Microsoft rides the Wayve as self driving cars hit London streets January 8, 2026 Microsoft announced its strengthened partnership with British born autonomous driving startup Wayve on Thursday, in a move set to bring the tech into commercial use. This collaboration, based largely on Microsoft Azure, provides its infrastructure to both train and operate the AV firm’s AI into complex urban environments such as London. Founded in 2017 in [...]
Government concedes workers’ rights overhaul will spark surge in tribunal claims January 8, 2026 The government’s flagship workers’ rights overhaul will spark a 17 per cent surge in employment tribunal claims, according to an official government analysis that claims the radical employment shake-up should reduce joblessness and boost growth. In a paper released on Wednesday, civil servants warned that measures in the act – including bolstering employees’ rights from [...]
Bosses hold up wage growth expectations amid inflation tensions January 8, 2026 Company bosses have cut their wage growth expectations for the year ahead, Bank of England data has suggested, with inflation pressures on Britons easing. Finance chiefs across private sector firms are set to raise wages by smaller amounts than seen in the last year, which could sway some Bank policymakers to lower borrowing costs further. [...]
London’s legal elites bask in booming pay packets January 8, 2026 While London shivers through a January cold snap, the city’s legal elite are basking in an earnings heatwave as salaries for City lawyers at major law firms have edged up over the last year. Over the 2024/2025 financial year, the average profit per equity partner (PEP) at the big firms, including Linklaters, A&O Shearman, Herbert [...]
Does predictability of Ashes dilute cricket’s crown jewel for fans and sponsors? January 8, 2026 And there it is. Another Ashes over, another series defeat for England down in Australia. Brendon McCullum’s side may have ended their winless run at the MCG in one of the two-day Tests but the overall picture remains the same. It’s almost predictable; England head Down Under full of optimism and come back with their [...]
Former Hargreaves Lansdown head of money Susannah Streeter to join Wealth Club January 8, 2026 One of the City’s best-known market commentators has jumped ship to Wealth Club to become the firm’s new chief investment strategist. Susannah Streeter, who previously worked at Hargreaves Lansdown for five years, will take up her position at the investment service, which is aimed at assisting high net worth individuals from 12 January. Streeter will lead [...]
Peter Mandelson handed back £1.3m from consulting firm he founded January 8, 2026 A consulting firm founded by Peter Mandelson handed back £1.3m to the House of Lords peer prior to his departure from the business, the firm’s latest accounts reveal. Global Counsel, a London-based public policy consultancy launched by Mandelson in 2016, had been lent £1m by the disgraced politician with interest paid “at commercial rates,” white [...]
Shares down as Tesco hits 10-year UK market share high amid festive boom January 8, 2026 After a “strong Christmas” period, Tesco now anticipates its full-year adjusted operating profit will reach the upper end of its £2.9bn to £3.1bn forecast range. In its Q3 update, the FTSE 100 giant revealed its total group sales reached £24.9bn for the 19-week period. It was the Republic of Ireland that had a strong food [...]
Sober January for alcohol stocks as Brits ditch the booze January 8, 2026 After a boozy festive period, it’s time for non-alcoholic stocks to raise a toast, as millions of Brits take on Dry January. Diageo shares have shrunk 0.23 per cent this week to 1,597.8p, while Amsterdam listed Heineken shares fell 1.7 per cent to €68.32 (£59.20). Beyond January, Brits are becoming more sober conscious. Nearly 50 [...]
FTSE 100 defence stocks boosted by Trump’s calls for military spending hike January 8, 2026 Shares in top FTSE 100 defence stocks were boosted on Thursday morning, following President Trump’s push for a 50 per cent boost to the US military budget. BAE Systems shares shot up 6.7 per cent following the market open to highs not seen since October, while Babcock rose by more than 2.2 per cent. President [...]