Who’s afraid of the Liberal Democrats? March 25, 2025 With Labour sinking in the polls, there’s an increasing likelihood that whoever forms the next government will need the Liberal Democrats’ help to do it. So what kind of impact might the Lib Dems have on national politics? If a visit to their spring conference is anything to go by, very little, says Emma Revell [...]
Reeves crosses her fingers and hopes for growth March 25, 2025 Ahead of last October’s Budget, ministers allowed months of speculation as to what would be unveiled, and the never-ending drumbeat of doom and gloom talked the economy to a standstill. Largely as a result of the contents and consequences of that Budget, economic growth has since evaporated and now all eyes are on this week’s [...]
Facial recognition cameras in Croydon should alarm all Londoners March 25, 2025 The instalment of permanent facial recognition cameras in Croydon should worry us all, writes Big Brother Watch's Rebecca Vincent.
Customising reality: Will we ever see the world unfiltered again? March 25, 2025 AI and deepfakes mean the world we see through our screens is already fiction. The next step is removing screens altogether, says Paul Armstrong Reality used to be something you could trust. What you saw, heard and experienced was, for the most part, real. But as AI-driven filters, deepfake augmented reality (AR), and immersive environments [...]
Reeves will have to get real and raise taxes March 25, 2025 Despite frantic denials, the debt burden means Rachel Reeves will soon have to revisit promises she made on tax in the care-free days of opposition, says Vince Cable The Chancellor has many competing priorities on Wednesday: a big rise in defence spending; keeping the NHS afloat; honouring promises not to raise taxes on income and [...]
Will a tax raid tomorrow prove too tempting for Reeves? March 25, 2025 Emergency Budgets are a bad idea, but with the economic changing fast Reeves may not have the luxury of waiting until Autumn to raise taxes, says Tim Sarson Last autumn, after a long, long summer of speculation and rumour, our newly installed Chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves delivered what she promised would be the [...]
The FCA will boost growth by being a smarter regulator March 25, 2025 The Financial Conduct Authority is prioritising growth and fighting financial crime as chief executive Nikhil Rathi unveils a new five-year strategy Tomorrow the Chancellor will deliver her Spring Statement. Among the blizzard of figures, it’s likely we will hear one word more than any other: growth. The government has made growth their number one mission. [...]
Whatever business you want to do, do it in London March 24, 2025 The Prime Minister is right to focus on regulating for growth, not just to prevent risk, but this must be complemented by a change in mindset for British businesses, says Alastair King It was heartening to read the Prime Minister’s recent column in Morning Wire on the government’s commitment to cut the cost of regulation [...]
EU defence: Why ‘buy European’ really means ‘buy French’ March 24, 2025 The EU's 'buy European' defence spending plan is protectionist and short-sighted. And it really just means 'buy French', writes Eliot Wilson.
What NOT to expect in the Spring Statement March 24, 2025 The Spring Statement shouldn’t be a big thing, but it’s increasingly feeling like it could be. Here's what Reeves should do, but won't.