Government slashes red tape to tackle housing crisis May 28, 2025 The government will slash red tape to get more construction by smaller building firms off the ground, and to “get working people on the housing ladder,” Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has said as Labour looks to promote its pro-business credentials. A relaxation of environmental protections is expected, including Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements which [...]
Spending in pubs surges as Brits flock to beer gardens May 28, 2025 Pubs enjoyed a boost in April during the sunny spring weather as Brits opted for outdoor beer gardens over indoor restaurants. Like-for-like sales growth at pubs reached 9.1 per cent year on year, according to the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker. Sales across all hospitality outlets were 4.2 per cent ahead of April 2024 [...]
The rise of the ABLOC (anyone-but-Labour-or-Conservative) vote May 28, 2025 The rise of the anyone-but-Labour-or-Conservative vote is turning the UK into a six-party state, writes James Reed.
From rare bees to miners’ pensions, money is now no object in parliament May 28, 2025 Miners' pensions, indigenous rights, the shrill carder bee - parliament and the public have lost touch with the reality of public spending.
Gold can command a double for Newnham May 27, 2025 RACING fans should anticipate rain and possible thunderstorms when racing gets underway with a nine-race programme at Happy Valley in Hong Kong on Wednesday. With the action taking place on the narrow and tricky C+3 circuit, where low draws and fast starts have largely dominated results in recent seasons, punters will need to be at [...]
Topping up pensions with property wealth is becoming the norm May 27, 2025 Using property to fund retirement is going to become the norm, but there's stigma attached to it, writes James Daley.
UK nightlife economy under pressure as venues struggle May 27, 2025 The UK’s nightlife industry, once a powerful driver of urban business, faces mounting pressures as shifting consumer habits, economic headwinds and regulatory challenges tighten the squeeze on late-night operators. Phil Urban, chief executive of one of the UK’s largest pub and bar chains, Mitchells & Butlers, has warned that the late-night segment is “the toughest [...]
Are ministers ignoring the AI copyright crisis? May 26, 2025 The UK government recently rejected a House of Lords-backed amendment to the data bill for the second time, intensifying a stand-off between policy makers and the creative industries over the role of copyright in AI development. At the centre of this dispute is a provision, introduced by Baroness Beeban Kidron, that would require AI firms [...]
On this day: May 26 1896 — the first Dow Jones Industrial Average is published May 26, 2025 Charles Dow was a financial journalist with a rare gift. A high school dropout from rural Connecticut, he was able to explain the arcana of investment, stocks and bonds in clear, straightforward terms. In 1882, he and two other journalists, Edward Jones and Charles Bergstresser, founded Dow Jones & Company Inc. in a basement at [...]
What happens when a cyber attack hits a business? May 26, 2025 Over the last two months, cyber attacks on household names have been lighting up the headlines across the UK, but what happens behind the scenes?