Net zero targets “are not helping” claims shadow energy secretary October 19, 2025 Shadow energy secretary, Claire Coutinho, has claimed that Labour’s net zero targets” are not helping” the UK’s economy. In an interview with Sky News’ Trevor Phillips, Countinho linked the government’s climate targets to the ongoing cost of living crisis. She said: “We’ve said we would repeal the climate change target, and we actually think the [...]
Mining has its mojo back – will London miss out? October 15, 2025 After years spent cast as the underbelly of the global economy, mining is undergoing a reputational and financial revival. Ali Lyon explores what’s behind the renaissance, and whether London risks losing its status as the industry’s spiritual home as a result. With his thick-rimmed spectacles, salt-and-pepper hair and wiry, lean build, Gustavo Pimenta is a [...]
Versace: UK sales slashed again as profit almost wiped out October 14, 2025 Sales at the UK arm of fashion house Versace have been slashed by a fifth for a second consecutive year as the downturn in luxury spending continues. The division has reported a turnover of £15.2m for the 12 months to 31 March, 2025, new accounts filed with Companies House have revealed. The latest total is [...]
Retail sales slow as Budget and inflation weigh on spending plans October 14, 2025 Retail spending slowed in September, as a tax raising Budget and higher household inflation expectations forced Brits to tighten their belts before the all-important ‘Golden Quarter’. Total retail sales in September increased by 2.3 per cent year on year, down from the 3.1 per cent that the sector notched up in August and the 2.5 [...]
Better workplaces will make Britain more productive October 11, 2025 The UK’s significant productivity crisis is exacerbated by outdated and inefficient office environments, and improving these workplaces is a practical and cost-effective starting point for businesses to boost national output, employee efficiency and staff retention, says Phil Bentley Last Friday, The Office for Budget Responsibility submitted its latest estimates for the UK economy to the [...]
How Reeves could ‘trigger’ bond market fright and collapse UK economy October 9, 2025 Poor decisions made by Rachel Reeves at the next Budget could send the UK economy into a crisis if her announcements trigger a collapse in bond markets’ confidence, according to a scenario played out by analysts at Oxford Economics. Rachel Reeves has pledged to drive growth in the UK and lower the cost of living [...]
Take it from someone homeless, cutting stamp duty will improve lives October 9, 2025 The Conservatives will make homeownership easier, but we must make it easier to build too, says Laurence Fredricks I am a senior researcher at Onward, leading our work on housing policy, and a Policy Fellow at Conservative YIMBY. But as a consequence of London’s housing affordability and availability problem, I am also homeless. Months of [...]
Yodel: Losses double at UK’s second-worst parcel delivery firm October 8, 2025 Losses at Yodel, which was named as the second-worst parcel delivery firm in the UK in 2024, have more than doubled as its revenue was slashed. The Liverpool-headquartered business has reported a pre-tax loss of £105.2m for its latest financial year. The total comes after Yodel also lost £48.2m in 2023. New accounts filed with [...]
Goldman warns Japan fiscal plans could spark UK bond sell-off October 7, 2025 The fiscal plans touted by the woman poised to become Japan’s first female Prime Minister will trigger a sharp jump the country’s borrowing costs that could spill over into the price of UK and US government bonds, Goldman Sachs has said. Sanae Takaichi, an admirer of Margaret Thatcher, was swept to victory in her Liberal [...]
IPO woes: Can LED face masks and tinned tuna IPOs revitalise London? October 4, 2025 The City heaved a sigh of relief on Friday morning, as two companies ploughed ahead with their plans to list on the London market, signalling that an IPO drought that has long plagued the London bourse may soon come to an end. The Beauty Tech Group announced the successful pricing of its initial public offering [...]