Financial services activity ‘drops rapidly’ as investors alarmed by Burnham July 6, 2026 Business activity across the financial services sector – one of the chief drivers of economic growth across the UK – has dropped sharply as confidence slumps, according to a new survey. Financial services firms, including banks and insurers, said business volumes had nosedived in the second quarter of the year. While the net reading for [...]
Surely Gary Stevenson is smart enough to know a wealth tax won’t work? July 6, 2026 Britain's self-styled greatest inequality economist, surely Gary Stevenson knows his two per cent levy won't work, writes Damian Pudner.
Construction sector cuts jobs again as house building slumps July 6, 2026 The construction industry shed jobs for the 18th consecutive month in June following “sharp declines” in house building and a slowdown in new home sales. The latest S&P Global Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) for the construction sector showed more cutbacks to employment with another period of “sustained job shedding”. Subcontractors were also hit by the [...]
Media Release: Financial Worries Rise and Match Health Concerns as Cost-of-Living Pressures Mount in 2026 July 6, 2026 Globally, people are united in their top personal worries: Financial and health issues rank at the top in 2026, averaging 13 percentage points ahead of other concerns. Financial pressure is prominent across Europe, rising in France, Germany, and U.K., and emerging as a top concern in newly measured markets, Spain and Switzerland. Allianz published these results in “The Allianz 3am Report 2026,” which surveyed 10,000 people across 10 countries worldwide about what keeps them awake at night. Addressing financial concerns requires accessible, targeted financial and risk education. To support this, Allianz has launched the “Allianz School For Life” learning platform.
Burnham’s high street tax plan carries £880m price tag July 6, 2026 Andy Burnham’s plans to overhaul business rates in favour of Britain’s high streets could cost around £880m a year, according to new analysis, as questions mount over how the Labour leadership frontrunner would pay for one of his first major tax reforms. Forecasts by global tax firm Ryan suggest Burnham’s proposal to expand Small Business [...]
Exclusive: Top FTSE executive recruiter goes bust after AI platform launch July 4, 2026 A City-based boutique recruitment consultancy which has won executive-level talent for a host of FTSE firms has plunged into insolvency after pumping investment into an AI platform, City AM can reveal. Savannah Group, which has recruited directors and executives for the likes of Starbucks, hospitality giant Fullers, Burger King, Aston Martin, and global cruise titan [...]
Don’t let council killjoys destroy London’s pubs July 3, 2026 Hounslow council has caused outrage by ordering three Chiswick pubs to remove their riverside tables. London doesn’t have to be this way, says Jack Emsley Sitting by the Thames with a pint on a sunny afternoon is one of the great joys of living in London. Our city is renowned for its pub culture, from [...]
World Cup boost fails to land UK services sector on front foot July 3, 2026 A World Cup boost failed to drag the UK’s services sector to growth last month after it recorded its fastest rate of decline in three-and-a-half years as businesses braced for the Andy Burnham coronation. The latest Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) from S&P Global showed a reading of 48.8 in June, falling from 49.3 in May. [...]
Tale of two cities: London leaps ahead in global finance but domestic growth stalls July 3, 2026 The City of London has cemented its dominance in international finance ten years on from the Brexit vote but faced sobering domestic growth that failed to match the momentum. The capital sees more international activity conducted than the next eight largest financial centres in Europe combined, according to a new report by New Financial. The [...]
Britain should look to Japan to manage its ageing population July 3, 2026 England's fertility rate has fallen to a rate Japan confronted 30 years ago. Here's the lessons we should take, writes Megan McDonald