UK and Germany sign £52m contract for cutting-edge artillery
The UK has signed a £52 million contract with Germany for state-of-the-art military artillery. HM GovernmentSource
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Keep the warmth, lose the risk: MHRA and National Fire Chiefs Council issue winter emollient safety warning
As colder weather arrives, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) are urging the public to be aware of fire risks linked to emollient skin creams. HM GovernmentSource
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Report 10/2025: Derailment of a freight train at Audenshaw
RAIB has today released its report into a derailment of a freight train at Audenshaw, Greater Manchester, 6 September 2024. HM GovernmentSource
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FCA stops Verus Financial Services Limited from carrying out regulated activities and tightens asset restrictions
The FCA has removed all regulatory permissions from Verus Financial Services Limited requiring it to stop conducting all regulated activities and imposed a more stringent assets restriction. The action follows concerns that the firm has repeatedly breached an existing asset restriction, which prevented it from selling, transferring or
Read MoreGreater flexibility to be given for setting future contactless limits
People could find it easier to pay using contactless, thanks to greater flexibility and the removal of red tape by the FCA. Banks and payment providers with strong fraud controls will be able to set their own limit for contactless payments, allowing them to better respond to changing
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Wealth Management Companies in Canada 2026
When I first wrote about the best financial advisors in Canada it got some attention from Canada’s wealth management companies due to the news and social media attention it received. If you’re not sure what exactly the difference is between a wealth management firm and a financial planning
Read MoreInvestigation into WH Smith PLC
We confirm that the FCA has opened an investigation into WH Smith PLC. The investigation concerns potential breaches of UK Listing Principles and Rules and Disclosure and Transparency Rules in relation to the matters announced by WH Smith PLC on 19 November 2025. FCASource
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2026 Economic and Market Predictions
Before we get to my economic and stock market predictions for 2026, I invite you to check out last week’s report column to see how I did in my 2025 predictions. As usual, I’m going to offer a general disclaimer: This isn’t meant to be direct investment advice.
Read MoreFCA welcomes reform to the UK Benchmarks Regulation
The FCA welcomes the Government’s consultation on a new benchmarks regime for the UK. Since the introduction of the current regulatory framework, the financial landscape has evolved significantly. We now have an opportunity to build a regime that is more targeted to current market conditions and to reduce
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The Misfit Tree
People often ask me where I get ideas for this Substack. The simple answer is everywhere, even a Christmas tree lot on a cold night in December. When my brother and I were kids, each year we would make the annual trip with our dad to pick out
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