Four charts revealing scale of Andy Burnham’s economic challenge July 21, 2026 Andy Burnham has harboured ambitions to be Prime Minister for over a decade. But the economy he is inheriting will take the shine off his lofty hopes – just look at these four charts. As he stepped out onto Downing Street for the first time as Prime Minster, Andy Burnham allowed himself to break out [...]
As it happened: Stocks rally as defence shares surge on John Healey as Chancellor July 21, 2026 Welcome back to the Morning Wire FTSE 100 liveblog. It’s Tuesday and the markets have been adjusting to the first full day of Andy Burnham’s Labour government. Burnham shocked Westminster and the City on Monday evening when he appointed John Healey as his Chancellor, just weeks after he had resigned in protest as defence secretary. [...]
UK fintech Pockit recruits founder of Burger King Kazakhstan July 21, 2026 A top British fintech has hired the founder of Burger King’s Kazakhstan franchise in an eye-catching board appointment. The Cardiff-based business, which offers prepaid accounts to customers without a credit score, has recruited Kazakh businessman Anuar Utemuratov to become a director, according to company filings seen by Morning Wire. Utemuratov worked as an analyst for [...]
A photography expert’s guide to the best images from the World Cup July 21, 2026 After a thrilling World Cup, Morning Wire Picture Editor Andy Blackmore ranks his favourite images from the tournament. Aside from war, about the only other human experience that spans such a wide range of emotions is sport. Of all the sports, perhaps football is the most emotive, and photographers at the World Cup hold the [...]
Tate & Lyle faces shareholder revolt over executive pay July 21, 2026 London Stock Exchange stalwart Tate & Lyle faces an investor revolt over its chief executive’s salary after failing to address shareholder concerns about its executive-level pay. The FTSE 250 ingredients firm could be overruled by its investors at its annual general meeting (AGM) on Wednesday after coming under pressure from a leading shareholder advisory firm. [...]
British Business Bank cuts jobs in automation push July 21, 2026 The British Business Bank slashed its headcount in the last year as the government-owned economic development bank underwent a major restructuring. The bank – which backs loans from financial institutions in a bid to drive up UK small business lending – said in its annual report “a number of colleagues were placed at risk under [...]
Dimon threatens to ditch JP Morgan tower in tax warning to Burnham July 21, 2026 The boss of JP Morgan has refused to commit to the future of the bank’s planned £10bn tower in Canary Wharf as he warned Andy Burnham’s new government against penalising the banking sector with a raft of new taxes. Jamie Dimon, the chief executive of the US financial behemoth, said he hoped that London would [...]
John Healey becomes Chancellor as Andy Burnham names top Cabinet appointments July 20, 2026 John Healey has been appointed Britain’s new Chancellor as Andy Burnham unveils a major shake-up of key Cabinet roles. The Rawmarsh and Conisbrough MP, who had served as defence secretary under Keir Starmer before resigning earlier this year amid a spat over spending commitments, marks a surprise appointment for the top Treasury role, defying Westminster [...]
Wealthy Brits fear Burnham tax consequences July 20, 2026 Wealthy Brits are bracing for a major shake-up of the tax system, as the UK’s new prime minister looks for ways to fund fresh spending commitments. Prior to taking office, Andy Burnham had already hinted at plans over how the country should be taxed. The Makerfield MP has so far refused to rule out a [...]
Romesh Ranganathan makes it hard to defend the BBC July 20, 2026 There is a lot to love about the BBC. But the new Romesh Ranganathan-fronted Corporation love-in will backfire, writes Matt Kenyon I’ve been getting sentimental about the BBC lately. Two different people have separately reminded me of Merlin; I had my first encounter with Louis Theroux’s Neil and Christine Hamilton documentary; I’ve been strangely hypnotised [...]