Could Elon Musk and Nigel Farage upend British politics? December 5, 2024 Labour’s majority is enormous, but it only gives us the appearance of stability. All the evidence suggests their support is broad but shallow and their victory was as much a question of good luck and good timing as it was a literal vote of support for Labour’s policies. The Tory party is basically neck and [...]
Revolut crowdfunders in line for 400 times return on investment December 5, 2024 Some of Revolut’s earliest investors are in line for 400 times returns after taking a punt on a fledgling fintech that has grown into a banking titan. The British start-up’s early backers, including participants in two crowdfunding rounds, have been offered the chance to sell down their holdings in a secondary share sale. Brokered by [...]
Hedge fund managers could buy land, MPs told, as Tories fail to scrap ‘farm tax’ December 4, 2024 Hedge fund managers could buy up farmland if UK farmers sell up to avoid the inheritance levy, MPs were told, as the Tories brought a vote on the so-called ‘family farms tax’. Conservative MPs used an opposition day debate on Wednesday to bring a Commons vote on Labour’s Budget measure which would see farmers pay [...]
Another London-listed firm goes private as deals bonanza accelerates December 4, 2024 Another London Stock Exchange-listed firm waved through a take-private deal today in the latest of a torrent of exits from the City’s bourse this year. Learning Technologies, an AIM listed edtech company, agreed to an £836m takeover from US private equity behemoth General Atlantic, making it one of 45 listed companies to sell-up or enter [...]
The Importance of Being Earnest at National Theatre review December 4, 2024 Max Webster’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest opens with Ncuti Gatwa’s Algernon swathed in hot pink ballgown and draped over a piano. Start as you mean to go. The play is a luscious, saturated explosion that unfolds like a musical number of carefully choreographed wordplay. It is a celebration of appetite and queerness, [...]
Lloyds boss says motor finance scandal poses threat to UK economy December 4, 2024 The chief executive of Lloyds Banking Group has warned that controversy over now-banned motor finance deals poses a threat to the UK economy. Speaking at the Financial Times’ Global Banking Summit on Wednesday, Charlie Nunn said a shock court ruling in October over ‘secret’ car loan commissions “creates an investability problem” for Britain’s wider consumer [...]
Fancy coloured diamonds boosts sales at Boodles December 4, 2024 Revenue has increased significantly at Boodles, the historic jewellery retailer, thanks to a rise in demand for white and fancy coloured diamonds. The family-run business, which was founded in 1798, said revealed its trading in the year to 28 February, 2025, has so far been “encouragingly strong” and showing a “significant increase” in revenue and net [...]
Debenhams makes first profit since Boohoo rescue December 4, 2024 Debenhams has returned to the black for the first time since it was rescued out of administration by Boohoo in 2021. For the year to 29 February, 2024, the firm’s marketplace arm has reported a pre-tax profit of £4.5m, having posted a pre-tax loss of £732,000 for the prior 12 months. Its revenue has also [...]
Costain wins major HS2 contract December 4, 2024 The deal will see Costain supply tunnel and lineside mechanical and electrical system over a seven-year period.
South Western Railway, C2C and Greater Anglia to be nationalised in 2025 December 4, 2024 SWR will come under state ownership in May, followed by C2C and Greater Anglia in July and autumn 2025, respectively.