IMF slaps UK with biggest growth downgrade of any G7 country April 14, 2026 The UK economy has suffered the biggest growth forecast downgrade of any country in the G7 in the International Monetary Fund’s spring economic outlook report, dealing a blow to Chancellor Rachel Reeves as she struggles to overcome setbacks sparked by the Iran war. Growth this year was revised down by 0.5 percentage points as trade [...]
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Names Jessica Kirby Country Manager, UK, and Chris Nixon Head of Executive & Professional Lines, UK April 14, 2026 Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) today announced the promotion of Jessica Kirby to Country Manager, UK, subject to regulatory approval. She succeeds Nick Major, who is retiring from the company and the London Market. “Jess has been instrumental in building our Executive & Professional Lines business and bringing the full value of BHSI’s tailored solutions, [...]
From Jaffa Cakes to National Insurance: How to fix Britain’s mad tax system – according to the experts April 14, 2026 In its latest report, the OECD scolded the UK for its illogical and growth-impeding tax system. Ali Lyon speaks to five tax experts to work out how to fix it. Potato crisps and their corn chip cousins are – as indulgent savoury snacks go – undeniably similar. They taste alike and are a similar size. [...]
Wall Street bankers’ bonuses leapfrog City in ‘less impressive’ year April 14, 2026 Wall Street bankers have leapfrogged ahead of the City as the industry’s swelling bonus pot proved “far less impressive” than prior expectations. In the US, the average bonus scored was $154,344 (£114,00) in 2025, marking a 5.85 per cent uplift from the year prior. This also topped the industry average growth of 4.4 per cent. [...]
High street spending gets ‘much-needed boost’ but cost alert sent to shoppers April 14, 2026 High street spending in March remained robust though travel companies suffered from holidaymakers’ fears about organising a trip to the Middle East, research has suggested. Retail surveys have suggested that high street shops were boosted by shoppers’ Easter hunt for food, computers and toys last month. Research by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) suggested that [...]
Starmer fears ‘untold damage’ to UK economy from Iran war April 13, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer has warned that the impacts of the Iran war will be “significant” as he insisted the government’s central position was to stay out of the conflict. Starmer told MPs on Monday that the main war in Iran, which lasted over a month before a ceasefire was announced last week, had already harmed [...]
Retiring abroad could lose Brits over £70,000 with state pension at risk April 13, 2026 British pensioners eyeing a retirement in the sun could see thousands wiped off their state pension, top financial planners have warned. Brits planning to retire overseas during this tax year could forgo more than £77,000 in state pension income over the next 20 years, if they opt to move to a country where payments are [...]
Lady Mayor: Openness is the City’s greatest strength April 13, 2026 The City’s success has never depended solely on geography or tradition, but on relationships – on honouring contracts, enforcing rules fairly, and providing a predictable, trusted environment in which people from around the world can invest, collaborate and innovate with confidence, says Susan Langley Recent world events demonstrate that established ways of working are under [...]
Wellington Management Expands Liquid Alternatives Range With New Absolute Return Global Equity UCITS Fund April 13, 2026 Daily‑dealing UCITS fund aims to deliver cash‑plus returns with low sensitivity to equity and bond markets while mitigating factor and market exposures.
New insurance products for female sports stars must cover fertility care April 12, 2026 With changes to insurance products for female sports stars incoming, Dr Mireia Galian says women can’t be undermined though a lack of consideration for fertility support Maintaining good health and wellbeing goes hand in hand with performance for elite athletes. But for women, there’s an added layer. Women’s health and biology – such as natural [...]