Christmas attractions face sharp rise in property taxes after Budget December 15, 2025 London’s Winter Wonderland and Hamleys are set to be hit by sharp jumps in their property taxes from next year as UK Christmas attractions come under pressure from next year’s business rates overhaul. Analysis of official figures has shown that a raft of Christmas attractions, markets and destination-led retail will face increases in business rates [...]
Could Zack Polanski be the Conservatives’ useful idiot? December 15, 2025 Rather than being scared of Zack Polanski, perhaps those on the centre right should learn to stop worrying and embrace the Green Party leader’s potential to unseat Labour, argues James Ford Zack Polanski is many things: failed actor, dodgy hypnotist, one-time chorister, former Liberal Democrat and Rizzle Kicks fan. He is also extremely popular with [...]
Mahmood urges Labour figures to ‘focus on day job’ amid Burnham speculation December 14, 2025 Labour figures should “focus on the day job” of delivering for the public and Sir Keir Starmer is “not going”, Shabana Mahmood has said amid fresh speculation about Andy Burnham’s ambitions. The Home Secretary said everyone within the party had their “role to play” in backing the Government after reports the Greater Manchester Mayor is [...]
Labour must unite behind Starmer or risk losses to Reform, deputy leader says December 13, 2025 Labour must unite behind Keir Starmer or risk defeat by Reform UK at the local elections next year, Lucy Powell has warned. The deputy leader cautioned against “navel-gazing” or “throwing bricks from the sidelines” and said the party must come together to get its message across before next May. Her intervention comes after a difficult [...]
HSBC follows Nationwide with branch pledge in bid to woo customers December 12, 2025 HSBC has promised it will not shut any branches in the UK until at least 2027 as the bank ramps up its efforts to appeal to customers. The FTSE 100 titan, which is Europe’s biggest lender, will invest £55.8m into its 327 branches in 2026, a 30 per cent increase on the £42m it spent [...]
City of London confirms major funding for housing upgrades December 12, 2025 The City of London has confirmed funding for upgrades to its housing stock across the Square Mile and six London boroughs. The Corporation, which manages 1,800 social rented homes as well as 900 leasehold properties across London, has allocated £152m from the City’s Fund to support the major works programme, which totals £211m. The decision [...]
Jamie Oliver ‘cutting jobs’ ahead of restaurant chain’s return December 12, 2025 A part of Jamie Oliver’s business empire has cut a firth of its workforce, according to reports, as the celebrity chef plans a return to the high street next year. Jamie Oliver Group has shed 25 of its 126 employees through a redundancy round, Sky News has reported. City AM has contacted the group for [...]
Fabre poised to hit target again in the Hong Kong Vase with Sosie December 12, 2025 GET SET for Hong Kong’s blockbuster race meeting of the year, the LONGINES Hong Kong International races at Sha Tin on Sunday. Four elite Group One races, with 20 Group One winners on show, competing for around £13m in prize money. With an eight-hour time difference in the UK, racing fans are going to need [...]
‘It probably could do my job’: New ChatGPT model catches up with junior bank analysts December 12, 2025 OpenAI introduced a new ChatGPT model on Thursday, which they claim is the first to outperform human experts. The software, GPT-5.2, is specifically designed for professional use and was tested using tasks which would typically be assigned to a junior analyst at an investment bank. These included putting together a three-statement model for a Fortune [...]
‘We chose AIM over Nasdaq and Euronext’: Power Probe boss December 12, 2025 The boss of US toolmaker Power Probe said he felt the AIM market was the best international venue for the company after completing a London stock market float. In an interview with City AM, Power Probe chief executive Chema Garcia said: “With 90 per cent of our revenue in the US, the first option was [...]