Starmer scrambles to make savings in bid to boost defence spending June 7, 2026 Keir Starmer is planning on making cuts across the government in a bid to fund his long awaited Defence Investment Plan. The prime minister will make targeted slashes to transport and net zero spending by 1 per cent in a bid to raise approximately £6bn for defence costs by the end of this parliament. Starmer [...]
Peter Kyle vows state will take bigger stakes in Britain’s next tech giants June 6, 2026 The government is preparing to take larger stakes in Britain’s fastest-growing companies as Peter Kyle ramps up Labour’s efforts to turn the state into a more active backer of private enterprise. Ahead of London Tech Week, the business secretary said ministers would become more willing to deploy taxpayer money alongside private investors, arguing that government [...]
Starmer urged to press ahead with under-16 social media ban as decision nears June 6, 2026 Keir Starmer has been urged to press ahead with a social media ban for under-16s after a group of leading doctors warned ministers not to mistake early attempts by children to bypass restrictions as evidence that such policies do not work. The intervention comes as the government prepares to decide whether Britain will introduce some [...]
Starmer weighs cut to EU student fees in bid for Brexit reset June 6, 2026 Keir Starmer is considering cutting university fees for European students as part of a broader package designed to deepen Britain’s economic ties with the EU, in what could become one of the most politically sensitive concessions of his post-Brexit reset. Ministers are weighing whether to lower tuition costs for EU students attending British universities as [...]
Burnham vows to cut the price of a pint as he turns on Labour tax rises June 6, 2026 Andy Burnham has launched a major policy intervention of the Makerfield by-election campaign with a pledge to cut business rates for pubs and ease the tax burden on small businesses, marking a clear break with Keir Starmer’s government. The Greater Manchester mayor said Labour had “got it wrong” on small businesses as he unveiled plans [...]
William Hill owner Evoke shares rocket as it braces for £243m takeover from Bally’s Intralot June 5, 2026 Betting group Evoke shares rocketed in early morning trading, after gambling firm Bally’s Intralot on the terms and conditions for a takeover, as UK businesses brace for an online gambling tax hike. Shares soared 16.2 per cent to 46.4 pence per share, with shares up 24.2 per cent since January. The Greek company’s board has [...]
As it happened: US jobs smash forecasts; Stocks in green amid cloudy US-Iran peace talks June 5, 2026 Welcome back to the City PM liveblog. Speculation around a peace deal between the US and Iran is continuing to leave markets struggling for direction as hopes of an official agreement face roadblocks. A current draft of a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the US has ambiguities that have to be clarified, an adviser [...]
The UK chemicals sector is in trouble June 5, 2026 From ammonia to plastics, there can be no modern economy without a functioning chemicals industry, and Britain's is in peril.
Savvy the Squirrel and ‘simpler regulation’: New City minister reaffirms Labour’s investment push June 4, 2026 The government’s new City minister has doubled down on the government’s commitment to overhaul the UK’s investment culture and encourage more Brits to enter the stock market, including its new squirrel-themed nationwide campaign. Economic Secretary to the Treasury Rachel Blake, who took over from Lucy Rigby three weeks ago, noted that “too many people have [...]
‘Don’t feel great’: Treasury minister irked by Darren Jones and Mandelson texts June 4, 2026 Treasury minister Lucy Rigby has appeared to criticise her fellow Cabinet colleague Darren Jones over texts he reportedly sent to Lord Peter Mandelson on the day he was sacked as ambassador to the US. Rigby, who currently holds Jones’ former role as chief secretary to the Treasury, told Sky News that she was unsettled by [...]
