The state is nothing like a start-up December 11, 2024 Pat McFadden wants the state to be more like a start-up, but the ‘move fast and break things’ mentality has no place in public services on which so many depend. There is, however, a better model… The government’s announcement of a £100m innovation fund to embrace a “test-and-learn” mindset is undeniably ambitious. Speaking at University [...]
Callum Skye: first look inside the radical, British-built EV December 11, 2024 Callum has revealed the interior of the new Skye – a mould-breaking, British-made electric off-roader, due in 2026. The Skye’s cabin is surprisingly spacious for a compact car, including two child-sized rear seats that fold down to boost luggage capacity. Its minimalist aesthetic is combined with high-end materials, plus near-endless scope for personalisation. I sat [...]
Motor finance scandal: FCA boss tells unhappy customers to complain December 10, 2024 Treasury Committee chair Dame Meg Hillier on Tuesday described the ongoing saga over the sale of car finance as "one unholy mess."
J-Mac and Yiu Simply the go-to pairing at the Valley December 10, 2024 FOLLOWING all the drama and razzmatazz associated with international racing in Hong Kong last week, it is back to Happy Valley today for another fiendishly difficult and competitive nine-race programme starting at 10.40am. Trainer Ricky Yiu certainly endeared himself to the majority of the 70,000 spectators at Sha Tin on Sunday, saddling well-backed and popular [...]
Fugitif can escape with December’s Gold Cup December 10, 2024 WE’RE back at the home of the Jumps this week as Cheltenham hosts its two-day Christmas Meeting. While there’s some good racing on Friday, Saturday’s card makes more appeal at this stage from an ante-post perspective and the big handicap, the December Gold Cup (1.50pm), is definitely a race to focus on. This is the [...]
FCA rejects ‘light-touch’ regulation in push for City growth December 10, 2024 The heads of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) told MPs they will not adopt a “light-touch” approach to regulation today after criticism the City watchdog has hampered growth with burdensome red tape. Appearing before the Treasury Committee on Tuesday, FCA chief executive, Nikhil Rathi, and chair, Ashley Alder, warned of the challenges in delivering on [...]
The rise of the regulators December 10, 2024 Regulators have expanded massively over the last 50 years, in terms of headcount, expenditure and scope. This has created a risk aversion ratchet which is hampering growth and damaging democracy – there is another way, says James Vitali Over the past fifty years, a silent revolution has taken place in the British constitution. While central [...]
Leica SL3 review: Love blossomed with this mirrorless beauty December 10, 2024 Leica SL3 review: Utterly peerless ★★★★★ It feels like the plot from one of the romcoms I get teased by my other half for watching. You bond over whiskies at an exotic location – well, if you can call Geleneagles exotic – they even lose your luggage for comedic effect. You fall in love. But [...]
Naked Wines toasts progress as losses are slashed December 10, 2024 The boss of Naked Wines has said the brand is “in a better position, both financially and strategically” after slashing its losses during the first half of its financial year. The Norwich-headquartered company has reported a pre-tax loss of £5.6m for the six months to 30 September, 2024, down from the £9.7m loss it posted [...]
Profit takes off at Manchester Airport and London Stansted owner December 10, 2024 Profit at the group behind Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports took off in the first six months of its financial year thanks to a record-breaking summer, it has been announced. Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has reported a pre-tax profit of £139.6m for the six months to 30 September, 2024, up from £115.9m, thanks [...]