London desk

Filed from the London desk — including multi-city pieces that also ran elsewhere.

Finance · 13 October 2026

UK grocery price inflation climbs again, shoppers chase deals and early Halloween bargains

Iris Quay, London desk

UK grocery price inflation has edged up again, prompting shoppers to rely on special offers and prompting a premature Halloween buying frenzy.

Finance · 13 October 2026

Pound’s Power‑Nap: IMF Says UK Growth Beats Forecast While Inflation Still Stings

Iris Quay, London desk

The International Monetary Fund projects the UK economy will grow faster than expected this year, but warns that household inflation will rise more sharply, leaving families to feel the pinch despite the upbeat growth ou…

Finance · 13 October 2026

IMF lifts UK growth outlook, but warns AI could crash markets – City sips tea in disbelief

Iris Quay, London desk

The IMF’s latest Global Financial Stability Report nudged up its forecast for UK growth, offering a modest boost to the Chancellor’s outlook. At the same time it warned that an AI‑driven plunge in share prices coul…

Finance · 13 October 2026

AI Shares Could Crumble Like a Scone, IMF Warns Global Markets Are on a Sticky Edge

Iris Quay, London desk

The International Monetary Fund has warned that an AI‑driven share‑price crash – fueled by soaring valuations, rising debt, government borrowing and cyber‑attack risks – could spill over into global financial s…

Business · 13 October 2026

Leicester City Owners Call In the Bid‑Book: Thai Investors Invite New Hands After a Decade of Glory

Iris Quay, London desk

Thai owners of Leicester City have asked potential buyers to submit offers this week, marking an exit ten years after the club’s Premier League triumph.

Politics · 13 October 2026

Burnham Calls Brexit Vote Legitimate, Says Russian Interference Was Just a Missed Stop

Reginald Penny, London desk

Prime Minister Burnham affirmed the Brexit referendum’s legitimacy while acknowledging Russian attempts to influence it, and urged MPs to pursue closer ties with the EU.

Business · 12 October 2026

£35bn Top‑up Needed to Meet Spend‑it‑All Pledges, IFS Warns

Iris Quay, London desk

The Institute for Fiscal Studies says Chancellor Rishi Healey will need a £35bn top‑up to keep the government’s spending promises, turning the budget into a high‑stakes financial puzzle.

Business · 12 October 2026

Microsoft’s Brad Smith says AI is less regulated than milk and urges UK to lead global rules

Iris Quay, London desk

Microsoft president Brad Smith warned that artificial intelligence faces fewer regulations than milk and washing machines, called for global safeguards like kill switches and victim compensation, and highlighted the Unit…

Finance · 12 October 2026

Inflation hits three‑year high as Nobel economics prize awarded, FTSE nudges up 0.5%

Iris Quay, London desk

UK inflation pressures rose to a three‑year high on the same day a Nobel economics prize was awarded, nudging the FTSE 100 up 53 points (0.5%) to 10,604, with HSBC gaining 2.1% and Standard Chartered 1.8%.