Barclays consumer spending drops for first time since 2024 May 12, 2026 Consumers using Barclays credit and debit cards cut their spending for the first time in 17 months in the latest sign of turmoil facing the global economy. Total spending was down 0.1 per cent year-on-year marking the first drop since November 2024, where Brits were feeling the pinch of Labour’s first Budget. Consumers mainly drew [...]
UK ministers tell UK businesses to ‘step up’ cyber defences May 12, 2026 Ministers have announced a new push to force firms to strengthen their cyber defences against AI-powered attacks, as Britain’s cyber industry has swelled to £14.7bn. According to new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) figures, Britain’s cyber sector saw a 11 per cent rise in the past twelve months, while the number of companies [...]
Cabinet ministers urge Starmer to set path for succession May 11, 2026 Keir Starmer’s Downing Street operation was plunged into a full-blown crisis on Monday, after three cabinet ministers urged him to set a timeline for his resignation despite the robust defence of his premiership he launched in a make-or-break stump speech earlier in the day. Speculation over the future of his government reached fever pitch into [...]
Enhanced Games NYSE firm opens down on Friday close May 11, 2026 Enhanced Group Inc, the firm behind the pro-doping Enhanced Games, opened more than 10 per cent down on its previous close on its first full week on the New York Stock Exchange. The inaugural Enhanced Games, due to take place this month, encourages competitors to take performance enhancing drugs – in stark contrast with mainstream [...]
‘Twenty years of caution’: Banking industry ramps up efforts to fix ‘anaemic’ UK growth May 11, 2026 The UK’s industry body for banking has stepped up its lobbying efforts for the government to improve “anaemic” growth figures and bolster the financial services sector. A new report published by UK Finance – the body representing around 300 firms that provide UK banking services – has issued a nine-point plan, which calls for “clear [...]
NHS gives Palantir wider access to patient data amid growing backlash May 11, 2026 NHS England has expanded access to sensitive patient data for external contractors working on its controversial Palantir-backed data. The move has sparked concerns over privacy for such sensitive data, and the growing influence of American Big Techs inside the UK’s health service. According to the Financial Times, internal briefing documents show NHS officials approved new [...]
Cannes 2026: Who will win the 2026 Palme d’Or? May 11, 2026 Blockbusters like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Mad Max: Fury Road and Top Gun Maverick once graced the Cannes red carpet, but this year’s opening night film will be a French burlesque romantic comedy, The Electric Kiss. In fact, no Hollywood or British films are this year competing for the Palme d’Or. So who [...]
Darts: PDC aims to reel in Big Fish sponsor in multi-million-pound deal May 11, 2026 Darts chiefs at the PDC are seeking a multi-million-pound deal to sponsor one of the game’s most iconic moments, the “Big Fish” checkout. The contract will guarantee a brand exposure every time someone makes a 170 checkout – the highest possible, comprising two treble 20s followed by a bullseye – at all Professional Darts Corporation [...]
Burges Salmon and Wexler roll out firm-wide legal AI partnership May 11, 2026 Leading UK law firm Burges Salmon is rolling out a new company-wide partnership with legal tech startup Wexler to aid lawyers in litigation work, City PM can reveal. The Bristol-headquartered legal practice said Wexler is “a reliable option” and the firm-wide partnership follows “a successful integration” of adopting Wexler in the Dispute Resolution team in [...]
Starmer’s Europe reset risks strangling UK AI sector with EU regulation May 11, 2026 As the prime minister scrambles to save his premiership Keir Starmer has vowed to position the UK “at the heart of Europe” – but his pledge risks reigniting fears that closer EU ties could undo the UK’s AI advantage. In today’s speech, aimed at rescuing the prime minister’s position after bruising local election losses, Starmer [...]
