19 h. ago Starmer's 'tax fanatic' army: PM's bid to rein in Reeves with army of aides in desperate No10 reshuffle fuels tax hike fears

No10 communications director James Lyons announced he is leaving the role after a year amid a desperate effort to 'reset' the PM's team.

Politics

22 h. ago Profits surge at Royal Mail’s parent company after £3.6bn takeover by foreign owner – business live

Royal Mail returns to an underlying annual profit for the first time in three years despite a “competitive and challenging” backdropRoyal Mail’s parent company has posted a surge in profits, in its first financial results since being taken over by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský.International Distribution Services (IDS) has reported that pre-tax profits jumped to £429m in the year to 30 March 2025, up from £114m the previous year.“It has been a year of change for IDS. Thanks to the hard work of our people and our investment in transformation, Royal Mail returned to profit for the first time in three years, marking an important milestone in the company’s turnaround.With IDS’s acquisition by EP Group complete and Universal Service reform decided now is the time for us to drive the business forward and capitalise on our momentum.This is in line with guidance and was achieved despite an increasingly competitive and challenging trading environment. Continue reading...

Economics

41 h. ago Brit drinkers 'are paying four times more tax on cocktails than Spain' as industry urges Reeves not to hike duty again at Budget

Excise duty on a standard 50ml double measure of gin, vodka or rum is 66p, double the level in France and Poland .

Economics

3 d. ago Rachel Reeves plots raid on small businesses with £2billion VAT hike in autumn Budget

Officials are looking at proposals to slash the threshold at which small businesses and sole traders have to register for VAT. Pictured: Rachel Reeves

Economics

3 d. ago Chris Eubank Jr labels famous father 'hero' after 'estranged' admission

The boxing icon shared he still admires Chris Bank Sr after they recently reunited following years of not speaking

Events

3 d. ago Bank shares sink on reports Reeves could hike tax on their profits in the Budget

Shares in Britain's biggest lenders fell sharply on Friday morning as investors fretted over reports Chancellor Rachel Reeves is planning a tax raid on the sector.

Economics

3 d. ago UK bank shares fall as fears raised in City over budget tax raid

City traders were reacting to a report from the IPPR which said Rachel Reeves should impose a new bank tax.

Economics

3 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 29 August: Tax raid fears hit banking shares, US inflation data in focus

FTSE 100 banking stocks are under pressure after a think tank urged Rachel Reeves to consider tax raid on major firms such as Barclays, Lloyds and NatWest.

Economics

3 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 29 August: Banking stocks hit by levy fears, US inflation data in focus

Banking stocks are under pressure after a think tank urged Rachel Reeves to consider hiking a windfall tax on major firms such as Barclays, Lloyds and NatWest.

Economics

3 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 29 August: Call for bank levy, US inflation data in focus

Stock market sentiment will be tested later when figures in the US show the impact of tariffs on the prices of goods and services.

Economics

4 d. ago Windfall tax on banks could raise £8bn a year, Rachel Reeves told as she seeks to plug Budget black hole

This money is then partly being funnelled to bank shareholders due to a ‘flawed’ policy design, a new report says

Economics

4 d. ago Jamie Laing shares his hilarious reaction after his naked photo is accidentally posted online by wife Sophie Habboo

Earlier this week, Sophie, 30, took to Instagram to share a glimpse of her Bank Holiday weekend with fans as she enjoyed downtime with Jamie, 37.

Culture

5 d. ago Rachel Reeves mulls 'tax hike for landlords' with new national insurance levy

Officials are looking at the imposing national insurance on rental income as a way to raise 2 billion, which could be put towards public services

Politics

5 d. ago Reeves ‘eyes tax hike for landlords’ with ‘rental national insurance’

Officials are said to be looking at proposals to hike a levy on property earnings in a bid to raise £2 billion.

Politics

6 d. ago UK retail shares fall amid fears of squeeze in consumer spending

Parent groups of Primark and B&Q hit as analysts say jobs and inflation concerns could affect salesBusiness live – latest updatesFears that UK consumers will rein in spending in the second half of this year has knocked the values of some of Britain’s biggest retailers including the parent groups of Primark and B&Q, and DIY chain Wickes.The retailers’ share prices dropped on Tuesday morning after analysts at Deutsche Bank warned that retail spending could be hit by the cooling UK jobs market and easing growth in household income. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Pregnant Sophie Habboo accidentally posts full frontal picture of husband Jamie Laing to fans as they enjoy romantic Bank Holiday weekend

The reality star, 30, had taken to Instagram to share a glimpse of her bank holiday weekend with fans as she enjoyed downtime with Jamie, 37.

Politics

1 week ago OnlyFans owner paid $701m in dividends as platform readies for potential sale

Streaming platform known for subscription-based adult content reports $1.4bn revenue and rising usageThe owner of OnlyFans was paid $701m (£523m) in dividends last year as the streaming platform best known for offering adult content readies for a potential multibillion-dollar sale.The UK-based company, which offers a range of subscription-based content from sex workers and celebrities, reported revenue of $1.4bn in its 2024 financial year, up 9% compared with the year before, accounts filed at Companies House on Friday show. Pre-tax profit rose 4% to $683.6m. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Bosses of UK supermarkets and High Street chains warn Rachel Reeves that new business taxes will force them to hike prices in a fresh blow to Brits' living standards

Tesco, Sainsbury's, John Lewis, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, Ikea, Boots, JD Sports, Currys and Kingfisher are among those to have signed a letter to the Chancellor.

Economics

1 week ago HMRC warning issued to anyone who sells on Vinted, eBay or Etsy

People selling on Vinted, eBay or Etsy don't automatically have to pay tax on profits made, but some might if they reach the threshold

Events

2 w. ago Staff at car insurance giant Admiral to get £1,800 in free shares after record half year

The Cardiff car insurance to loans group has reported a 69% rise in pre-tax profits

Economics