A Hampshire defence entrepreneur has thrown down the gauntlet to Andy Burnham, urging the Labour leadership frontrunner to make this month’s Farnborough International Airshow one of his first engagements, potentially on his first day in Downing Street.

Andrew Barnett, managing director of Fareham-based Barnbrook Systems and chair of the South Central Regional Defence and Security Cluster, says the Makerfield MP’s attendance at the global showcase, which runs from 20 to 24 July, would send an unmistakable signal that the next occupant of Number 10 is serious about national security, the economy and UK plc.

The intervention comes at a moment of extraordinary political flux. Potential candidates for the Labour leadership have from 9 to 15 July to secure the backing of 81 MPs, and until 16 July to gather nominations from affiliated bodies such as trade unions. If only one candidate clears the threshold, the new leader will be confirmed at a special Labour conference on Friday 17 July before being appointed Prime Minister, three days before the airshow opens. A contested race would push the result to a members’ ballot concluding on 29 August.

“Andy Burnham must tie his colours to the mast,” said Barnett, who also sits on the board of the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium. “The opening day of the airshow on July 20 may be his very first day in office if he stands unopposed for PM, yet that will make it even more important that he attends.

“No doubt he will have an overflowing in-tray, but defence, keeping our country and its people safe, and greater defence spending must be at the very top of his list of priorities.

“Equally, if other candidates are standing and the date for the Labour leadership contest is pushed back, it is critical that they attend too, as a statement of intent of how important defence will be when they take office.

“The world is becoming increasingly unstable while warfare is rapidly evolving before our eyes. The UK must have the technology, investment and supply chains to support our own military and those of our allies.”

Barnett confirmed he has written to Burnham setting out the case for attending and has invited him to meet, an offer he says will be extended to any rival candidates who emerge. Burnham has already begun courting the business vote, recently signalling room for movement on tax alongside a pledge to cut business rates for pubs and high street firms, but the defence sector will want to see that warmth extended to Britain’s security industrial base.

The stakes for suppliers are considerable. The government’s Strategic Defence Review committed the UK to spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence from 2027, and ministers have since moved to give small defence firms easier access to MoD contracts through a dedicated growth unit. SMEs such as Barnbrook will be watching closely to see whether a new Prime Minister keeps that momentum going.

There is precedent for prime ministerial attendance. Barnett met Sir Keir Starmer shortly after his election at the 2024 airshow, which yielded £13 billion in deals for the UK aerospace industry. Following Sir Keir’s resignation announcement, Barnett called on his successor to place pro-business policies at the heart of the government’s economic plan.

This year’s show, held every two years and built around the pillars of Advancing Aerospace, Propelling Defence and Pioneering Space, is expected to be the biggest yet. Organisers are forecasting record visitor numbers, with six exhibition halls instead of five, expanded flying and static displays and a notably strong showing from defence companies, a reflection of a sector that, according to ADS Group figures, now sits within industries contributing more than £42 billion a year to the UK economy.

Barnbrook Systems will exhibit for the 16th consecutive time, from the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium stand in Hall 1, UK Village, Stand 1317. The global solutions provider, which serves the defence, aviation and aerospace markets, will showcase new and upgraded technology and services.

The firm specialises in Intelligent Internet of Things (IIoT) technology alongside Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) work that breathes new life into older defence assets. That includes supply solutions for engine controls and flight actuators on fighter aircraft still in active service around the world, among them the Tornado, Jaguar, Hawk and Sea Harrier, as well as temperature monitors and rotary variable differential transformers.

Barnbrook, which holds both Federal Aviation Administration and Civil Aviation Authority accreditations, recently landed a seven-figure, ten-year contract to supply and maintain relays on Rolls-Royce marine engines across a friendly foreign navy’s entire destroyer fleet. Its BlueCube-enabled IIoT refuelling switches for Leonardo helicopters have transformed the safety and efficiency of inflight refuelling, and it will also demonstrate its E:BAG fire suppression system for lithium-ion battery fires in phones, tablets, power banks, laptops and vapes.

With almost 50 staff and offices in the United States and Europe, the Fareham firm punches well above its weight as both prime contractor and subcontractor to multinationals, the UK MOD and overseas governments.

Whether the next Prime Minister chooses to walk the halls at Farnborough remains to be seen. For Barnett, the calculation is simple: in an unstable world, showing up matters.

Amy Ingham

Amy is a newly qualified journalist specialising in business journalism at Business Matters with responsibility for news content for what is now the UK’s largest print and online source of current business news.

