Ian McKellen flirts with Ncuti Gatwa in delightful Frank and Percy film – review October 23, 2026 Frank and Percy with Ian McKellen at London Film Festival, review and star rating: ★★★★ Aged 87, Ian McKellen is gleefully avoiding being typecast by the sort of grandad-in-armchair roles most working actors of his age are weighed down with. And what a joy it is to see him careering about flirting with men 50 [...]
Healey’s first Budget calls for restraint October 23, 2026 With fiscal headroom under pressure, expect targeted support and modest tax rises in the Autumn Budget, leaving bigger decisions for next year, writes Philip Shaw. John Healey’s first Budget on 28 October will test how the Government reconciles its ambitions with financial reality. Although the UK economy is on course to grow this year, the [...]
Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust narrowly defeats Saba’s third oust attempt October 23, 2026 Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust has survived the third attempt by activist hedge fund Saba Capital to oust its board. Shareholders quashed the efforts of the Boaz Weinstein-run fund to take control of the £1.1bn investment trust by a narrow margin, with 52.8 per cent voting against Saba’s resolution to appoint three of its nominees [...]
9 best London Film Festival movies – and when they’re in UK cinemas October 23, 2026 Over 250 films, 33 world premieres, and 88 participating countries… City AM’s culture desk have rounded up the movies we saw at this year’s London Film Festival, which has wrapped for another year. From legal dramas to terrifyingly prescient films about AI, alternative histories and horrors, here are our thoughts on the releases this year, [...]
Autumn Budget 2026: What does the bond market want from Healey? October 23, 2026 John Healey is not expected to rock the boat in his maiden Budget next week. Looking at the combustible bond market, that’s probably just as well, writes Ali Lyon. John Healey is, the well-worn cliche goes, walking a tightrope. Boxed in from three directions, the Chancellor could certainly have hoped for an easier backdrop in [...]
Fifa boss Infantino’s re-election bid boosted as Asian chiefs complete spectacular climbdown October 23, 2026 Asian football chiefs have U-turned and backed Fifa president Gianni Infantino for re-election just weeks after accusing him of “a fundamental breach of trust”. The move is another nail in the coffin of the bid to oust Infantino over his secret World Cup sell-off plan and leaves European governing body Uefa increasingly isolated in opposition. [...]
Healey moves to slash red tape and save firms £800m a year October 23, 2026 Chancellor John Healey has said a package to streamline regulation on reporting requirements as well as further tariff reductions will save businesses around £800m a year. In a pre-Budget announcement to offer “breathing space” to businesses, Healey confirmed that the government would make reporting requirements for firms and asset managers easier. The changes on reporting [...]
Getting closer to the EU is a sop to Burnham’s socialist backbenchers October 23, 2026 Andy Burnham wants to undo Brexit because he’s given on the supply side reforms Britain needs for growth, says Joseph Dinnage October is always grim. The temperature drops, the rain begins and the darkness sets in. This month is poised to be even drearier than usual. In a week’s time, we’ll have John Healey’s first Budget. Healey [...]
Business needs to speak up in Britain’s battle of ideas October 23, 2026 Politics is about to get more stark and much more consequential. Business leaders need to be pragmatic, dealing with the government of the day. But it strikes me that in this battle of ideas, they need to stand up for what works – especially when the country we all love is going in the wrong direction, [...]
Letting Britain’s arts buildings crumble will cost us all October 23, 2026 Culture is essential civic infrastructure, but Britain is letting its arts buildings fall into disrepair, writes Elaine Bedell.