Almost 300 pubs closed last year ahead of cost rises February 17, 2025 The British Beer and Pub Association warned that urgent Government action is needed to avoid more “completely avoidable” closures.
Avdulla keen to be Awarded with a Bundle of winners at Sha Tin February 14, 2025 IT’S D-Day for jockey Brenton Avdulla when he arrives at Sha Tin for an 11-race programme in Hong Kong on Sunday. Considered one of the most consistent pilots on the Hong Kong racing circuit, Avdulla has his card marked in nine of the 11 races, and many will be at the forefront of the betting. [...]
Nigel Farage exploring private prosecution against Natwest February 14, 2025 The reform leader Nigel Farage is reported to have instructed a legal council to explore private criminal proceedings against Natwest Group over the debanking row
Natwest skims past profit expectations February 14, 2025 Natwest narrowly beat analysts’ annual profit expectations after posting a bump in its consumer lending. The FTSE 100 lender posted a £6.2bn pre-tax profit, ahead of £6.1bn pencilled in by analysts and up 0.3 per cent on 2023. Net loans to customers hit £368.5bn, an increase of £12.9bn, which reflected Natwest’s acquisition of Metro Bank’s [...]
Reviewing the new Gordon Ramsay opening that’s the highest restaurant in Europe February 13, 2025 Lucky Cat at 22 Bishopsgate by Gordon Ramsay review and star rating: ★★★ Going to Gordon Ramsay’s newest restaurant is palm sweat-inducing stuff. From its sky-high vantage point, one can look down at the Walkie Talkie, which, despite being famed for its views, looks puny. Lucky Cat at 22 Bishopsgate, on the 60th floor of [...]
The five UK fintechs tipped to reach unicorn status February 13, 2025 The UK fintech sector is experiencing lightning growth, with several companies on the road to gaining ‘unicorn’ status, a title given to privately held startups valued at over $1bn (£780m). According to Hurun’s recent index, a handful of fintech firms are leading the charge, with valuations of $500m and above. These firms span various financial [...]
Mark Kleinman: Bonfire of the regulators just beginning February 13, 2025 Mark Kleinman is Sky News’ City Editor and the man who gets the Square Mile talking in his weekly City AM column. This week, he tackles churn at the regulators, bankers’ bonuses and dilemmas at Deliveroo. Bonfire of the regulators is just beginning For Marcus Bokkerink, read Abby Thomas? The chief executive of the Financial Ombudsman Service last [...]
Steel tariffs: UK ‘ready for all situations’, No10 says on Trump threats February 10, 2025 The UK is “ready for all situations” and ministers will “engage as appropriate”, No10 has said, in the wake of Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports into the US It follows a government minister saying Britain will have to “wait and see” if Donald Trump “gets more specific” about his [...]
Rachel Reeves to meet bank bosses as growth agenda stalls February 10, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to meet top bank bosses this week in the latest attempt to kickstart her growth agenda. The embattled Labour chancellor has reportedly called in top executives at Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest and Nationwide, according to Sky News’ Mark Kleinman. This comes as the government’s growth strategy continues to falter. [...]
Angela Rayner denies being ‘aggressive’ in meeting with Grenfell survivors February 9, 2025 Angela Rayner has denied being “aggressive” during a meeting of the Grenfell bereaved and survivors when informing them about the decision to dismantle the tower. The deputy prime minister said it is “not a possibility” for Grenfell tower to remain in its current state. The tower will be brought down to ground level, with some parts returned where possible [...]