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Thailand News Roundup: Business, Culture, and Society

Economic Developments and Business Growth

Investment and Infrastructure

Thailand’s economic landscape shows significant momentum in strategic investment and infrastructure development. The country has reportedly locked in $4.1 billion in EV supply chain investment, reflecting a broader pivot in its automotive sector. Hyundai has launched local assembly of the Ioniq 5, while Fulltech’s Thailand plant is targeting AI and satellite component demand. Meanwhile, Central Pattana and Mitsubishi Estate announced a $330 million mixed-use development, and JERA and EGAT are partnering on a hydrogen value chain project. Thailand is also reviving a $30 billion coast-to-coast corridor intended to rival the Malacca Strait, positioning itself as a competitive logistics hub in the region. For ongoing coverage of these developments, Thailand Business News provides detailed analysis of the country’s evolving investment climate.

Financial and Regulatory Shifts

On the financial front, Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) has introduced 24/7 USD clearing services in partnership with Citi Token Services, signaling a modernization of the country’s banking infrastructure. Thailand also plans to sell $240 million in government savings bonds by September, while a draft AI regulatory bill blends EU-inspired frameworks with domestic policy approaches. However, not all financial news is positive: a so-called “Ghost Investor” continues to trouble Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission, raising questions about regulatory oversight. Additionally, authorities are pursuing a fugitive Chinese businessman linked to illegal cryptocurrency mining operations.

Tourism Sector Continues Strong Momentum

Visitor Growth and Market Positioning

Thailand’s tourism sector remains a bright spot, with the country welcoming 16.3 million tourists in the first half of 2026 alone. Reports indicate Thailand is now competing closely with Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore as part of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing backpacking circuit. Bangkok has also emerged as a luxury travel powerhouse, outperforming the United States, India, and Indonesia in certain segments, driven by rising millionaire growth and high-spending visitors. The upcoming Tomorrowland Thailand festival has already sold 150,000 tickets, expected to inject roughly 6 billion baht into the local economy.

Travel Advisories and Practical Considerations

Despite this growth, travelers are being urged to carry proof of funds and complete digital arrival documentation amid tightened immigration screening. This signals a more cautious regulatory posture even as the government promotes new initiatives like “Communities ConNext,” which showcases 55 local destinations to attract long-haul travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences.

Social and Public Health Concerns

Food Safety and Public Health

A notable public health issue involves the traditional fermented fish dish “pla ra,” which has come under scrutiny after thousands of individuals tested positive for liver fluke infection linked to undercooked preparations. This has prompted health officials to issue warnings around food safety practices tied to regional culinary traditions.

Human Rights and Legal Developments

Thailand’s human rights record remains under international scrutiny. Human Rights Watch has called for an investigation into alleged brutality at a marine barracks, while the International Commission of Jurists has facilitated discussions among judges regarding the implementation of the Anti-Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act. Separately, advocacy groups have urged the European Union to address Vietnam’s alleged transnational repression occurring within Thai borders, highlighting Thailand’s role as a regional hub for cross-border human rights concerns.

Tragic Incidents and Public Safety

Thailand has also faced somber news in recent days. A tragic incident left at least nine monks killed after a young driver crashed a truck into a religious procession, drawing widespread shock and mourning. In another widely covered case, a 21-year-old British woman was arrested in connection with the stabbing death of her boyfriend, an incident that has attracted significant international media attention.

Sports and Cultural Exchange

On a lighter note, Thailand continues to build its profile in international sports. Thai volleyball star Ajcharaporn “Pure” Kongyot is set to compete in the United States, while the squash community expresses optimism about developing the next generation of Thai athletes through programs like So Squash 24. The country also recently hosted the CARAT Thailand 2026 military exercise opening ceremony, reinforcing security partnerships with the United States and regional allies.

Source : Google News – Search

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The think tank tracked the pay of the country’s top bosses including FTSE 100 executives

A think tank that raised awareness of pay inequality in the UK and tracked the salaries of Britain’s top-paid executives including bosses on the FTSE 100 has announced its closure. The High Pay Centre (HPC) said on Tuesday (July 7) it had faced “considerable fundraising challenges” over the past two years.

The London-based organisation was founded 15 years ago by Deborah Hargreaves, a former business journalist at the Guardian and Financial Times, following the High Pay Commission’s report, which at the time proposed a 12-point plan to curb excessive top executive salaries.

The HPC advocated for fairer pay in Britain and ran a programme of research and events aimed at influencing policy change and public debate around the issue.

