‘No doubt’ foreign office would have advised against Mandelson appointment September 11, 2025 Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sacked Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US after more leaked emails brought fresh focus on his close personal relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement, the Foreign Office said the emails “show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from [...]
Rachel Reeves explores ‘pro-growth tax reforms’ to business rates September 11, 2025 Rachel Reeves will explore “fixing” cliff-edge business rates, which make small businesses pay higher taxes upon opening a second property, as part of reforms she has described as “pro-growth.” The Chancellor is reviewing changes to the small business rates relief, with a decision expected to be announced at the Autumn Budget on 26 November. Treasury [...]
She championed consumers, but can Lucy Rigby MP steer the City? September 11, 2025 Lawyers, journalists, and Westminster insiders have long dominated the British political system, and this Labour government is no exception, with a former barrister at the helm. Now, the minister responsible for the City has joined the list. But who is Lucy Rigby MP? That was the question on everyone’s lips in the Square Mile. She [...]
High street banks’ SME lending comeback inches forward September 11, 2025 High street banks’ return to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) inched onwards in the second quarter. The big banks have turned back to the area as the government clamps down on smaller firms’ difficulty accessing finance. Top bosses were summoned earlier this year for talks with ministers covering how to improve lending to SMEs. In [...]
Labour should be honest about the tax rises to come September 11, 2025 Trying to raise tens of billions of pounds in revenue without touching the three taxes that account for the lion’s share of the total tax haul is like trying to build a bookcase without any nails, screws or glue. You could try it, but you’ll soon regret the attempt. As things stand, Rachel Reeves is [...]
Merck warns UK is ‘not internationally competitive’ as it scraps £1bn London research centre September 10, 2025 Merck has pulled out of a planned £1bn London drug research centre in the latest blow to the government’s growth agenda. The US pharma giant is to lay off 127 staff alongside abandoning the construction project, which had been set to open in King’s Cross in 2027. The firm warned the UK would lag behind [...]
Defence stocks rise as Europe’s tensions with Russia escalate September 10, 2025 European defence stocks rallied on Wednesday after the shock arrival of Russian drones across the border with Poland sent tensions in the region to fresh highs. Shares in FTSE 100 giant BAE Systems closed up 2.1 per cent to 1,830p by the end of the day’s trading in London, while Italy’s Leonardo rose 2.4 per [...]
Government urged to rethink digital procurement as ambitions stall September 10, 2025 The government’s ongoing ambitions for digital transformation risk grinding to a halt unless it overhauls the way it funds and invests in technology, according to a new report from techUK. The body’s recent ‘Financing the Future’ study posited that Whitehall’s procurement system remains too rigid and too focused on short-term products rather than long-term digital outcomes. Instead, [...]
Chancellor concedes higher taxes could hit economic growth September 10, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has acknowledged higher taxes could impact economic growth as she seeks to increase private investment in the UK. Speaking at the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association summit, the chancellor told investors she had to hike taxes in her maiden budget in order to place finances on a “firm footing and [...]
Canada Police chair: Fraud is ‘damaging the foundations of our nation’ September 10, 2025 The chair of Canada Police Authority Board has warned that fraud is “damaging the foundations of our nation” and the UK must treat it with the same urgency as street crime. Speaking at the Police Authority Board dinner on Wednesday, Morning Wire can reveal that Tijs Broeke told senior police, business, and [...]