Why the Trump tariffs have left the UK scrambling… April 2, 2025 Nature abhors a vacuum, or so they, or potentially Aristotle, once said. During weeks like this, it feels more accurate to say it’s the news which is doing the abhorring. Speculation has been, understandably, rampant as to the nature, variety, and impact of the tariffs the US President Donald Trump is expected to introduce on [...]
Tech funds plummet in March while gold soars April 1, 2025 Technology funds plummeted ten per cent in March as UK investors dumped risk assets as fears started to grow about US president Donald Trump’s handling of the American economy. Tech funds were the worst performing UK investment fund category in the month, followed closely by North American small company funds (nine per cent drop) and [...]
April’s cost hikes are ‘a step too far’ for the UK’s independent businesses April 1, 2025 Independent retailers have warned of job losses and cuts to staff hours due to rising business costs set to come in this April. Shops pointed to the ‘double whammy’ of increases to national insurance contributions (NICs) and the minimum wage. “As responsible employers we want to ensure we are paying a fair wage to our [...]
Explainer: What could a UK-US trade deal look like? April 1, 2025 US President Donald Trump is expected to impose new tariffs on imports from countries around the world this week, with the UK set to be affected by the global tax changes. No10 has confirmed the government is “actively preparing for all eventualities” ahead of Trump’s announcement on April 2, and that we “expect the UK [...]
Renewable energy trust dividends under threat as subsidies expire April 1, 2025 The dividends of renewable infrastructure investment trusts are at risk of growing more volatile as subsidies for clean energy expire in coming years, Stifel has warned. Many renewable infrastructure projects are due to see their government-backed Contracts for Difference, which provide developers with a stable revenue stream, expire between 2032 and 2035. These subsidies are [...]
US tariffs set to damage UK economy, Reeves tells cabinet ministers April 1, 2025 Donald Trump’s tariffs are expected to “have an impact” on the UK’s economy, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has told cabinet ministers, after business secretary Jonathan Reynolds warned the country faces “a very serious and significant moment”. The US President is set to unveil sweeping – but as yet unknown – tariffs on goods from around the [...]
Peel Hunt: London Stock Exchange requires ‘urgent’ support April 1, 2025 The UK’s capital markets require “urgent” support from the government, Peel Hunt has said, as the London Stock Exchange continues to be raided by private takeovers. While there have been 15 companies worth over £100m facing acquisition bids on the stock exchange since the start of 2025, not a single firm worth over £100m floated [...]
Boutique Leicester Square hotel handed £42m price tag April 1, 2025 A recently-converted boutique hotel in London’s Leicester Square has been put on the market for £42m. The former office building on 2-5 Charing Cross Road has undergone a significant conversion project and is set to be fully operational by June. The announcement comes as former Natwest bank on London’s Piccadilly is also set to become [...]
US tariffs: Businesses don’t want ‘knee jerk’ response, Starmer insists April 1, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer has insisted UK businesses want a “calm and collected response” to Donald Trump’s tariffs, “not a knee-jerk” reaction. The Prime Minister sought to offer calm, as he suggested the UK could retaliate with tariffs on US goods in return, but insisted that “nobody wants a trade war”. Speaking to Sky News, Starmer [...]
Unilever acquires sustainable deodorant Wild April 1, 2025 Unilever has finally confirmed its acquisition of refillable deodorant brand Wild as it looks to build its presence in premium beauty and self care. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is believed to value Wild at £230m. Wild, which was started in 2019 by business partners Charlie Bowes-Lyon and Freddy Ward, [...]