Energy bills bailout speculation sparks bond sell-off fears Markets An unfunded government intervention to subsidise household energy bills would trigger a gilt market rout likely to push the UK’s long-term borrowing costs to the highest they have been since 1997, bond investors and economists have warned. David Zahn, head of European fixed income at Franklin Templeton, told City AM that the prospect of ministers [...]
The best short- haul breaks near London for a weekend trip Life&Style Ah spring! That beautiful month when all the doom and gloom of the long winter finally lifts… unless you live in the UK, of course. With world politics dominating the news cycle and a cost-of-living crisis demolishing our pockets, escapism is at the forefront of all of our minds. Spring is also all about renewal, [...]
Why this oil shock isn’t like the last one Opinion The new surge in oil prices will be shaped more by political responses than by monetary policy, due to a crucial shift in the economic backdrop from the tight labor markets of 2022 to the current looser conditions, says Helen Thomas This week, six major central banks meet in quick succession, including the big four: [...]
Oil crisis to ‘push UK into recession’ after growth flatlines March 13, 2026 Fears that the ongoing crisis in the Middle East will plunge the UK into a recession have been amplified after fresh figures revealed the economy flatlined in January. The price of oil closed above $100 for the first time since 2022 last night as interventions from the global energy body failed to calm markets amid [...]
Is the City still sexy? March 12, 2026 The era of the long boozy lunch and male dominated pints down the pub may be over, but relationships matter more than ever in the Square Mile, says Eva sayers Over glasses of red and lunch at The Quality Chop House (not recommended for vegetarians, like myself), a broker who’s been working in the City [...]
Labour workers rights reforms could backfire for young workers March 12, 2026 Labour’s employment rights reforms could damage opportunities for young workers if the new laws reduce the number of flexible, entry-level roles, the UK’s top retail trade body has warned. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has called on the government to ensure the implementation of its reforms, which were passed into law in December, doesn’t hamper [...]
Fuel duty rise ‘under review’ as Iran war response sparks tensions March 11, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer has said a rise in fuel scheduled for September is “under review” hours after Rachel Reeves hinted an energy support package could be drawn up. Starmer said fuel duty would remain frozen until September and the policy would be kept “under review in light of what’s happening in Iran” when he was [...]
Labour’s branding of ambition as ‘masculine’ is a disturbing revelation March 11, 2026 New Labour guidelines telling businesses to rid their job ads of 'masculine' terms like 'ambitious' is sending completely the wrong message.
Oil crisis: The answer isn’t panic, it’s power March 11, 2026 To be resilient to global shocks, Britain needs an era of energy abundance – and that means generating far more power at home and having the infrastructure to connect it, says Stuart George Every time the oil price spikes, the same uncomfortable truth returns: Britain is still far too exposed to energy markets we don’t [...]
The Greens are no tree-hugging hippies, their policies would destroy Britain March 10, 2026 Zack Polanski’s Greens stand a realistic chance of winning dozens of seats, so it’s worth taking their policy platform seriously. From wealth taxes to yet more punitive building regulations to open borders, they would be a disaster for British prosperity, says Emma Revell For years now the Green Party has been a bit of a [...]