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The United States has warned that Sir Keir Starmer’s push to realign the UK more closely with European Union rules risks undermining transatlantic trade, in a rare public intervention that highlights growing tensions over Britain’s post-Brexit strategy.

US warns Starmer’s EU reset could strain UK trade ties

27 March 2026 News Amy Ingham 0 Comments

The US has warned Keir Starmer’s plans to align with EU rules could disrupt UK-US trade, raising concerns over future economic ties.

Next has become only the fourth UK retailer in history to post annual pre-tax profits exceeding £1 billion, joining the ranks of Tesco, Marks & Spencer, and Kingfisher.

Next to invest £300m in UK logistics as new warehouse set to deliver £2.5bn boost

27 March 2026 News Amy Ingham 0 Comments

Next will invest £300m in UK warehouses, including a new Yorkshire site, as it targets £2.5bn economic boost and accelerates online growth.

The UK is expected to suffer the largest economic hit among major global economies from the ongoing Middle East conflict, according to the OECD, which has sharply downgraded its growth forecasts and warned of rising inflation risks.

UK set for biggest growth hit among major economies from Iran war, OECD warns

27 March 2026 News Amy Ingham 0 Comments

The OECD warns the UK will be hardest hit among major economies by the Iran war, cutting growth forecasts to 0.7% and raising inflation expectations.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is to cut up to 500 management roles in the UK as the automotive giant grapples with falling sales and the financial fallout from US import tariffs.

JLR halts Solihull production over supplier parts issue

27 March 2026 News Amy Ingham 0 Comments

Jaguar Land Rover has paused production at its Solihull plant for two weeks due to a supplier parts issue affecting Range Rover models.

North Sea jobs safeguarded as HMRC drops challenge to Petrofac rescue deal

26 March 2026 News Amy Ingham 0 Comments

Over 2,000 North Sea jobs are set to be saved after HMRC drops its challenge to Petrofac’s restructuring deal, clearing the way for a sale to CB&I.

Car mechanic inspecting wheel and suspension detail of lifted automobile at repair service station

UK faces looming shortage of EV mechanics as transition gathers pace

26 March 2026 News Amy Ingham 0 Comments

Britain faces a shortage of 44,000 EV-trained mechanics as electric vehicle adoption rises, with independent garages slow to invest in training.

Co-op Group has confirmed that chief executive Shirine Khoury-Haq will step down, following mounting pressure over workplace culture concerns and a difficult year marked by losses and a damaging cyberattack.

Co-op chief executive steps down amid culture concerns and cyberattack fallout

26 March 2026 News Amy Ingham 0 Comments

Co-op CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq is stepping down after reporting losses, a major cyberattack and allegations of a toxic workplace culture.

Barclays has reported a 19 per cent rise in first-quarter profits, as market turmoil driven by Donald Trump’s return to the White House boosted trading revenues across its investment banking arm. The FTSE 100 lender posted pre-tax profits of £2.7 billion for the three months to the end of March, beating City forecasts of £2.5 billion. The performance was powered by a surge in revenues from Barclays’ markets division, which capitalised on investor reaction to sweeping policy changes by the Trump administration. Revenues in the markets business climbed 16 per cent year-on-year to nearly £2.7 billion, driven by a 21 per cent increase in fixed income, currencies and commodities trading, and a 9 per cent rise in equities. Activity soared as traders helped clients rapidly rebalance portfolios in response to new US trade and economic measures. The gains offset a rise in loan loss provisions across the group, which increased to £643 million from £513 million a year earlier. Barclays said this included a £74 million charge for “elevated US macroeconomic uncertainty”, reflecting the potential impact of Trump’s newly imposed global tariffs. The results mark a win for chief executive CS Venkatakrishnan, known as Venkat, who unveiled a three-year transformation plan in early 2023 to revive shareholder confidence and reposition the bank. His strategy includes rebalancing Barclays away from its historically volatile investment banking arm and bolstering its UK consumer and corporate businesses, alongside a commitment to return £10 billion to shareholders by the end of 2026. Investment banking fees also saw a strong uplift, rising 16 per cent to £1.2 billion from advising on takeovers, capital raises, and debt issuance. Despite the market gains, challenges remain for Barclays as it navigates a shifting global landscape. Trump’s new trade tariffs, including heavy levies on Chinese goods, pose risks to the global economy and could threaten growth in the UK and US — key markets for the bank. Venkat acknowledged the uncertain backdrop but struck an optimistic tone: “Our high quality, diversified businesses, together with proactive risk, capital and liquidity management and a robust balance sheet, position us well to support our customers and clients and deliver strong risk-adjusted returns in a wide range of macroeconomic scenarios.” Barclays shares have performed strongly since Venkat’s turnaround plan was announced last year, but ongoing geopolitical and economic volatility may test the resilience of his strategy in the months ahead.

