Wall Street banks’ $40bn haul overshadowed by economic threats April 15, 2026 Wall Street’s top banks are toasting a record revenue haul this week, but industry chiefs also struck a note of caution after bumper profits were driven by market volatility. JP Morgan led the pack with a net income of $16.5bn in the first-quarter of the year, up 13 per cent from the same period in [...]
BBC to cut 2,000 jobs ahead of Matt Brittin takeover April 15, 2026 The BBC is set to cut up to 2,000 jobs in its largest round of redundancies in 15 years, as the broadcaster accelerates cost-cutting plans ahead of a leadership change next month. Staff were briefed on the proposals at a company-wide meeting on Wednesday, with the cuts expected to affect roughly 10 per cent of [...]
Russell set to join Pollock after London meetings with Matchroom April 15, 2026 Scotland rugby star Finn Russell has held talks with Matchroom about following England’s Henry Pollock in signing for the multi-sport promoters’ new talent agency. Northampton Saints back-row Pollock joined the Eddie Hearn-run talent roster after the promoter made comments about the untapped potential of rugby during the Six Nations. In subsequent interviews, Hearn – whose [...]
Britain’s energy future is bright – but we still need Ed Drilliband April 15, 2026 Amid soaring oil prices and growing fears of jet fuel shortages, it feels as though Britain is trapped in an energy permacrisis of its own making. So here’s a note of optimism to counter the doom and gloom: Britain has a bright energy future ahead of it. A few examples: Nuclear power output is going [...]
‘I will not yield’: Starmer dismisses Trump’s trade threat as ‘pressure’ April 15, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer has dismissed President Donald Trump’s threat to change a trade deal struck between the US and the UK as “pressure”. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey used a question in parliament to say Trump had treated the UK “like a mafia boss running a protection racket” after he threatened to change a [...]
Franco Manca shuts 16 restaurants, blaming ‘disproportionate’ taxes April 15, 2026 Franco Manca has taken aim at “disproportionately high” taxes facing the hospitality sector after the pizza parlour shut 16 restaurants in a structural overhaul. The privately-owned restaurant chain said it is suffering from high VAT and “significant” hikes to national insurance and minimum wages, with the site closures to cost hundreds of jobs. The move [...]
Fix consumer attitudes to boost stock market participation, say industry experts April 15, 2026 Consumer anxiety over how to invest is the single-biggest barrier to getting more people to enter the stock market, fresh research has found. Targeted support was found most effective when focusing on consumer’s perceived attitudes of investing and the stock market, ultimately increasing investment by at least 30 per cent, according to new findings from [...]
Housebuilding stocks recover as industry reaches ‘rock bottom’ April 15, 2026 The UK’s biggest housebuilder kept to the well-rehearsed tone of gloom which has loomed over the sector in recent months, when it became the latest to pull back on spending amid the market uncertainty caused by the Iran war. FTSE 100 firm Barratt Redrow said its financial targets hold firm, but warned that the blockage [...]
Starmer hits back at defence spending attacks April 15, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer has said he disagrees with allegations of “complacency” on funding the armed forces amid renewed scrutiny over the Labour’s defence spending plans. During Prime Minister’s Questions, Starmer hit back at widespread backlash over the absence of the government’s Defence Investment Plan, which was due last autumn. He told MPs that he didn’t [...]
Pizza king points to youth joblessness as restaurant group eyes takeovers April 15, 2026 The boss of restaurant group Bow Street raised concerns over youth joblessness as the firm behind Dim T slipped into an annual loss, but outlined his dealmaking plans. David Page, now the chief executive of the Aim-listed firm, is a former boss of Pizza Express and played a key role in the expansion of Franco [...]