The Debate: Should workers be entitled to ‘digital downtime’? September 3, 2025 Would periods of 'digital silence' in the working week help make workers more productive? Two writers battle it out.
Reeves can’t tax Britain out of the gloom September 3, 2025 With growth stalling, inflation rising, and fiscal headroom gone, Chancellor Reeves must resist the urge to raise taxes and instead make government leaner, smarter and more efficient to keep the economy from sliding into darkness, says Brandon Lewis Winter in the UK is a normally sunless affair. The one we’re headed for will be gloomy [...]
Don’t let France overtake Britain in tech September 3, 2025 To maintain its economic leadership, the UK must learn from the proactive policies of competitors like France and urgently reform its own R&D and investment schemes to better support innovative start-ups and scale-ups, says Gregor Poynton As the UK faces up to the economic challenges we confront as a country, we should remain optimistic about [...]
Reform is gathering in Birmingham this week – with plenty to celebrate September 2, 2025 Amidst widespread economic pessimism and the rising salience of immigration, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government faces a collapse in public support as polls show Nigel Farage’s Reform UK surging to a commanding lead, writes Matthew Lesh Last month, Keir Starmer’s family summer escape to Scotland was abruptly cut short by an urgent dash across [...]
Private healthcare admissions surge as calls for VAT raid grow September 2, 2025 The number of hospital admissions using private healthcare in the first quarter of the year has bounced back to its pre-pandemic peak. The latest Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) data on private healthcare admissions published today revealed that the total number of admissions in the first quarter of 2025 was 241,000. Despite the figure being [...]
Apollo Global Management to launch £3.75bn sport investment vehicle September 2, 2025 New York-based Apollo Global Management is reportedly planning to launch a £3.75bn investment vehicle focused on sport. The firm, which has around £600bn in assets under management, is set to invest permanent capital into sport for the first time with the new fund. Having previously held talks with LaLiga club Atletico Madrid about acquiring a [...]
Heston Blumenthal calls for VAT cut to ‘save British pubs’ September 2, 2025 Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal has called on the government and licensees to take urgent action to halt the closure of thousands of UK pubs. The chef, who owns owner of the Michelin-starred gastropub The Hinds Head, is campaigning for a reduction to the UK’s VAT rate, which is one of the highest in Europe. He [...]
Gallagher Re: Global reinsurance capital hits record September 2, 2025 Global reinsurance capital rose 4.8 per cent to a record $805bn (£595bn) in the first half of 2025 and is on track to increase by eight per cent overall, thanks to continued strong profitability and additional non-life alternative capital, according to Gallagher Re’s half-year 2025 Reinsurance Market Report. The industry has continued to grow despite [...]
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 [...]