The Debate: Should we go back to buying gold? March 19, 2025 As gold prices reach record high, is it time to start investing in the yellow metal? Two experts hash it out in this week's Debate.
Gold just broke another record: Is it a bubble? March 19, 2025 Gold prices hit another record high this morning, reaching a peak of $3,046 (£2,349) just days after finally breaking the $3,000 barrier. The price of the precious metal has roughly doubled since the start of this decade, leading many to question whether gold can continue climbing. The rise in prices has come amid Middle East [...]
Don’t ask business to ‘shoulder more burden’, CBI chief urges March 19, 2025 The government should not “ask businesses to shoulder any more of a burden”, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) chief has warned in the wake of the welfare cuts. Work and pensions secretary Lilz Kendall announced on Tuesday a raft of welfare measures she said will help bring more working age people back into jobs. [...]
Bentley profit falls on weak China demand March 19, 2025 Bentley Motors has reported a drop in profit and revenue as its boss flagged weaker demand in China. The luxury carmaker, which is owned by Volkswagen, posted an annual operating profit of €373m (£314m) and revenue of €2.6bn (2.2bn). While the profit haul marked the sixth highest in Bentley’s history, it was down more than [...]
M&G slumps to loss as outflows accelerate March 19, 2025 M&G has reported a jump in outflows for 2024. The insurer and asset manager reported outflows of £9.5bn throughout 2024, compared to £4.7bn in 2023, it revealed in its annual results. Outflows were recorded from every arm of the firm. Its traditional Life business was hit hardest, with outflows of £4.8bn during the year. Meanwhile, [...]
Labour is targeting the disabled not because it’s hard, but because it’s easy March 19, 2025 Labour's cut to disability benefits is not the mark of a government making "tough decisions", but desperate ones, writes Will Cooling.
Welfare reforms: What are the politics of Labour’s benefits changes? March 19, 2025 Over the past few weeks, it’s been hard to avoid reports of the government preparing the ground for a string of changes to the UK’s welfare system. Call it kite flying, pitch rolling, or testing the waters, when work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall got to her feet in the House of Commons on Tuesday, [...]
UK fintechs sound alarm on spike in organised crime March 19, 2025 Seven in ten UK fintechs said fraud volumes in their business shot up over the last year, according to new research. Alloy’s State of UK Fraud Report stated 79 per cent of UK fintech firms lost at least £500,000 to fraud in the 12 months to October 2024. Two in five recorded losses between £1m [...]
SMEs delay investments as uncertainty leaves firms on edge March 18, 2025 Small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) are delaying investment decisions, a new survey has found, as Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement threatens to stifle businesses. Uncertainty brought by an escalating global trade war and Reeves’ proposed reforms is making business leaders think twice about their appetite for investments in the short term. The latest survey of [...]
Thailand steps up bid to host Formula 1 Grand Prix March 18, 2025 Thailand’s bid to host a Formula 1 race took a step forward this week after the sport’s chief executive Stefano Domenicali stopped off in Bangkok for a meeting with the country’s prime minister. The season began last weekend in Australia and will continue on Sunday in China, which provided Domenicali an opportunity to look at [...]