Barclays pulls back from lending after private credit losses

26 March 2026 News Amy Ingham 0 Comments

Barclays is scaling back lending to smaller borrowers after losses linked to private credit firm collapses, shifting focus to larger corporate clients.

Vodafone faces a landmark £85m High Court claim from franchisees alleging mistreatment, with MPs calling for tighter regulation of the UK franchise sector.

Vodafone faces £85m High Court battle as franchise row sparks political scrutiny

26 March 2026 News Amy Ingham 0 Comments

Vodafone faces a landmark £85m High Court claim from franchisees alleging mistreatment, with MPs calling for tighter regulation of the UK franchise sector.

Amidst tumbling energy costs and a fierce price war among supermarkets, food price inflation in the UK has reached its lowest level in almost two years, offering a respite to households grappling with stretched budgets.

UK inflation holds at 3% ahead of expected post-war price surge

25 March 2026 News Jamie Young 0 Comments

UK inflation remained at 3% in February, but rising oil prices from the Iran conflict are expected to push inflation higher later this year.

The head of the world’s largest asset manager has warned that a sustained surge in oil prices to $150 a barrel could push the global economy into a sharp recession, as geopolitical tensions continue to destabilise energy markets.

Blackrock chief warns $150 oil could trigger global recession

25 March 2026 News Jamie Young 0 Comments

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink warns oil at $150 could trigger a global recession, as energy costs, inflation and geopolitical risks reshape the economic outlook.

The UK is set to ramp up its weapons manufacturing capabilities in a strategic move to reduce reliance on imports from the United States and France, amid growing concerns over the reliability of international defence partners.

UK factory costs surge at fastest rate since black wednesday amid energy shock

25 March 2026 News Jamie Young 0 Comments

UK factory costs have risen at their fastest pace since 1992 as energy prices spike, with PMI data showing growth slowing sharply and inflation risks mounting.

Nik Storonsky, the billionaire co-founder and chief executive of Revolut, has moved his official residency from the UK to the United Arab Emirates, according to filings made to Companies House.

Revolut posts record £1.7bn profit as it eyes UK credit card launch

25 March 2026 News Jamie Young 0 Comments

Revolut reports record £1.7bn profit and plans UK credit card launch after securing banking licence, as customer growth passes 70 million globally.

Merlin Entertainments has written down the value of its Madame Tussauds business by £262 million, reflecting ongoing pressure on visitor numbers and shifting consumer behaviour across key global markets.

Merlin writes down Madame Tussauds by £262m as visitor numbers fall

25 March 2026 News Amy Ingham 0 Comments

Merlin Entertainments takes a £262m writedown on Madame Tussauds as visitor numbers decline and the group pushes to reinvent the brand.

Mike Lynch, the British tech entrepreneur recently acquitted in a high-stakes £8bn fraud case, is missing after his yacht sank off the coast of Sicily.

Mike Lynch estate faces wipeout after $1.24bn HPE damages ruling

24 March 2026 News Jamie Young 0 Comments

Mike Lynch’s estate faces potential wipeout after a $1.24bn High Court damages ruling in favour of HPE over the Autonomy fraud case.

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