How are ‘bankrupt’ France’s borrowing costs still lower than ours? September 29, 2025 Locked in a protracted political crisis over the extent of its indebtedness – and with its deficit running at over five per cent of GDP – France has earned itself the unwanted monikers of ‘the sick man of Europe’ and the ‘new Greece’. Despite these woes, its borrowing costs remain lower than the UK’s. Ali [...]
Gold seals record high as Trump heads for government showdown September 29, 2025 Gold has once again smashed a record high, spurred on by tensions in the US as President Donald Trump heads for a showdown with congressional members. The yellow metal breezed past the $3,800 mark this morning with a 1.2 per cent gain as investors flocked to the safe haven asset whilst political tensions in Washington [...]
Labour to grant settled status only to working migrants September 29, 2025 The UK government will only grant settled status rights to working migrants under radical plans drawn up by Labour’s Shabana Mahmood. In a speech at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Mahmood will tell an audience of activists that the government will tighten its indefinite leave to remain rights, which allow migrants to gain settled [...]
GSK shares rally as chief Emma Walmsley to exit after eight years September 29, 2025 The chief executive of pharmaceutical giant GSK has announced plans to step down from the company at the end of the year. Emma Walmsley, who took the helm of the drugmaker in 2017, will be replaced by chief commercial officer Luke Miels. Miels – the former Executive Vice President of Astrazeneca – also joined the [...]
Labour say manifesto stands ‘today’ as Reeves ducks VAT hike September 29, 2025 The Chancellor would not rule out fresh rises to VAT ahead of her speech to Labour Party Conference later today, when pressed on the issue by LBC’s Nick Ferrari this morning. Asked whether Brits could face increases to the retail levy, Reeves said: “You’ll know we made those commitments in our manifesto, and those commitments [...]
From McGregor to the final three: The battle for Ireland’s highest office September 29, 2025 In less than a month, voters across Ireland will head to the polls to choose their next President, as the current officeholder, Michael D. Higgins, completes his final term. Unlike in France or the United States, Ireland’s presidency is largely ceremonial. The President serves as the head of state, while the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) [...]
Could Andy Burnham actually unseat Keir Starmer? September 29, 2025 Andy Burnham has made a bold threat to Keir Starmer, but could he actually unseat the Prime Minister? Eliot Wilson takes a look.
The world believes in Britain, the government must too September 29, 2025 Business leaders remain laser-focused on delivering growth, now the Chancellor must create the conditions for them to do so, says Chris Hayward As the Chancellor prepares to address the Labour Party Conference, her desk in Number 11 Downing Street is doubtless already buckling under the weight of submissions featuring friendly advice about how to shape [...]
Starmer: Reform is an ‘enemy’ of the country September 27, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to take the fight to Reform UK, who he described as an “enemy” of the country, ahead of the Labour Party conference this weekend. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has, meanwhile, said she wants to sign an “ambitious” new youth migration scheme with the EU, which she claimed would reduce the need [...]
UK’s crisis-ridden family courts are failing children September 27, 2025 The test of a society is how it treats its children, but our family courts are in crisis. Reform cannot be more urgent, writes Robert Hines.