Boost for retail sales as tech and fuel drives growth February 20, 2026 UK retail sales grew by 1.8 per cent in January as the performance of non-food retailers outshone struggling supermarkets, Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures reveal. Automotive fuel sales, art galleries and tech retailers drove this growth, the ONS said, which was partially dragged down by falling supermarket sales. Retail sales were up slightly on [...]
Reeves lands £30bn reprieve ahead of Spring Statement February 20, 2026 Rachel Reeves has secured a record-breaking borrowing reprieve in fresh data that comes ahead of the Chancellor delivering her Spring Statement in March. The Treasury has been handed a surplus of £30.4bn in January, new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show, after a surge in tax receipts. The figure is £15.9bn higher [...]
Marketing win for Prem Rugby would be Andy Farrell at Saracens February 20, 2026 Andy Farrell dropping Sam Prendergast for Ireland’s clash with England in the Six Nations this Saturday is a ballsy move. But the next time Farrell travels to Allianz Stadium, after this weekend, could be in a Prem Rugby final as a key cog in the Saracens machine. Because I am one of the growing number [...]
FTSE 100 Live: Retail sales inch up; Segro ups dividend February 20, 2026 Good morning and welcome back to the Morning Wire liveblog. The FTSE 100 took a breather from its blistering record run on Thursday after a major stock tumble at British Gas owner Centrica led the index into the red. Centrica shed over five per cent after telling markets it would hit pause on its share [...]
Labour MPs: Britain must help establish a World Bank for defence February 20, 2026 MPs Alex Bailey, Calvin Bailey and Luke Charters make the case for why Britain should help establish an international defence bank.
UK is no longer a world leader – but we can use that to our advantage February 20, 2026 The sooner the UK can accept it's now an underdog - and exploit the advantages that come with it - the better, writes Tim Dier.
Small businesses warn April cost hikes could force closures February 19, 2026 Small businesses have warned they are heading into an “unprecedented cost crunch” in April, with over a third of employers planning to cut output or shut down as higher taxes and bills take effect. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has written to Rachel Reeves, warning that a combination of rising energy standing charges, business rate increases, [...]
Why Hull KR and Brisbane Broncos turned down World Club Challenge payday in Qatar February 19, 2026 This evening in Hull one of the city’s namesake Super League teams takes on NRL champions Brisbane Broncos in the resurrected World Club Challenge rugby league match. The – usually – annual match has been played just twice since 2020 due to Covid-19 in 2021 and 2022 but was waived last year after Australian side [...]
Debenhams clinches equity raise after share price spook February 19, 2026 Debenhams Group successfully closed its equity fundraise above its initial £35m target despite a stock market spook which saw its shares drop by 20 per cent. The fashion group, which recently rebranded from Boohoo Group, had pitched the equity raise as central to its turnaround from significant struggles in recent years. Debenhams Group, which owns [...]
Global Counsel to be placed into administration February 19, 2026 Global Counsel’s 130 staff have been informed that the lobbying company founded by Peter Mandelson will be placed into administration as soon as tomorrow. Morning Wire understands that despite a number of clients deciding to stay with the firm, the loss of business following the former US ambassador’s fall from grace has been substantial. A [...]