Iberdrola SA has presented its strategic roadmap for 2025-2028, outlining a €58 billion gross investment plan that represents a 30% increase compared to the 2021-2024 period. The Spanish utility company unveiled the strategy during its Capital Markets Day in London, emphasizing a shift toward regulated network businesses and long-term contracts to enhance business stability and provide greater visibility to investors. The plan focuses heavily on markets with stable regulatory frameworks, with 85% of investments directed toward countries with 'A' credit ratings.

The investment allocation shows a clear geographic concentration, with the United Kingdom emerging as the primary destination with €20 billion, followed by the United States with €16 billion. The Iberian Peninsula will receive €9 billion, Brazil €7 billion, and other EU countries plus Australia €5 billion. This distribution strategy aims to balance growth opportunities with regulatory maturity, targeting markets where the company has identified specific projects and established operational presence.

Financially, Iberdrola projects reaching €18 billion in EBITDA by 2028, representing a €3 billion increase from 2024 levels. The company also targets an adjusted net profit of €7.6 billion for 2028, up from the record €5.53 billion achieved in 2024. A key aspect of the strategy involves reducing exposure to spot electricity prices, with the goal that 75% of EBITDA will be decoupled from energy price volatility by 2028. Regulated networks are expected to contribute 55% of operating results under the new plan.

Shareholders will benefit from the company's commitment to distribute approximately €20 billion in dividends over the four-year period. Iberdrola has established a dividend floor of €0.64 per share and will maintain a payout ratio between 65% and 75% of profits. The company's flexible remuneration program also includes share buybacks. Partners will contribute €8 billion to the investment plan, bringing Iberdrola's net investment to €50 billion, with €37 billion specifically allocated to expanding regulated network assets to reach €70 billion.

London's Metropolitan Police has reversed its longstanding position on grooming gangs in the capital, acknowledging for the first time that it has multiple active investigations into group-based child sexual exploitation. The shift came after an investigation by MyLondon and The Daily Express challenged official statements from both police leadership and Mayor Sadiq Khan, who had consistently maintained there were "no reports" or "no indication" of Rochdale or Rotherham-style rape gangs operating in London.

The investigation uncovered evidence from four separate His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services reports spanning 2016 to 2025 that documented at least six potential victims of grooming gang abuse. These case studies, which the Mayor of London personally responded to according to public statements, described children as young as 13 being exploited by groups of predatory men. The reports detailed how girls were plied with drugs and alcohol, raped in hotels by multiple perpetrators, and subjected to life-threatening situations.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley revealed to Assembly Members at City Hall that the force now acknowledges a "steady flow" of live multi-offender child sexual exploitation investigations and a "very significant" number of historic cases requiring reinvestigation. The commissioner estimated these reviews would cost "millions of pounds a year, for several years" to properly investigate, contradicting previous assertions that the force had "not seen" such cases in London.

Political figures including Reform UK MP Lee Anderson and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp have criticized the mayor's handling of the situation, with Anderson stating there is "real, credible evidence that grooming gangs exist in London" and Philp alleging that Khan is "facilitating a cover-up." A spokesman for the mayor maintained that Khan has "always been clear that the safety of Londoners is his top priority" and remains "committed to doing all he can to protect children in London."