FTSE 100 Live: Babcock boss exits; Retail sales fall in golden quarter January 23, 2026 Good morning and welcome back to the City PM liveblog. Today is the final day of the World Economic Forum in Davos and what a ride it has been for capital markets. The FTSE 100 started Monday’s trading session at a cool 10,235.31 before shedding some points as Trump turned up pressure on his tariff [...]
Consumer confidence has been negative for 10 years January 23, 2026 Consumer confidence inched up slightly this month despite remaining in negative territory, a leading survey has indicated, indicating a degree of “resilience” despite a decade of consumer pessimism. The overall index score on GfK’s closely monitored consumer confidence survey rose by one point while feelings about personal finances over the next 12 months edged [...]
Budget fails to dampen commercial property activity January 23, 2026 Leasing and investment demand for commercial real estate remained high in the last few months of 2025, as the industry swerved Budget uncertainty that rattled the housing market. While growth in demand was slightly tempered by speculation surrounding tax changes, year-on-year figures remained robust among individual spaces. Office space investment demand reported a four per [...]
Someone put out the bin fire that is the Welsh Rugby Union January 23, 2026 Every sporting body goes through its annus horribilis, when nothing seems to go right and the public demands answers as a result. But the Welsh Rugby Union and the sport more broadly across the Severn Bridge is into what feels like its fifth consecutive year of horror and a complete inability to shift the narrative. [...]
On this day 1571: The Royal Exchange is opened January 23, 2026 The Royal Exchange was opened by Elizabeth I 455 years ago on this day. Eliot Wilson traces the origins of its success.
UK tax regime is forcing pubs to raise pint prices January 23, 2026 Pubs do not want to raise prices, but endless tax pressures are giving them little other choice, writes Emma McClarkin.
Two top flight clubs in same league to be owned by same firm after major sport decision January 22, 2026 Two top flight sporting clubs in the same league are set to be owned by the same private stakeholder after a major decision was made in Cardiff. United Rugby Championship teams Ospreys and Cardiff will be owned by the same firm, Y11, after the Welsh Rugby Union agreed to sell their holding in the Cardiff [...]
Springboks and All Blacks to play Test rugby in Baltimore, United States January 22, 2026 The Springboks and All Blacks will face off in the United States as international rugby ramps up its presence across the pond. New Zealand and South Africa will head to the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore – home of NFL franchise Baltimore Ravens – next September as part of their “Greatest Rivalry” series, a version [...]
Premier League’s smallest stadium gets approval to begin £90m rebuild January 22, 2026 AFC Bournemouth have been granted planning permission for the first phase of a £90m redevelopment that will increase capacity at the Vitality Stadium to more than 20,000. The club, whose 11,000-seat ground is the smallest in the Premier League, have been given the green light for “enabling works”, the first of three phases of improvements [...]
Prison porridge costs taxpayers £165m a year January 22, 2026 Porridge, baked beans and other prison food cost taxpayers a combined £165m a year, City PM can reveal, as questions around spending efficiencies loom over the Ministry of Justice. The government has signed a blockbuster £826.7m deal with a leading catering distributor to supply food for prisoners and staff. BFS Group, a subsidiary of South [...]
