March
Why everyone in Britain is talking about Netflix’s Adolescence
The show has captured how British society is grappling with what it means to be a boy when the loudest voices defining masculine identity belong to Andrew Tate and Donald Trump.
Rachel Reeves unveils $28.6b repair job after UK growth downgraded
The chancellor’s midyear statement details cuts to welfare and government spending, and an increase in defence spending.
UK orders probe into energy grid after Heathrow shutdown
Friday’s fire at an electricity substation that shut down Europe’s busiest airport raises questions about the resilience of the country’s infrastructure.
Starmer follows Albanese not Europe, as UK responds to Trump tariffs
The British prime minister has opted not to hit back with retaliatory tariffs, and instead wants broader trade talks with the US.
Starmer, Macron seek to wrest Ukraine initiative back from Trump
European leaders have hatched plans to develop their own Ukraine peace deal that they’ll sell to the US president, including a peacekeeping “coalition of the willing”.
February
How Starmer’s Labour Party went from victory to chaos
The UK chancellor is going to have to do one of two things for political survival: raise taxes, or cut public spending, because Britain is living far beyond its means.
UK orders Apple to let it spy on users’ encrypted accounts
The British government’s undisclosed demand, issued last month, requires blanket capability to view fully encrypted material.
Bank of England cuts key UK interest rate to 4.5pc
The latest reduction reflects some concern about the outlook for the British economy, which has barely grown over the past six months.
Can the UK chancellor save Britain’s economy?
The UK has underinvested for decades and now faces serious growth and budget constraints.
January
The mega-airport everyone loves to hate is set to get a lot bigger
Heathrow is already four times the size of Sydney’s CBD, but the British government is ready to let a controversial expansion plan go through.
Are bond traders about to topple another treasurer?
The UK is being forced to borrow at rates not seen for decades – piling pressure on Sir Keir Starmer, who wants to fix public services but not raise taxes.
Elon Musk goes large in Europe
Musk has money, a pulpit, and the imprimatur of the White House. But does he actually have a plan for remaking Europe? If not, there are other Trumpians who do.
UK treasurer flies to China as Britain braces for more market turmoil
Rachel Reeves was criticised for being “missing in action” in parliament question time as she flew to Beijing for meetings with communist officials and businesses.
Musk ‘discussed removing Starmer from No 10’
UK Labour MPs believe that Elon Musk’s attacks on Sir Keir “probably help” the embattled prime minister.
Elon Musk, the most powerful troll on Earth, targets the UK
As the world’s richest man and a member of Trump’s team, Musk has enormous influence, and his admirers in both America and Britain have taken up the cause.
Starmer leads European pushback against ‘troll’ Musk
The leaders of Germany, France and the UK have all railed gainst the increasingly punchy political interventions from the X owner and Donald Trump confidant.
December 2024
UK economy flat-lines in new setback for Starmer government
GDP is estimated to change 0 per cent in the third quarter and officials have slashed expectations for future growth.
Macquarie’s embattled UK water asset gets go-ahead to jack up bills
Southern Water’s debt was downgraded to junk status this year, and regulators have prevented the company from paying its Australian owner any dividends.
Musk is ‘ready to bankroll’ UK populist Farage. Is Australia next?
The Reform UK leader is potentially in line for a massive injection of support from the X owner. Could the billionaire be looking at Down Under, too?
Bank of England pauses rate cuts as inflation picks up
The BoE did not join its rate-cutting peers in the US and Europe because, despite a flatlining economy, prices and wages have gathered pace.