British firms sticking to DEI policies despite Trump crackdown April 8, 2025 UK business leaders are not adjusting their approach to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) despite many high profile American counterparts rowing back on their policies in the face of pressure from the Trump administration, a survey has found. According to a poll conducted by the Institute of Directors (IoD), more than seven in 10 (71 [...]
Major Companies House change launched as business leaders called to action April 8, 2025 Business leaders can now verify their identity on Companies House as part of a major drive designed to slash economic crime. As of today, 8 April, directors can voluntarily verify their identity before it becomes a legal requirement later this year. More than six million individuals will need to comply in the 12 months after [...]
Trump’s tariffs set to drive UK insurance coverage costs up April 4, 2025 After the US slapped several of the world's largest economies with tariffs, the insurance market in the UK prepares for increased costs.
UK to consult on ‘retaliatory tariffs’ as Tories call for employment reforms to be scrapped April 3, 2025 The UK will consult businesses on “possible retaliatory action’ including on US products that could face tariffs, in response to Donald Trump’s sweeping global import taxes. Jonathan Reynolds made the announcement to MPs in the House of Commons, stating: “To enable the UK to have every option open to us in the future, I am [...]
US tariffs: UK expects to be hit by Trump taxes this week, No10 admits March 31, 2025 The UK expects to be hit by Donald Trump’s tariffs this week, No10 has said, amid frantic discussions to secure an exemption for UK businesses. The government has been trying to negotiate to spare British exports from the taxes on imports into the US which are set to come into force later this week on [...]
Keir Starmer vows to cut costs for business and ‘unleash’ private sector March 17, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to cut costs for businesses and “unleash the power of the private sector” in a bid to deliver economic growth. Writing for City AM the Prime Minister described it as “an outrage” that the government “does not know how much it costs business to comply with the regulations imposed on [...]
Analysis: What do Starmer’s reforms actually mean – and can they work? March 15, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer has announced his reform plans to make the British state more “innovative and effective”. The Prime Minister unveiled a series of new measures on Thursday, including the headline abolition of NHS England – the arms-length body which runs the NHS in England. But Sir Keir also spoke about his broader ambitions to [...]
BT boss and Ella’s Kitchen founder join new board of trade March 14, 2025 BT chief executive Allison Kirkby and Ella’s Kitchen founder Paul Lindley are among the government’s appointments to the newly revamped board of trade. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has unveiled the new expert panel, which will aim to advocate for their sectors and help businesses, including the UK’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), [...]
Jonathan Reynolds apologises to Parliament for ‘solicitor’ claim March 13, 2025 Jonathan Reynolds has apologised to the House of Commons and corrected the record over “inadvertently” claiming to have been a solicitor during a speech in 2014. The business and trade secretary said he should have made clear that he was a trainee solicitor when speaking during a debate on high speed rail. The term “solicitor” [...]
Steel tariffs: US trade policy under Trump ‘challenging’, Reynolds admits March 13, 2025 The US tariff policy under President Donald Trump is proving “challenging” for Britain, the business and trade secretary has admitted. Jonathan Reynolds is in discussions with his US counterparts over Trump’s new 25 per cent tariff regime on steel and aluminium imports – but has not secured an exemption for the UK. It comes after [...]