I was hoping to be able to announce this in my own time – but the media rumour mill is swirling, I'm being contacted by various reporters and others, and I don't like denying the truth, so ... I wrote my first "Economic Agenda" column in The Sunday Telegraph 27 years ago, under the editorship of Dominic Lawson – filling-in occasionally during the late-1990s, before being given my own weekly slot from 2003. Since then, while I've been heavily involved in television, and am perhaps better known as a broadcaster, penning "Economic Agenda" for The Sunday Telegraph each week has been the backbone of my journalistic life. On Thursday, the @Telegraph rang to tell me my column is being scrapped. I was asked, and have agreed, to write "Economic Agenda" until the end of November, as per my contract. After that, my Sunday Telegraph column will be no more. Why this decision has been made, and whether or not my columns were any good, is for others to judge. All I will say is that, as the first person in my family to attend university, sustaining a weekly column in a leading national newspaper for a quarter of a century has been a source of enormous pride for myself and my family. Lots of people have been asking me about the future of "Planet Normal" - the hugely-popular Telegraph podcast which I co-created and co-present with the brilliant @AllisonPearson "Planet Normal" has, over the last 330 weekly episodes, also become a major part of my professional life and my broader identity. With Allison reportedly leaving the Telegraph as well, there is a lot of speculation about whether or not the podcast will continue to impart "news and views from beyond the bubble" with our usual blend of sharp analysis, humour and occasional outrage ! Well, I am delighted to confirm that Co-Pilot Pearson and myself are deeply committed to our joint podcast – and, above all, to our beloved listeners. We will, as and when notice periods allow, continue our voyages through space every Thursday – perhaps to "Planet Normal", or maybe to another part of the solar system – so we can "gaze down each week at the madness of Planet Earth", as we have done since the Spring of 2020. So citizens of Planet Normal, stand ready ! The "rocket-of-right-thinking", the "flying refuge of reasoned views", will soon be launched once again 🚀🪐👨‍🏭👱‍♀️🎙️📺 I poured my heart and soul into "Economic Agenda" and "Planet Normal". The Telegraph's decision to scrap them is obviously a huge personal blow. But I will always be grateful for the opportunities the paper has given me. Above all, I would like to thank the illustrious list of successive Telegraph business editors I've worked with since the late-1990s, many of whom have become and remain good friends - including @Peston @RobertsDan @larmitstead @neilbenet @benjaminmarlow @cg_williams @kamalahmednews @MarkKleinmanSky @jamesrquinn (sorry if I've forgotten anyone, it's been a long time!) On Friday, even though I almost always write my column from elsewhere, and despite being extremely disappointed by the paper's decision, I decided to go into the Telegraph and write today's column sitting in the newsroom. I am glad I did - as being at the heart of the paper at such a difficult time allowed for lots of conversations, with everyone from junior production staff to senior reporters and executives, which reminded me that journalism, despite being an industry at the whim of seemingly endless and often brutal commercial and technological upheaval, is not only hugely important to our country, but full of talented, decent people. See picture below, having just filed my piece, as I was heading out the door ...

We are seeking membership nominations for the Space Exploration Advisory Committee (SEAC). 🚀 The SEAC is responsible for advising the Agency on matters relating to robotic and human space exploration programmes. 🪐 Nominate before 30 October 👉 gov.uk/government/publicatio…

The National Space Operations Centre has released the June report on the threats from space-related hazards. 🌍 In June, there were: ➡️ 53 uncontrolled re-entries ➡️ 1,436 in-space collision warnings ➡️ 304 newly registered objects in orbit. Read more: gov.uk/government/news/how-w…

The UK Space Agency is inviting suppliers to contribute to studies supporting our research within the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC). 🌍 🛰️ Find out more 👉 orlo.uk/CMJXO

We're delighted to welcome Dr Alice Bunn as job-share partner to our Director Rebecca Evernden from mid-September. 🚀 Alice is a former UK Space Agency International Director and Director of Policy, and a leading voice for international collaboration in the space sector. 🛰️

Congratulations to Air Vice-Marshal Jamie Thompson on being appointed the new Commander of UK Space Command. 👏

📢 Attention UK space companies! Our Size and Health of the UK Space Industry 2025 survey is open! Run by @SpaceEconomics , your responses will help us keep track of growth in our thriving UK space sector. 🚀 Have your say before 26 June 👉 know.space/sh25

Happy Birthday Mark to Space Academic Network Co-chair 🎂 🎉 🎊

Our team from @SpaceParkLeic will feature prominently at the sold-out @UKSpaceAcademy Careers Conference, with keynote talks, industry insight and live demos of ESAT — our satellite operations simulator. space-park.co.uk/2026/01/nat… #SpaceCareers #SpaceParkCommunity

📸 Read the full story and see a gallery of images: space-park.co.uk/2026/01/uk-…

We were thrilled to help bring this visit to @uniofleicester SPAN co-chair Prof Mark Sims gave a presentation about SPAN. What a grand start to 2026!

Want to help grow the UK's space talent? 🚀 Apply now to host an intern through the UK Space Agency's Skills for Space Internships Programme 2026, which offers paid, 8‑week placements for students. 🎓 Find out more and apply before 23 January 👉 find-government-grants.servi…

We're investing £17m into 17 innovative UK space projects through our NSIP programme.🚀 From quantum communications to AI-powered pollution tracking, these technologies will strengthen climate monitoring, connectivity, and national security. Read more 👉 gov.uk/government/news/uk-sp…

Did you catch the launch of the UK-built @ESA climate mission #HydroGNSS at the weekend? 🚀🌍 That wasn't the only payload with UK involvement on the launch either! Have a read below for some of the other innovative missions onboard and now in orbit. 👇🛰️

£1.7 billion investment in space. 🚀 The UK will invest £1.7 billion in @ESA programmes, driving economic growth, strengthening national security and supporting innovations in connectivity, infrastructure and public services.