The Brief (03/10/21)

A shortage of labour, particularly heavy-goods vehicle drivers, has had tumultuous effects on supermarkets and petrol supplies. The prime minister has assured that the "period of adjustment" would soon be solved by the industry, whereas critics have chalked the trouble up to Britain's EU exit, and subsequent loss of the EU's freedom of movement benefits.

Petrol shortages have plagued Britain in recent weeks, image courtesy of The Guardian

The size and relevance of the London Stock Exchange has decreased rapidly during recent years, The Economist reports. From accounting to 10.4% of the global equity market in 2006, to just 3.6% now, the LSE is not what it used to be. A result of a poorly run asset management sector, alongside the "chronic" British problem of poor management, and low growth in pension schemes, have left the Stock Exchange severely lagging behind counterparts across the globe.

A huge data leak entitled the "pandora papers" has revealed the asset management secrets of the wealthy elite. The cache of 11.9 million files spells trouble for swathes of politicians and celebrities. Boris Johnson is pressured to answer questions regarding party donors, while the prime minister of the Czech Republic, Andrej Babiš, has declined to comment on his secret purchase of a French chateau, all in lieu of his reelection bid next week.

Andrej Babiš is just one of many individuals feeling the heat after Sunday's release of the Pandora Papers, courtesy of the BBC