Government borrowing surges in May to fund Labour’s spending June 20, 2025 Government borrowing in May surged to £17.7bn, official data has shown, reflecting the government’s need for cash to fund Labour’s spending splurge. This represented the second-highest May borrowing figure since records began more than 30 years ago and higher than the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast. Fresh data published by the Office for National [...]
Ministers set to cut industrial energy prices for British manufacturers June 20, 2025 The government plans to slash industrial energy prices for British manufacturers, enabling them to better compete with key European rivals. Ministers will unveil a multibillion pound package of taxpayer-funded support for the UK’s most energy intensive industries, as part of the government’s industrial strategy on Monday, according to reports. Proposals to make energy prices more [...]
UK innovation hinges on talent and clusters, says Lord Vallance June 20, 2025 The UK’s science and innovation lanscape is on the cusp of a major transformation, according to science minister Lord Patrick Vallance, who argued the UK must now “connect with its brightest clusters” and supercharge international partnerships to stay competitive. Speaking the recent India Global Forum on Thursday, the government’s national tech adviser and Oxford-Cambridge innovation [...]
Canada is investing in Britain’s future – why aren’t we? June 20, 2025 Foreign capital is helping to drive UK growth – yet too much of our own pension funding remains on the sidelines, says Tony Dalwood Canada is betting billions on Britain’s future. One of the world’s most influential pension investors, CDPQ, has committed more than £8bn to UK infrastructure and energy transition projects over the next [...]
Government to hand £500m to sports events, athletics Worlds may miss out June 19, 2025 The Government will back major UK events such as the 2028 Euros and 2027 Tour de France depart to the tune of £500m, but did not publicly back the World Athletics Championships. DCMS Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy on Thursday evening pledged £900m of investment into major sorting events and grassroots sports, with £500m reserved for [...]
Don’t Signor Cecelia to strike Gold in the Albany June 19, 2025 FRIDAY’s opening contest is the Group Three Albany Stakes (2.30pm), and I think there could be a few runners flying under the radar in the market, especially with the World Pool in operation. OH CECELIA comes from Jack Davison’s yard and could likely go off at a big price on the World Pool given her [...]
UK growth to suffer from interest rates hold, industry warns June 19, 2025 The UK economy stands to suffer from high borrowing costs, leading industry figures have warned, after the Bank of England held interest rates at 4.25 per cent on Thursday. The Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) indicated that interest rate cuts could come in the coming months after a recent 25 basis point cut in May. [...]
Challenger banks scout exit routes as giants circle Metro and TSB June 19, 2025 Analysts are pencilling in a fresh wave of banking deals with challenger banks set for a market departure. Moody’s analysts have said challenger banks will “seek exit after weak performance” as industry juggernauts set their sights on ramping up their market share. Takeover talk has gripped the City after reports Shawbrook’s private equity owners were [...]
Lunchtime tourism: The wonder that is St Stephen Walbrook June 19, 2025 This new regular feature will bring you a guide to the best hidden spots you can visit in your lunch break, by Chris O’Donnell. This week: St Stephen Walbrook Sometimes a lunchtime walk is best done alone. Without the well-meaning chatter of a friend or colleague, you can better hear the story that a place [...]
Infrastructure strategy: Hospitals and schools focus of funding push June 19, 2025 The government will plough £10bn a year into restoring Britain’s crumbling schools, hospitals and prisons as part of a long-awaited infrastructure strategy outlining the state’s investment priorities over the next decade. Over £6bn a year will be devoted to hospital maintenance over the next decade, in a move that the Treasury said will cut waiting [...]