Music venues are in dire straits: V&A show asks how we can help May 28, 2026 As the V&A opens its Lost Music Venues exhibition, James Balmont asks we can save the grassroots institutions under threat A trip to the V&A often conjures up images of great Renaissance sculptures, haute couture and centuries-old tapestries – but those patronising the Kensington institution this summer will find something very different. In Lost Music [...]
KBRA Assigns Preliminary Ratings to Oban Cards 2026-1 PLC May 28, 2026 KBRA UK (KBRA) assigns preliminary ratings to five classes of notes to be issued under the Oban master trust structure, a UK credit card ABS programme backed by receivables originated and serviced by Vanquis Bank Limited (Vanquis Bank, the Company or the Servicer). The issuance relates to Series 2026-1 (the Series), which will be issued [...]
Family-owned Tottenham brewer falls into administration as industry pressures mount May 28, 2026 A beloved family-owned Tottenham brewery that was a key player in London’s craft beer renaissance has fallen into administration amidst mounting cost pressures on the industry. Redemption Brewing Company, which was the first commercial brewery to open in Tottenham in nearly 100 years, is officially listed on the formal register of new insolvency appointments as [...]
KBRA Releases Research – Energy Shock Tests Europe’s Consumer and Labour Resilience May 28, 2026 KBRA releases research examining how European and UK consumers and labour markets are absorbing another energy shock, with underlying resilience still evident despite weaker confidence and softer hiring. The report highlights that households enter the shock from a stronger aggregate position, supported by lower debt, elevated savings, and contained arrears, although these buffers are unevenly [...]
More Than Half of UK Businesses Say Hiring Has Become Harder as Employment Costs Rise by Almost 10% in a Year May 28, 2026 Employment Hero, the AI-powered employment platform, has published new data revealing that more than half of UK businesses believe employing staff has become more complex in the past 12 months, as rising costs and fears around new employment law requirements put fresh pressure on employers. The findings follow earlier research conducted by Employment Hero ahead [...]
World Cup can save British pubs from government uncertainty this summer May 28, 2026 When England kick off their World Cup campaign against Croatia next month, many will be watching from the comfort of pubs nationwide. While a 9pm kick-off means beer gardens might not be as sun-kissed as we’re used to, the tournament is set to be a significant opportunity for a hospitality sector that is in desperate [...]
FICO UK Credit Card Market Report: March 2026 May 28, 2026 Fuel crisis increases pressure on affordability as spending and payments dip, with more customers missing one, two and three payments year-on-year
Local authorities thwart housebuilding with ‘manifestly unfair’ council tax raid on developers May 28, 2026 Cash-strapped local authorities across Britain are thwarting efforts to increase housebuilding by hitting property developers with steep council tax bills as soon as their homes are listed as complete, an influential industry body has warned. In a paper shared with City AM, the boss of the Home Builders Federation (HBF) accused local councils of slapping [...]
Mark Kleinman: Reeves revels in ring-fencing reform May 28, 2026 Mark Kleinman is Sky News’ City Editor and the man who gets the Square Mile talking in his City AM column Reeves revels in ring-fencing reform Is Rachel Reeves about to rip up ring-fencing? It was a question I posed in this column just over a year ago. Now, we have an answer of sorts. The Chancellor’s announcement [...]
Starmer’s social media ban puts emotions above data May 28, 2026 By parading grieving parents through Downing Street, Number 10 risks presenting a false picture of the dangers of social media.