1 hour ago City of London explores outside investment for housing projects

Move by Square Mile’s governing body comes as it seeks to tackle funding shortfall

Politics

1 hour ago UK households cut spending at fastest pace in almost five years, says Barclays

Bank reports 1.1% drop in card spending despite Black Friday boost for retailersUK households cut back on spending at the fastest pace in almost five years last month as consumers put Christmas shopping on hold, according to a leading survey.Adding to concerns that uncertainty surrounding the budget has helped dampen consumer confidence, Barclays said card spending fell 1.1% year on year in November – the largest fall since February 2021. Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago Trump has declared civilisational war on Europe. It won’t be easy – but here’s how to fight back | Paul Taylor

With democratic values under attack from populists within and former allies without, there are no simple solutionsThree decades after political philosopher Francis Fukuyama declared the End of History and the “universalisation of western liberal democracy as the final form of human government”, the democratic model is under attack in many parts of the world, not least here in Europe. Populists bent on weakening the rule of law, rolling back human rights protections, subjugating the judiciary and cowing independent journalism are amplified by anything-goes social media algorithms that promote anger and polarisation over rational discourse.They have now received a mandate from the Trump administration, which effectively declared civilisational war on the EU and its values in its National Security Strategy.Paul Taylor is a senior visiting fellow at the European Policy Centre Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago Walking into disaster: how narcotraffickers captured the BVI

When the new premier of the British Virgin Islands said he needed an armed security detail, his chief of police knew trouble was on its wayAugustus James Ulysses Jaspert, Gus for short, arrived in Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands, on 21 August 2017, just two weeks away from catastrophe. Jaspert, who was in his late 30s, had recently been appointed governor by Queen Elizabeth II, on the recommendation of the Foreign Office in London. The BVI is an overseas territory of Britain, with only partial independence, and the governor effectively acts as a backstop to the locally elected legislature. For Jaspert, a career civil servant, it would be his first hands-on experience of governing – and his first time in the British Virgin Islands. Any trepidation was outweighed by the prospect of moving to the Caribbean. “If you’re sitting in an office in London and someone says, ‘Go to Tortola,’ you look it up on a screen and think, ‘OK, I can do that,’” Jaspert told me.While Jas...

Events

2 h. ago Australia deporting refugee to Nauru may cause his ‘imminent’ and ‘preventable’ death, court hears

Legal team of man who was part of cohort of non-citizens freed after high court decision argues Nauru’s medical facilities are ‘insufficient’ to treat his severe asthmaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLawyers for an Iranian refugee Australia wants to deport to Nauru say there is a “real risk he will die” there, setting the stage for a showdown against the federal government’s $2.5bn NZYQ deal.The case surrounding the Iranian refugee, known as TXCM, who was granted a 30-year visa for Nauru in February and subsequently placed back into immigration detention after being freed by the 2023 high court ruling, was heard in the high court on Tuesday. Continue reading...

Events

2 h. ago Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta can capitalise on rule change after receiving Champions League boost

Arsenal's late collapse at Aston Villa and a string of recent injuries have left Mikel Arteta searching for answers ahead of Wednesday's Champions League trip to face Club Brugge

Sport

2 h. ago Pension alert as savers could be owed £3,800 tax refund on average from HMRC

HMRC has paid out £48.7 million in refunds for overpaid tax on pension withdrawals between April and June, with the average refund worth around £3,800

Economics

5 h. ago RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: The jobs market has already collapsed. Now, Angela Rayner is back... and this is how she's planning to take us back to the mayhem of the 1970s

Angry Ginge may currently be serving a three-match ban, after getting a red card for not paying tax, but her crusade to increase the power of the trades unions is being enthusiastically pursued.

Politics

5 h. ago Florida governor declares Muslim civil rights group a terrorist organization

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has designated one of the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy groups in the U.S. a “foreign terrorist organization,” following a similar step by Texas last month

Events

5 h. ago Paul Dano books next acting role after director Quentin Tarantino bashed him in shock criticism

Paul Dano has proved that the latest attacks against him from filmmaker Quentin Tarantino haven't dimmed his career at all.

Events

6 h. ago City watchdog reveals new measures to get more people investing in shares to boost uncertain London market

THE City watchdog has revealed measures to get more people investing in shares in a bid to boost the uncertain London market. The Financial Conduct Authority aims to make it easier for ordinary savers to put money into stocks and shares and take informed risks rather than just leaving their cash in low-return accounts. A...

Economics

6 h. ago Government urged to crackdown on illegal number plates amid national security fears

It is estimated that up to one in 15 vehicles may use plates designed to evade automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras

Events

8 h. ago UK should boost tourism in offshore tax havens, says government adviser

Margaret Hodge urges Britain to help its overseas territories in return for them implementing financial transparency rules

Politics

8 h. ago Great British Railways flies the flag as logo goes back to the future

Livery for renationalised railway features red, white and blue alongside familiar double arrow symbolNo matter how much train fares cost under Great British Railways, no one can accuse the government of wasting money on an expensive redesign.The logo, branding and livery for the impending renationalised and reformed railway will be unveiled by ministers at London Bridge on Tuesday. It is red, white and, yes, blue. Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago RICHARD EDEN: Who will pay £500,000 tax tab on Gary Neville's restaurant?

The Man Behind The Curtain in Leeds asked patrons to stump up £135 in advance, arguing that dinner within its black marbled interior was 'an event, like a concert or theatre experience'.

Economics

8 h. ago Bank of England puts hundreds of jobs at risk in £45m cost savings drive as it looks to update its tech infrastructure

The Bank, led by governor Andrew Bailey (pictured) has written to the majority of its 5,700 employees inviting them to apply for voluntary layoffs.

Economics

9 h. ago Brad Raffensperger sues to win more campaign spending power in Georgia governor race

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is the latest Republican candidate for Georgia governor to attack campaign finance rules that allow Lt. Gov. Burt Jones to raise unlimited contributions

Politics

10 h. ago Why Keir Starmer is being mocked for launching a new official TikTok account

Sir Keir Starmer has launched a new TikTok account, even though it's banned on most government devices because of concerns about spying

Politics

10 h. ago Labour minister lashes out at 'outright lies' as he faces fury over digital ID

Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons said there was a lot of 'nonsense', 'myths' and 'outright lies' as he defended the Government's controversial digital ID proposals

Politics

11 h. ago Aspects of Peggie tribunal findings ‘hugely problematic for women’ – solicitor

An employment tribunal upheld Sandie Peggie’s claims she was harassed by NHS Fife but other claims were dismissed.

Politics