US warns 15 per cent tariffs to come this week March 4, 2026 US treasury secretary Scott Bessent has warned that the administration’s plans for a higher universal 15 per cent tariff could come into effect this week. Bessent said the new baseline tariff rate would come in “likely some time this week” in an interview on Wednesday. The US implemented its 10 per cent tariff rate last [...]
Starmer refuses to reveal date of defence investment plan March 4, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer hit back at criticism the UK government was not spending enough on defence amid an escalating conflict in the Middle East putting RAF jets and British nationals at risk. The Prime Minister declined to reveal when the much-anticipated defence investment plan would be published as Kemi Badenoch centred her attacks on the [...]
Brits go budget as ready meals replace restaurant dates March 4, 2026 Shoppers are opting for own-brand ready meals instead of fancy restaurant dinners in a boost for supermarkets. Brits are spending more on groceries but getting less for their money, as total till sales at UK supermarkets grew 3.3 per cent in the four weeks leading up to 22 February while the number of units sold [...]
Labour MP’s partner among three arrested in China spy probe March 4, 2026 Three men, including a partner of a Labour MP, have been arrested on suspicion of spying for China. The Metropolitan Police revealed on Wednesday that the men, aged 39, 43 and 68, were arrested in London and Wales as part of a counter-terrorism policing investigation under the National Security Act. One of those arrested, David [...]
Iceland versus Iceland: Trademark feud put on ice March 4, 2026 The decades-long trademark dispute between UK retailer Iceland and its Nordic namesake looks to be thawing as the supermarket’s boss offered discounts for shoppers in Reykjavik. Executive chair Richard Walker has signalled an end to the frosty dispute between Iceland and Iceland which was kicked off by his father, the retailer’s co-founder Malcom Walker. The [...]
Carabao Cup final ticket scam: Arsenal and Manchester City fans warned March 4, 2026 Arsenal and Manchester City fans have been targeted by scammers selling fake tickets to this month’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley. Competition organiser the EFL is working with police and anti-fraud authorities to block websites offering non-existent tickets for the match on Sunday 22 March. Both Arsenal and Manchester City quickly sold out of their [...]
UK economy held back by ‘rationing’ of energy, land and capital March 4, 2026 The government must focus on “ending the rationing” of the UK’s energy, land and capital if it wants to reinvigorate the economy, according to a leading City analyst. In a research note published this morning, Simon French, head of research at Panmure Liberum, argued that policies from successive governments had effectively created a rationing system [...]
Wood Group hit with £13m fine as engineering titan set to exit City March 4, 2026 Scottish engineering titan John Wood Group has been slapped with a hefty fine after it produced inaccurate information in its financial results. The London-listed firm will cough up £13m following an investigation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) concluding its “accounting judgements were inappropriately influenced by its desire to maintain previously stated financial results”. The [...]
Asda boss: Government ‘more and more difficult’ to deal with March 4, 2026 The boss of supermarket chain Asda has said the government has become “more and more difficult” to deal with, claiming the pressures on business posed by policy have ballooned since he began his career. Allan Leighton, Asda’s chair, said businesses are increasingly facing obstacles to growth which are “not of their own making”. At Tuesday’s [...]
Brewdog: James Watt ‘heartbroken’ as craft beer firm sold March 4, 2026 Brewdog co-founder James Watt has said he is “heartbroken” after the craft beer titan’s sale cost nearly 500 jobs and left thousands of “punk equity” investors empty-handed. Watt, who co-founded the firm with his school friend Martin Dickie in 2007, said the past week “has been incredibly hard” and described the sale to US cannabis [...]