Glass Ratner

Thames Water’s deepening crisis has become a litmus test for how the UK regulates, finances, and governs its most essential infrastructure. Over the past three decades, private capital has transformed low-risk utilities into overleveraged financial assets – prioritising short-term returns over long-term investment, environmental sustainability, service quality and affordability.

In recent weeks, the UK has concluded three bilateral trade agreements: a symbolic reset with the EU, a narrow tariff reprieve with the US, and a long-negotiated free trade deal with India. Each varies in scope, timing, and economic consequences.

The advance of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is underway. These rapid technological developments offer significant productivity benefits, but also introduce operational, financial, ethical and legal risks that must be understood before healthcare operators integrate AI across their services and systems.

Independent schools across the UK are under growing financial strain. Spiralling costs, revenue pressures, and unsupportive policy changes are all accelerating a trend of school closures. The burdens are structural: operating costs are rising, pupil intakes are falling, revenues are constrained, and governance frameworks are often ill-equipped to navigate rapid financial change.