But it is understood the organisation came under financial strain in recent years after failing to secure new sources of finance after long-standing donors left the sector.”

“While we have worked hard to develop a more sustainable funding model, unfortunately we have not been able to secure new sources of funding to replace what has been lost,” the company said in a statement.

“The reforms we have advocated for, including greater transparency on executive pay and workforce pay ratios, as well as shareholder ‘say on pay’, have increased transparency and given investors greater opportunities to express their views on company decisions about pay and reward.

“However, while the gap between the pay of top executives and that of British workers remains in excess of 100:1, we are disappointed that successive governments and regulators have not gone further to address an economic model that continues to drive inequality.”

The HPC is set to close later in July but said it would first publish its latest analysis of CEO salaries and pay ratios in the FTSE 100, along with “further reflections” on what is needed to transform the UK’s economic model from one that “exacerbates inequality” to one that “can deliver prosperity while better serving society”.

It also said it was currently exploring whether “other like-minded organisations” might be able to continue its work.

“We hope to share more information before our closure,” the organisation added in a statement.

“In the meantime, we’d like to thank the many individuals and organisations who have supported our work over the years, including those who have donated to help support our survival in recent months.

“We know that many of you will be as disappointed as we are that this day has come. As so many of you have told us recently, the issues we have campaigned on are more important now than ever.”

Some of Britain’s leading economists have urged Andy Burnham to tear up the UK’s tax system, calling for stamp duty and council tax to be scrapped and replaced with a single annual property value tax.

The group, which includes Lord O’Neill of Gatley, the former Goldman Sachs chief economist who advises Burnham, has written an open letter to the man widely expected to become the next prime minister, warning that structural reform can no longer be delayed.

Their intervention endorses Prosperity 2030, a five-year programme from University College London’s Institute for Global Prosperity launching on Thursday, which the signatories say “models how fiscal, welfare, and infrastructure policies can unlock the gridlock that plagues the country”.

Burnham is on course to enter Downing Street on 20 July if he wins the Labour leadership, inheriting an economy weighed down by high debt and stubbornly low growth. Westminster and the City are watching his fiscal plans, and his choice of chancellor, particularly closely after his Manchester speech last week calling for greater devolution. As Business Matters has reported, Burnham has already signalled “room for movement” on tax, pledging a business rates cut for pubs and high street firms.

The centrepiece of the report is a single national contributions levy that would replace six separate taxes: income tax, employee and self-employed national insurance, dividend tax, inheritance tax and capital gains tax. The levy would run from 0 per cent to a 22 per cent base rate, with a 46 per cent top rate applied to a “flat definition” of income, raising an estimated £75 billion after five years.

That “simpler, more efficient system” would fund nine new universal services, transforming the welfare state by delivering support in kind rather than in cash.

On property, the plan would abolish stamp duty and council tax in favour of a 1 per cent annual property value tax, ending what the report calls “the absurdity of a modest terrace paying proportionally more than a high-value mansion”. A deferral option would ensure “no one is forced to sell to pay it”. The idea echoes proposals already circulating in the Treasury for an annual charge to replace stamp duty, and chimes with the Institute for Fiscal Studies, which has long argued the case for the abolition of stamp duty as one of Britain’s most economically damaging taxes.

A new property levy is unlikely to pass without a fight, however. Sir James Cleverly, the shadow secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, has already branded it a “garden tax … straight out of the Corbyn playbook”. Nor is it the first Burnham-linked tax idea to unsettle boardrooms: the debate over what a Burnham wealth tax could mean for UK business and investors is still fresh.

Andrew Percy, co-chairman of the social prosperity network at the UCL Institute for Global Prosperity and the report’s lead author, said it was a “plan to cut taxes for working people, abolish the taxes holding back the housing market, and get young people into paid work. The question is no longer whether Britain can afford reform. It is whether we can afford another decade without it.”

Alongside Lord O’Neill, the letter’s signatories include Professor Dame Henrietta Moore, founder and director of the institute, Professor Jonathan Portes of King’s College London, Professor John Muellbauer of Nuffield College, Oxford, and Danny Sriskandarajah, chief executive of the New Economics Foundation.

Their verdict on Westminster’s recent record is blunt: “Seven prime ministers in ten years have inherited the same challenge and failed to solve it for the same reasons: the problems are structural and systemic.”

Amy Ingham

Amy is a newly qualified journalist specialising in business journalism at Business Matters with responsibility for news content for what is now the UK’s largest print and online source of current business news.