Revenues of water company to be cut by regulator

Survivors of a deadly typhoon in the Philippines have initiated a legal claim against Shell, the UK's largest oil company, citing the climate impacts of fossil fuels as a contributing factor to the disaster. This marks the first legal action of its kind in the UK, highlighting the growing accountability of fossil fuel companies in climate-related issues.

The UK housing market has experienced a slowdown following a tax-raising budget, as indicated by a recent survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). This decline reflects growing concerns among buyers and sellers regarding economic stability and future housing prices.

Major private equity-backed companies in the UK are reportedly failing to meet essential financial reporting guidelines established nearly two decades ago, according to the Private Equity Reporting Group (PERG). This non-compliance raises concerns about transparency and accountability within the sector.

The United States has proposed a new requirement for social media disclosure for visitors from visa-free countries, including the UK, France, and Australia. This change aims to enhance security measures and transparency regarding the online activities of foreign nationals entering the US.

Nu Quantum, a British startup focused on developing networking infrastructure for quantum computers, has successfully raised $60 million in a Series A funding round, marking one of the largest such rounds in the UK. This investment reflects growing confidence among investors in the potential of quantum technology.

A recent survey indicates that individuals in the UK are spending an average of four hours and 30 minutes online daily in 2025, surpassing the time spent during the pandemic. This trend highlights a significant shift in digital engagement among the population.

The Institute for Public Policy Research has indicated that the UK may soon see a reduction in the premium it pays to borrow compared to other major countries, as confidence in the government's fiscal strategy grows following Chancellor Rachel Reeves's autumn budget announcement. This budget aims to increase the UK's financial headroom significantly by 2030.

UK gilt yields have seen a slight decrease compared to other major economies, indicating a potential shift in the bond markets as Chancellor Rachel Reeves navigates fiscal challenges. Despite this drop, the UK still faces a significant premium on borrowing costs, with 10-year government gilt yields rising compared to US Treasury bonds and eurozone counterparts since the last general election.