Co-op warns 150,000 jobs at risk ahead of Autumn Budget October 13, 2025 The Co-op has warned that 60,000 small shops and 150,000 jobs could be lost without business rates reform in next month’s Autumn Budget. The Manchester-headquartered group has said Britain’s high streets “face a critical moment” and that Chancellor Rachel Reeves needs to announce “maximum” business rates relief on 26 November. The call comes after City [...]
Reeves warns the rich will ‘contribute more’ as Budget tax squeeze looms October 12, 2025 Rachel Reeves has signalled that wealthier households will be asked to “contribute more” in her Budget next month, as the chancellor seeks to close a £20–30bn gap in the public finances without cutting spending or taking on new debt. Treasury sources told The Telegraph that Reeves will neither reduce public spending nor expand borrowing significantly, [...]
China fires back at Trump’s 100% tariff threat as markets jitter October 12, 2025 Just a day after president Donald Trump sent global markets reeling with his promise of a fresh 100 per cent tariff on Chinese imports, Beijing has struck back, accusing the US of “double standards” and warning that it could introduce its own countermeasures. A spokesperson for China’s Commerce Ministry said Washington’s threat to punish Beijing [...]
China’s London mega-embassy plan in limbo amid site security fears October 12, 2025 China’s plans for a new mega-embassy in central London have been thrown into doubt amid mounting national security concerns that the proposed site sits directly above critical fibre-optic cables linked to the UK’s financial networks. The £750m project at Royal Mint Court, the former home of Britain’s coin-maker, located next to the Tower of London, [...]
William Hill could close 200 betting shops as gambling industry faces mounting tax pressure October 12, 2025 William Hill is eyeing shutting 200 of its UK betting shops as parent company Evoke looks to steady its heavily indebted balance sheet ahead of a potential tax raid in next month’s budget. The move comes as the Gambling Commission and Treasury consider tougher rules and levies for the gambling sector, which has already been [...]
Premier Inn investors eye Oasis boost in earnings report October 11, 2025 Investors in Premier Inn’s owner will be hoping the UK’s largest hotel chain has been given a summer boost on the back of rising hotel prices and fans flocking to UK concerts. Whitbread, which also owns the Beefeater and Brewers Fayre chains, will publish its half-year financial results on Thursday. A group of analysts for [...]
Majority of Brits reject Labour’s ‘nanny state’ policies October 11, 2025 A majority of Brits reject ‘nanny state’ measures from Labour to control “unhealthy” lifestyle choices stating they have more trust in themselves than the government. Fresh polling from the Adam Smith Institute shows six in ten Brits do not support the government having much control over adults’ health and personal decisions. It comes after the [...]
Parliament must ‘challenge’ Labour’s handling of China spy case October 10, 2025 Parliament has to “challenge the government’s handling” of the collapsed case against two men accused of spying for China, a senior Tory has told City AM. Speaking to City AM, David Davis MP, stated the issue must go to Parliament, “given that the government has quite explicitly put commercial interest ahead of the security and integrity [...]
Manchester United stadium plans move into next phase October 10, 2025 Manchester United have moved into the next phase of their stadium build after co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe insisted they can be the most profitable club in the world. Foster + Partners unveiled designs for a new edition of Old Trafford, which will be located on land adjacent to the Theatre of Dreams, in March. It [...]
Forget strategy, company culture is the trump card for struggling businesses October 10, 2025 Up against changing tech, tariffs and government policy, it's company culture, not strategy, that will help businesses, writes Chris Lewis.