Healey poised to deliver ‘long grass’ Budget Politics John Healey’s maiden Budget is likely to omit clear plans to boost defence spending, reform taxes and curb the welfare bill, economists have predicted, in a move that would kick “tough decisions into the long grass”. Healey, who resigned from Sir Keir Starmer’s government over the Treasury’s refusal to set out how it would lift [...]
Data centre builders could face new demands for priority grid access Tech The UK government is considering forcing data centre developers to invest in local communities and meet sustainability targets in exchange for priority access to the grid, as ministers miss their own deadline for introducing new planning rules. Under proposals being examined ahead of Wednesday’s Budget, developers could be required to make financial contributions to local [...]
Netflix defends Beat Luke Littler line-up after backlash at pros’ inclusion Sport Business Netflix insists that Fallon Sherrock and other faces from the PDC circuit were made to queue up and audition alongside thousands of hopefuls before being selected for its new live show, Beat Luke Littler. The programme has attracted a backlash from darts fans after it was initially billed as a chance for pub players to [...]
The Budget lever Healey could pull to tax family business succession October 27, 2026 Thousands of family businesses could face being priced out of passing their business down to their offspring should Chancellor John Healey to use his maiden Budget to clamp down on a little-known rule making it easier for firms to transfer ownership. Treasury officials have been mulling an overhaul of so-called company distribution rules that would [...]
Blackmail, deception and extinction: The AI risks revealed in Anthropic’s IPO pitch October 27, 2026 The Claude maker has warned of catastrophic AI failures, enormous infrastructure costs, huge circular investments and limited shareholder rights, as analysts question whether this blockbuster listing can justify a $2 trillion valuation. Anthropic has devoted 92 pages of its IPO prospectus to risks ranging from the potential extinction of humanity to AI systems resisting shutdown, [...]
Knicks trade publicly as MSG chief Dolan nets $10m pay-out October 27, 2026 The New York Knicks became the first NBA team in nearly two decades to be traded publicly on Tuesday after a spin-out by owners Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. The Big Apple firm created two companies for its two sports franchises – the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers ice hockey team – [...]
Government issues debt at highest interest rate since financial crisis on eve of Budget October 27, 2026 The Debt Management Office has been forced to sell nearly £5bn of five-year gilts at their highest interest rate since 2008, underscoring the fiscal challenge facing John Healey on the eve of his maiden Budget. The body responsible for selling the UK’s debt said it had issued £4.5bn of bonds maturing in 2032 at a [...]
Good AI adoption should force junior lawyers to think harder October 27, 2026 AI has entered the legal world, but rather than making lawyers lazier, it should force them to think harder, writes Alex Fortescue-Webb.
Poundland owners push retailer towards insolvency October 27, 2026 Poundland’s owners are resisting a takeover bid from an Irish property firm and instead pushing the discount retailer close to collapse. The leading bidder to take over the struggling discount retailer, Martin Property Group (MPG), has failed to win the favour of Poundland’s owners because it has not offered to pay for a loan up [...]
Fifa and Infantino at centre of escalating row among Asian football chiefs October 27, 2026 The war of words in Asian football over the future of Fifa president Gianni Infantino has escalated further after regional chiefs turned on critic Prince Ali bin Hussein of Jordan. Asia has become a key battleground for Infantino as he looks to extend his decade-long tenure at next year’s elections despite a widespread backlash to [...]