Accounting & Finance
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Ex-EU chief warns of green backsliding — but businesses call for more ambition
Europe is losing climate ground, warns the bloc’s first commissioner. Former EU climate chief Connie Hedegaard has warned that political and corporate complacency is eroding the European Union’s environmental leadership. Her remarks follow a series of policy rollbacks and investor concerns over the credibility of Europe’s net zero transition.
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Reversing data debt: Insurance’s untapped growth engine
Insurance generates data at an extraordinary scale every day. But for all its analytical muscle, most insurers remain constrained by legacy systems and siloed data environments. Rory Yates, Global Head of Strategy at EIS, argues that industry growth requires reimagining how data is managed, shared, and operationalised.
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BOE cuts rates, warns high inflation here to stay
Bank of England cuts rates, but inflation remains a threat. The narrow vote and latest projections signal a longer period of above-target inflation, with the Bank’s policymakers split and business leaders now facing a more uncertain path to normalisation.
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Reeves urged to tax private healthcare
Labour faces calls to impose VAT on private healthcare. Former Labour leader Lord Kinnock suggests this could generate over £2 billion annually in funding for the NHS, amid growing pressure on the government to address fiscal shortfalls.
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Is the Bank about to cut again?
A fifth rate cut looks likely despite persistent inflation signals. With the labour market cooling and GDP contracting, the Bank appears ready to resume easing. Our read: a divided MPC will vote for a 25bps cut, with caution in its tone but confidence in direction.
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Labour revives pensions body over savings fears
The UK government revives the Pensions Commission to address retirement poverty. Ministers are concerned that future retirees may face greater financial challenges than current pensioners. The commission will explore solutions to improve savings and retirement conditions for today’s workforce.
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LSEG explores 24-hour equities trading model
LSEG is considering a 24-hour stock-trading model for London. The exchange has begun early-stage talks on extending SETS and dark-pool equities trading far beyond its current 08:00–16:30 window. Brokers say a discussion paper could emerge by late 2025 — potentially reshaping UK share trading for the first time in over 50 years.
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Calls for Bank of England rate cut grow louder
One leading voice urges the Bank of England to act. Despite an unexpected inflation uptick in June, deVere Group’s CEO is pressing for a rate cut, arguing that growth risks now outweigh concerns over persistent price pressures.
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L&G and Blackstone set $20bn credit pact
Legal & General and Blackstone have agreed a major new partnership. The deal could see up to $20 billion of annuity premiums invested in US investment-grade private credit over five years, marking one of the largest cross-Atlantic insurance–asset management tie-ups in the sector.
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FCA sets out new ‘targeted support’ advice model
The FCA has proposed a major reform to investment guidance. A new ‘targeted support’ category would let firms give low-cost prompts to consumers without breaching advice rules, aiming to address a gap that leaves millions without affordable help.
