5 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 19 December: WH Smith pressure continues, retail sales disappoint

Black Friday failed to lift the retail sector after figures for November today came in below expectations.

Events

5 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 19 December: Retail sales disappoint, WH Smith posts delayed results

Black Friday failed to lift the retail sector after figures for November today came in below expectations.

Politics

5 d. ago How support for Labour crumbled in Britain in 2025 with Rachel Reeves' popularity plunging

Backing for the Tories also fell, went up slightly for Reform UK, was unchanged for the Liberal Democrats while the biggest gainers this year were the Greens

Politics

6 d. ago Waterstones and Barnes & Noble owner looks to list booksellers on stock market

US hedge fund Elliott thought to prefer IPO in London over New York, which could be welcome boost to UK stock marketBusiness live – latest updatesThe owner of Waterstones and Barnes & Noble is reportedly preparing to list the booksellers on the stock market.Elliott Investment Management, the hedge fund that owns the most popular bookstores in the US and the UK, has spoken to potential advisers about an initial public offering (IPO), the Financial Times reported. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Toilets for all — the architects transforming London’s public loos

Toilets for all — the architects transforming London’s public loos  Financial Times

Events

1 week ago Iceland boss and top Downing Street aide among Starmer’s new Labour peers

Sir Keir Starmer is introducing new Labour peers as he aims to rebalance the Tory majority in the Lords, and see off further challenges to his plans.

Politics

2 w. ago Reeves reserves right to take action ‘at any point’ to support public finances

UK chancellor believes decision to bolster fiscal headroom will mean she does not need to take extra steps in spring

Politics

2 w. ago UK will not be haven for dirty money, Lammy to say in corruption crackdown

Exclusive: Justice secretary to announce measures aimed at countering illicit finance as well as bribery in public servicesThe UK will no longer be a haven for dirty money and dictators’ laundered assets, David Lammy is to promise as he announces a new anti-corruption strategy also aimed at tackling bribery and other misconduct across government and public services.Setting out the plan in a speech in London on Monday, Lammy, the justice secretary and deputy prime minister, will announce a series of initiatives including extra funding for an elite anti-corruption police unit. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Rachel Reeves warned by OBR that UK's 'frightening' borrowing binge will be unaffordable

The comments from the OBR are the latest broadside following its revelation Reeves knew months ago that there was no black hole in this year's public finances.

Events

2 w. ago Chancellor told 'frightening' borrowing binge will become unaffordable

The comments from the OBR are the latest broadside following its revelation Reeves knew months ago that there was no black hole in this year's public finances.

Politics

2 w. ago Reeves will not face ministerial standards probe over Budget briefings

Nigel Farage had called for an investigation into whether the Chancellor mispresented the state of the public finances ahead of her fiscal statement.

Politics

2 w. ago Rachel Reeves escapes ministerial ethics probe over Budget lies as standards tsar rejects Farage's demand for Chancellor to be investigated

Reform leader Nigel Farage had demanded the Chancellor be investigated for saying there was a black hole in the public finances of more than £20billion, which it later emerged did not exist.

Politics

3 w. ago Badenoch: Reeves could be prosecuted for market abuse over claims before Budget

The Chancellor has faced accusations she misled voters by overstating the scale of the fiscal challenge, but has denied doing so.

Economics

3 w. ago What’s the Monarchy For? review – David Dimbleby’s excellent series has one glaring omission

The broadcaster drills down into the royal family’s power and finances – and how far they will go to maintain public support

Politics

3 w. ago It’s time to sound the alarm on growing fiscal and financial risk

Rising public debt is one concern — another is how it is being financed

Events

3 w. ago OBR says Reeves calling public finances ‘very challenging’ before Budget was not misleading

Fiscal watchdog faces Treasury committee after accidental publication of key report prompted chair to resign

Economics

3 w. ago Chancellor ruling out another independence vote does not carry weight – Flynn

The SNP MP claimed Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will both be ousted if the SNP wins next year.

Politics

3 w. ago Turmoil in markets blamed on Rachel Reeves putting out mixed messages over tax rises

Bond markets swung wildly in the weeks leading up to the Budget amid speculation over the state of the public finances and Chancellor Rachel Reeves' plans.

Economics

3 w. ago OBR chief could be forced to quit TODAY as Starmer swipes at 'serious error' after Budget leak and revelations over when it told Treasury there was no hole in public finances

Keir Starmer used a press conference to jibe at the 'significant error' over the Budget leak and question the judgment of the independent body.

Economics

3 w. ago Starmer says there was ‘no misleading’ by Chancellor ahead of Budget

Rachel Reeves has also reportedly been accused of misleading the Cabinet.

Politics