Business & Economy

Published: 05 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Marks & Spencer has reported that its profits more than halved after a major cyber-attack disrupted its operations, hitting its clothing and homeware business hard. The retailer said underlying profits fell to £184.1 million in the six months to 27 September, down from £413.1 million the previous year, as it struggled to restore its online systems. The cyber-attack,...

Published: 05 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Gopichand Hinduja, the billionaire industrialist who led Britain’s richest business dynasty, has died at the age of 85. The Hinduja family confirmed his passing on Tuesday in London, describing the loss as a profound one for both the family and the wider business community. A spokesperson for the family said, “He will leave a deep hole at the...

Published: 05 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. A coalition of thinktanks from across the political spectrum is urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to use her upcoming budget to overhaul what they describe as the “broken” UK tax system. The proposals, published this week, call for bold changes including abolishing stamp duty, merging income tax with national insurance, and simplifying tax rules to ensure that all income...

Published: 05 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Seven people lost their lives when a UPS cargo plane crashed during takeoff at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday evening. The violent incident also left at least 11 others injured, as the plane exploded into thick black smoke shortly after departing at around 17:15 local time (22:15 GMT). Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that...

Published: 04 November 2025 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online In a bold and politically charged move, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has signalled that she is prepared to raise income tax, breaking a major Labour manifesto pledge, as she prepares her upcoming Budget later this month. Speaking from Downing Street on Tuesday morning, Reeves made it clear that the government would prioritise economic stability and the national...

Published: 04 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. The parent company of Primark, Associated British Foods (ABF), has announced that it is considering splitting its fashion retail business from its extensive food division, which includes well-known brands such as Twinings, Kingsmill, and Silver Spoon. The potential separation is part of a strategic review aimed at “maximising long-term value” amid a “challenging external backdrop”, the company confirmed...

Published: 04 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. In a surprising twist that has delighted food lovers across the globe, a small independent London bagel shop has claimed the crown as Deliveroo’s most popular food item worldwide this year. Papo’s Bagels, a family-run establishment in Dalston, saw its signature “Classic Bagel” rise above orders from major restaurant chains and international brands, highlighting the enduring appeal of...

Published: 04 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Campaigners are set to challenge the UK water regulator, Ofwat, in court over claims that it is unlawfully allowing water companies to charge households twice for essential investments aimed at reducing sewage pollution. The legal challenge, brought by River Action, will argue that the regulator’s current approach to approving water company bills means that customers could be paying...

Published: 03 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Ryanair’s outspoken chief executive, Michael O’Lear,y has launched a scathing attack on the Labour government, declaring that the UK economy is “doomed” under the current leadership and warning that punitive tax policies could cripple business growth. His remarks came just weeks before the highly anticipated UK budget announcement, scheduled for 26 November, as the airline reported a significant...

Published: 03 November 2025 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online In one of the most remarkable brewing projects of the century, a Scottish brewer is preparing to open and revive a 150-year-old bottle of beer that once sailed with explorers bound for the Arctic. Dougal Gunn Sharp, founder and master brewer of Edinburgh-based Innis & Gunn, has announced plans to unseal the ancient bottle of Allsopp’s...