‘Petrified’ publicans call on government for urgent support December 12, 2025 Pub chiefs have used an emergency meeting to call on the government to provide urgent tax relief in order to stave off closures and job losses. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has urged Labour to introduce 30 per cent business rates relief for pubs to help protect the future of the beleaguered sector. [...]
Runware raises $50M to accelerate AI media generation December 12, 2025 London-based startup Runware has raised $50m in a Series A round led by Dawn Capital, as companies rush to leverage potential productivity gains from AI-powered image, video, and audio tools. Other investors included Speedinvest, Comcast Ventures, and existing backers like Insight Partners, a16z Speedrun, Zero Prime Ventures, and Begin Capital. Founded in 2023 by Flaviu [...]
Public spending fuelled growth spurt ‘no cause for celebration’ December 12, 2025 Labour’s “spend now, tax later” approach to fiscal policy will drive higher growth than previously expected, an industry group has said, but will leave UK public finances in a “vulnerable” position. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) upgraded its growth forecast for next year from 1 per cent to 1.3 per cent, with an extra [...]
Private members’ clubs are the new face of London heritage December 12, 2025 Private members’ clubs have evolved from exclusive retreats for the elite has evolved into a defining force behind one of the most dynamic investment trends in London’s hospitality market: the rise of the club-hotel hybrid, says Daniel Kyriakides London has always excelled at reinventing its own traditions and nowhere is that clearer than in the [...]
Google DeepMind partners with the government on AI innovation December 11, 2025 The government has struck a major deal with Google DeepMind which will see UK scientists gain priority access to its AI technologies. The Alphabet-owned AI giant will also create a new AI system aimed to cut government bureaucracy, and develop a version of Gemini – Google’s largest AI model – to be integrated into schools. [...]
Stormzy, Emma Thompson, and Ray Winstone join star-studded Square Mile charity day December 11, 2025 Stars including rapper Stormzy, actor Emma Thompson and ex-Spice Girl Emma Bunton have taken to the trading floor as part of an annual charity initiative spearheaded by a financial services firm in the heart of the Square Mile. Celebrities are spending the day hitting the phones to help out brokers, ranging from actor Ray Winstone [...]
Big Tech cashes in on £1 trillion ad market boom December 11, 2025 The global ad market is booming, with spend forecast to reach $1.19 (£1.04) trillion in 2025, up 8.9 per cent from last year, according to WARC’s recent report. Growth is projected to accelerate to $1.30 trillion in 2026 and $1.40 trillion by 2027, a doubling in size since the pandemic. But while the market is [...]
Martin Lewis discovers the stock market December 11, 2025 All of us at Morning Wire would like to give a heartfelt congratulations to personal finance guru Martin Lewis for his discovery of the stock market. This newfound enthusiasm could even see him in the running for the City Champion gong at next year’s Morning Wire Awards. Lewis opened his ITV money show this week [...]
Lib Dems and Tories erupt in row over Employment Rights Bill December 11, 2025 The Liberal Democrats and the Tories have clashed over a late evening vote on the Employment Rights Bill that saw LibDem peers fall in behind the Labour government. Tory business speaker Andrew Griffith accused the Liberal Democrats of voting with Labour in the House of Lords on Wednesday night on the basis that the party [...]
Substack implements native advertising following $1.1bn valuation December 11, 2025 Substack, the historically anti-advertising newsletter platform, has announced it will pilot an advertising programme following its latest funding round. Substack was founded with the goal of providing an alternative to online advertising as a monetisation model for writers and creators. It was founded in 2017 as a website where people can write and subscribe to [...]