Gold storms past $3,600 as Trump escalates Fed feud September 8, 2025 Gold sealed another record high on Monday as investors doubled down on hopes of a US interest rate cut. The yellow metal smashed highs of $3,616 on Monday – just days after it surpassed the $3,500 threshold. The ‘safe haven’ asset benefited from a whole host of economic turmoil in recent weeks, namely President Donald [...]
Starmer to back unions over businesses amid backlash over Employment Rights Bill September 8, 2025 Keir Starmer is set to push back against business-led amendments proposed by the House of Lords to water down the Employment Rights Bill, as the government is backing unions’ calls for workers’ rights to be strengthened. MPs are set to consider changes proposed in the Lords to replace a new right against unfair dismissal from [...]
Defence spending will ‘generate 85,000 jobs’ by 2035 September 8, 2025 Defence spending commitments will create a total of 85,000 jobs across the sector in the next 10 years, analysis by a leading industry body has suggested, as government officials are rolling out plans to attract investment from the private sector. Ahead of a conference on defence investment, the trade body ADS has said the defence [...]
Hargreaves Lansdown and Schroders agree investment tie-up September 8, 2025 Hargreaves Lansdown and Schroders Capital have sealed a tie-up to open up private assets opportunities to thousands more investors. The partnership will offer access to private investments, known as long-term asset funds (LTAFs), to Hargreaves Lansdown’s customers via self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs). The new style pensions will allow retail investors to invest in private assets [...]
Brits losing out on hundreds of pounds in iPhone upgrades September 8, 2025 Brits who upgrade their iPhones are losing hundreds of pounds due to the rapid depreciation of big ticket tech items, according to new analysis. With the launch of the iPhone 17 set for Tuesday – holding a hefty price tag of £900 – those choosing to upgrade from old models will be met with a [...]
Harman review: “Career-limiting or career-ending” sanctions needed for bully judges and predatory barristers September 8, 2025 A damning report by Harriet Harman KC has found the Bar does “not always” uphold its high standards when it comes to bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment. Harman, chair of the Independent Review, stated in her 128-page report on the Bar that there is a “culture of impunity” for those at the top who engage [...]
Meet the new City minister September 8, 2025 Lucy Rigby KC MP takes over responsibility for financial services policy but who is the ex Slaughter & May minister? Who is the new City Minister? “I specialised in competition law and spent time in the City, at the regulator and at Which?, which gave me particular insight into how markets and regulation work – [...]
Labour deputy leader hopeful slams Rachel Reeves’ ‘excessive deference’ to OBR September 8, 2025 The prominent backbencher and former transport secretary Louise Haigh, who is a frontrunner to become the deputy leader of the Labour Party, has taken aim at Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ “excessive deference” to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and adhering to “arbitrary fiscal targets”. Senior officials in the Labour Party are set to agree on [...]
Phoenix Group: FTSE 100 giant changes name to Standard Life September 8, 2025 Pensions giant Phoenix Group is set to change its name to Standard Life as it adopts the name of the brand it acquired seven years ago. It follows widespread speculation that the board had been considering a name change. The firm stated that Standard Life was its most reputable name and that the change would [...]
Challenger banks face ‘profitability trap’ at growth crossroads September 8, 2025 The UK banking sector faces a profitability roadblock that will give the industry’s challengers an “existential” turning point. Fresh data from KPMG suggests the industry’s average return on equity will fall to eight per cent come 2027 down from 13 per cent four years prior. This is set to spark an £11bn reduction in pre-tax [...]