Lucy Fisher
@lucyfisher.ft.com
Whitehall editor at the Financial Times 🗞️
Host of the FT’s award-winning ‘Political Fix’ podcast🎙️Author 📚
Host of the FT’s award-winning ‘Political Fix’ podcast🎙️Author 📚
The economic impact of Russian hostile activity against Britain totals at least £2bn-£2.5bn annually, acc to new report by vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on rearmament Graeme Downie
www.ft.com/content/bd20...
www.ft.com/content/bd20...
Russian hostile activity costs UK up to £2.5bn a year, report warns
Labour MP Graeme Downie’s research highlights lack of consistent framework for measuring economic impact of Moscow-backed hybrid warfare
www.ft.com
October 7, 2026 at 7:38 AM
The economic impact of Russian hostile activity against Britain totals at least £2bn-£2.5bn annually, acc to new report by vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on rearmament Graeme Downie
www.ft.com/content/bd20...
www.ft.com/content/bd20...
EXC: British govt is searching for a UK alternative to Palantir, as the PM’s “buy British” push triggers hunt for homegrown replacement for the controversial US software group in NHS and MoD
w/ @chris-smyth.bsky.social & @laurahughesft.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/9a6e...
w/ @chris-smyth.bsky.social & @laurahughesft.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/9a6e...
Andy Burnham searches for UK alternative to Palantir
Prime minister’s ‘buy British’ push triggers hunt to find replacement for controversial US tech group awarded health service and defence contracts
www.ft.com
October 1, 2026 at 9:12 PM
EXC: British govt is searching for a UK alternative to Palantir, as the PM’s “buy British” push triggers hunt for homegrown replacement for the controversial US software group in NHS and MoD
w/ @chris-smyth.bsky.social & @laurahughesft.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/9a6e...
w/ @chris-smyth.bsky.social & @laurahughesft.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/9a6e...
NEW: There are “strong indications that Iran played a part” in the RAF Fairford incident, Andy Burnham says
UK is working w/ US on the matter, which “remains an ongoing, complex & serious police investigation”
PM confirms Rubio claim’s claim about role of a state actor
www.ft.com/content/bb55...
UK is working w/ US on the matter, which “remains an ongoing, complex & serious police investigation”
PM confirms Rubio claim’s claim about role of a state actor
www.ft.com/content/bb55...
‘Strong indications’ Iran was involved in RAF Fairford incident, says Andy Burnham
Prime minister says UK is working closely with US administration following release of five suspects on bail
www.ft.com
September 30, 2026 at 4:20 PM
NEW: There are “strong indications that Iran played a part” in the RAF Fairford incident, Andy Burnham says
UK is working w/ US on the matter, which “remains an ongoing, complex & serious police investigation”
PM confirms Rubio claim’s claim about role of a state actor
www.ft.com/content/bb55...
UK is working w/ US on the matter, which “remains an ongoing, complex & serious police investigation”
PM confirms Rubio claim’s claim about role of a state actor
www.ft.com/content/bb55...
Breaking: Burnham announces he will set out what the "different options are for Britain’s long-term relationship with our European partners" later this year.
"We will not give Britain the clear path we need into the rest of this century until we decide...
"We will not give Britain the clear path we need into the rest of this century until we decide...
September 29, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Breaking: Burnham announces he will set out what the "different options are for Britain’s long-term relationship with our European partners" later this year.
"We will not give Britain the clear path we need into the rest of this century until we decide...
"We will not give Britain the clear path we need into the rest of this century until we decide...
We’re recording Political Fix *live* at Labour conference later after Burnham’s speech!
Biz sec Johnny Reynolds is our special guest on the pod
If you’re in Liverpool & fancy listening in, come along to the inHouse lounge for 5.30pm
Stephen Bush, Jen Williams & George Parker are on the panel 🎙️📻🎧
Biz sec Johnny Reynolds is our special guest on the pod
If you’re in Liverpool & fancy listening in, come along to the inHouse lounge for 5.30pm
Stephen Bush, Jen Williams & George Parker are on the panel 🎙️📻🎧
September 29, 2026 at 12:49 PM
We’re recording Political Fix *live* at Labour conference later after Burnham’s speech!
