Government should fix ‘stubbornly weak’ growth with policy test, industry body argues June 15, 2026 The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is calling on the government to break decades of low economic growth by introducing a new delivery test, as businesses continue to slash investment under the burden of mounting costs. In the BCC diagnoses, the UK’s growth problem is not a lack of potential but a failure to turn [...]
As it happened: FTSE 100 relief rally runs out of steam as BP and Shell weigh; Oil hits three-month low June 15, 2026 Welcome back to the Morning Wire liveblog. Market sentiment is starting the new week on a positive note after Pakistan said an official peace deal between the US and Iran would be signed this Friday in Switzerland. Asian equities were sent soaring on the news after over a 100 days of uncertainty gripped global markets, [...]
Late payments costing UK economy £11bn as SMEs struggle to invest June 15, 2026 Late payments are costing the UK economy an estimated £11bn a year and leaving small businesses (SMEs) waiting almost a month to be paid, amid growing concerns over blocked cashflow across the economy. Research from Sage shared with Morning Wire found that 49 per cent of SME invoices are paid late, with businesses waiting an [...]
Starmer vows to end system ‘failing our kids’ ahead of expected social media ban June 14, 2026 Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to call time “on a system” failing children online,as the government prepares to ban under 16s from accessing “high risk” social media apps. Starmer will announce sweeping reforms to protect children online at a press conference on Monday. Teenagers under 16 are to be banned from accessing such apps [...]
Government departments will look at cutting budgets to fund defence, minister says June 14, 2026 Government departments are looking at cutting their budgets further in order to help fund defence, a cabinet minister has said. Culture secretary Lisa Nandy insisted the country’s national security remains minister’s “highest priority” adding departments are looking to shift their budgets to fund defence. She said to Sky News: “There’s a clear picture emerging from [...]
Starmer overrules Miliband on electric car sales targets as he looks to appease automotive industry June 14, 2026 Keir Starmer will water down the UK’s electric vehicle sales, in a significant blow to energy secretary Ed Miliband’s net-zero agenda, in a bid to quash fears in the automotive industry. According to reports in The Sunday Times, the prime minister is understood to have overruled Miliband following pressure from the industry, the Unite union [...]
Peace deal will be finalised Sunday, Trump says but Tehran casts doubt June 14, 2026 US president Donald Trump has said a deal to end the conflict between the US and Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday, but Iran has cast doubt on the timing. On Saturday, key mediator Pakistan said the deal was “likely expected” to be finalised within 24 hours, while Trump declared that his administration [...]
British forces intercept Russian shadow fleet in Channel June 14, 2026 British armed forces have intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel during the early hours of Sunday morning, the prime minister has said. In an operation lasting six hours, Royal Marine Commandos, alongside specialist officers from the National Crime Agency, intercepted the oil tanker in the Channel. The operation marks the [...]
Starmer agrees investment deal with Japan as EU deal questioned June 13, 2026 The UK government has agreed an £18bn investment deal with Japan in a bid to boost post-Brexit international ties but questions are now looming over Sir Keir Starmer’s “reset” deal with the EU. Starmer said “landmark agreements” with Japan on technology and life sciences would lift the UK economy and improve trade with the fourth [...]
Thames Water, energy grid, rent prices: Burnham drums up public control agenda June 13, 2026 Andy Burnham will press for an agenda of public control over water companies, the national energy grid and government procurement regulation if he becomes Prime Minister. Reports on Saturday indicated that the Manchester mayor, who is standing as Labour’s candidate in the Makerfield by-election before a likely bid to become the party’s leader, would push [...]