On this day: Gibraltar is captured by the British August 4, 2025 On this day in 1704, Gibraltar was surrendered to the Anglo-Dutch fleet. 321 years later, Eliot Wilson looks at what that means today.
President Donald Trump could be given Freedom of Canada August 4, 2025 President Donald Trump could be offered the Freedom of Canada during his second state visit to the UK in September. The Independent has reported that the Freedom is on the table to get the US President in the room with Canada Corporation, which hopes to use the symbolic honour [...]
UK business confidence highest in 10 years, Lloyds Bank says July 31, 2025 UK business confidence is at its highest level in 10 years as the service sector saw the biggest jump in optimism month-on-month, according to Lloyds Bank. Firms were more optimistic for the third consecutive month, with the rise driven by improved trade prospects and an improved economic outlook. Lloyds’ survey suggested hiring intentions had also [...]
Trump’s gambit: play by his rules or lose July 30, 2025 The US-EU trade deal signals a new geopolitical era where security trumps commerce, allies are rewarded for loyalty, and Trump’s strategy forces nations to pick sides – America or China? Writes Helen Thomas The devil is usually in the detail but when it comes to the US-EU trade deal, the big picture is what counts. [...]
Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget still causing negativity – CBI July 30, 2025 A streak of negative business sentiment has now lasted 10 months, a leading industry body has suggested, in further evidence that employers have struggled to turn a page on Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ £40bn tax raid at last year’s Autumn Budget. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has repeatedly told MPs that business confidence was edging higher, [...]
UK risks squandering AI investment without urgent action on data centres July 30, 2025 The UK could lose out on billions of pounds in AI investment unless it tackles growing obstacles to data centre development, a new report has warned, as infrastructure experts urge the government to move faster on planning reform and energy policy. The ‘how to make the UK an AI leader’ report, published by techUK, the [...]
Trump’s AI push puts pressure on Starmer’s Action Plan July 29, 2025 Donald Trump has declared that the United States is going to “win the AI race”, leaving Britain to prove it can keep up. Speaking at the ‘winning AI race’ summit, the US president said: “America is the country that started the AI race. And as president of the United States, I’m here today to declare [...]
Trump hails relationship with Starmer – but no steel exemptions yet July 28, 2025 In a Scottish golfing holiday that has swiftly given way to a multi-sided international summit, Keir Starmer has held a bilateral meeting with Donald Trump which has spanned from the UK-US trading relationship to immigration policy and international conflicts. Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds had tempered expectations of immediate steel tariff progress ahead of the meeting, [...]
Lionesses to celebrate Women’s Euros triumph with open-top bus parade July 28, 2025 The Lionesses will celebrate their Women’s Euros triumph with an open-top bus parade through central London on Tuesday. England defeated Spain on penalties in a dramatic final on Sunday in which Chloe Kelly netted the decisive kick after the Lionesses once again came from behind to force extra time. The Lionesses flew home from Switzerland [...]
Trump Scotland visit: Starmer to push for zero steel tariffs July 25, 2025 President Trump kicks off his golfing holiday in Scotland this evening, and all eyes are on his diary as the trip looks set to become a hub for diplomacy. Sir Keir Starmer will meet the US President on Monday, with the express mission of pressing for reduced tariffs on British steel. The two leaders are [...]