Chris Mason: VAT cut on summer fun – the announcement that didnt leak

Guy HedgecoeAragón, north-eastern Spain Juan Antonio Domínguez Spain gets more than half of its electricity from wind and solar On the edge of the sleepy town of Figueruelas, a single, vast wind turbine spins around, casting its shadow over the buildings nearby. It’s a reminder of the importance of renewable electricity in this windswept area…

There is another, less tangible ingredient: Lady Beckham herself. The woman who once seemed almost comically aloof has become increasingly willing to show the person behind the brand. She’s been known to post videos demonstrating her beauty products – often with wet hair, seemingly filmed in her bathroom. Lisa Maynard-Atem, a business strategy adviser, said…

The third stage of the Covid-19 Inquiry begins hearing evidence on Monday focusing on the measures taken to support workers’ incomes and keep businesses afloat when the pandemic struck. It will focus on what action the UK government, devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and local authorities took, how well schemes were designed…

Growth in the UK economy slowed by more than expected to 0.1% in the July-to-September period, official figures show, as car production slumped. The figure was below the 0.2% predicted by analysts, and is a blow to Chancellor Rachel Reeves less than two weeks ahead of the Budget in which she is widely expected to…

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. United Arab Emirates state energy company Adnoc has emerged as the frontrunner to buy Russia’s controlling stake in Serbia’s sole oil refinery, as Belgrade grows increasingly frustrated with Moscow’s foot-dragging under US sanctions. Adnoc, or…