Just 904 new homes registered in London in past 3 months July 30, 2025 The number of new home registrations in London has more than halved as firms shy away from building in the capital. Just 904 new homes were registered in the second quarter of 2025, down from 2,191 in the second quarter of 2024, according to the National House Building Council (NHBC). London continues to be affected [...]
Cosmetic surgery businesses in firing line for HMRC clampdown July 30, 2025 HMRC has launched a number of investigations into cosmetic surgery providers for not paying VAT – and cases are likely to rise, according to a law firm. Some providers of botox, dermal fillers and hair transplants have been operating on the misunderstanding that such procedures are VAT-exempt under a provision for medical care, law firm [...]
Is Joe Root actually the greatest English batsman ever? July 30, 2025 Joe Root has been acclaimed as the greatest English batsman ever, but is it actually true? Paul Ormerod delves into the stats.
Cut tax for under 35s or watch them leave the country July 30, 2025 The most pressing choice I faced over the past week was whether to swim in the pool or the sea. We lounged our way from lazy lunch to long dinner, occasionally mustering the energy to stroll to the boulangerie. As I put the key in the front door of our south London home last night [...]
UK risks squandering AI investment without urgent action on data centres July 30, 2025 The UK could lose out on billions of pounds in AI investment unless it tackles growing obstacles to data centre development, a new report has warned, as infrastructure experts urge the government to move faster on planning reform and energy policy. The ‘how to make the UK an AI leader’ report, published by techUK, the [...]
Youtube becomes UK’s second most-watched media platform July 30, 2025 Youtube has overtaken ITV to become the second most-watched media brand in the UK – behind the BBC – thanks to an ever increasing loyalty from young audiences, according to an annual report from Ofcom. Viewers spent an average of four hours and 30 minutes a day watching either the TV or other video content [...]
Retail investors cool on AI and pile into defence sector July 30, 2025 Retail investor appetite for AI stocks has cooled as geopolitical tensions spark a surge in enthusiasm for the defence sector. Over 50 per cent of retail investors believe the defence sector will deliver the strongest growth over the next six months, according to new research from online investing and trading platform IG. AI-related industries slipped [...]
Octopus heat pump ad claim row boils over July 30, 2025 A war of words has erupted between energy providers after an Octopus Energy advert was banned for claiming that households could have a heat pump installed for as little as £500. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a complaint against the Greg Jackson-run energy giant, ruling that not enough customers were eligible for the £500 [...]
EE capitalises on parental fears with safer SIMs for under 18s July 29, 2025 EE has unveiled ‘safer SIMs’, a trio of under‑18 mobile plans that bundle together network‑level content filters, throttled speeds, scam protection, and a ‘P.H.O.N.E.’ Chat guide. The move has been backed by in‑store safety clinics across 400+ UK branches and is pitched directly at parents overwhelmed by children’s digital exposure. At her debut briefing as CEO [...]
UK businesses risk losing European trademarks by year-end July 29, 2025 UK businesses may have their European trademark registrations revoked after 31 December if they cannot demonstrate that they are using them within the EU