Train fares in England are projected to increase by up to 5.5% next year, following the release of July inflation figures, which will be announced on Wednesday. Forecasts from Investec suggest that the retail price index (RPI)—a common measure for calculating train fare increases—will reach 4.5% in July. Regulated fares, which comprise about half of all rail journeys, will have a cap determined by the government for 2026, although it remains unclear how this will be calculated. Notably, a previous rise of 4.6% was one percentage point above the RPI from July 2024.
A spokesperson from the campaign group Railfuture, Bruce Williamson, has expressed concerns about the potential impact of the fare hike on passengers, stating that it may discourage travel by rail. He questioned the rationale for increasing fares beyond inflation, suggesting it could drive commuters towards more congested road networks.
In other news, shares of Novo Nordisk rose by 5.4% after receiving US FDA approval for its Wegovy obesity drug as a treatment for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in adults with liver fibrosis. This decision may lead to a shift in patient preferences, especially as Eli Lilly plans to increase the price of its weight-loss drug Mounjaro by up to 170% in the UK. Mounjaro prescriptions will now cost significantly more than Wegovy, which could prompt patients to seek cost-effective alternatives.
Furthermore, Soho House is reportedly nearing a $1.8 billion deal to go private, led by MCR Hotels. The private members’ club, founded in 1995, has faced challenges since its listing on the New York Stock Exchange, reportedly valuing the company much lower than its initial listing valuation.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2025/aug/18/stocks-oil-rise-zelenskyy-trump-european-leaders-meeting-washington-jackson-hole-uk-house-prices-fall-in-august-business-live