Bank of England: Businesses sharply raise inflation expectations April 2, 2026 Businesses’ inflation expectations shot up in March according to a closely-watched Bank of England survey, as bosses braced for a surge in energy costs as a result of the Iran war. The Banks’ decision makers’ panel, a monthly poll of thousands of execs, found that the average expected inflation rate in the next year was [...]
Big Four KPMG cleared as regulator drops Entain audit probe April 2, 2026 The regulator has closed a probe into the Big Four giant, KPMG, over its audit of the Ladbrokes owner, Entain. In January 2025, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) announced an investigation into Entain regarding its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022. At the time, a KPMG UK spokesperson said: “We will cooperate [...]
Tax instability drives ultra-wealthy to pack their bags April 2, 2026 Tax instability has driven huge swathes of the UK’s ultra-wealthy to consider leaving the country over the past twelve months. Two-thirds of the UK’s wealthiest have mulled fleeing the country for tax reasons, according to the latest research from accountancy firm BDO. But while conversations surrounding tax have focused on the rate Britain’s wealthiest pay, [...]
Thames Water could dodge fines under controversial new Ofwat deal April 2, 2026 Ofwat is preparing a controversial new deal with the UK’s largest water company which would allow the beleaguered utility firm to avoid any new fines over the next four years in exchange for a commitment to invest new cash in the business. The sector regulator is planning to accept “undertakings” in place of financial penalties [...]
Trump, tariffs and turmoil: ‘Liberation Day’ one year on April 2, 2026 On the first anniversary of ‘Liberation Day’, Tim Hames reflects on the economic impact of Donald Trump’s tariffs A year ago today, Donald Trump declared “Liberation Day” as he launched his new initiative on tariffs. He did so on the White House lawn to enormous fanfare, in front of an adoring crowd and with the [...]
Stealth taxes are rising – here’s how to protect your money before 5 April April 2, 2026 Niche taxes like inheritance tax and capital gains tax are fast becoming major cash cows for the treasury. Here’s what to do before the end of the tax year Britain’s stealth tax is accelerating, with more people being pulled into the net without realising it. The government is collecting more from capital gains tax (CGT) [...]
UK banks blast regulations for ‘penalising’ good risk management April 2, 2026 Top lenders have laid bare their frustrations with UK banking regulation in a bombshell new report that urges the removal of “excessive conservatism”. In response to the Bank of England’s review of capital requirements, the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) – which represents over 150 global banks, including the UK’s Big Four – [...]
KBRA Comments on FCA Finalising Motor Finance Compensation Scheme; No Change to UK Auto ABS Outlook April 1, 2026 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has finalised its compensation scheme for discretionary commission arrangements in UK motor finance, providing greater clarity on the potential scale of redress. In its August 2025 commentary on the implications of motor finance litigation for UK auto ABS, KBRA highlighted the FCA’s earlier estimate of total sector costs ranging from [...]
Hotel investment tops £1bn in bumper start to year April 1, 2026 UK hotels attracted more than £1bn investment in the first quarter of this year, as the sector defies business rate rises and market uncertainty caused by the Iran war. Hotel investment volume surpassed £1.1bn in the first three months of the year, marking a 63 per cent increase on the £680m recorded in the same [...]
Alkermes Announces Initiation of Phase 3 Brilliance Studies Evaluating Alixorexton for the Treatment of Narcolepsy Type 1 and Type 2 April 1, 2026 Alkermes plc (Nasdaq: ALKS) today announced the initiation of the Brilliance Studies, a phase 3 program evaluating the safety and efficacy of alixorexton compared to placebo in adults with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) and narcolepsy type 2 (NT2). Alixorexton is the company’s novel, investigational, oral, selective orexin 2 receptor (OX2R) agonist in development for the [...]