Firms mildly confident about growth after worst reading on record September 1, 2025 Firm owners are now mildly confident about seeing their companies grow after July’s reading showed business confidence at the second-lowest level on record, according to a leading industry group’s monthly survey. A survey by The Institute of Directors (IOD) has said that business leaders’ confidence in their own organisations is now in positive territory, having [...]
Reeves warned ‘sin taxes’ could fail to boost tax receipts September 1, 2025 Labour officials have been warned that plans to boost government revenue by raising “sin taxes” could be judged harshly by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) this year, with industry bosses calling on the Treasury to listen to “on-the-ground concerns” before making a final decision. Reports have suggested the government could raise gambling levies later [...]
Local shops axe jobs and cut investment amid surging costs September 1, 2025 UK convenience stores have cuts 2,000 jobs over an “extremely challenging year” after coming under pressure from soaring labour costs and fierce competition from supermarkets. The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) warned that pessimistic consumers and increased costs for retailers are therefore putting the UK’s 50,000 local shops under pressure, resulting in weaker investment and [...]
Change windfall tax to make £137bn by 2050, Chancellor told September 1, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been urged to reform the windfall tax in a move that could boost the economy by £137bn by 2050. Ahead of the start of its conference in Aberdeen this week, trade body Offshore Energy UK (OEUK) released a report claiming replacing the energy profits levy next year with a profits-based mechanism [...]
Large firms liable for fraud happening under their watch under new UK laws September 1, 2025 Businesses could be prosecuted if they profit from fraud committed by one of their employees even if managers do not know about it, under new UK laws. The new “failure to prevent fraud” offence, which came into effect on Monday, holds large firms to account over their internal anti-fraud measures. It says that businesses can [...]
Business execs should snap out of summer slump quickly this year September 1, 2025 As the Budget moves closer into view, it looks like business execs will be met with stark awakenings in post-August office reset.
Britain secures £10bn warship deal with Norway August 31, 2025 The UK has agreed a £10bn deal to supply Norway with at least five new warships, in what both governments are hailing as a landmark for defence cooperation, but which analysts say also underscores rising geopolitical tensions and the pressure on NATO allies to increase spending. Under the agreement, Britain will deliver ‘type 26’ frigates [...]
JPMorgan Chase poaches record number of senior bankers as Wall Street talent war escalates August 31, 2025 JPMorgan Chase has hired a record number of senior bankers in the past year, poaching about 100 managing directors from rivals including Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, as Wall Street’s largest lender looks to expand its investment banking franchise. The bank has brought in more managing directors to its commercial and investment banking division in the [...]
Royal Mail owner set to return to profit in first figures since £3.6bn takeover August 31, 2025 The owner of Royal Mail is expected to show a return to annual earnings on Monday in the firm’s first set of results since the completion of its £3.6bn takeover by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky. International Distribution Services (IDS) will post figures for the 12 months to 31 March after a milestone year for the [...]
McLaren, a $100m-per-year deal and Formula 1’s sponsor boom August 31, 2025 Formula 1 is becoming a hotbed for advanced sponsorship, and McLaren’s announcement has completed a special title set. BWT, Aramco, HP, MoneyGram, Petronas, Visa Cash App, Oracle, Stake and Atlassian; these aren’t simply some of the world’s most recognisable and developing brands but title sponsors for teams in Formula 1. And as of next year, [...]