Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund is set to acquire the automotive division of McLaren, the renowned British supercar manufacturer, in a move that reshapes the ownership of one of the UK’s most iconic motoring brands. The deal follows a difficult period for the Woking-based firm, which recorded a record annual loss of £924 million in […]
After years of surging rental costs, tenants are finally seeing signs of relief. According to new data from property portal Zoopla, annual rent inflation has slowed to 3.9 per cent, its lowest rate since August 2021. Although rents are still increasing, this marks a significant cooling from 2022’s peak growth of 12 per cent. For […]
McWin Capital Partners, the European food-focused investment firm, is reported to be in early talks to acquire Gail’s, the much-loved but premium-priced UK bakery chain, according to a report by Bloomberg. The news comes hot on the heels of Gail’s owners hiring Goldman Sachs to prepare an auction, amid widespread speculation that the brand could […]
Hundreds of farmers gathered in Westminster today, chanting “no farmers, no food” outside Downing Street, as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced tough questioning in the Commons over proposed changes to inheritance tax. Tractors blocked parts of Whitehall during a demonstration organised by Save British Farming and Kent Fairness for Farmers, reflecting the industry’s growing […]
Travel plans over the festive season are under threat as the UK’s rail minister warns of staff shortages and fresh strike action by Avanti West Coast train managers. Lord Peter Hendy, speaking at the House of Commons transport select committee, expressed concern that reduced staffing levels could disrupt Christmas train services, compounding the impact of […]
Energy bills for most British households are poised to rise again this spring, as an uptick in wholesale gas prices and escalating network charges put renewed financial pressure on millions of families. Forecasts from Cornwall Insight, the energy consultancy, indicate that Ofgem’s price cap could nudge up by around 1 per cent to £1,762 a […]
Vodafone is facing a £120 million-plus legal action brought by 61 of its current and former UK franchisees, marking one of the largest franchise-related claims to hit a major British company. The group of claimants, many long-standing and loyal franchise partners who began their careers with Vodafone, allege the telecoms giant breached its duty of […]
In a significant setback for the London Stock Exchange’s global standing, Ashtead, one of Britain’s largest equipment hire groups, has announced plans to shift its primary listing to the United States. The move deals another blow to London’s efforts to remain attractive to major companies, following a series of high-profile departures in recent years. Ashtead, […]
Thames Water, Britain’s largest water supplier, has warned it will exhaust its cash reserves by March 2025 if it fails to secure urgent court approval for a £3 billion financial rescue package. Without the deal, the heavily indebted company could be forced into temporary nationalisation, piling further pressure on the UK’s already embattled utilities sector. […]
UK employers cut their recruitment efforts sharply in November, with job vacancies falling at their fastest rate since the onset of the pandemic. Fresh data from KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) reveal that demand for staff declined “at a sharp and accelerated pace,” pointing to a deepening malaise in the labour market […]