Category: News

A new analysis by the Autonomy Institute has found that companies donating to Labour were awarded £138m in government contracts during the party’s first year in power, reviving concerns about the influence of political donations on public spending.

Natural Resources Wales has paid more than £14m to HMRC following an IR35 investigation into its historic use of contractors, prompting renewed warnings over the risks of non-compliance with the UK’s off-payroll working rules.

New research has revealed that HMRC’s annual pay bill has surged by more than £29m in the past year, as the tax authority expands its senior workforce despite government pressure to curb public-sector spending.

Washington and Beijing have agreed the final details of a deal transferring TikTok’s US arm to new ownership, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has confirmed, describing the move as part of a broader trade accord to be sealed at this week’s Trump–Xi meeting.

Britain’s leading grocers have urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to avoid tax hikes in next month’s Budget, warning that higher business rates could push up food prices and worsen the cost-of-living squeeze.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has fuelled speculation over a possible income-tax rise after refusing to dismiss reports that Treasury officials are considering rate increases to plug a multibillion-pound hole in the public finances.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering raising income tax for the first time in more than a decade as she faces one of the most difficult budgets in recent memory, with a £30bn fiscal gap and mounting political risks.

NatWest has reported a sharp rise in quarterly profits as higher interest rates and strong customer activity lifted earnings, prompting the High Street bank to raise its forecasts for the year.

Tony Blair’s think tank urges Labour to scrap green levies, warning that Ed Miliband’s 2030 clean power target risks voters and raises energy costs.

The UK government backs the reopening of Oxford’s Cowley rail line alongside a £10bn investment from Larry Ellison’s new technology institute.

FCA boss Nikhil Rathi warns UK’s financial system is unprepared for global conflicts, cyber threats and rising money laundering risks.

Barclays records £110m loss linked to failed US lender Tricolor and discloses £20bn exposure to private credit amid rising scrutiny of the sector.

JCB unveils £100m overhaul of its Rocester headquarters, safeguarding 8,000 jobs and boosting UK manufacturing productivity.

The cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover caused £1.9bn in damages, the most expensive in UK history, disrupting 5,000 firms and global supply chains.

UK inflation held steady at 3.8% in September, below Bank of England forecasts, boosting expectations of an interest rate cut before year-end.