‘Drag on prosperity’: Next boss demands planning system overhaul in rallying cry for growth April 27, 2026 The UK’s planning rulebook should be torn up in favour of a market-based system, the boss of one of the country’s biggest listed companies has said, as he urged government ministers to take a “radical” approach to kickstarting economic growth. Speaking at the Centre for Policy Studies conference in the heart of the City, Lord [...]
London named share buyback capital of the world April 27, 2026 The UK has jumped up the leader board to be named the share buyback capital of the world, as companies looked to capitalise on low valuations and improved investor sentiment. Nearly 60 per cent of UK large cap companies bought their stock back in bulk in the last 12 months, according to the latest research [...]
Jenrick to re-write ‘Britannia Card’ plan for wealthy investors April 27, 2026 Reform UK are set to revise the terms of its ‘Britannia Card’ proposal, which was drafted as the party’s bid to lure wealthy foreign investors to the UK, Robert Jenrick has revealed. Jenrick, who is Reform’s Treasury spokesman, hinted that party officials were working on a proposal that was “even better” than a policy announced [...]
Bank of England dissenters expected to back interest rate hikes April 27, 2026 Economists have suggested that at least two members of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) could vote for interest rates to be hiked later this week. Analysts at JP Morgan, BNP Paribas and Goldman Sachs have predicted that hawkish policymakers will push back against leaving interest rates unchanged. The Bank’s chief economist Huw [...]
Not everyone in the City is friends with Savvy the Squirrel April 27, 2026 Last week the government rolled out its industry-backed nationwide campaign to encourage more Brits to enter the stock market in a bid to revitalise the stock exchange. The ‘Invest for the Future’ campaign has employed Savvy the Squirrel to carry the message across the UK, in reminiscence of the Tell Sid adverts in 1986, with [...]
Bank of London: Peter Mandelson-backed fintech sees losses widen April 27, 2026 The Bank of London’s parent company had made another steep loss in fresh accounts that were delayed for the second consecutive year. The embattled clearing bank’s parent company, Oplyse Holdings, made a loss of £46.9m in 2024, bringing the firm’s cumulative deficit to £167.7m. Fresh accounts for Oplyse Holdings – which was formerly known as [...]
Goldman Sachs raises oil price forecast as war disruption rages on April 27, 2026 Goldman Sachs has raised its oil price forecast as disruption to energy production in the Gulf rages on amid the Middle Eastern conflict. The investment bank’s commodity analysts now project that Brent crude will trade at roughly $90 per barrel in the final three months of the year, up from a prior projection of $80. [...]
Rachel Reeves plots ‘growth push’ as Labour set for bruising elections April 27, 2026 Rachel Reeves is plotting another “growth push” as the Labour party prepares itself for a potentially bruising defeat in the local elections. The Chancellor is set to unveil a new push for fiscal discipline, a closer relationship with the EU and planning reforms in a bid to ease the nerves of the party. The forthcoming [...]
Lady Mayor: ‘Lawless London’ narrative is risking vital global deals April 27, 2026 Misperceptions of London as dangerous and unwelcoming are sending the wrong signals to vital partners like India, writes Susan Langley.
Government urged to reform ‘growth killer’ business rates April 27, 2026 Britain’s largest industry body has called on the government to urgently reform business rates, which it says is a “growth killer”. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said the government should keep its manifesto pledge to reform the business rates system as a matter of urgency. Business rates is a tax determined by the [...]