Biz sec Johnny Reynolds is our special guest on the pod
If you’re in Liverpool & fancy listening in, come along to the inHouse lounge for 5.30pm
Stephen Bush, Jen Williams & George Parker are on the panel 🎙️📻🎧
Biz sec Johnny Reynolds is our special guest on the pod
If you’re in Liverpool & fancy listening in, come along to the inHouse lounge for 5.30pm
Stephen Bush, Jen Williams & George Parker are on the panel 🎙️📻🎧
Reposted by Lucy Fisher
Just in: The five men arrested near RAF Fairford over a suspected terrorist plot were all UK nationals in their twenties living in London, Counter Terrorism Policing said on Monday. ft.trib.al/ysSl5Ys
September 28, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Just in: The five men arrested near RAF Fairford over a suspected terrorist plot were all UK nationals in their twenties living in London, Counter Terrorism Policing said on Monday. ft.trib.al/ysSl5Ys
Miliband has pledged that “no tech titan will stand in our way” as the govt prepares to lead global efforts “to manage AI” during Britain’s G20 presidency next year
www.ft.com/content/7761...
www.ft.com/content/7761...
Labour conference live: John Healey gives first party speech as UK chancellor
Speech to party members comes a month before high-stakes Budget
www.ft.com
September 28, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Miliband has pledged that “no tech titan will stand in our way” as the govt prepares to lead global efforts “to manage AI” during Britain’s G20 presidency next year
www.ft.com/content/7761...
www.ft.com/content/7761...
John Healey to promise ‘new age of industrialisation’ with £6bn Royal Navy plan
Chxwill pledge that work on building three new floating docks on the Clyde in Scotland will be carried out by British firms
www.ft.com/content/46c3...
Chxwill pledge that work on building three new floating docks on the Clyde in Scotland will be carried out by British firms
www.ft.com/content/46c3...
Healey to promise ‘new age of industrialisation’ with £6bn Royal Navy plan
Chancellor will pledge that work on building three new floating docks on the Clyde in Scotland will be carried out by British firms
www.ft.com
September 28, 2026 at 10:44 AM
John Healey to promise ‘new age of industrialisation’ with £6bn Royal Navy plan
Chxwill pledge that work on building three new floating docks on the Clyde in Scotland will be carried out by British firms
www.ft.com/content/46c3...
Chxwill pledge that work on building three new floating docks on the Clyde in Scotland will be carried out by British firms
www.ft.com/content/46c3...
👀 Andy Burnham is under mounting pressure to signal he could drop Labour’s “red lines” preventing Britain from moving closer to the EU, as party figures debate whether he should address the issue in his party conference speech next week.
www.ft.com/content/a161...
www.ft.com/content/a161...
Andy Burnham under pressure to signal shift on Labour’s EU ‘red lines’
Prime minister’s team taking soundings on whether party should move UK closer to Europe
www.ft.com
September 25, 2026 at 6:30 PM
👀 Andy Burnham is under mounting pressure to signal he could drop Labour’s “red lines” preventing Britain from moving closer to the EU, as party figures debate whether he should address the issue in his party conference speech next week.
www.ft.com/content/a161...
www.ft.com/content/a161...
How could Chx John Healey raise tax in the Budget?
Examining the for/against cases for increasing capital gains, pensions, companies & property taxation
www.ft.com/content/dffc...
Examining the for/against cases for increasing capital gains, pensions, companies & property taxation
www.ft.com/content/dffc...
How could John Healey raise tax in the Budget?
Given the restrictions imposed on him by Labour’s manifesto, the chancellor has limited options available to bring in money
www.ft.com
September 23, 2026 at 3:11 PM
How could Chx John Healey raise tax in the Budget?
Examining the for/against cases for increasing capital gains, pensions, companies & property taxation
www.ft.com/content/dffc...
Examining the for/against cases for increasing capital gains, pensions, companies & property taxation
www.ft.com/content/dffc...
Last week we revealed the UK is in talks to join the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) - with one of the options being a merger of it with the Multilateral Defence Mechanism (MDM).
