Construction in worst downturn for five-and-a-half years December 4, 2025 The construction sector suffered its worst downturn in output for five and a half years last month, new figures have shown, in a warning to the Labour government as it hopes to build 1.5m homes by 2030. A monthly S&P Global survey showed that the decline in output rapidly accelerated over the month, with the [...]
The Hollywood legend who wrote Forrest Gump and Dune is making his West End debut December 4, 2025 Eric Roth wrote the screenplay for films like Dune and Forrest Gump. Having turned 80, he decided it was time to write his first ever script for the stage. This piece is published in City AM The Magazine, Winter edition, distributed at major Tube stations and available to pick up from The Royal Exchange. “When Forrest [...]
Butlin’s back in profit after losing almost £75m December 4, 2025 Butlin’s has recovered from losing almost £75m to return to the black during its latest financial year, it has been revealed. The holiday resort chain has posted a pre-tax profit of £28.3m for 2024, according to new accounts filed with Companies House. That comes after Butlin’s fell to a pre-tax loss of £74.2m for 2023. [...]
Growing threats to UK financial stability December 4, 2025 What keeps you up at night? For the governor of the Bank of England it’s a long list of threats to the UK’s financial system – so let’s take a look at them. The Bank of England’s latest financial stability report makes for a sobering read. It says “risks to financial stability have increased during [...]
Reform UK receives £9m donation from billionaire businessman Christopher Harborne December 4, 2025 Reform UK has received the largest ever political donation from a single living person as Thai-based billionaire Christopher Harborne injected £9m into the party. Reform’s precursor organisation, the Brexit Party, previously received donations from Harborne in 2019 and 2020 but it had not yet received donations directly from the billionaire. His £9m donation in August [...]
The happiest race on earth? My Disney World half marathon December 4, 2025 I’m sweating in more places than I thought possible. I can feel warm, salty beads slither their way from the back of my head to the top of my arse. I’ve been running on a closed Florida highway for four miles since 5am and I’m ready to lie in the middle of the road and [...]
AJ Bell: Revenue jumps as customer numbers surge December 4, 2025 Investment platform giant AJ Bell has reported a record financial performance after the group attracted thousands of new customers. Group revenue rose by 18 per cent over its financial year to the end of September to £317.8m, up from £269.4m the 12 months before. Profit before tax increased by 22 per cent to £137.8m, up [...]
Profit rockets at Lord Alan Sugar’s property empire December 4, 2025 Profit at Lord Alan Sugar’s property empire has rocketed after the sale of two investments despite a “difficult” London market. Amshold has reported a pre-tax profit of £14.1m for the 12 months to 30 June, 2025, new accounts filed with Companies House show. The new total comes after the firm turned a pre-tax profit of [...]
Equity fund outflows hit fresh record as Budget uncertainty triggered UK selloff December 4, 2025 Equity funds have suffered their deepest and most prolonged bout of outflows on record with investors pulling more than £10bn in the past six months, fresh figures have revealed. UK-focused funds were the hardest-hit in November after haemorrhaging almost £847m, according to data compiled by global funds network Calastone, with analysts pointing to protracted Budget [...]
K2 Rubicon Specialty Appoints Vicky Hayward as Head of Hull December 4, 2025 K2 Rubicon Specialty, a division of K2 Group Holdings Limited (K2 International) and K2 Insurance Services, announces today it has appointed Vicky Hayward as Head of Hull, further strengthening its marine underwriting capabilities as the business continues its growth trajectory. Vicky brings more than 20 years’ experience in the insurance industry, specialising in Marine Hull [...]