Government urged to reform ‘growth killer’ business rates April 27, 2026 Britain’s largest industry body has called on the government to urgently reform business rates, which it says is a “growth killer”. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said the government should keep its manifesto pledge to reform the business rates system as a matter of urgency. Business rates is a tax determined by the [...]
‘National scandal’: Record-high shoplifting driven by repeat offenders April 26, 2026 Shoplifting has been branded a “national scandal” as incidents reach a record high, fuelled by a growing number of repeat offenders. More than 500,000 shoplifting offenses were recorded last year, according to official figures released in response to a parliamentary question by former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith. Fears around the worsening state of [...]
King’s Speech to unleash wave of City reforms April 26, 2026 A host of Canada reforms will be set in stone at next month’s King’s Speech, as the Prime Minister hopes to use the moment to turn a corner from doubts over his leadership. Impending reforms, including scrapping the payments watchdog and overhauling the financial ombudsman, are set to be legislated in the financial [...]
Economy could suffer for eight months after Iran war ends, minister says April 26, 2026 Surging food and energy prices caused by the Iran war could last for more than eight months after the conflict ends, Starmer’s right-hand man has said. Higher petrol, food and plane ticket prices will persist for “eight-plus months” following the end of the conflict, chief secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said. The minister [...]
WH Smith successor delays ‘aggressive’ restructuring which will shut stores April 26, 2026 The private equity financiers who run nearly 500 former WH Smith stores have delayed announcing an “aggressive” restructuring which could force the closure of up to 100 stores. Modella Capital, the Mayfair equity firm which runs hundreds of the stationer’s former stores, has run into financial difficulties and was due to unveil rescue proposals last [...]
‘Waste of time’: Trump cancels envoys’ trips to Pakistan for Iran talks April 26, 2026 Donald Trump has cancelled a trip by US envoys to Pakistan to hold more peace talks with Iran, shortly after Tehran’s delegation left Islamabad. The US President said special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner would be wasting “too much time” on the trip, accusing Iran’s delegation of “tremendous infighting and confusion”. The collapse [...]
Italy and UK risk driving Formula 1 away with misguided tax raids April 26, 2026 Italy’s latest attempt to claw back tax from Formula 1 drivers and teams is being framed as a crackdown on evasion. In reality, it looks far more like a system struggling to keep up with the modern sport it is trying to regulate. Authorities are reportedly looking to audit teams and drivers retrospectively between 2020 [...]
Government to step up support for businesses affected by Iran war April 26, 2026 The government is ramping up efforts to offset the impact of the Iran war on UK businesses as concerns over energy prices continue to grow. In its latest attempt to ease the damage caused by the Middle East conflict, the government has opted to work directly with businesses, with the prime minister preparing to chair [...]
Starmer to face vote over Peter Mandelson sleaze inquiry April 25, 2026 Keir Starmer will face a vote on whether he should be referred to a parliamentary sleaze inquiry over claims that he misled the House of Commons about the appointment of Mandelson as ambassador to the US. The prime minister said earlier this week that Downing Street had put no pressure “whatsoever” on the Foreign Office, [...]
Tax raids trigger worst start to year on record for businesses April 25, 2026 Tax rises under Labour coupled with the war in Iran have triggered the worst start to the year for businesses on record. Fewer businesses were set up in the first three months of 2026 than in the same period of any year on record, according to figures from the Office of National Statistics. Just 78,655 [...]
