Pension funds pledged a private investment splurge. Three years on, has anything changed? July 15, 2026 When 11 of the UK’s largest pension providers signed a deal to pump billions into unlisted companies in July 2023, the mood at Mansion House in the City was celebratory. Then Chancellor Jeremy Hunt hailed the signing a “great personal triumph” for then Lord Mayor, Sir Nicholas Lyons. If the remainder of the UK defined [...]
The Debate: Should political donations be capped at £100,000? July 15, 2026 Britain currently has no cap on political donations. Is this freedom, or madness? We hear both sides in this week's Debate.
AI startup boss warns UK cannot become ‘dependent’ on overseas tech July 15, 2026 UK AI infrastructure company Valarian has raised $50m (£37m) in fresh funding as its boss said countries should focus on controlling AI infrastructure rather than competing to build their own frontier models. The Series A round, led by Silicon Valley investor New Enterprise Associates (NEA), takes the London firm’s total funding to $70m and marks [...]
OECD sounds alarm on pension triple lock in challenge to Burnham July 15, 2026 The world’s leading independent economic organisation has warned that reform of the triple lock on state pensions is “necessary to reduce fiscal risks”, in a challenge to Andy Burnham as he prepares to take over as Prime Minister. The OECD, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, described the triple lock guarantee as “unusually generous [...]
NBA Europe bosses using World Cup final to hold talks with football club chiefs July 15, 2026 NBA chiefs say they plan to hold further talks with bidders for franchises in its planned European league during the World Cup final weekend in New York. Spain – home to perhaps the two most important prospective NBA Europe franchise locations in Madrid and Barcelona – will be in town after they beat France in [...]
UK’s biggest pub firm probed over treatment of tenants July 15, 2026 The UK’s biggest pub landlord is being probed by the industry watchdog over concerns that it is mistreating its tenants. Stonegate, whose 4,500 UK sites include the Cannick Taps on Cannon Street and the Cheshire Cheese on Tower Hill, is facing an investigation from the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA). The watchdog said it had “reasonable [...]
Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East boost Cohort’s order book July 15, 2026 The rise in global conflicts boosted Cohort’s order book as NATO nations continue to hike their defence spending. The defence technology group recorded a 13 per cent rise in revenue over the financial year to £306.4m, up from £270m. The jump reflected its surging order intake, which jumped 10 per cent to £314.2m. Its order [...]
Miliband opponents pour cold water on Chancellor hopes July 15, 2026 Opponents of Ed Miliband believe that they have quashed his bid to become Chancellor, according to reports, in a sign of division within Andy Burnham’s camp just days before he is due to take over as Prime Minister. While the former Manchester Mayor has refused to be drawn on his Cabinet picks, Miliband, a key [...]
Thames Water to run out of money by end of the year July 15, 2026 Thames Water is set to run out of cash by the end of the year as the UK’s largest private utility company struggles to secure a finalised rescue deal. The embattled water firm – which serves around 16m customers, mostly in London and the South East – said in its latest financial report that it [...]
Barratt Redrow urges Burnham to slash tax to boost housebuilders July 15, 2026 Barratt Redrow has called on Prime Minister-to-be Andy Burnham to cut taxes to encourage housebuilding and remove “barriers to home ownership”. The FTSE 100 housebuilder urged the government to address “the increasing regulatory and tax burdens that are constraining viability” to “unlock higher levels of housing delivery, including affordable housing”. Burnham has pledged to back [...]