Creating a Defence Industrial base with no new money is going to be a challenge for any Defence Secretary. But, argues defence expert William Wallace, there are several free things that Dan Jarvis can starting thinking about before the NATO summit in Turkey, on 7-8th July.
As politicians call for more external appointments in Whitehall, Professor Nada Kakabadse argues that the real challenge lies not in recruitment, but governance.
Graeme Donnelly, CEO and founder of 1st Formations, explains why the King’s Speech’s proposed crackdown on late payments will help the SME economy.
Despite the new 5% VAT tax break for holiday attractions, tourism trade body leaders are speaking out about how government policies may not help the sector.
Jonathan Brown, CEO of Centre for a Better Britain, explains why Westminster needed a new think tank for a new political era
A new report reveals that axing carbon pricing would be a self destructive step for the UK economy.
As the Charity for Civil Servants marks its 140th anniversary, Neil Woollard argues that the officials who keep Britain functioning are too often caricatured, underpaid and overlooked — even as their work becomes central to national resilience.
Shipping moves 95 per cent of the UK’s trade. Most of the time, this happens smoothly until there is a global crisis, writes Rhett Hatcher, CEO of the Chamber of Shipping
The former Cabinet Office Minister resigned after pressure mounted on him following allegations of his conduct whilst a senior figure at Labour Together
A literary cross between School for Scoundrels and McMafia, William Cash enjoys George Cottrell and Burke Files’s guide to money laundering aimed at policymakers
The government’s communications operation has been publicly criticised by a senior ministerial aide who also plays a central role in overseeing that work, in a rare confrontation over how Downing Street manages its messaging and engagement with the media and public.
A transparent approach to lobbying needs to be taken if companies are to protect their reputations, according to a report by the Business and Democracy Commission released today.
Britain has secured a significant win for Scotland’s iconic whisky industry, with China agreeing to cut tariffs on Scotch whisky from 10 per cent to 5 per cent.
EU institutions have postponed the release of a long-anticipated industrial policy instrument, a move that has frustrated several national governments and delayed work on broader competitiveness initiatives. Reporting by EU policy outlets says the so-called Competitiveness Coordination tool has been delayed again, slowing progress on related Council workstreams tied to the European Competitiveness Fund and other flagship programmes.
Thousands of farmers descended on the streets of Strasbourg and other European cities this week ahead of a key vote in the European Parliament on the controversial trade deal between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc of South American countries.
Davos is meant to be the place where the global public affairs class can compress a year of stakeholder management into five days, with a badge, a diary, and a blizzard outside. In 2026 it is also where the public language of cooperation collides with the private mechanics of leverage.
New EU rules aim to speed up and align chemical safety assessments, reducing duplication between agencies while maintaining health and environmental protections
The FTSE 100 surpasses 10,000 for the first time, reflecting strong gains in commodities, defence and financial stocks.
The EU’s new green tariff regime begins, applying carbon costs to selected imports and reshaping how climate policy intersects with trade.
The European Commission launches a public consultation to update EU Arctic policy amid climate pressures and rising geopolitical stakes.
Virgin Atlantic opens a competitive pitch for its consumer PR account as the airline reassesses brand strategy and agency partnerships.
Meta agrees to overhaul its EU ad model, offering clearer data-sharing choices for users after regulators ruled its previous system breached competition rules.
Beijing calls on London to publicly endorse One-China, signalling a push for strategic alignment as China confronts Tokyo over Taiwan.
Mega‑mergers are surging in 2025, with Q3 deal values exceeding $1 trillion. Big names include Union Pacific’s $85 billion rail deal, Synopsys acquiring Ansys, and the creation of Paramount Skydance. Few but massive transactions dominate the landscape, aided by low financing costs and a willingness to reshuffle industry power.
Labour’s Employment Rights Bill is under pressure after Angela Rayner’s exit. Unions accuse Starmer of weakening core pledges like fire and rehire and day-one rights.
The AI sector has escalated political spending through lobbying and a new Pro‑AI Super PAC as elections near. Firms face legal pressures, including a wrongful death case and industry lawsuits. Regulatory fragmentation across states adds complexity. Surging investment in AI start‑ups continues despite economic concerns and mounting scrutiny.
UK long‑term borrowing costs have surged to their highest since 1998, with 30‑year gilt yields near 5.7 per cent. Sterling has slumped about 1 per cent against the dollar.
Markets plunge after weak jobs data and sharp downward revisions.
At Lancaster House, the UK government, royal sponsorship and global investors unveiled a summit to mobilise private finance behind UN biodiversity goals. The event launched new commitments on ecological investment, complemented by wider green finance initiatives and pending environmental legislation, all positioning the UK as a nexus for sustainable finance ahead of COP30.
Business‑backed think tanks are rapidly increasing their influence on UK policy through private donor funding, campaign papers and advisory roles. They impact areas from net zero infrastructure to trade. Concerns are growing over transparency and democratic accountability prompting calls for stricter funding disclosure rules.
Rachel Reeves is considering diluting Labour’s proposed inheritance tax reforms for non-doms after a rise in wealthy individuals leaving the UK. More than 4,400 directors have resigned in the past year, with high-profile business figures relocating. The Treasury is reviewing policy details ahead of the 2026 rollout.
Sir James Dyson has criticised Labour’s tax and National Insurance increases, warning they could stifle innovation and deter investment. The measures, part of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s 2025 Spending Review, have drawn mixed reactions from industry, with some sectors raising concern over rising costs amid broader economic uncertainty.
Rachel Reeves’ first spending review sets out Labour’s fiscal priorities, committing new funds to defence, the NHS and infrastructure projects like nuclear energy and housing. Despite limited headroom and rising borrowing, the review maintains capital investment while restricting departmental current spending, signalling tight fiscal control through 2029 without introducing new taxes.
Labour has cancelled a high-priced corporate conference due to weak demand from executives and lobbyists. The £5,000-per-head event faced criticism over costs and limited ministerial access. It follows broader business unease with Labour’s tax and regulatory plans and raises questions over the party’s approach to corporate engagement.
Reform UK has proposed raising the personal tax allowance to £20,000, a policy expected to cost up to £80 billion. The party plans to fund it by scrapping net-zero commitments and cutting public spending. Economists warn of fiscal risks, citing the absence of detailed costings or independent review.
Scotland’s ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2045 entails an estimated annual investment of £750 million over the next 20 years. The Climate Change Committee warns that without immediate, large-scale action, including rapid adoption of electric vehicles and heat pumps, the nation risks missing its legally binding climate targets.
Britain and the European Union have agreed a major new post-Brexit settlement, extending fishing rights, easing trade barriers, and opening defence and youth mobility cooperation. The deal marks a strategic reset in UK–EU relations and includes measures on carbon, energy, and migration. Political reactions at home remain sharply divided.
Brexit has enabled UK trade independence and divergence from EU regulation, especially in AI and climate policy. While Trump’s tariffs prompt a policy rethink, Labour’s green agenda faces internal resistance. Taxpayer-funded NGOs, often pushing degrowth, face criticism. Rising energy costs highlight the need to prioritize economic growth over restrictive policies.
Can new laws make farming pay? If not, our countryside faces the biggest threat for centuries
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Virtual MP’s surgeries are less strenuous and less time-consuming than their face-to-face equivalents. Josh Dell hails the benefits of their digitisation
Over the last year we’ve seen dozens of MPs switch parties or go independent. But how does such an unexpected move affect their hard-working staff?