London desk

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

Business · 12 October 2026

Football Watchdog Unveils Levy Proposal to Stabilize Finances

Iris Quay, London desk

The English football watchdog is set to reveal a levy proposal in an effort to stabilize the precarious finances within the professional football pyramid. Critics argue it's merely another tax, but the report highlights…

Business · 11 October 2026

Buzz Bingo’s Owner Eyes Sale as Tax Raid Threat Looms

Iris Quay, London desk

Buzz Bingo’s owner is exploring a sale while its chief cautions that another budget‑driven tax audit could jeopardise the future of the bingo industry, despite a recent lift in numbers.

Business · 11 October 2026

Cardigan Denim: The Unlikely Home of Britain’s Premium Jeans

Iris Quay, London desk

Hiut Denim, a small factory in Cardigan, Wales, is reviving local denim skills and producing premium British jeans, challenging the notion that luxury denim must be made in global fashion hubs.

Business · 11 October 2026

M&S and John Lewis CEOs warn Chancellor that business rates could choke high‑street shops

Iris Quay, London desk

The chief executives of Marks & Spencer and John Lewis have written to the Chancellor urging a reform of business rates, warning that the current burden threatens to squeeze high‑street retailers.

World · 11 October 2026

Delhi’s ‘Cockroach’ Movement Leaders Detained in a Crackdown Even Pest Control Would Envy

Tom Wick, London desk

Hundreds of supporters and the leaders of India’s “Cockroach” movement were detained in Delhi while tens of thousands of security personnel sealed off roads and imposed a city‑wide lockdown ahead of a planned mas…

Business · 10 October 2026

Axel Springer Trims Telegraph Newsroom After Investment Promise

Iris Quay, London desk

German media group Axel Springer, the new owner of the Telegraph, has announced a plan to cut between 50 and 100 editorial positions, a reversal of its earlier pledge to invest in the paper.

Finance · 10 October 2026

NS&I's 5% Surge: The Great Rate Race May Hit a Speed Limit

Iris Quay, London desk

National Savings & Investments has pushed some accounts above 5% for the first time in almost three years, sparking a short‑lived rate frenzy that experts say could cool quickly as competition heats up.

Finance · 10 October 2026

The City’s Courtroom Clean‑Up: Bittar Joins the ‘Unconvicted Eight’

Iris Quay, London desk

Former City trader Christian Bittar’s conviction for rigging interest rates has been quashed, making him the eighth former banker to have his conviction overturned, days after five other ex‑bankers were acquitted.

Sports · 10 October 2026

Verstappen grabs Singapore Sprint pole, under investigation for yellow‑flag pass

Tom Wick, London desk

Max Verstappen secured pole for the Singapore Grand Prix sprint, edging out George Russell. However, stewards have opened an investigation after he passed Lewis Hamilton while a yellow flag was displayed during qualifyin…