April 2025 payment dates for benefits and pensions as Labour announces cuts

European telecoms are pursuing mergers with hopes that new EU competition chief Teresa Ribera will relax merger regulations. Companies like Telenor and Telefónica are considering acquisitions, citing the challenge of market fragmentation in Europe, which has 41 mobile operators. While Ribera aims to factor in innovation and social goals in merger decisions, there are concerns from consumer organizations about potential negative impacts on prices and services, indicating a cautious approach to any changes in competition...

The EU, the largest single market globally, has the potential to reduce its dependence on exports to the US and China despite recent tensions with the Trump administration, which has imposed tariffs and questioned NATO commitments. To strengthen its position, Europe should complete its capital and banking unions, establish trade deals worldwide, enhance defense capabilities, support Ukraine militarily, and foster partnerships with countries that view the EU as a reliable ally. Additionally, attracting US tech...

A leaked report reveals that British cancer patients are suffering due to Brexit-related delays, which prevent access to life-saving drugs and disrupt clinical trials for innovative treatments. As cancer diagnoses rise amidst an ageing population and enhanced awareness, the need for global collaboration in developing new medicines has become increasingly crucial. The report underscores the human cost of these clinical trial setbacks, emphasizing that "children with cancer cannot wait" for timely access to essential treatments....

The EU is set to propose special youth visas at the upcoming summit, with a rebranded “youth opportunity scheme” expected to be a key topic, offering renewed travel opportunities post-Brexit. This development is particularly promising given anticipated new European train routes, potentially including direct connections from London to Italy. However, Brexit's consequences extend beyond travel, negatively impacting trade, productivity, healthcare with ongoing drug shortages, and hindering cancer research due to difficulties in attracting scientists and...

The Treasury believes that relaxing financial regulations will enhance growth, a notion that lacks substantial evidence and may increase systemic risks. In an effort to maintain London's financial attractiveness post-Brexit, it has proposed easing rules for alternative asset managers, despite the lessons learned from the 2008 financial crisis about the dangers of lax regulation. This aligns with Rachel Reeves’s view that a larger financial sector promotes economic prosperity, while the chancellor argues that previous post-crisis...

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is visiting Washington to advocate for global free trade and urge the Trump administration to reduce tariffs on UK car and steel exports. During meetings at the IMF and World Bank, she will discuss a UK/US trade deal with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, emphasizing Britain's national interest in trade negotiations. While seeking to strengthen ties with the EU, China, and India, Reeves faces challenges in balancing concessions to the US with maintaining...