Keir Starmer’s approval rating sinks to record low September 2, 2025 Keir Starmer’s approval ratings have hit a record low, a City AM/Freshwater Strategy poll has shown, as pressure mounts on the government ahead of the Budget. Research by City AM and the advisory firm Freshwater Strategy has highlighted the growing discontent among voters over the UK government’s poor performance after a year in office. Starmer’s [...]
Starmer seeks to relaunch as approval rating hits fresh low September 2, 2025 Keir Starmer has launched a dramatic shakeup of his Downing Street team as he hails the “second phase” of his government amid dire poll ratings and a sluggish economy. The Prime Minister has beefed up Number Ten’s economic muscle, bringing in his Chancellor’s top minister, Darren Jones, to fill a newly created position alongside a [...]
Finance bosses back AI despite job loss concerns September 2, 2025 The financial services industry is set to drive more investment into AI as the industry’s senior leaders turn bullish on the tech. More than half of UK institutions expect to up their AI investment in the next 12 months while one in five said they would maintain current levels, data shared with City AM revealed. [...]
Boost pension to avoid retirement poverty graduates warned September 1, 2025 Graduates entering the workforce have been urged to begin topping up their pension pot, as retirement poverty worries continue to loom large. Nearly 90 per cent of recent university graduates believe pension planning is important, but pressing financial matters have shifted their focus away from saving for retirement, according to research from insurance provider Standard [...]
Outlook for UK economy ‘remains subdued’ as bosses battle cost hikes September 1, 2025 Private sector bosses are predicting activity to shrink again over the next three months when a fresh bout of inflation is expected to compound cost pressures hoisted upon them at last year’s Autumn Budget. According to the Confederation for British Industry’s (CBI) Growth Indicator, more firms expect trading conditions to worsen in the three months [...]
Greene King landlords plea for Rachel Reeves to cut bills September 1, 2025 More than 600 Greene King landlords have called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to lower taxes for pubs ahead of the Autumn Budget as the sector grapples with ever-rising costs. The hospitality industry has been vocal about the cost pressures it has been facing since the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020, with businesses facing surging energy, [...]
A Treasury reshuffle on the eve of a Budget is a bad sign for Reeves September 1, 2025 Handing responsibility for the economy to a man who was director of policy for Ed Miliband is a sign of desperation from Rachel Reeves, says Eliot Wilson Every time I see a new announcement from Rachel Reeves at the Treasury now, it puts me in mind of the poet Stevie Smith: “I was much further [...]
Reeves warned ‘sin taxes’ could fail to boost tax receipts September 1, 2025 Labour officials have been warned that plans to boost government revenue by raising “sin taxes” could be judged harshly by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) this year, with industry bosses calling on the Treasury to listen to “on-the-ground concerns” before making a final decision. Reports have suggested the government could raise gambling levies later [...]
Firms mildly confident about growth after worst reading on record September 1, 2025 Firm owners are now mildly confident about seeing their companies grow after July’s reading showed business confidence at the second-lowest level on record, according to a leading industry group’s monthly survey. A survey by The Institute of Directors (IOD) has said that business leaders’ confidence in their own organisations is now in positive territory, having [...]
Local shops axe jobs and cut investment amid surging costs September 1, 2025 UK convenience stores have cuts 2,000 jobs over an “extremely challenging year” after coming under pressure from soaring labour costs and fierce competition from supermarkets. The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) warned that pessimistic consumers and increased costs for retailers are therefore putting the UK’s 50,000 local shops under pressure, resulting in weaker investment and [...]