Prime Ministers deserve a nicer house and we deserve better government November 18, 2025 The nerve centre of the British state, 10 Downing Street, is fantastically ill-suited to the needs of a modern Prime Minister and to the interests of the country. An excellent piece by Politico last week lifted the lid on what it’s actually like to work in this rather dilapidated Georgian townhouse, with one former No [...]
Don’t let risk aversion undermine national security November 14, 2025 The government must be bold and reject the Chinese super embassy, says Mark Wheatley The best of our leaders have become increasingly demoralised; the worst of them seem irresponsible or addicted to dissembling and deceit. Our large corporations and ministries all too often seem purposeless; partial and immediate interest trumps longer gain. In the City, [...]
Meat and coffee prices drive grocery price inflation October 14, 2025 Grocery price inflation in the UK passed five per cent in September to its highest level since July after the cost of fresh meat and coffee jumped. Like-for-like grocery price inflation rose to 5.2 per cent over the four weeks to 5 October versus the same period last year, according to the latest figures from Worldpanel [...]
South American wine is booming – try these bottles for the best experience October 7, 2025 South American wine is booming for us Brits. An Argentinian Malbec has long been a gateway, converting consumers with broodingly smooth glasses of dark fruits and spice at a good price. Last year the UK overtook China as the largest importer (by value) of Chilean wine with their lithe Sauvignon Blancs and traditional Carmère. Even [...]
Health-conscious Brits lead Dash Water to record-breaking summer September 18, 2025 Health-conscious Brits are expected to have helped sales surge by almost half at soft drink brand Dash Water thanks to a record summer. The business, which is based in London, has revealed its revenue is forecast to jump by 45 per cent in 2025 to £42m. The business, which is based in London and was [...]
Surging food inflation hits restaurant sales August 19, 2025 Food inflation is accelerating once again, eating into consumers’ pockets and pushing prices higher across the board. Inflation at the grocers hit five per cent in the four weeks ended August 10, down from 5.2 per cent in the previous month but well above the wider UK rate of 3.6 per cent. Real wage growth, [...]
Ocado shares spike as grocer boosted by £750m M&S joint venture gain July 17, 2025 Online grocer Ocado has reported significant growth in the first half of 2025, while stating its major goal is to turn cash-flow positive next year. Its share price spiked more than 13 per cent in early trades. Ocado told markets this morning that revenue rose 13.2 per cent to £674m, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation [...]
Gymkhana: World famous Indian restaurant leans into ‘fakeaway’ boom July 3, 2025 For years, the name “Gymkhana” has been synonymous with exquisite, two Michelin-starred Indian dining in London’s upscale Mayfair, a celebrity favourite, reportedly frequented by the likes of Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, and the Beckhams. Now, a pioneering venture, Gymkhana Fine Foods, is allowing home cooks to recreate that magic in their own kitchens. Launched in [...]
Sunny spring boosts grocers as Brits buy 2,400 packs of strawberries every minute June 24, 2025 The UK’s unusual burst of sun boosted purchases of fruit and ice lollies this spring, although food inflation continued to soar at the UK’s grocers. Higher prices for fresh meats, chocolate and butters drove food inflation to 4.7 per cent, its highest level since February 2024, according to data insights group Kantar. But Fraser McKevitt, [...]
No jobs in 30 years? UK tech leaders push back on Musk’s AI claims June 10, 2025 Elon Musk’s bleak prediction that “there’s not going to be any jobs for anyone” in 30 years has come under heavy fire from some of the UK’s leading AI figures at London Tech Week. Instead of sounding an alarm for mass unemployment, UK experts argued for transformation and a new focus on control over AI, [...]