Iran war: Independent pubs face ‘devastating’ energy costs March 17, 2026 Independent pubs could be left vulnerable to spikes in energy costs caused by the Iran war, while their larger competitors enjoy the security of fixed energy deals. Landlords across the UK could face “devastating” costs if energy prices continue to rise, trade body UKHospitality has warned. Blockages to the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping [...]
Britain needs practical ideas to fix the housing crisis March 17, 2026 Prosper UK is bringing together a group of experts with a proven track record of delivery to try to solve the housing crisis, says Gavin Barwell If you were making a list of long-standing public policy failures in this country, housing would be right near the top. We haven’t built enough homes for at least [...]
City AM’s Magazine Editor Steve Dinneen wins Features Writer of the Year March 16, 2026 City AM’s magazine editor Steve Dinneen walked away with the Features Writer of the Year award at the prestigious Regional Press Awards last week, beating rivals including LondonCentric, the Manchester Evening News and Reach PLC. The gong was one of two awards for which City AM was competing, with The Magazine also reaching the shortlist [...]
‘Digging a hole then filling it in’ – Labour to subsidise youth employment March 16, 2026 The Labour government is set to hand businesses cash to hire benefits claimants in a bid to lower the number of under-25s not in education, employment and training, otherwise referred to as ‘Neets’. Pat McFadden, the work and pension secretary, unveiled a new £3,000 subsidy scheme for employers taking on young people who have not been [...]
Starmer: ‘Viable plan’ needed for Trump’s Strait of Hormuz request March 16, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer has said he is still in discussions to draw up a “viable, collective plan” with European allies in response to President Trump’s call for help in the Strait of Hormuz. In a press conference on Monday, the Prime Minister insisted that the country would “not be drawn into the wider war” in [...]
‘Pressure point’: Oil prices spike as Trump turns up heat on Nato March 16, 2026 The price of oil spiked once more as trading for the new week began after Donald Trump ramped up pressure on his Nato peers to help get supply flowing. Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, jumped 2.9 per cent as trading open after the weekend to near $106.12 a barrel, but later gave [...]
Michael Hayman elected chair of British Chambers of Commerce March 16, 2026 Michael Hayman has been elected the new chair of the UK’s leading business network, succeeding former management consultant Sarah Howard. Hayman will take the chair of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) after being picked unanimously by board members. As chair, Hayman will lead the network’s strategic direction as it supports business growth, lobbies the [...]
The relentless rise of unregulated finfluencers March 16, 2026 Accessing financial advice used to be out of reach for many. But now, it’s on your commute, at the bus stop, and most dangerously, in your pocket. Get out your phone, open any social media app, and you’ll see a young man or woman, backlit by a ring light holding a pocket microphone, promising to [...]
Children today will ‘work until 75’ amid pensions timebomb, think tank warns March 15, 2026 Children currently in primary school are set to work until the age of 75 as the “collapsing” birthrate blows a black hole in public finances, a think tank has warned. The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has released a report claiming the UK is heading towards a “demographic cliff edge”. The report suggests the state [...]
Nine in ten hospitality job switchers quit the sector March 13, 2026 Nine in ten workers in hospitality and tourism quit the sector altogether when they switch jobs, as the hiring “churn” drives costs and dampens the industry’s productivity. As many as 87 per cent of hospitality and tourism workers who quit jobs end up leaving the industry for good, while the exit rate stands at 82 [...]