World Cup boost fails to land UK services sector on front foot July 3, 2026 A World Cup boost failed to drag the UK’s services sector to growth last month after it recorded its fastest rate of decline in three-and-a-half years as businesses braced for the Andy Burnham coronation. The latest Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) from S&P Global showed a reading of 48.8 in June, falling from 49.3 in May. [...]
AI data centre race reaches rural Devon as Xlinks eyes £3.6bn campus June 29, 2026 Britain’s race to build the infrastructure underpinning AI is moving beyond its traditional data centre heartlands, with Xlinks unveiling plans for a £3.6bn AI campus in north Devon as developers search for land and grid capacity. The energy developer, whose Morocco-UK power project was shelved by the government earlier this year, wants to build a [...]
H&M misses sales target as cost-cutting leaves retailer understocked June 25, 2026 H&M slumped to lower than expected sales and profit as the retailer warned that its cost-cutting drive is leaving some stores unable to keep up with demand. The Swedish-listed firm took 54.8bn kronor (£4.2bn) in sales in the three months to the end of May, flat year on year. Its operating profit jumped by 11 [...]
Warning lights: UK services suffer worst shock since January 2023 June 23, 2026 Business activity across the UK economy is at a 14-month low, research has suggested, as growth has taken a toll from Labour’s political woes and the impact of the continued trade disruption. The initial estimate for S&P Global’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) dropped to a score of 49.4 in June, falling further below the neutral [...]
London Tech Week was ‘complacency in conference form’ June 12, 2026 London Tech Week has been accused of masking some of the biggest structural problems facing Britain’s tech sector and of offering “complacency in conference form”. Adam French, partner at global venture capital firm Antler, said the flagship event highlighted a widening gap between the public narrative around UK tech and the realities facing founders trying [...]
Iran conflict could cause further decline to M&A, leading tax firm warns June 2, 2026 Merger and acquisition deal activity could see a further hit this financial quarter if the US and Iran do not reach a resolution to the conflict, a leading tax and accountancy firm has warned. The number of domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisition (M&A) transactions involving a change in majority share ownership fell to 352 [...]
Private equity-backed Ryan triumphs in bidding for European tax adviser Svalner Atlas June 1, 2026 Private equity-based US accountancy firm Ryan has reportedly agreed to acquire European tax adviser Svalner Atlas Advisors in a deal reportedly worth $400m. Headquartered in Texas and with a presence in London, Ryan specialises in tax services and has BP and BAT among its clients. The firm was valued at about $7bn earlier this year, [...]
House prices slump again in London’s wealthiest areas May 20, 2026 London house prices fell again in March, as the capital’s wealthiest areas continued to see significant drop-offs in house values. House prices in London fell by 2.1 per cent in the year to March, though this drop was slightly softer than the 3.1 per cent in the year to February, according to the Office for [...]
Burberry swings back to profit after cost-cutting regime May 14, 2026 Burberry has returned to profit as it hails a “meaningful inflection point” in its turnaround, following drastic job cuts and savings drives. The FTSE 100 fashion house took £49m in pre-tax profit in the year to March, marking a recovery from its £66m pre-tax loss in the year prior. The brand has pivoted towards “timeless [...]
Construction output tumbles as builders hit by surging costs and red tape May 7, 2026 The UK’s construction sector suffered a sharp fall in activity last month, as the Iran war batters confidence and drives up prices. S&P Global’s monthly construction index for the UK dropped to 39.7 in April, down from 45.6 in March. Builders are beginning to suffer from rising material costs caused by the blockage to the [...]