Business rates burden to disproportionately hit London offices October 28, 2025 The upcoming change in how business rates are calculated will affect far more office-based firms in London than elsewhere and may cause a rise in closures, according to a new report. The business tax reforms, scheduled for next April, will introduce a higher rate of payment for properties worth over £500,000. The new multiplier for [...]
Fresh food inflation continues despite fall in overall shop prices October 28, 2025 The price of fresh food has continued to climb despite a broader softening in inflation at UK shops, according to new data. Fresh food inflation increased to 4.3 per cent year on year in October, against growth of 4.1 per cent in September and above the three-month average of 4.2 per cent, according to the [...]
Looking for growth is a lot better than hoping for it October 28, 2025 Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer like to say that economic growth is the defining mission of this government, but as the latest data shows it’s starting to resemble Mission Impossible. While the government deserves credit for addressing some of the deep-rooted issues that have held back growth for so long – whether though planning reform [...]
Exclusive: Reeves risks Black Market Britain with gambling tax hike October 27, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves risks creating “Black Market Britain” if next month’s Budget sees significant tax raids on the gambling sector. Industry insiders have warned of the potentially catastrophic impact on bookmakers and gambling firms if levies on betting and online slot machines are hiked in line with recommendations by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The [...]
AI investment lacks basic safety checks, warns BSI October 27, 2025 Many businesses are investing heavily in AI without sufficient safeguards for its implementation, a new study by the British Standards Institution (BSI) has found. While executives are touting AI’s potential to drive productivity, the report suggests that most firms are operating with little more than blind faith in a technology they do not yet fully [...]
TikTok US ban threat finally comes to an end October 27, 2025 After nearly five years of court battles and geopolitical wrangling, Beijing and the White House might finally be on the verge of ending a major tech standoff. The US treasury secretary Scott Bessent announced on Sunday that China and the US have “finalised the details” of a deal that would relocate TikTok’s American operations to [...]
Exclusive: Cleo founder Hussey-Yeo to head fan bid for Sheffield Wednesday October 27, 2025 The founder of fintech unicorn Cleo, Barney Hussey-Yeo, has offered to front a bid to buy struggling Championship club Sheffield Wednesday, City AM can reveal. The Sheffield-born data scientist will invest his own capital as part of a bid that would involve other wealthy Owls fans, as well as the wider community if necessary, to [...]
Rachel Reeves alerts top investors on tax rises and spending cuts October 27, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has sent a message to international investors on incoming tax hikes and spending cuts in an effort to ease market nerves ahead of this year’s Budget. Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative – or ‘Davos in the Desert’ – in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Reeves prepared investors for a more difficult Budget next [...]
The perfect ski holiday, with amazing slopes and yoga in the Alps October 27, 2025 It seems inevitable that these two most middle class of pursuits – a ski holiday and yoga – would be combined. Guy Taylor dons skis and attempts a downward dog I have always been a light sleeper, but to my delight, a snooze on the floor of an old gymnasium properly sends me under. The [...]
Retail sales falter as Budget tensions kick in October 27, 2025 Retail sales are set to decline at a faster pace in the weeks leading up to the November Budget, a new survey has indicated, as Brits hold out for extra taxes and higher prices. A Confederation of British Industry (CBI) survey has suggested that retail sales could collapse in November, reflecting household fears about being [...]