Andy Burnham confirmed today that such discussions are underway, while speaking in NY
Andy Burnham confirmed today that such discussions are underway, while speaking in NY
EXCL: UK ‘actively’ exploring joining Canada-led global defence bank
British officials examining proposals for UK to join the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) under Burnham, after proposal was rejected by Starmer
W/ @pickardje.bsky.social & Ilya Gridneff
www.ft.com/content/4e14...
British officials examining proposals for UK to join the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) under Burnham, after proposal was rejected by Starmer
W/ @pickardje.bsky.social & Ilya Gridneff
www.ft.com/content/4e14...
UK ‘actively’ exploring joining Canada-led global defence bank
The DSRB aims to provide low-cost financing for military initiatives
www.ft.com
September 22, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Last week we revealed the UK is in talks to join the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) - with one of the options being a merger of it with the Multilateral Defence Mechanism (MDM).
Andy Burnham confirmed today that such discussions are underway, while speaking in NY
Andy Burnham confirmed today that such discussions are underway, while speaking in NY
Reposted by Lucy Fisher
A big new story from us: a big new leak means that we can put numbers on the scale of A7 -- the Kremlin's huge money-laundering machine. $6.9bn laundered through the international banking system via SWIFT, with $1.1bn sent to StanChart alone. www.ft.com/content/3848...
Kremlin-backed forgery scheme moved $6.9bn through global banks
FT finds thousands of Russian payments handled by Standard Chartered, Citigroup and other international groups in vast leak from inside fintech A7
www.ft.com
September 21, 2026 at 8:10 PM
A big new story from us: a big new leak means that we can put numbers on the scale of A7 -- the Kremlin's huge money-laundering machine. $6.9bn laundered through the international banking system via SWIFT, with $1.1bn sent to StanChart alone. www.ft.com/content/3848...
EXC: AI staff complain of mental toll over fears of threat of society
Multiple staff at Britain’s AI Security Institute (AISI) have been signed off work with stress and are undergoing counselling, acc to people familiar with the matter
www.ft.com/content/6087...
Multiple staff at Britain’s AI Security Institute (AISI) have been signed off work with stress and are undergoing counselling, acc to people familiar with the matter
www.ft.com/content/6087...
AI staff complain of mental toll over fears of threat to society
Top researchers at Aisi, OpenAI, Anthropic and Google DeepMind report burnout and stress over developing powerful AI
www.ft.com
September 22, 2026 at 6:30 AM
EXC: AI staff complain of mental toll over fears of threat of society
Multiple staff at Britain’s AI Security Institute (AISI) have been signed off work with stress and are undergoing counselling, acc to people familiar with the matter
www.ft.com/content/6087...
Multiple staff at Britain’s AI Security Institute (AISI) have been signed off work with stress and are undergoing counselling, acc to people familiar with the matter
www.ft.com/content/6087...
Later this autumn Political Fix will be recorded on the bridge of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales
Delighted the FT is the inaugural media partner for Atlantic Future Forum, the UK govt-led international summit for defence, security & tech leaders
www.atlanticfutureforum.com
Delighted the FT is the inaugural media partner for Atlantic Future Forum, the UK govt-led international summit for defence, security & tech leaders
www.atlanticfutureforum.com
Atlantic Future Forum
Atlantic Future Forum
www.atlanticfutureforum.com
September 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Later this autumn Political Fix will be recorded on the bridge of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales
Delighted the FT is the inaugural media partner for Atlantic Future Forum, the UK govt-led international summit for defence, security & tech leaders
www.atlanticfutureforum.com
Delighted the FT is the inaugural media partner for Atlantic Future Forum, the UK govt-led international summit for defence, security & tech leaders
www.atlanticfutureforum.com
Reposted by Lucy Fisher
Ben Delo is many things: a crypto billionaire, a Reform mega-donor and a free speech advocate.
@oilsheppard.bsky.social and I discovered he's also the landlord of a bankrupt academic after funding her failed libel claim against a Jewish artist who complained of antisemism www.ft.com/content/21aa...
@oilsheppard.bsky.social and I discovered he's also the landlord of a bankrupt academic after funding her failed libel claim against a Jewish artist who complained of antisemism www.ft.com/content/21aa...
