Jonathan Reynolds relaunches trade deal talks with India February 24, 2025 The UK has relaunched talks on a free trade deal with India, with Jonathan Reynolds in New Delhi to resume negotiations. The business and trade secretary begins refreshed discussions with his Indian counterpart commerce minister Piyush Goyal in the South Asian capital today (Monday, February 24), marking a new phase of negotiations between the world’s [...]
International earnings set to outpace domestic in growing companies February 24, 2025 The world’s fastest-growing companies’ international earnings are set to eclipse domestic revenue by 2030, according to new research from HSBC. A survey of 1,143 global senior decision makers, in companies with a revenue of between £18m (£14.2m) and $5bn (£3.9bn), found overseas revenue represents less than half of their income at present. However, this is [...]
Defence spending: 2.5 per cent of GDP is ‘ambitious,’ minister says February 23, 2025 Raising UK defence spending to 2.5 per cent of national income is “ambitious”, a cabinet minister has insisted as the government faces pressure to increase investment. It comes amid uncertainty over the future of the war in Ukraine, as the US began negotiations with Russia, excluding Kyiv from talks. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson sought to [...]
UK to unveil new Russia sanctions to mark three years of Ukraine war February 23, 2025 The UK will unveil new sanctions to “turn the screws” on Russia as it marks three years since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. David Lammy said he would announce the sanctions, which he called the largest package of measures since the early days of the conflict, on Monday to coincide with the anniversary. The foreign secretary [...]
Starmer to set date to increase defence spending during Trump visit – report February 23, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer is expected to confirm a timeline to raise defence spending and give Donald Trump an invitation for a state visit when he visits Washington next week, per a report. The Prime Minister will have to walk a tricky line when he meets President Trump, balancing the UK’s support for Ukraine with the [...]
Will England get a fifth Champions League place? February 22, 2025 As European football’s club competitions head into their knockout phases, the Premier League’s prospects of getting a fifth place in the Champions League are becoming clearer. Since 2019, Uefa has awarded an extra spot in the Champions League to the two nations whose clubs performed the best in its three competitions during the previous season. [...]
Debt brake the central focus for investors ahead of German election February 21, 2025 The German elections will take place this weekend amid a dire economic backdrop in Europe's largest economy.
NRL open to buying Super League rugby after record revenues February 21, 2025 Australia’s rugby league competition the NRL could buy England’s Super League after posting record revenues of £377m. Australian Rugby League Commission chief Peter V’landys said they’d be open to buying the Super League if the cash-strapped English game approached the NRL. The NRL made a net profit of nearly £50m in their latest accounts, which [...]
Jack up bills to meet electricity demand, says infrastructure quango February 21, 2025 The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has called for further bill hikes and a shake-up of the way the UK’s electricity network is regulated to meet rapidly increasing demand for power. Current regulation by Ofgem is “too complex” and discourages operators from making the “proactive investments” needed to improve the network’s capacity, the government’s independent adviser [...]
Economists warn of tax hikes after borrowing blow February 21, 2025 Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that tax receipts fell short of expectations in January due to the sluggish performance of the UK economy.