Roblox rival Rec Room to shut down after losses March 31, 2026 A major rival to Roblox is shutting down after failing to turn its large user base into a profitable business, 10 years after its launch. Rec Room said it will close on June 1, despite having attracted more than 150 million players and creators and reaching a valuation of $3.5bn (£2.65bn) at its peak. In [...]
Awful April: brace for a wave of stealth tax rises March 31, 2026 April is upon us and the new tax year will usher in a range of tax hikes, despite the absence of any headline rate rises, with frozen thresholds, shrinking allowances and tighter reliefs set to hit families, workers and savers. The harsh impact will also be felt as Brits are hit with a wave of [...]
CMA launches investigation into Microsoft amid cloud contract crackdown March 31, 2026 The UK’s competition watchdog has launched a new probe into Microsoft’s business software ecosystem, as part of a wider push to loosen the grip of Big Tech on cloud, and boost competition for British firms. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it will open a strategic market status investigation in Microsoft’s suite, including Windows, [...]
PWR rugby opens door to British and Irish league March 31, 2026 Top flight English rugby could become a British and Irish league after Professional Women’s Rugby launched a tender process for potential new teams. The PWR, seen as the most advanced women’s rugby competition in the world, features nine English teams but could see that number rise after inviting expressions of interest from Wales, Scotland and [...]
Marmite maker Unilever creates food empire in $45bn merger March 31, 2026 Unilever has sealed a $45bn merger of its food brands with US spice and seasoning giant McCormick, forging a $60bn food empire in which the London-based firm holds a majority stake. Unilever and its shareholders will own 65 per cent in the new body, with the firm receiving $15.7bn (£11.6bn) in cash and the equivalent [...]
Trump tells Starmer to ‘go get your own oil’ March 31, 2026 President Donald Trump has told Sir Keir Starmer that the UK will have to “fight for yourself” as the US would not provide any support in fuel supplies. In another threat targeted at Starmer posted on his own social media platform, the US president mocked the UK’s struggles in obtaining jet fuel because of a [...]
Michele Kang committed to funding London City Lionesses after £10.6m loss March 31, 2026 London City Lionesses chiefs insist Michele Kang will continue to fund the club’s growth after they posted a £10.6m loss for the 2024-25 season, when they won promotion to the Women’s Super League. US billionaire Kang, who also owns French side OL Lyonnes and NWSL team Washington Spirit, injected £12.5m into London City Lionesses via [...]
German backers of Olympia redevelopment add new £500m investment March 31, 2026 The German investors behind the redevelopment of Kensington’s Olympia exhibition centre have committed an additional £500m as the consortium refinances the project. Deutsche Bank AG will hand a £900m loan to the consortium behind the project, which includes German pension fund Bayerische Versorgungskammer and insurer Versorgungskammer Bayern. The project is one of London’s biggest regeneration [...]
Deutsche Bank hit with £700m lawsuit in London by former executives March 31, 2026 Four former Deutsche Bank executives have filed a £700m legal action in the High Court alleging the bank conspired to injure them by “unlawful means.” The history of the claim stems from a decade-long saga that began with the Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS) scandal, which led to criminal convictions that have now been [...]
Andy Haldane: My mission to ignite Britain’s animal spirits March 31, 2026 As the Bank of England’s chief economist, Andy Haldane had a front row seat to the maladies of UK’s sluggish economy. After a four-year stint running the RSA, he is back as president of the British Chambers of Commerce, and tells Ali Lyon business is still taxed mindlessly, over regulated, and far too risk averse. [...]
