4imprint reports uptick in profit but warns on ‘challenging near-term environment’ March 12, 2025 Promotional products manufacturer 4imprint has reported a 10 per cent jump in profit for 2024, outperforming the broader market and expanding its market share. The company told markets this morning that revenue rose three per cent year on year to £1.36bn, up from £1.32bn last year. The London-based firm said it received 2.12m orders in 2024, [...]
The Gym Group: Revenue shoots up as growth plan gathers steam March 12, 2025 The Gym Group has reported a boost in revenue and profit as its ‘Next Chapter’ growth plan, launched in 2023, continues to pay off. The London-listed firm, which has more than 250 locations across Britain, reported a pre-tax profit of £3.6m in the year ended December 31, 2024, up from a pre-tax loss of £5.5m in [...]
Reeves told to scrap ‘jobs tax’ after headline figures questioned March 12, 2025 A fresh row has erupted just weeks before Rachel Reeves‘ national insurance tax hike comes into effect after the Treasury’s headline figures were scrutinized. When announcing her 1.2 per cent hike to employers’ national insurance contributions (NIC) at the Autumn Budget, Reeves said it would raise “£25bn per year by the end of the forecast period.” [...]
Starmer needs to “smash the gangs” behind shoplifting and phone theft March 12, 2025 The clip shared on social media yesterday by the BBC’s Nicky Campbell was unremarkable only because variations of it can be seen every day. Two men frantically empty shop shelves of cosmetics, pouring them into large bags while onlookers film the outrageous scene. They make no effort to hide their faces and when their bags are [...]
Five reasons the UK has a housing crisis March 12, 2025 Britain's housing crisis is acute: the nation today has a backlog of 4.3m homes. Here's why.
If crises are the test of a nation, Western Europe is failing March 12, 2025 The financial crisis and the pandemic have shown how modern Europe deals with crises. And it's not pretty, writes Paul Ormerod.
MIPIM: Sadiq Khan hails ‘perfect time’ to invest in London March 11, 2025 Sadiq Khan has said London’s “weather has changed” as he flew the flag for the capital at a major property conference in France. The mayor of London attended Europe’s biggest real estate trade show – Le Marché international des professionnels de l’immobilier, or MIPIM – in Cannes for the first time, just two weeks after [...]
FCA clarity on defence investment and green rules welcomed by MPs March 11, 2025 MPs have welcomed a move by the financial watchdog, clarifying that defence investments aren’t constrained by green or sustainability rules. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) released a statement on Tuesday morning clarifying their position on sustainability and defence investments. A spokesperson said: “Our sustainability rules do not prevent investment in or finance for defence companies. [...]
FTSE 100 and European markets steady ‘Trump Slump’ March 11, 2025 Calm briefly returned to global markets on Tuesday morning after an aggressive sell-off on Monday triggered by President Trump’s comments over the weekend. What investors had previously hoped to be a ‘Trump Bump’ turned into a ‘Trump Slump’ after the President’s failure to dismiss recession fears spooked markets. The FTSE 100 was broadly flat Tuesday morning after [...]
Labour’s growth agenda? Necessary but not sufficient. March 11, 2025 Ministers will be deeply frustrated at the lack of economic growth, though they ought not to be surprised. Their own missteps have been well covered in this newspaper, and week after week new survey data reveals the extent to which government policies have dampened spirits, reduced hiring and spooked confidence. However, while their opening salvo [...]
