Subsidised jobs won’t fix youth unemployment December 16, 2025 The young do not need moral lectures. They need chances. And chances come from businesses that are free to hire, free to experiment and free to take risks, not from the state, says Matthew Bowles Last weekend, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden, announced on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg [...]
Teletrac Navman Report: 84% of Fleets Cite Driver Exoneration as a Leading Reason for Deploying Safety Technology December 15, 2025 New research from Teletrac Navman, a leading connected mobility platform and a Vontier company, has found that 84% of fleets cite driver exoneration as a leading reason for deploying safety technology, with 53% of fleets that suffered accidents in the past 12 months successfully able to exonerate a driver. The ‘Mobilizing the Future of Fleets: [...]
High earners see purchasing powers eroded after Budget measures December 15, 2025 High earner households could lose thousands in purchasing power over the next few years as a result of measures introduced in last month’s Autumn Budget. According to analysis of HM Treasury data, high earners not rich yet (HENRY) households will see an average reduction in their annual purchasing powers by over £15,000 by 2029, due [...]
Betfred billionaire brothers share huge Peninsula pay day December 15, 2025 The billionaire founders of betting giant Betfred have shared another bumper payday after the continued success of HR giant Peninsula. Founded by Peter Done in 1983, the Manchester-headquartered group provides services for the likes of the Co-op, Fred Perry, David Lloyd, Dreams and PayPal. The group is run by Peter Done and is a separate [...]
Marsh McLennan’s Mercer to Invest in a Bespoke Long-Term Asset Fund for Private Markets With an Initial Commitment of £350 Million December 15, 2025 Mercer, a business of Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC) and a global leader in helping clients realise their investment objectives, shape the future of work and enhance health and retirement outcomes for their people, today announced plans for its UK Workplace Savings solutions, including its master trusts, to invest in the new Schroders Mercer Private Assets [...]
The City needs more Tiggers and fewer Eeyores December 15, 2025 If we want the world to choose London for financial services, we need to get better at rolling out the red carpet and signposting investors to everything London has to offer, says Susan Langley In my last column, I talked about getting ready for the first ever Lady Mayor’s Banquet. With these big set-piece moments [...]
Next eyes Russell & Bromley deal December 13, 2025 The high street giant Next is reportedly considering making an offer to invest in Russell & Bromley, the shoe retailer that said it was looking for a fresh cash injection. It has been reported that the FTSE 100 company is among several possible parties interested in investing in the smaller retail brand. It is unclear [...]
Public spending fuelled growth spurt ‘no cause for celebration’ December 12, 2025 Labour’s “spend now, tax later” approach to fiscal policy will drive higher growth than previously expected, an industry group has said, but will leave UK public finances in a “vulnerable” position. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) upgraded its growth forecast for next year from 1 per cent to 1.3 per cent, with an extra [...]
2025: It’s been one hell of a year for UK business December 11, 2025 From political drama to market volatility, cyber attacks, takeovers and trade wars – 2025 has not been plain sailing. January: motor finance and angry farmers We began the year reporting on the exodus from the London stock exchange noting that 2024 had been the quietest year on record for new listings and we suggested that [...]
Abu Dhabi Launches FIDA Cluster to Shape the Next Generation of Financial and Investment Solutions December 10, 2025 Abu Dhabi has launched the FinTech, Insurance, Digital and Alternative Assets (FIDA) cluster to accelerate the development of next-generation financial and investment solutions and expand the emirate’s role as a global capital hub. Spearheaded by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the cluster is a core [...]