Football chanting to lead to cocaine tests by police February 17, 2025 Football fans arrested for pitch invasions or tragedy chanting face cocaine tests by police as part of a Home Office crackdown on drug use at matches. The government has announced the plans as it steps up efforts to tackle the “root causes of reoffending and reduce criminal behaviour”. The 2023-24 football season saw 344 arrests [...]
Bill Browder: ‘Bad bet’ to return to Russia after ceasefire February 17, 2025 Firms that choose to re-open operations in Russia after a peace agreement has been reached would be “making a bad bet” and “deserve to lose their money”, a former hedge fund manager dubbed ‘Putin’s number one enemy’ has said. Speaking to City AM from the Munich Security Conference (MSC), Sir Bill Browder launched a scathing [...]
First privately financed nuclear project begins licensing February 17, 2025 A US start-up has formally entered the running to build four micro-nuclear plants in South Wales without a dime from the taxpayer. Washington-based Last Energy on Monday announced confirmation from the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) that it had entered the nuclear site licensing process for the plans. The ONR’s notice follows seven months of [...]
Auto-deleting emails forces us to ask, what is the FCA trying to hide? February 17, 2025 The FCA's plan to auto-delete emails is an exercise of managing reputation, not standards, writes Eliot Wilson.
Trump to fix PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger ‘very soon this year’, says Woods February 17, 2025 Tiger Woods expects talks between the PGA Tour and Donald Trump to mend the rift in men’s professional golf “very soon this year”. Since returning to office last month, President Trump has already met with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and player director Adam Scott with a view to unblocking the impasse over a proposed [...]
Springfield Properties: Revenue slumps as housing projects delayed February 17, 2025 Springfield Properties, one of Scotland’s leading housebuilders, has reported a 13 per cent drop in revenue to £105.6m for the first half of its 2025 financial year, reflecting a subdued housing market and delays in affordable housing projects. Despite the decline in revenue, the company posted a sharp increase in profitability, with adjusted profit before [...]
Alton Towers operator Merlin Entertainments names new top boss February 17, 2025 Merlin Entertainments, the global giant which runs the likes of Alton Towers, Legoland and Madame Tussauds, has named a new full-time chief executive. Fiona Eastwood has been appointed to the role after serving on an interim basis since November 2024. Eastwood succeeds Scott O’Neil who stepped down after two years in the job. O’Neil had [...]
Britons, our businesses need YOU to take risks February 17, 2025 Brits have become too cautious, and business is suffering because of it. It's time for us all to embrace risk, writes Chris Hayward.
Reeves expected to float income tax hikes next month February 15, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to float income tax rises next month as she attempts to stick to the government’s fiscal rules. A freeze on income tax thresholds is currently being discussed in the Treasury, which could raise as much as £4bn a year, according to reports from the Financial Times. One aide told reports [...]
Starmer warned to boost defence spending or enter ‘bin of history’ February 15, 2025 Keir Starmer has been warned by a former head of the army that he faces being consigned to the dustbin of history unless the government significantly hikes defence spending. Ex-chief of the general staff Lord Dannatt said spending should rise to a 3.5 per cent share of the economy. The UK currently spends around 2.3 [...]