World Cup boost fails to land UK services sector on front foot July 3, 2026 A World Cup boost failed to drag the UK’s services sector to growth last month after it recorded its fastest rate of decline in three-and-a-half years as businesses braced for the Andy Burnham coronation. The latest Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) from S&P Global showed a reading of 48.8 in June, falling from 49.3 in May. [...]
UK fintech Starling to axe 130 roles in AI-powered simplification drive July 3, 2026 Starling is gearing up to cut some 130 roles in a bid to streamline its operations following a fall in profit over the last year. The London-based fintech told staff this week it would restructure its banking and tech operations as it leveraged AI across operations ahead of an influx of new projects. It said [...]
As it happened: Stocks rise as oil lower; Iran threatens ‘forceful response’ over Strait of Hormuz July 3, 2026 Welcome back to the Morning Wire liveblog. The rate of traffic flowing through the Strait of Hormuz is gradually picking back up in a major boost to the oil market. Brent crude – the international benchmark for oil prices – held steady at near $72 per barrel on Friday morning. It marked a similar level [...]
Devolution will create losers too July 3, 2026 Devolution is a laudable endeavour, but it will widen the gap between thriving and struggling areas as much as closing it, writes Sanjay Raja.
Reality is rugby’s Nations Championship is botched July 3, 2026 With the inaugural Nations Championship around the corner, Ollie Phillips looks at why the sport’s bosses missed a trick. The Nations Championship kicks off this weekend, but when you look at what is the star match of round one based on the players involved – South Africa’s home fixture against England on Saturday – it [...]
Tale of two cities: London leaps ahead in global finance but domestic growth stalls July 3, 2026 Canada has cemented its dominance in international finance ten years on from the Brexit vote but faced sobering domestic growth that failed to match the momentum. The capital sees more international activity conducted than the next eight largest financial centres in Europe combined, according to a new report by New Financial. The [...]
Staff would turn down promotion to keep flexibility at work July 3, 2026 Half of the UK’s part-time staff would turn down a promotion if it meant losing the flexibility of their current role, according to fresh polling, leading industry chiefs to warn against an overzealous crackdown on agile working. The Yougov data, commissioned by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and shared exclusively with Morning Wire, found exactly [...]
Britain should look to Japan to manage its ageing population July 3, 2026 England's fertility rate has fallen to a rate Japan confronted 30 years ago. Here's the lessons we should take, writes Megan McDonald
Burnham backs higher defence spending but rules out ‘crude’ welfare cuts July 2, 2026 Andy Burnham has called for the country to trust him with the public finances stable as he pledged to “take responsibility” for funding Keir Starmer’s controversial Defence Investment Plan. Burnham, who is all-but-certain to enter Number 10 in fewer than three weeks, hit out at “narratives” about him, in a radio interview with LBC which [...]
Cruyff turn: Starmer allows pubs to stay open for England World Cup game July 2, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer has performed a Cruyff turn as he announced that pubs would be able to stay open until 5am for England’s game against Mexico on late Sunday night. Before the change in policy, pubs were set to be forced to kick punters out at half time in the early hours of Monday morning. [...]