State pension set to rise by more than expected in blow to Reeves October 14, 2025 The state pension is set to rise by more than previously expected after the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revised up its figures on wage growth for July, piling extra costs on public finances for Chancellor Rachel Reeves at this year’s Budget. The ONS revised up its wage growth figure for July from 4.7 per [...]
Cisco: Only 16 per cent of UK firms ready to deploy AI safely October 14, 2025 Britain’s race to embrace AI could stumble before it starts, as new research from tech giant Cisco has revealed that just 16 per cent of UK firms are adequately equipped to scale AI safely across their operations. The company’s ‘AI readiness index’, City AM can reveal, shows a sharp divide between businesses racing ahead and [...]
Bellway says fears of Autumn tax raid has hit housing demand October 14, 2025 Housebuider Bellway has said that uncertainty over possible tax changes in the upcoming UK budget has dampened demand for housing. Rumors of various property taxes that Rachel Reeves might introduce in this Autumn’s budget in an attempt to plug a £40bn gap in the nation’s finances while overhauling a complex system of levies and charges have been [...]
Whisper it: British manufacturing has been a quiet Brexit success story October 14, 2025 It’s time Brexit Britain created a trade policy that focuses on its competitive advantages, says Daniel Dieppe Brexit was never meant to be an economic success. At least, according to the Treasury estimates, which predicted a year-long recession, a 500,000 increase in unemployment and a reduction in growth between three and six per cent. Yet [...]
Why Latvia is the next best place to develop UK defence tech – and what else it has to offer October 14, 2025 When UK companies think of expanding into continental Europe, the usual suspects come first: Germany, the Netherlands, Poland. But there is a quieter yet compelling option that deserves a spot on the shortlist: Latvia. Thanks to its digital infrastructure, defence innovation ecosystem, and strategic location between Northern and Eastern Europe, Latvia offers a uniquely advantageous [...]
Versace: UK sales slashed again as profit almost wiped out October 14, 2025 Sales at the UK arm of fashion house Versace have been slashed by a fifth for a second consecutive year as the downturn in luxury spending continues. The division has reported a turnover of £15.2m for the 12 months to 31 March, 2025, new accounts filed with Companies House have revealed. The latest total is [...]
Public sector pay outpaces private amid Budget pressures October 14, 2025 Public sector pay has outstripped private sector pay on an annual basis, according to new official data, with the added pressures on public finances set to force Chancellor Rachel Reeves to hike taxes at the Budget. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said annual average regular earnings growth was 4.4 per cent for the private [...]
Messi and Más+ sued by Logan Paul and KSI’s Prime October 14, 2025 Lionel Messi is being sued by Logan Paul’s hydration drinks firm Prime over claims of false advertising. A false advertising complaint was filed last week in a Florida court alleging Inter Miami and Argentina superstar Messi had made contradictory statements about his collaboration with “Más+ by Messi” drinks. Prime Hydration, a rival to Más+, alleges [...]
It’s a strike for Hollywood Bowl as record revenue drives continued expansion plans October 14, 2025 Hollywood Bowl is rolling into its new financial year on a high after reporting record revenues and pre-tax earnings. The Hemel Hempstead-based bowling and entertainment business saw its shares lift after it reported a 6.4 per cent rise in revenue to £212.4m for the year to end September. The firm said its earnings before interest, [...]
Unemployment rises as concerns grow for UK jobs market October 14, 2025 The unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.8 per cent in September, while the inactivity rate was 21 per cent, “largely unchanged” on the previous quarter but below levels seen a year ago. The estimated number of vacancies in the UK also fell by 9,000, marking the 39th consecutive period of job posting declines. The ONS [...]