JD Wetherspoon reported revenues of £2.13 billion for the year to 27 July, up 4.5% on the previous period. Like-for-like sales rose 5.1%, with growth driven by bar and food sales; hotel room revenue fell nearly 12% after the group exited online UK booking agents. The pub operator ended the year with 794 pubs and plans to open 15 managed and 15 franchised sites in the year ahead. Chairman Tim […]

Dame Sarah Mullally has been named the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the 106th holder of the post. The former chief nursing officer for England will take on the role in an archbishop-designate capacity ahead of a forthcoming legal ceremony to formalise the appointment. The position had been vacant for almost a year after Justin Welby announced his resignation over failures in handling an abuse scandal, with Archbishop of […]

Which? Money, in collaboration with Reclaim Finance and Global Canopy, assessed the environmental policies of 16 UK current accounts providers and found that several large lenders funded fossil fuels to a substantial degree last year, while only two met high ethical standards. The Co-operative Bank and Triodos Bank were recognised for having no fossil-fuel exposure in their banking activities, earning Which? Money’s Eco Provider endorsement. Triodos was noted for publishing […]

Taylor Swift has said her track Opalite is Travis Kelce’s favourite on her new album, The Life Of A Showgirl. The pop star spoke on The Graham Norton Show, which was filmed on Thursday and is due to air on Friday as the album is released. She said her father is excited about Opalite, and fans have speculated the song could reference her fiancé, the American football player Kelce, whom […]

The Green Party said Labour is too closely aligned with Reform UK as its Bournemouth conference begins. New leader Zack Polanski is due to set out a policy package ahead of May local elections, including proposals to tax the assets of the wealthiest 1% to help reduce bills and fund public services. He is expected to say the Greens want to build a country that everyone can afford to live […]

A Holyrood committee has backed the general principles of the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill. The measure would require councils and other public bodies to draw up plans aimed at generating, circulating and retaining wealth in local economies, including potential increases in local procurement. The Scottish Government would also be obliged to publish a parliamentary statement detailing actions to reduce wealth inequalities and boost wealth in local areas. The Economy […]

Taylor Swift has released her 12th studio album, The Life Of A Showgirl, which she calls a self-portrait. The record arrived at 5am in the UK, with fans waking early to hear it. In an Instagram post she said she was 'so proud' to share the new record and that it 'feels so right'. Swift thanks mentors and producers Max Martin and Shellback, saying they helped her paint this self-portrait. […]