Starmer confirms teen rape case sent to Court of Appeal after public outcry May 26, 2026 The Attorney General has sent a rape case, which saw two teenage boys spared jail, to the Court of Appeal following a political backlash over the weekend against the judge’s ruling. Two teenage boys raped two girls in separate attacks in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in 2024 and 2025. The third boy, who aided and abetted the [...]
Will Sky Garden pick up a coveted Toast the City award? May 26, 2026 We have launched the Toast the City awards 2026 and throughout the year we’ll be speaking to some of the nominees. Today we caught up with Sky Garden director Monika Kowalewska-Kheir. To nominate your favourite Square Mile spots for the 2026 awards, from bars and restaurants to galleries and green spaces, visit the Toast the City website here. [...]
The Live Moment Effect: Genius Sports and MediaScience Study Finds Specific Moments in Live Sports Can Double Unaided Brand Recall May 21, 2026 New research shows that brands aligned with emotionally heightened moments in live sports can improve ad effectiveness
‘Manchesterism’ is a myth and you can’t trust Andy Burnham May 21, 2026 Andy Burnham says he wants to “roll back the 80s” but the growth of Manchester is down to the rolling back of socialism that began before he became Mayor, says Ayushma Maharjan Britain’s most popular politician is running on a myth, is not credible, and might out-do Starmer in U-turns. A recent Yougov poll found [...]
On This Day: Happy birthday Andrew Neil May 21, 2026 Today in 1949, Andrew Neil was born. He remains one of the most compelling figures in the British media landscape, writes Eliot Wilson In a media landscape of interchangeable and forgettable talking heads, Andrew Neil remains an unmistakable and forceful presence. Readers who can recall a time when he was not a well-kent face in [...]
Andy Burnham’s departure could put Manchester’s growth at risk May 21, 2026 Andy Burnham is not actually obliged to step down as Mayor to contest the Makerfield by-election, but if he does his departure would leave Manchester more susceptible to fragmented national politics, says Simon Goacher Andy Burnham’s decision to run in the Makerfield by-election is being treated largely as a Westminster comeback – a route back [...]
Wes Streeting urges Labour to help youth ‘as an emergency’ May 20, 2026 Wes Streeting has called on the government to support young people “as an emergency” in a resignation speech that accused Sir Keir Starmer of leading a losing battle against Reform UK. Streeting said he supported Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ economic agenda before the Iran war broke out and upended policy-making, though he suggested the Labour leadership [...]
Starmer eases sanctions on Russian oil despite calls to ramp up North Sea drilling May 20, 2026 Keir Starmer is to allow Russian imports of diesel and jet fuel in a major softening of what has been a hardline stance towards Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. A licence issued on Wednesday will allow such products to enter the UK “indefinitely”, as long as the oil has been refined in [...]
Conservatives have the right diagnosis, but can they cure Britain’s ailments? May 20, 2026 Mel Stride has set out his vision for the economic future of the UK, Matthew Bowles gives his analysis Westminster has spent much of the past week discussing the emergence of a supposed “Burnham premium” on British borrowing costs – the suggestion being that the mere prospect of Andy Burnham returning to national politics could [...]
The Square Mile gets its fourth City Minister – could it soon get its fifth? May 20, 2026 Four City minsters later, in this week’s column Samuel Norman takes a look at the blow to the Square Mile from the latest reshuffle. Also on the agenda: Revolut’s plans for the high net worth faces off with ambitions of incumbents. “Look for the girl with the sun in her eyes…” So goes the lyrics [...]