How British Airways’ On Business Programme Supports SMEs October 10, 2025 For frequent business travellers flying in and out of London, business trips could soon do more than connect destinations – they could add value back to the business. Recognising the priorities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), British Airways’ On Business programme is designed to make corporate travel simpler, smarter and more rewarding. SMEs often [...]
OBR risks being ‘unreasonably pessimistic’ as Reeves set to be given leeway October 10, 2025 The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) risks being “unreasonably pessimistic” if it decides to downgrade productivity growth trends by more than 0.1 percentage point, fresh analysis has indicated, in what could hand Chancellor Rachel Reeves some extra leeway at this year’s Budget. The fiscal watchdog is widely expected to downgrade productivity forecasts as part of [...]
Hiking VAT would have ‘serious negative impact’, economists warn Reeves October 10, 2025 A hike to VAT would “have a serious negative impact” on the UK, leading economists have warned, as the chancellor weighs which taxes to put up at next month’s Budget to plug a £30bn shortfall. An increase in the sales levy would have the biggest negative impact of any major tax rise, leading to a [...]
Crispin Odey, Michael Jackson, Sara Murray and the secret offshore trusts October 10, 2025 A question: What connects disgraced financier Crispin Odey with serial tech entrepreneur Sara Murray? For one thing, they’ve both been ousted by their own companies – a rare, noteworthy feat. For Odey, it was from his eponymous Odey Asset Management, following an investigation by the FT into allegations of sexual misconduct. For Murray, it was [...]
Webull UK enhances platform with UK shares and ETF offerings October 9, 2025 Digital investment platform Webull UK has expanded its offering as it cashes in on a renewed investor thirst to trade UK-listed equities and ETFs. Through its partnership with investment fintech company Upvest, customers will now be able to invest in domestic companies as part of its integration of UK stocks and ETFs on its platform. [...]
A new app is helping corporates this World Mental Health day October 9, 2025 Ahead of World Mental Health Day this Friday 10 October, a new health and wellbeing service is aiming to help British workers stay healthier in the office. Brits take around 150 million sick days per year, costing the economy over £100 billion. The Looking After Me app offers workers a 15 minute counselling session every [...]
JP Morgan warns on AI bubble amid Bank of England caution October 9, 2025 JP Morgan boss Jamie Dimon has joined the chorus of warnings over an AI-driven market boom that some fear could go the way of the dot-com crash. Speaking from Bournemouth, where the bank announced a £350m investment in its local campus, Dimon described himself as “far more worried than others” about a serious market correction [...]
Natwest hires top tech talent amid UK innovation push October 9, 2025 NatWest had doubled down on its support for the UK’s high-growth and innovation economy with two senior strategic hires in its newly formed venture banking team. Greg Brown has joined as head of venture capital coverage, and Kim Martin has stepped in as head of venture and growth finance, reflecting the bank’s renewed push to [...]
In Tokyo, Paris and London, political risk is on the rise October 9, 2025 Instability in Japan, France and the UK will have global consequences for the bond markets, says Helen Thomas For investors, the message is simple: political risk is rising. From Tokyo to Paris to London, governments face competing imperatives – fiscal credibility, economic stimulus and electoral survival. Sanae Takaichi, the new leader of Japan’s ruling LDP, [...]
Passive investing is strangling UK capital markets October 9, 2025 Passive investment funds have become both free riders and absentee landlords, says Charles Hall Passive investment has become a key driver of global and UK equity markets. From being relatively insignificant 20 years ago it is now a key component. Given that growth in passive investing is likely to be inexorable, it is time we [...]