Reform UK’s mega-donor backed a friend’s libel claim. Now he controls her home
Crypto billionaire Ben Delo loaned more than £300,000 to former academic Nina Power
www.ft.com
September 17, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Ben Delo is many things: a crypto billionaire, a Reform mega-donor and a free speech advocate.
@oilsheppard.bsky.social and I discovered he's also the landlord of a bankrupt academic after funding her failed libel claim against a Jewish artist who complained of antisemism www.ft.com/content/21aa...
@oilsheppard.bsky.social and I discovered he's also the landlord of a bankrupt academic after funding her failed libel claim against a Jewish artist who complained of antisemism www.ft.com/content/21aa...
Delighted to be shortlisted for Political Journalist of the Year, in a list of such amazing reporters
& great to see fantastic FT colleagues shortlisted across other categories too
www.societyofeditors.org/events/media...
& great to see fantastic FT colleagues shortlisted across other categories too
www.societyofeditors.org/events/media...
Shortlist 2026 – Society of Editors
Society of Editors. Protecting the freedom of the news media
www.societyofeditors.org
September 16, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Delighted to be shortlisted for Political Journalist of the Year, in a list of such amazing reporters
& great to see fantastic FT colleagues shortlisted across other categories too
www.societyofeditors.org/events/media...
& great to see fantastic FT colleagues shortlisted across other categories too
www.societyofeditors.org/events/media...
EXCL: US defence giant and German military start-up are joining forces to deploy autonomous “land drones” aimed at transforming the British Army’s beleaguered Ajax armoured fighting vehicles
www.ft.com/content/3c38...
www.ft.com/content/3c38...
UK looks to ‘land drones’ to transform beleaguered Ajax fighting vehicles
Collaboration between General Dynamics and ARX Robotics aimed at making armoured vehicles more lethal in war zones
www.ft.com
September 16, 2026 at 11:32 AM
EXCL: US defence giant and German military start-up are joining forces to deploy autonomous “land drones” aimed at transforming the British Army’s beleaguered Ajax armoured fighting vehicles
www.ft.com/content/3c38...
www.ft.com/content/3c38...
Reposted by Lucy Fisher
There is something off about this NYT photo on AI development that I can't quite put my finger on.
September 16, 2026 at 5:57 AM
There is something off about this NYT photo on AI development that I can't quite put my finger on.
Reposted by Lucy Fisher
the Revolut hack story is quite something www.ft.com/content/97f3...
September 16, 2026 at 6:15 AM
the Revolut hack story is quite something www.ft.com/content/97f3...
EXCL: UK ‘actively’ exploring joining Canada-led global defence bank
British officials examining proposals for UK to join the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) under Burnham, after proposal was rejected by Starmer
W/ @pickardje.bsky.social & Ilya Gridneff
www.ft.com/content/4e14...
British officials examining proposals for UK to join the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) under Burnham, after proposal was rejected by Starmer
W/ @pickardje.bsky.social & Ilya Gridneff
www.ft.com/content/4e14...
UK ‘actively’ exploring joining Canada-led global defence bank
The DSRB aims to provide low-cost financing for military initiatives
www.ft.com
September 15, 2026 at 7:18 PM
EXCL: UK ‘actively’ exploring joining Canada-led global defence bank
British officials examining proposals for UK to join the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) under Burnham, after proposal was rejected by Starmer
W/ @pickardje.bsky.social & Ilya Gridneff
www.ft.com/content/4e14...
British officials examining proposals for UK to join the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) under Burnham, after proposal was rejected by Starmer
W/ @pickardje.bsky.social & Ilya Gridneff
www.ft.com/content/4e14...
Tories v sceptical about the mechanism govt will use to avoid pensioners having to fill in tax returns
“Reeves promised ‘a simple workaround’ last November. Ten months on there is still no mechanism in place,” said one Tory figure, warning it “doesn't really give pensioners much peace of mind”
“Reeves promised ‘a simple workaround’ last November. Ten months on there is still no mechanism in place,” said one Tory figure, warning it “doesn't really give pensioners much peace of mind”
NEW - Pensions minister Torsten Bell confirms that pensioners who ‘just exceed’ personal allowance when state pension rises WON'T have to pay small amounts of tax this parliament
“In line with the commitment made at Budget 2025, pensioners who only just exceed the personal allowance will not...
