Trump launches fresh tariffs as government shutdown looms September 30, 2025 In a frenetic 24 hours for the President, Donald Trump has launched fresh tariffs on the US’s trading partners as his government looks to be marching towards shutdown. The White House has said it will charge a 10 per cent tariff on foreign softwood lumber and timber, used in a wide variety of building materials, [...]
Starmer warns of ‘long and difficult road’ to build fairer country September 29, 2025 Prime Minister Keir Starmer will tell Labour members that the government faces a “long and difficult” path towards rebuilding the country in a speech set to define his leadership after a troubled year in office. Starmer’s speech on Tuesday afternoon will warn the audience at the Labour Party Conference that decisions will not be “cost-free”, [...]
Will we mourn the loss of WH Smith from the high street? September 29, 2025 So long then, WH Smith, a firm which has graced our high streets for more than a century – even though it never intended to. Founded as a small newspaper kiosk in Mayfair in 1792, the business grew massively in the mid-19th century, spurred by the rapid expansion of the railways, which allowed consumers up [...]
Usain Bolt: Family, positivity, and my surprising career change September 29, 2025 What does the fastest man in the world do when he slows down? For the cover of City AM Magazine, Autumn edition, Usain Bolt talks to Sam Kessler about his unrecognisable new life On 16 August 2009, the world record for the 100m sprint was set at 9.58 seconds at the World Championships in Berlin. [...]
Rachel Reeves warns ‘harder choices’ coming at Budget September 29, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has warned that her choices will be “harder” at this year’s Budget, with questions being raised on whether she will row back on Labour manifesto tax commitments to plug a £30bn shortfall. In a speech at the Labour Party conference, Reeves said that “harsh global headwinds” and the effects of her Tory [...]
How are ‘bankrupt’ France’s borrowing costs still lower than ours? September 29, 2025 Locked in a protracted political crisis over the extent of its indebtedness – and with its deficit running at over five per cent of GDP – France has earned itself the unwanted monikers of ‘the sick man of Europe’ and the ‘new Greece’. Despite these woes, its borrowing costs remain lower than the UK’s. Ali [...]
Losses widen at Haven rival Parkdean amid ‘challenging backdrop’ September 29, 2025 Holiday park operator Parkdean lost almost £150m during its latest financial year despite its revenue increasing over the same period, it has been confirmed. The business, which is a direct rival of Haven and is headquartered near Newcastle upon Tyne, has reported a pre-tax loss of £147.7m for 2024. The latest total comes after it [...]
GBK: Gourmet Burger Kitchen creates 600 jobs amid profit return September 29, 2025 Gourmet Burger Kitchen has created almost 600 jobs as it returned to profit during its latest financial year. The restaurant chain increased its headcount from 1,652 to 2,235 in 2024, according to new accounts filed with Companies House. The results have also revealed that Gourmet Burger Kitchen achieved a pre-tax profit of £4.8m for the [...]
On this day: The Bill of Rights is set in motion September 29, 2025 On this day in 1789, the Bill of Rights was sent to the states for ratification. With the right to free speech still hotly contested 300 years later, Eliot Wilson goes back to the start.
Labour say manifesto stands ‘today’ as Reeves ducks VAT hike September 29, 2025 The Chancellor would not rule out fresh rises to VAT ahead of her speech to Labour Party Conference later today, when pressed on the issue by LBC’s Nick Ferrari this morning. Asked whether Brits could face increases to the retail levy, Reeves said: “You’ll know we made those commitments in our manifesto, and those commitments [...]