as new workers’ rights kick in April 7, 2026 Businesses across Britain are bracing for a sharp hike in costs and hiring struggles as the government’s new workers’ rights laws begin to take effect this week. The British Retail Consortium (BRC), a leading trade body, said the Employment Rights Act risks adding to an onslaught of rising cost pressures facing firms, including wage hikes [...]
Iceland boss offers job to Waitrose worker who tackled shoplifter April 7, 2026 The boss of Iceland has offered a job to a man who was sacked by Waitrose after he prevented a shoplifter from attempting to steal luxury Easter eggs. Richard Walker, boss of the budget supermarket chain, posted on LinkedIn telling Walker Smith, the shop assistant sacked by Waitrose: “You’re welcome to a job with us. [...]
The Lake District but thrilling, with yacht trips and 4×4 off-roading April 7, 2026 THE LOCATIONA designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lake District is the UK’s most famous national park, renowned for its glacial lakes, rugged mountains and rich literary heritage. Visitors are drawn by landscapes that inspired artists such as J. M. W. Turner and John Constable, as well as by opportunities to hike or climb in [...]
I’m in my 30s – here’s why I choose staycations over foreign holidays April 7, 2026 A staycation helps me switch off and reconnect with my home in new ways I was standing in the middle of a beach on the British coastline. The sand was fine and golden, and the horizon was clear so I could see for miles. I was in Camber Sands in East Sussex in the village [...]