‘Don’t feel great’: Treasury minister irked by Darren Jones and Mandelson texts Politics Treasury minister Lucy Rigby has appeared to criticise her fellow Cabinet colleague Darren Jones over texts he reportedly sent to Lord Peter Mandelson on the day he was sacked as ambassador to the US. Rigby, who currently holds Jones’ former role as chief secretary to the Treasury, told Sky News that she was unsettled by [...]
‘Bond market meltdown’: UK borrowing costs highest since 1998 as Starmer fights for survival Politics Warnings of a “bond market meltdown” flashed through the City on Tuesday after government borrowing costs soared as pressure mounted on Sir Keir Starmer’s future in Downing Street. For weeks, City investors have been on high alert as fears mounted that a mass rebellion would be triggered after devastating local election results. Traders fear the [...]
Jet fuel shortage looms as government scrambles to secure supplies Transport & Infrastructure The government is scrambling to secure UK airlines’ emergency access to jet fuel as global shipments fall to their lowest level on record. Global shipments of jet fuel have fallen to their lowest level on record, as the blockage to the Strait of Hormuz threatens to suffocate supply to the world’s airlines. Under 2.3m tonnes [...]
Economy could suffer for eight months after Iran war ends, minister says April 26, 2026 Surging food and energy prices caused by the Iran war could last for more than eight months after the conflict ends, Starmer’s right-hand man has said. Higher petrol, food and plane ticket prices will persist for “eight-plus months” following the end of the conflict, chief secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said. The minister [...]
Government to step up support for businesses affected by Iran war April 26, 2026 The government is ramping up efforts to offset the impact of the Iran war on UK businesses as concerns over energy prices continue to grow. In its latest attempt to ease the damage caused by the Middle East conflict, the government has opted to work directly with businesses, with the prime minister preparing to chair [...]
Starmer to U-turn on mandatory digital ID January 14, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer is expected to perform another U-turn by scrapping plans to make a national digital ID compulsory for all Brits. After backtracking on a number of policies, from the farm tax to the end of winter fuel payments, the Prime Minister is set to reveal that the government will no longer make all [...]
Labour’s mixed messages ‘confuses’ UK government procurement September 24, 2025 The UK government’s £400bn procurement budget used to deliver on key policies and projects has been squandered due to Labour’s mixed messaging on its priorities, a new report exclusively shared with CityAM has suggested. The state spends billions of pounds a day for public services, with everything from IT software to fighter jets and [...]
This is why Starmer’s recent reshuffle is doomed to fail September 11, 2025 Keir Starmer’s personnel switch-up is an attempt to get a firmer grip on his government’s economic policymaking. Helen Thomas lays out why it won’t work. Keir Starmer’s latest cabinet reshuffle was billed as a decisive break from his choppy first year in power. Yet this is less a bold national reset than a desperate rebrand. [...]
Minister rules out early election amid Government reshuffle September 6, 2025 A senior minister has denied the Government is in crisis after Angela Rayner’s resignation over her tax affairs triggered a major Cabinet reshuffle. Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said Sir Keir Starmer now has the “strongest team” in place after his former deputy quit for breaching the ministerial code. He ruled out [...]
Sidelining Reeves now is a big gamble September 4, 2025 Keir Starmer's mini reshuffle has sidelined Rachel Reeves just as the markets need a show of faith, writes Helen Thomas.