Construction sector cuts jobs again as house building slumps July 6, 2026 The construction industry shed jobs for the 18th consecutive month in June following “sharp declines” in house building and a slowdown in new home sales. The latest S&P Global Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) for the construction sector showed more cutbacks to employment with another period of “sustained job shedding”. Subcontractors were also hit by the [...]
As it happened: Stocks slide despite tech and data boost; Oil falls after OPEC+ ups output July 6, 2026 Welcome back to the Morning Wire liveblog. Markets are dealing with a double dose of pressures to start of the new week as investors brace for a crucial earnings season in the artificial sector, whilst an increase of supply on the oil market weighs on prices. Over in Asia, stock markets slipped following a week [...]
‘Number 10 North’ is no more than a gimmick July 6, 2026 Number 10 North has been designed to attract headlines without having been put under any real scrutiny, writes Eliot Wilson.
UK investors turn to bonds as equities valuations continue to stretch July 6, 2026 UK investors piled into bonds in June, as soaring valuations in equity markets has left many investors looking to avoid heightened risk and stretched value. Bond funds attracted over £1bn of net inflows last month, making it third-strongest on record for fixed income funds, according to the latest data from Calastone. The streak came as [...]
Burnham’s high street tax plan carries £880m price tag July 6, 2026 Andy Burnham’s plans to overhaul business rates in favour of Britain’s high streets could cost around £880m a year, according to new analysis, as questions mount over how the Labour leadership frontrunner would pay for one of his first major tax reforms. Forecasts by global tax firm Ryan suggest Burnham’s proposal to expand Small Business [...]
Easyjet board reaches agreement over £5.2bn Castlelake takeover July 5, 2026 The board of Easyjet is poised to accept a takeover bid by private equity firm Castlelake, in a move that could add the airline to a growing list of blue-chip companies that have unveiled plans to quit the London Stock Exchange since the start of the year. The offer of £6.90 per share, the fifth [...]
HMRC claws back £1m cutting ties with outside tech suppliers July 5, 2026 HMRC has cut contractor costs by £1m a year after replacing a decades-old outsourcing model, as ministers face pressure to find £14bn of efficiency savings across Whitehall. Whitehall risks missing Labour’s £14bn efficiency savings target unless departments stop repeatedly buying the same digital expertise from outside suppliers, according to a British technology consultancy working across [...]
World Cup gives London restaurants and retailers Deliveroo boost July 5, 2026 England’s World Cup campaign has delivered a boost for restaurants and retailers across London, with new Deliveroo data showing a sharp increase in orders during the Three Lions’ group-stage matches. Exclusive figures shared with Morning Wire show BBQ orders more than doubled across the capital during England’s matches against Croatia, Ghana and Panama, while picnic-related [...]
Labour defends Burnham’s ‘very powerful’ No 10 North plans July 5, 2026 Andy Burnham’s proposed ‘No 10 North’ would lead to a “very powerful reorganisation of government”, deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell has said. Her words come as ministers push ahead with one of the biggest overhauls of English local government in decades before Burnham is expected to enter Downing Street later this month, with Labour arguing [...]
Andy Burnham says he will put essential services back under ‘stronger’ public control July 4, 2026 Andy Burnham has said he will set out a “new approach” to put essential services back under “stronger public control”. In an “ask me anything” session on online forum Reddit on Friday, Burnham, who is expected to be Starmer’s successor, confirmed he will look into placing services back under public control in an attempt to [...]