UK sees ‘small burst’ in hiring in sign of growth July 24, 2025 The UK labour market saw a “small burst” in demand for jobs in June but postings remain below levels seen last year, fresh data has found, with brutal tax rises introduced in April by Chancellor Rachel Reeves weighing on employers. In new jobs figures published by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and Lightcast, the [...]
Kemi Badenoch shuffles deckchairs on the Tory Titanic July 23, 2025 Kemi Badenoch’s shadow cabinet reshuffle saw plenty of promotions for yesterday’s men – but the party is on an inevitable course towards an electoral iceberg, says William Atkinson Over the weekend, I re-read London Fields, by Martin Amis. (This paper’s Opinion and Features Editor introduced me to the late author two years ago, and of [...]
Christopher Ward: US sales surge for luxury watchmaker July 23, 2025 Sales at luxury watchmaker Christopher Ward jumped by 50 per cent in its latest financial year fuelled by huge growth in the US. The business, which was founded by Christopher Ward, Mike France and Peter Ellis in 2004, has posted a turnover of £45.3m for the year to 31 March, 2025, up from the £30.5m it achieved in [...]
Japan’s Transition Finance – A Roadmap For UK-Japan Collaboration On Net Zero July 22, 2025 Returning to London this week, I was struck not just by nostalgia but by the current heatwave – a powerful reminder that climate change can no longer be dismissed. From Tokyo to London, the growing frequency of record-breaking summers has become a shared reality, fuelling the urgent need for global action. The UK and Japan [...]
Labour’s war on business is a gift to Nigel Farage July 22, 2025 Labour’s paralysis is driving business away from Britain and paving a path to power for Nigel Farage and Reform, says Alexander Temerko The government of Keir Starmer has internalised a culture of hesitation so completely that inaction is no longer perceived as a flaw, but as a mode of governance. Over the past year, a [...]
The discrete joy of guerrilla swimming in the Thames July 22, 2025 Guerilla swimmers are defying the authorities to go swimming in the Thames – don’t listen to the gloomsters telling you it’s not safe, says James Bethell Swooshing down the Thames past the pubs and bridges on the powerful tides in the warm summer water is utter bliss. We met at a pub for some chat, [...]
Thameslink boss steps down after less than two years July 21, 2025 The chief executive of Go-Ahead, the group which operates London’s Thameslink, Gatwick Express and the Elizabeth Line through a joint venture, has stepped down after less than two years in the role. Miguel Parras has resigned from his role at the Newcastle-headquartered group to “pursue other opportunities” after 20 months. The group has not announced [...]
Hercules PLC looks to strategic expansion after strong first half July 17, 2025 Hercules Site Services PLC, the innovative tech-enabled labour supplier for the UK infrastructure and construction sectors, has announced robust half-year results, trading in line with expectations. The second half is building momentum and will be underpinned by strategic acquisitions and a bold move into the power and energy sector. For the six months of FY2025, [...]
The best places to drink Portuguese wine in London right now July 15, 2025 Portuguese wine has flown relatively under the radar when compared to its neighbours France, Italy and Spain. “I’m bewildered when I visit a restaurant and there’s nothing from Portugal,” says Max Graham, founder of Bar Douro. “It offers such diversity – from mountains to the Atlantic coast and volcanic islands, there are over 250 native [...]
Mobico: National Express owner rises after tying up US school bus sale July 15, 2025 Shares in Mobico jumped on Tuesday after the owner of National Express closed a deal with private equity for its North American school bus business. The London-listed transport group announced the £457m sale to I Squared Capital back in March as it looked to cut costs and revitalise the business following a string of downbeat [...]