<div id="readability-page-1"><div>The following are the top stories on the business pages of British newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. The Times - UK's Monzo is open to discussions about one of its investors joining its board as the digital bank faces a rebellion from some of its key shareholders over the appointment of a new chief executive.- Miami-based Citadel has amassed a 50 million pound ($66.89 million) bet against shares of Magnum within days of the ice cream company's spinoff from Unilever . The Guardian - British business leaders have warned that the country is entering 2026 amid a sharp economic downturn in the private sector, after companies &#34;put the brakes on&#34; investment and hiring before the autumn budget.- A deeper trading relationship with the European Union would be the best way of growing Britain's economy, which has an &#34;uncomfortable&#34; level of tax, British health minister Wes Streeting has said.The Telegraph- Google has accused Britain of threatening to stifle free speech in an escalation of U.S. opposition to online safety rules as UK regulator Ofcom is planning to prevent posts going viral that include &#34;potentially illegal&#34; material, such as hate speech or calls to violence. - Roberto Cingolani, the boss of defence giant Leonardo , has threatened to scrap all investment in Britain following a row over a long-delayed military helicopter contract.Sky News- Renewable energy group Venterra will announce this week a 40 million pound ($53.51 million) fundraising despite signs of growing tension over its leadership.($1 = 0.7476 pounds)</div></div>

UK's Monzo faces shareholder rebellion over CEO appointment; Citadel bets against Magnum post-Unilever spinoff; UK business leaders warn of economic downturn entering 2026; deeper EU trade ties suggested; Google criticizes UK's online safety rules; Leonardo threatens to halt UK investment over helicopter contract; Venterra to announce £40m fundraising amid leadership tensions.

British Business - December 22