Workers’ rights laws couldn’t come at a worse time for businesses April 8, 2026 The government’s Employment Rights agenda is becoming a reality, and the timing could scarcely be worse. As the first provisions of the Employment Rights Act come into force, Britain’s economic outlook is darkening rapidly. Growth is faltering under the weight of an energy shock, inflation is stirring again and businesses are staring down a period [...]
Barclays’ high street U-turn exposes a divide in British banking April 8, 2026 Bank have ditched the high street over the last decade but is a comeback on the horizon? Samuel Norman explores the changes in this week’s column. In Westminster, the news cycle is never short of drama over U-turns. Subtle tweaks or direct bait-and-switches on policy are batted away by government spokespeople as mere “pivots” as [...]
MFS software platform put up for sale after lender’s collapse April 7, 2026 A software platform developed for Market Finance Solutions has been put up for sale by administrators following the lender’s collapse, City PM can reveal. The software, which has been designed to be used in conjunction with Salesforce, was built as an “automated lending platform” including sales, underwriting and ‘KYC’ identity checks for new customers. “The [...]
Jet fuel crisis sparks rush for travel insurance as airlines warn of Summer cancellations April 7, 2026 Interest in travel insurance has spiked over the last month after airline bosses warned of cancelled flights amid shortages of jet fuel due to the ongoing energy crisis. Thousands of flights have been cancelled, and more cuts are planned, as global airlines struggle with surging fuel costs and supply issues caused by the war in [...]
Leon founder: Labour ‘killing’ restaurant industry April 7, 2026 The founder of fast food chain Leon has accused the government of “killing” the restaurant industry by saddling the industry with a crushing tax burden. John Vincent, who founded Leon and recently bought it back, said on Tuesday “everyone knows restaurants are done” because of the government’s treatment of hospitality. The government has faced intense [...]
Blackstone swoops on Senior in £1.3bn aerospace supply chain play April 7, 2026 Manufacturing giant Senior has agreed to a £1.3bn takeover by a consortium backed by Blackstone and Tinicum, marking the latest London-listed industrial firm to be taken private as overseas buyers target UK assets. The recommended all-cash offer values the FTSE 250 engineer at £1.28bn, with an implied enterprise value of roughly £1.4bn, the companies told [...]
Abramovich foundation trustee has links to Starmer advisor Powell April 7, 2026 A new charitable foundation at the heart of Roman Abramovich’s dispute with the UK government over the £2.35bn in funds from the sale of Chelsea has a named trustee with links to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Martin Griffiths, a UK diplomat and former coordinator for the United Nations, co-founded a ‘peacemaking’ organisation with Starmer’s [...]
Businesses brace for costs as new workers’ rights kick in April 7, 2026 Businesses across Britain are bracing for a sharp hike in costs and hiring struggles as the government’s new workers’ rights laws begin to take effect this week. The British Retail Consortium (BRC), a leading trade body, said the Employment Rights Act risks adding to an onslaught of rising cost pressures facing firms, including wage hikes [...]
Wireless Festival cancelled after Home Office blocks Kanye West April 7, 2026 Organisers have canned this year’s Wireless Festival after its headline act Kanye West was blocked from travelling to the UK by the Home Office. The rapper was scheduled to play at the popular festival in north London this summer but West, who changed his name to Ye, will be blocked from travelling to the UK [...]
Iceland boss offers job to Waitrose worker who tackled shoplifter April 7, 2026 The boss of Iceland has offered a job to a man who was sacked by Waitrose after he prevented a shoplifter from attempting to steal luxury Easter eggs. Richard Walker, boss of the budget supermarket chain, posted on LinkedIn telling Walker Smith, the shop assistant sacked by Waitrose: “You’re welcome to a job with us. [...]
