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Readers Push Back on Burnham's Consumer Rip-Off Crackdown

Readers respond to Andy Burnham's pledge to end subscription traps and misleading discounts, questioning whether the reforms go far enough to tackle the wider cost of living crisis.

4 min read

Frasers Group Buys Harvey Nichols in Rescue Deal Amid Administration

Frasers Group, owner of Sports Direct, has acquired Harvey Nichols out of administration, taking control of its stores, online business and international franchise as the luxury retailer undergoes restructuring.

4 min read

Ofwat Approves £3.4bn Extra Funding, Paving Way for Fresh Water Bill Rises

Ofwat has provisionally approved £3.4bn in extra funding for 13 water companies, pushing up bills for millions, while a separate final decision on disputed price controls for five firms took effect in August 2026.

5 min read

Zero-Hours Contract Reforms Could Cost Businesses Up to £2.9bn Annually

Government analysis shows Labour's zero-hours contract reforms could cost UK businesses up to £2.9bn annually, with retail and hospitality firms hit hardest as a consultation on hour thresholds gets under way.

4 min read

UK Economy Expands 0.4% in Second Quarter as Sunshine and World Cup Lift Spending

UK GDP grew 0.4% between April and June 2026, slowing from 0.6% in the first quarter, as warm weather and the men's football World Cup lifted services and retail spending.

3 min read

AI Money Sets Record: Hillsborough Estate Sells for $70m

A Hillsborough estate modeled on Lake Como villas has sold for $70m to a buyer in the AI industry, setting a local record as tech wealth reshapes the Bay Area luxury housing market.

5 min read

Australia to Force Tech Giants Into More News Deals as It Condemns Iran's Executions

Parliament is set to pass a bill forcing tech giants into more news-payment deals, as Australia joins global condemnation of Iran's executions and students prepare to rally against Pauline Hanson.

5 min read

Perth's 'Oldest Hotel' Owner Falls Into Administration Amid Financial Strain

Strathmore Hotels Ltd, owner of Perth's historic Salutation Hotel, has entered administration after sustained creditor pressure, with all eight sites continuing to trade and 410 jobs retained for now.

3 min read

Burnham Briefed on Risk of Near-Zero UK Growth if Iran War Drags On

Andy Burnham has been told UK growth could fall to just 0.3% in 2027 if Strait of Hormuz disruption from the Iran war continues, as new forecasts from the Bank of England, NIESR and OECD paint a mixed picture.

3 min read

US Inflation Ticks Down to 3.4% in July as Food and Energy Costs Ease

US annual inflation eased to 3.4% in July 2026 from 3.5% in June, as falling energy prices and slower food cost growth offset rising housing expenses, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

3 min read

Scotland’s Public Spending Deficit Narrows to £25.3bn as Tax Revenue Climbs

Scotland's public spending deficit fell by £600m to £25.3bn as tax revenue outpaced spending growth, according to the latest Gers figures, though earlier data showed the gap widening the year before.

4 min read

Burnham Concedes Cost-of-Living Steps Fall Short, Signals More Help to Come

Prime Minister Andy Burnham admits his cost-of-living measures are not enough and hints at further support, including changes to rail fares and public control of energy and water, as the national Cost of Living Payment scheme formally ends.

5 min read