Starmer and Macron face a shared Waterloo September 18, 2025 Facing crippling national debt and a politically divided public, both Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron have proved unable to implement necessary economic reforms, and both are heading for a downfall driven by market forces, says Helen Thomas A country gripped by the highest debt levels since the Second World War; an unpopular leader facing a [...]
Asda-owned Leon cuts hundreds of jobs as work from home trend bites September 17, 2025 Leon has axed hundreds of jobs as it bemoaned a “challenging” year in which it wrestled with high cost inflation and depressed customer spending. The Asda-owned fast-food chain cut its headcount by 17 per cent, or 224, to 1,120 over the course of 2024, its latest accounts show, as it sought to bear down on [...]
Titanic Quarter sinks further into the red as losses mount September 17, 2025 Losses at a string of companies related to the landmark Titanic Quarter development in Belfast have widened during their latest financial years, new documents show. The companies, which are controlled by businessmen Dermot Desmond and Pat Doherty, are all involved in the development of the 161.5-acre site. Belfast’s Titanic Quarter is home to more than 100 companies with [...]
Keir Starmer pressed to ‘come clean’ on Mandelson sacking September 16, 2025 Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been pressed to “come clean” on how the sacking of former ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson unfolded and the process that led to his appointment last year. Starmer, who was not present at an emergency debate on Mandelson’s sacking on Tuesday, said on Monday that he would not have [...]
Taxing business is not the way to win the investment race September 15, 2025 Attracting investment is all about sending the right signals, and that starts with tax policy, says Chris Hayward Party conference season brings warm white wine, beige food and late nights. These festivals of politics tend to be high in rhetoric and low in substance. Businesses across the Square Mile seek more of the latter and [...]
Pret A Manger ‘being punished for focusing on UK’ September 15, 2025 Pret A Manger is being punished for focusing on the UK and this is a “disaster for domestic growth”, according to the chief executive of drinking chocolate chain Knoops. Writing on LinkedIn, William Gordon-Harris said “the sad fact is for UK domestic growth is that so many UK founded businesses focus their growth after launch [...]
Government warned that London housebuilding is on the edge of collapse September 15, 2025 Housing delivery in the capital is in a major crisis and urgent measures must be taken to prevent collapse, according to a new report. Lack of buyer support, as well as excessive bureaucracy and significant planning delays, are “strangling” attempted to deliver desperately-needed new homes, a Home Builders Federation report has found. Neil Jefferson, Chief [...]
Coco di Mama bets on meal deals as it launches in Tesco September 12, 2025 Coco di Mama has announced the launch of a range of freshly made Italian sourdough sandwiches in Tesco’s premium meal deal as it bets on the grocery market. The launch follows a “hugely successful” debut year in retail with its range in Sainsbury’s’ £5.50 meal deal. “Capital-light, fast-growing channels,” are the focus of the brand at [...]
Wicked: Record London show sales after film’s success September 11, 2025 The global box office success of the big screen adaptation of musical Wicked helped the London stage show rake in record ticket sales last year. The film, staring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, was released in November 2024 and generated more than $756m (£559.2m) worldwide off the back of a successful promotional tour. It was [...]
‘No doubt’ foreign office would have advised against Mandelson appointment September 11, 2025 Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sacked Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US after more leaked emails brought fresh focus on his close personal relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement, the Foreign Office said the emails “show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from [...]