On this day in 1814: The London Beer Flood October 17, 2025 On this day in 1814, the perils of drink would show themselves in an unexpected but deadly way in the London Beer Flood, writes Eliot Wilson.
Cautious Brits plan to cut spending ahead of Golden Quarter October 17, 2025 Nearly three quarters of Brits plan to cut spending for the rest of 2025 as consumers continue to prioritise saving over splashing out. While consumer sentiment has remained flat at -5 over summer, inflation worries have been rising and nearly nine in ten Brits now report concerns, according to the latest Consumer Sentiment Survey from [...]
Over half of firms would stop hiring if Reeves hikes taxes, survey finds October 17, 2025 More than half of businesses would cut staff or stop hiring if taxes are hiked at this year’s Budget, a leading survey of accountants has found, a fresh warning that Chancellor Rachel Reeves risks inflicting further damage on the UK jobs market. Reeves has publicly said that she was considering making tax hikes at this [...]
Doctor Who maker warns its ‘future is by no means certain’ October 16, 2025 The production company behind Doctor Who has warned its “future is by no means certain” in Wales as it marks ten years in business. Bad Wolf has said declining US investment in productions made outside of America and falling budgets are threatening to elongate a downward trend in the global screen industry. In a report [...]
European stadiums to bid for South Africa rugby Test vs New Zealand October 16, 2025 Top European stadiums are set to battle it out to host a special rugby Test match between New Zealand and South Africa. The All Blacks and Springboks have announced a British and Irish Lions-style tour for 2026 with New Zealand heading to the African continent. The tour will culminate in three Tests across Johannesburg and [...]
Labour delays decision on China’s mega embassy application October 16, 2025 A decision on China’s new mega embassy next to the Tower of London has been delayed to December amid growing concerns that China is interfering with British democracy by spying on MPs and stealing classified information. The application for the new embassy at the Royal Mint Court site was set to be finalised as early [...]
Rachel Reeves and the tax and spend doom loop October 16, 2025 Rachel Reeves isn’t going to introduce a Wealth Tax, but she is going to tax the wealthy. She isn’t going to impose austerity, but she is going to get spending under control. Confused? Speculation over the contents of next month’s Budget has reached fever pitch, and it’s only going to ramp up from here. This [...]
Exclusive: Reeves poised to roll out ‘concierge service’ for investors October 16, 2025 The Treasury is preparing to launch its ‘concierge service’ to help international firms invest and expand in the UK as soon as this week, City PM can reveal, in a move ministers hope will attract as much as £10bn of foreign investment into the UK. The new service – also dubbed an ‘investment hub’ – [...]
Former Aviva chief executive dies in car crash October 16, 2025 The former UK boss of insurance giant Aviva has died in a car crash, after his vehicle collided with a tree. David Barral, who held senior roles as Aviva Life and Pensions, was driving his Aston Martin when it crashed on the A58 between Bardsey and Collingham just outside his native Leeds on Tuesday. “We [...]
Sumo in the City: Star of the dohyo becomes finance bro October 16, 2025 A star of this week’s Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall has been spotted trying his hand at finance. Akira Takayasu, who is competing in South Kensington in the second Grand Sumo Tournament to leave Japan in 1,500 years, got stuck in at City stalwart Mizuho Financial Group on Thursday. The 35-year-old, famed [...]
