Heston Blumenthal calls for VAT cut to ‘save British pubs’ September 2, 2025 Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal has called on the government and licensees to take urgent action to halt the closure of thousands of UK pubs. The chef, who owns owner of the Michelin-starred gastropub The Hinds Head, is campaigning for a reduction to the UK’s VAT rate, which is one of the highest in Europe. He [...]
Gallagher Re: Global reinsurance capital hits record September 2, 2025 Global reinsurance capital rose 4.8 per cent to a record $805bn (£595bn) in the first half of 2025 and is on track to increase by eight per cent overall, thanks to continued strong profitability and additional non-life alternative capital, according to Gallagher Re’s half-year 2025 Reinsurance Market Report. The industry has continued to grow despite [...]
Employment Bill sparks SME fear over costs and red tape September 2, 2025 Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have voiced growing concerns over the government’s sweeping Employment Rights Bill, warning that the reforms could place a disproportionate strain on firms already grappling with rising costs and a challenging economic climate. The legislation, billed as the most significant upgrade to workplace protections in a generation, is due for its third reading [...]
Premier League clubs spend more than European rivals combined September 2, 2025 Premier League clubs highlighted the growing financial gap between English football and its rivals during the summer transfer window, spending more than the other members of the so-called Big Five combined. Teams collectively spent £3bn gross, a record sum for the division and 51 per cent of the aggregate total invested by the Big Five, [...]
Justice secretary granted new veto powers over ‘independent’ public body September 2, 2025 The justice secretary has been granted the power to sign off on any new guidelines for prison sentences as part of a push for Parliament to have a say in the justice system, following political backlash earlier this year. As part of the Sentencing Bill, set to be introduced to the House of Commons today, [...]
After a year as Chancellor, Rachel Reeves has flunked her growth mission September 2, 2025 Rachel Reeves may not get an official exam transcript, but the numbers categorically show she's flunked her growth mission.
Revolut boss set for bumper payday as valuation swells to $75bn September 2, 2025 The boss of Revolut is set for a bumper payday as the fintech juggernaut kicks off a secondary share sale valuing the firm at $75bn (£55.9bn). London-based staff will be able to sell up to 20 per cent of their stake in the digital bank, Bloomberg first reported. Shares will be valued at $1,381.06 (£1,029). [...]
Exclusive: Octopus Investments appoints new CEO September 2, 2025 Retail asset management platform Octopus Investments has appointed Erin Platts, former chief executive of HSBC Innovation Banking, as its new CEO. Octopus Investments, the UK’s largest investor in AIM listed companies, is a branch of the financial services company, Octopus Group. It holds £9.9bn in funds under management. Platts will succeed Octopus Group co-founder and [...]
British and Irish Lions tour clears £30m Rugby Australia debt September 2, 2025 Revenue generated by the British and Irish Lions rugby tour to Australia has helped the hosts to be debt-free for the first time since 2021. The nine-match, three-Test tour Down Under allowed Rugby Australia to pay off the £30m it owed Pacific Equity Partners having taken out a £39m loan in 2023. It is the [...]
Muller recovers from huge loss to make profit return September 2, 2025 The UK and Ireland arm of dairy giant Muller has returned to profit after recovering from a huge loss in 2023, it has been confirmed. The Shropshire-headquartered division of the German group has posted a pre-tax profit of £34.3m for 2024, new accounts filed with Companies House show. That comes after Muller fell to a pre-tax [...]
