Burnham urged to axe tourist tax expansion in devolution drive August 3, 2026 A leading hospitality trade body has urged Andy Burnham to drop plans to expand the so-called “tourist tax” across the country as part of his devolution drive. UK Hospitality (UKH) has written a letter to the Prime Minister, seen by Morning Wire, warning that the government’s overnight visitor levy would cost 33,000 jobs in the [...]
FA turns up heat on Infantino by pulling support for embattled Fifa president August 3, 2026 The Football Association has heaped further pressure on embattled Fifa president Gianni Infantino by formally withdrawing its support for his re-election. The FA was one of around 200 of Fifa’s members which agreed to back his bid for a third term but has changed its mind in light of Infantino’s plan to sell off stakes [...]
Astrazeneca share price tumbles on $400bn megamerger talks August 3, 2026 Astrazeneca’s share price slumped sharply on Monday as investors baulked at a potential $400bn megamerger with US rival Bristol Myers Squibb. Shares in the UK drugmaker slid six per cent in early trading to 11,866p after the Financial Times reported it has been holding talks regarding a potential tie-up with the US group in recent [...]
Manufacturers overcome gloomy economy as output surge continues August 3, 2026 Manufacturers have overcome a gloomy economic outlook across the country as businesses boosted production to levels not seen in almost two years, new data has revealed. According to S&P Global’s monthly survey of output across manufacturers, business activity continued to increase in what was the ninth consecutive month of growth in the sector. The purchasing [...]
Staveley planning ‘big property play’ as she closes in on West Ham stake August 3, 2026 Amanda Staveley says she is planning a “big property play” in English football as the former Newcastle United closes in on a deal to buy a stake in West Ham United. Staveley, her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi, and others have agreed to buy a 25.1 per cent stake in the Hammers, who were relegated to the [...]
Chrysalis marks down Starling stake again and reduces Klarna holding August 3, 2026 Chrysalis Investments has slashed the price tag of its Starling stake for the second straight quarter. The British investment trust marked down the value of its holding in the digital bank by five per cent to £356m in the second quarter. This helped contribute to an overall drop of 2.35p per share in Chrysalis’ net [...]
Global advisory giant Brunswick explores capital raise August 3, 2026 City PR and advisory heavyweight Brunswick is reportedly weighing up a fresh cash injection via a sale of a stake in the firm, setting the stage for a punchy windfall for its top executives. Five years after securing a £500m valuation following the sale of a 10.7 per cent stake to US private bank BDT [...]
Astrazeneca explores $400bn megadeal with US rival August 3, 2026 Astrazeneca is exploring a $400bn (£300bn) merger with US rival Bristol Myers Squibb, in a deal that would create one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical groups. The FTSE 100 giant has held talks with the US group in recent months about a possible tie-up, according to reports in the Financial Times. Talks could lead to a [...]
Easyjet extends window for another Castlelake bid August 3, 2026 Easyjet has extended the window for another takeover bid from asset manager Castlelake after its offer was usurped by investment giant Apollo last month. The budget airline said on Monday that it was still set to recommend the Apollo deal to shareholders, which values its stock at £7.15 per share, but would extend Castlelake’s deadline [...]
As it happened: UK stocks cool after Astrazeneca drags; Trump and Iran clash over peace talks August 3, 2026 Welcome back to the Morning Wire liveblog. The London stock market is starting the new week relatively mixed after Donald Trump hinted a deal between US and Iran on the Strait of Hormuz is near, but was contradicted by communication from Tehran. The US President has said that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Iran [...]