Martin Stabe

News, analysis and comment from the Financial Times, the worldʼs leading global business publication

News, analysis and comment from the Financial Times, the worldʼs leading global business publication

News, analysis and comment from the Financial Times, the worldʼs leading global business publication

Who did Conservative MPs support to become their party leader and the UK’s next prime minister?

When Alexandra Rodriguez asked her landlord to repair the fire alarm in her rented flat in south London, she did not expect his response to be an eviction notice. Yet he sent her a formal request to vacate the flat within two months — then re-advertised it at a rent nearly 40 per cent higher. “They advertised the property on Rightmove at £1,800 per month . . . that’s why they got rid of us,” said the 37-year-old science technician, adding that she was still “emotionally and financially” recover…

Rishi Sunak’s government is exploring major changes to inheritance tax in a bid to boost the Conservative party’s standing ahead of the UK general election expected next year. The potential changes include cutting the rate at which the highly divisive tax is levied — at present 40 per cent — or abolishing it altogether. Asked about discussions inside government on the issue, the prime minister said he did not “comment on tax speculation”. “The most important tax cut I can deliver for the Briti…

The coastal strip of Gaza, the hemmed-in Palestinian enclave under Israeli bombardment, has grown over seven decades of displacement and conflict into a community that is almost unique in the world. Covering an area roughly a quarter of London, Gaza is more crowded in parts than Manhattan — even though it lacks the high-rise buildings. Its population of 2.3mn includes almost as many children as adults, and Israel and Egypt control the only access points. Israeli authorities tightly control what…

People “have had enough of experts”, said Michael Gove, now UK housing secretary, during the Brexit campaign in 2016. In 2023 the stock market agreed. Professional investors were wrongfooted by the unexpected strength of the US economy. Bets on consumer cyclical stocks such as Nestlé, which might have performed well in a recession, floundered. Any portfolio without at least some of the “magnificent seven” tech stocks, or some esoteric, crypto-related companies, was basically sunk. This is, of…

Private schools in England are seeking to attract more overseas students as they prepare for the prospect of Labour imposing a sales tax on their fees if it wins the next general election. The drive is one of a number of ways independent school leaders are looking to shore up their finances and ensure a steady supply of students in the next academic year. Some headteachers are examining where bursaries and scholarship offerings could be cut back, while others are allowing parents to pay fees s…