‘Significant backlog’ for Tribunal cases as new workers’ rights come into law April 8, 2026 Concerns have been raised about the “ongoing and significant” backlog at the Employment Tribunal as new worker rights come into play this week. The Law Society, while welcoming the launch of the Fair Work Agency (FWA), raised concerns that the new agency will be equipped to tackle the case backlog. Between Monday and Tuesday, a [...]
Energy bills threat recedes but retail and hospitality remain on brink April 8, 2026 Retail and hospitality leaders are optimistic that the Iran-US ceasefire could spare them from the worst energy bill shocks, but are urging the government to address an array of other cost pressures. British businesses had warned that the soaring energy prices caused by the war in the Middle East could be devastating if the conflict [...]
Construction firms slash jobs after biggest-ever cost inflation rise April 8, 2026 Construction businesses cut jobs at a faster pace in March while the month-to-month inflation rise was the largest on record in a survey that has existed for 29 years. S&P Global said the difference in a reading for cost inflation between February and March was the largest it had ever recorded since data collection began [...]
‘I fired the board that fired me’: TGI Fridays boss on restaurant turnaround April 8, 2026 TGI Fridays had its heyday in the 1980s but slumped into administration last year. Its new boss Ray Blanchette tells Felix Armstrong the nostalgic chain can win back Britain after a period in turmoil. “I land at Heathrow and jump in a cab. The plane got in late,” says Ray Blanchette, recalling the day he [...]
Londonmaxxing could save the capital’s jobs market April 8, 2026 Can Londonmaxxing help revive the capital's flailing job market? Employment expert Kevin Fitzgerald thinks so.
Bank of England: Interest rate hike predictions cool as trader sentiment resets April 8, 2026 Fears of several interest rate hikes being made have eased as traders raved at the news of a ceasefire in the Middle East. Markets are now pricing in just one interest rate hike as the two-year gilt yield dropped to 4.1 per cent. The current interest rate is set at 3.75 per cent by the [...]
Shell and BP plummet after Trump declares ceasefire with Iran April 8, 2026 FTSE 100 oil stocks plunged in early morning trading as Brent prices fell after US President Donald Trump declared a two week ceasefire with Iran. Oil giant Shell suffered a 7.1 per cent slump, trading at 3,311.4 pence, bringing its rally over the course of the Iran war to a screeching halt. Rival BP recorded [...]
Jeito Capital Hits Record $1.2 Billion (€1 Billion)1 Close for Jeito II Fund to Drive Breakthrough Therapeutic Innovation for Patients April 8, 2026 This record closing is the largest raise ever achieved by a fully independent European fund dedicated to Biopharma, validating Jeito’s patient-driven investment strategy, its multidisciplinary, collaborative expertise spanning from science to commercialization of medicines, and value creation In five years, Jeito Capital has tripled its assets under management to €1.6 billion, firmly establishing itself among the top-tier global Biopharma investors Jeito II will build on Jeito I’s proven and differentiated strategy, investing in the most promising clinical Biopharma companies which address unmet patient needs and severe diseases, accelerate breakthrough therapeutic innovation, and deliver transformative benefits for patients This fundraise represents significant momentum for European Biopharma, strengthening its financial firepower and expertise to develop the next generation of global champions
N3XT and Zodia Markets Partner to Enable 24/7 Instant USD Payments Across Zodia’s Institutional Digital Asset Ecosystem April 8, 2026 N3XT, the blockchain-powered narrow bank built for instant, programmable B2B payments, and Zodia Markets, the digital asset platform enabling institutional capital through stablecoins, today announced a partnership to deliver real-time U.S. dollar settlement across Zodia Markets’ client base. The collaboration tackles a core friction in digital asset markets, where fragmented banking access and restricted operating [...]
Close Brothers shares soar as bank ‘well positioned’ for £320m motor finance hit April 8, 2026 Close Brothers has insisted it is “well positioned” to absorb the financial hit from the City watchdog’s motor finance redress scheme but added to speculation another legal battle could be on the horizon. The FTSE 250 lender told markets on Wednesday morning that it estimates the cost of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) redress scheme [...]