“In line with the commitment made at Budget 2025, pensioners who only just exceed the personal allowance will not...
September 15, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Tories v sceptical about the mechanism govt will use to avoid pensioners having to fill in tax returns
“Reeves promised ‘a simple workaround’ last November. Ten months on there is still no mechanism in place,” said one Tory figure, warning it “doesn't really give pensioners much peace of mind”
“Reeves promised ‘a simple workaround’ last November. Ten months on there is still no mechanism in place,” said one Tory figure, warning it “doesn't really give pensioners much peace of mind”
NEW - Pensions minister Torsten Bell confirms that pensioners who ‘just exceed’ personal allowance when state pension rises WON'T have to pay small amounts of tax this parliament
“In line with the commitment made at Budget 2025, pensioners who only just exceed the personal allowance will not...
“In line with the commitment made at Budget 2025, pensioners who only just exceed the personal allowance will not...
September 15, 2026 at 11:23 AM
NEW - Pensions minister Torsten Bell confirms that pensioners who ‘just exceed’ personal allowance when state pension rises WON'T have to pay small amounts of tax this parliament
“In line with the commitment made at Budget 2025, pensioners who only just exceed the personal allowance will not...
“In line with the commitment made at Budget 2025, pensioners who only just exceed the personal allowance will not...
AI: Is Britain prepared?
On Political Fix this week the FT’s AI editor Madhu Murgia, @robertshrimsley.bsky.social,
@greenmirandahere.bsky.social & I discuss tech doomerism, the UK-Israel reset, and the Met police probe into Reform… Out now! 🎙️📻🎧
On Political Fix this week the FT’s AI editor Madhu Murgia, @robertshrimsley.bsky.social,
@greenmirandahere.bsky.social & I discuss tech doomerism, the UK-Israel reset, and the Met police probe into Reform… Out now! 🎙️📻🎧
September 11, 2026 at 3:56 PM
AI: Is Britain prepared?
On Political Fix this week the FT’s AI editor Madhu Murgia, @robertshrimsley.bsky.social,
@greenmirandahere.bsky.social & I discuss tech doomerism, the UK-Israel reset, and the Met police probe into Reform… Out now! 🎙️📻🎧
On Political Fix this week the FT’s AI editor Madhu Murgia, @robertshrimsley.bsky.social,
@greenmirandahere.bsky.social & I discuss tech doomerism, the UK-Israel reset, and the Met police probe into Reform… Out now! 🎙️📻🎧
Reposted by Lucy Fisher
To explain P-doom and the AI extinction scares Madhumita Murgia joined @lucyfisher.ft.com on Pol Fix this week with @robertshrimsley.bsky.social and I sitting quaking beside her - a great expert witness www.ft.com/content/4fcc...
September 11, 2026 at 2:29 PM
To explain P-doom and the AI extinction scares Madhumita Murgia joined @lucyfisher.ft.com on Pol Fix this week with @robertshrimsley.bsky.social and I sitting quaking beside her - a great expert witness www.ft.com/content/4fcc...
EXCL: Lindy Cameron, UK high commissioner to India, is set to become first female perm sec at the Foreign Office, @FT told
Cameron, an ex-chief exec of the National Cyber Security Centre, beat Karen Pierce and Barbara Woodward in the final round
www.ft.com/content/360d...
Cameron, an ex-chief exec of the National Cyber Security Centre, beat Karen Pierce and Barbara Woodward in the final round
www.ft.com/content/360d...
Foreign Office to appoint first female head after Mandelson turmoil
Lindy Cameron becomes top civil servant at the department that was rocked by the sacking of predecessor Olly Robbins
www.ft.com
September 10, 2026 at 11:00 AM
EXCL: Lindy Cameron, UK high commissioner to India, is set to become first female perm sec at the Foreign Office, @FT told
Cameron, an ex-chief exec of the National Cyber Security Centre, beat Karen Pierce and Barbara Woodward in the final round
www.ft.com/content/360d...
Cameron, an ex-chief exec of the National Cyber Security Centre, beat Karen Pierce and Barbara Woodward in the final round
www.ft.com/content/360d...