The Post Office is pushing for a significant increase in the fees that banks pay to allow their customers to use its national branch network, hoping to secure between £350 million and £400 million a year from the next banking framework — up from the current £250 million. Under the proposal, around 30 banks and […]
Elon Musk has waded into British politics by calling for a “new election in Britain” after a fresh wave of polling data revealed a sharp decline in support for Labour. A YouGov survey commissioned by The Times suggests that most voters view Sir Keir Starmer’s party as “incompetent”, “dishonest” and “unsuccessful”. Many respondents expect the […]
Nick Clegg, Britain’s former deputy prime minister, has announced his departure from Meta after six years at the social media giant. Clegg, who joined in 2018 and rose to become the company’s president of global affairs, confirmed his exit in a Facebook post, describing his tenure as an “adventure of a lifetime”. He joined the […]
Lidl has reported its strongest UK Christmas trading period, with sales rising by 7 per cent year-on-year in the four weeks to 24 December, surpassing the £1 billion milestone for the first time. Two million more shoppers visited its stores during the festive season, lured by cut-price champagne and an “affordable” party food range, which […]
A record number of shops are expected to close their doors this year, with rising business rates cited as the final blow for many retailers. According to fresh figures from the Centre for Retail Research, store closures could hit 17,349 in 2025, surpassing the 17,145 recorded in 2022 when pandemic support measures were scaled back. […]
The Bank of England is expected to cut interest rates at least four times this year, according to a new survey of 51 economists. The recent poll suggests the base rate could fall from its current 4.75 per cent to 3.75 per cent or lower in 2025, with a majority of respondents forecasting four quarter-point […]
Plans for a UK “digital pound” have hit a snag as Bank of England officials grow increasingly sceptical about the project, raising doubts that any form of “Britcoin” will be introduced before the end of the decade. The Bank and the government had been set to decide in 2025 whether to press ahead with formal […]
David Beckham’s business empire has delivered a bumper payoff worth almost $36 million, thanks to surging profits at DRJB Holdings, the company behind his global licensing deals. Newly released financial statements reveal that the former England footballer received a $12.8 million dividend for 2023, followed by a further $23 million this year, underscoring the enduring […]
More than 400 pubs in England and Wales have either shut down or been repurposed over the past year, taking the total number below 39,000 for the first time. Commercial real estate firm Altus Group says 412 public houses were demolished or converted for alternative use in 2024, leaving only 38,989 in operation. The UK’s […]
British companies are gearing up for a stronger start to 2025, with fresh data suggesting that the majority expect higher turnover and increased hiring in the new year—welcome news for Labour’s pledge to revive the country’s sluggish economic growth. Surveys from Lloyds and KPMG indicate that 70 per cent of firms anticipate revenue growth in […]