FCA to increase scrutiny of home and travel insurers following ‘super complaint’ December 18, 2025 The UK financial watchdog is to increase scrutiny of home and travel insurers following a “super complaint” by consumer champion Which?. Following a year of campaigning against falling standards affecting tens of millions of customers, Which? used its statutory powers to make a super-complaint to the industry regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), back in [...]
Beckham and Neville sell stake in Salford City FC to US giants December 18, 2025 AIG has become the largest shareholder in Salford City FC after the Gary Neville and David Beckham co-owned club sold a stake to the finance and insurance giant. The League Two club has sold a stake to the American firm in a deal that will see AIG become a strategic partner as well as largest [...]
Bank of England cuts interest rates to near three-year low December 18, 2025 The Bank of England has delivered a pre-Christmas rate cut, reducing its central interest rate to 3.75 per cent amid a deteriorating labour market and signs price rises will continue to slow into the new year. In a close 5-4 vote that was decided by Andrew Bailey, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) chose to reduce [...]
Why private capital could make this the last Ashes series as we know them December 18, 2025 This is likely to be the last Ashes as we know it; but not because England might finally win a series down in Australia, or because the format is suddenly about to change. By the time the iconic bilateral series returns for its 75th iteration in 2027, it will be against the backdrop of a [...]
Goldman Sachs corporate chief: Investing in entrepreneurs is the single most powerful way to drive growth December 18, 2025 Each week, we dig into the memory bank of the City's great and good. Today, Charlotte Keenan. head of corporate engagement at Goldman Sachs, takes us through her career.
‘Chance of 2026 recession’ despite interest rate cut – follow live December 18, 2025 Welcome back to the Morning Wire liveblog. The Bank of England has handed Chancellor Rachel Reeves and the Labour government a highly-desired Christmas present today. The central bank confirmed a chop to interest rates falling to 3.75 per cent – the lowest in nearly three years. It comes after inflation undershot expectations on Wednesday providing [...]
US tech stocks tumble after data centre setback sparks investor concerns December 18, 2025 US tech stocks fell on Wednesday after news that software company Oracle had lost a key backer for its data centre project, reigniting investors’ concerns about AI companies’ spending. The tech-heavy Nasdaq dropped 1.8 per cent to $22,693.32 (£ 17,975.06), finishing at its lowest level since late November, while Oracle fell 5.4 per cent to [...]
Zara turns to AI-edited models amid shop closures December 18, 2025 Zara is using artificial intelligence to edit images of human models for its e-commerce platforms, Morning Wire understands, as the fast-fashion giant looks to cut costs amid a tough retail backdrop. Models who have previously shot campaigns for Zara have since been contacted by the Spanish retail giant and asked for permission for their images [...]
BP: FTSE 100 giant replaces top boss after just two years December 18, 2025 FTSE 100 oil major BP has replaced its top boss after just two years in the role as the energy giant targets a major turnaround. BP will swap out incumbent boss Murray Auchincloss, who has been in the role since the start of 2024, for Woodside Energy chief Meg O’Neil. Auchincloss will step down with [...]
Jordan North: Capital Breakfast host becomes a millionaire December 18, 2025 TV and radio presenter Jordan North has become a millionaire after taking over as host of Capital’s breakfast show. North succeeded Roman Kemp as host in April 2024 alongside Siân Welby and Chris Stark. The former I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here runner-up had previously been a DJ at Radio One. Now, new accounts [...]