JD Wetherspoon saw its shares tumble by 10 per cent after posting lower-than-expected first-half profits, despite solid sales growth across its pub estate. The pub group blamed higher labour and utility costs for the dip in performance, sparking investor concern and a sharp sell-off. Shares in the company dropped 62p to 535p as operating profits […]
Public sector borrowing has surged past official expectations by more than £20 billion so far this financial year, piling pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of next week’s Spring Statement. Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that in February alone, the government borrowed £10.7 billion—making it the fourth-highest total for that month […]
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed that inheritance tax (IHT) receipts reached £7 billion between April 2024 and January 2025—£700 million more than during the same period last year—putting the government on track for another record-breaking year for IHT revenue. With £7.499 billion collected in the 2023–24 tax year, the latest figures suggest this […]
Breadcrumb Trail Links News Trade wars and geopolitical unrest injecting uncertainty, hard choices into the investing game for pensions Get the latest from Barbara Shecter straight to your inbox Sign Up Published Mar 20, 2025 • 4 minute read A person walks past signage for The Ontario Teachers Pension Plan in Toronto’s Financial District on […]
Britain’s high streets continued to shrink in 2024, with an average of 35 stores closing each day as retailers battled online competition and economic uncertainty. However, despite 12,804 closures last year, the latest data from PwC indicates a more positive outlook for the sector, with the rate of closures slowing compared to 2023, when 14,801 […]
Eddie Jordan, the flamboyant and fiercely independent Formula One team owner, businessman, and TV pundit, has passed away at the age of 76. A larger-than-life figure in motorsport, Jordan was best known for founding the Jordan Grand Prix team, which brought a refreshing, rebellious energy to F1 in the 1990s. His eye for talent helped […]
Lord Sugar has extended his tenure on The Apprentice, signing a new three-year contract with the BBC that will see him remain at the helm into his 80s. The billionaire businessman was already committed to hosting the 20th series of the show next year but has now confirmed he will continue for at least three […]
Bentley is pressing forward with its electric vehicle (EV) transition despite admitting that some of its most loyal customers may never give up internal combustion engines. Chief Executive Frank-Steffen Walliser acknowledged that while many high-net-worth buyers are eager to adopt cutting-edge technology, others remain unwilling to embrace electric powertrains. “There are, for sure, customers who […]
Article content The Canadian fund that managed $255.8 billion as of mid-2024 announced its decision internally this week, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the matter is private. “We will be optimizing our footprint in the Asia-Pacific region through our offices in Singapore and Mumbai, where we have teams focused across […]
Polaron, a spin-out from Imperial College London, has developed a groundbreaking AI solution that reduces the time needed to create advanced materials—from years to mere days. This innovation could transform the production of materials used in wind turbines, electric vehicle batteries, and infrastructure, supporting the UK’s push for economic growth and net-zero targets. Polaron’s AI […]