Politics
Refining the Consumer Duty to give greater confidence to wholesale firms
When the FCA introduced the Consumer Duty, we set out to do something simple but transformative: ensure financial services work better for consumers.
Politics
Politics
British American Tobacco to slash 9,000 jobs as it turns to AI
Dunhill maker to cut about a fifth of workforce, aiming to reduce costs and become more ‘technology enabled’
Politics
BT and Verizon to create joint global business in $625m deal
UK telecoms group’s 50/50 venture ends more than 18-month search for a buyer of its international operations
Politics
Reversing UK employment tax rises ‘would do little to help young people find jobs’
Resolution Foundation calls for extra funding for apprenticeships and increase in number of youth support grants
Politics
Keir Starmer's attempts to placate big tech were a disaster. Andy Burnham must take a stand | Beeban Kidron
Labour came to power promising to tackle Silicon Valley. But from workers’ rights to online privacy it has failed at almost every turn
Politics
Bank of England chief economist warns against ‘complacency’ in fight against inflation – business live
Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.
Politics
New campaign urges public to reduce water use as UK emerges from heatwave
Exclusive: £75m publicity drive will ask people to treat water as precious resource and cut daily use by 28 litres
Politics
Holidaymakers warned over social media scams for fake accommodation
Research suggests travel scams are on rise as experts advise doing some detective work to make sure holidays are real
Politics
‘We’re up against forces that have all the money in the world’: Erin Brockovich on her battle against AI datacentres
In 1993, she squeezed a $333m settlement from a Californian energy company in a scandal over contaminated water. Three decades later, she has a new target in her sights – and it’s global
Politics
‘Meet me at the dancing dogs tent!’ What’s behind Britain’s festival frenzy?
They used to mean crusties, hippies, all-male lineups, near riots and burning toilets. Now, from Dorset to Inverness, there’s a festival – and a costume – for everyone. What caused this boom? And is there a dark side?
Politics
London mayor to override opposition to outdoor dining in Soho next summer
Exclusive: Sadiq Khan plans to use new powers after local council opposes city scheme for seasonal pedestrianisation
Politics
Pause HS2 reset until you are confident it can be delivered, NAO tells ministers
Revised plans for HS2 should not be put into action until the government is confident they can be delivered, according to the public spending watchdog.
Politics
Shares in chipmakers underpinning AI boom rocket in first half of 2026
Value of some chip manufacturers have tripled, or more, driving Asia Pacific stock markets sharply higher
Politics
Sky makes £2bn spending pledge as it prepares takeover of ITV broadcasting arm
Sky has committed to spending £2bn on ITV’s studios business over the next five years as it hammers out a takeover of its broadcasting arm, a move that will safeguard the future of popular programmes such as Coronation …
Politics
‘Financial pandemic’: £1 in every £11 spent on UK public contractors goes to private equity
‘Treating children like cattle’: what happens when private equity takes over a UK care home?
Politics
Developers want to build on top of my flat and there’s nothing I can do to stop it | Letter
Mauro Murgia highlights how little safety or security there is for leasehold flat owners if the freeholder wants to monetise roof space
Politics
England players using drink developed by Brownlee to help beat World Cup heat
England’s players are using a sports drink developed by the double Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee to help control their body temperatures at the World Cup.
Politics
Ministers urged to curb energy costs as Great British homes face 13% bill surge
Quarterly Ofgem price cap rises to equivalent of £1,862 a year from 1 July amid growing consumer energy debt
Politics
Complaints filed to police watchdog over Met’s handling of Al Fayed abuse allegations
Survivors of abuse at the hands of the late Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed have complained to a watchdog about how the Metropolitan police handled allegations.
Politics
Sir Geoffrey Whalen obituary
One of the heroes of the British motor industry in the late 20th century, Sir Geoffrey Whalen, who has died aged 90, was bloodied in the interminable, but ultimately futile, battle to make British Leyland succeed, yet h…
Politics
Spirit airlines is dead and a bus travel boom looks likely – but will Greyhounds ever be cool again?
“It’s a grueling experience,” Greyhound bus enthusiast Miles Taylor explains. “You’re not treated very well. Everyone is yelling at you the entire time. When the bus is late, they blame you for it, like somehow you’ve d…
Politics
‘Crypto v community’: 4,000 local US lenders join forces to fight ‘stablecoins’ law
Up to 4,000 community banks fear looming legislation to regulate digital cash will deprive rural firms and farmers of $850bn-worth of loans
Politics
Ed Miliband as chancellor would benefit every part of the UK – and the bond markets | Josh Ryan-Collins
If Andy Burnham chooses the energy secretary, Labour could fully use the benefits of net zero to promote growth and jobs
Politics
‘Tech firms are losing the public’: social media age bans near tipping point
UK is latest country to set minimum age for social media access but big tech is fighting back globally against curbs