Why has no one in the Cabinet run a business? February 3, 2026 It is in all our interests that politics remains an attractive proposition for people who have worked in business writes Kiki McDonough.
The ugly truth: Business rates are bad for the beauty industry February 3, 2026 Salons are grappling with the simultaneous rise of the National Living Wage, increased Employer National Insurance contributions, and skyrocketing utility costs. They should be given the same consideration as pubs, says Victoria Brownlie The British high street is often described as the heartbeat of our communities, and for years, the hair and beauty sector has [...]
Morningstar Completes Acquisition of CRSP and Extends Relationship with Vanguard February 2, 2026 The CRSP integration unites two trusted sources of market insight, reinforcing a shared commitment to transparency, quality, and investor-focused solutions and solidifying Morningstar’s position as a top-tier global index provider.
FTSE 100 hits fresh record after gold and silver rout February 2, 2026 The FTSE 100 hit a fresh record on Monday despite being swept up in a global sell-off of metals and tech stocks that had pushed Asian and European stock markets deep into the red earlier in the day. The UK’s blue-chip index closed up 118 points to end the day at an all-time high of [...]
UK payments stuck with ‘bolted on’ European regulation, says PSR boss February 2, 2026 The boss of the UK’s payments regulator has said the body’s consolidation with the City watchdog will allow it to ditch overhanging red tape from Europe. David Geale, who heads up the Payments System Regulator (PSR) and leads on payments at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), said: “There are bits of payments regulation that have [...]
K2 International Expands Financial Lines Capabilities with Acquisition of Rising Edge’s Management Liability Business February 2, 2026 Transaction establishes new division, K2 Executive Risk Limited, led by Yoel Brightman
Urban Pubs and Bars defies hospitality gloom with doubling of profit February 2, 2026 One of London’s biggest pub chains has defied hospitality gloom after posting a more than doubling of profit. Urban Pubs and Bars, which operates more than fifty venues across the capital including The Wren in Bank, the Commercial Tavern in Spitalfields and the Punch Tavern in Fleet Street, saw pre-trax profit climb to £1.7m for [...]
Welsh Rugby missed out on £45m in previous Principality Stadium deal January 31, 2026 The Welsh Rugby Union lost £45m from underselling the naming rights to the Principality Stadium, according to a new report. A 10-year deal with insurer Principality is expected to conclude this year, with the decade-long cost of sponsoring Wales’ biggest stadium widely reported to be £1m per season. That’s despite research from The Sponsor shared [...]
Drinks firms ‘have no choice’ but to increase prices, say industry bosses January 31, 2026 Top drinks businesses “have no choice” but to increase prices after facing steep cost hikes from rising alcohol duty, industry leaders have warned. In November’s autumn budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that alcohol duty would increase in line with Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation. It means that the tax charged on alcoholic drinks will increase [...]
FICO UK Credit Card Market Report: November 2025 January 30, 2026 Pre-Christmas spending remained below 2024 figures, but balances rose as payments fell to the lowest level since 2021