200,000 jobs to go after Labour’s inheritance tax raid March 24, 2025 Family owned businesses and farms across the UK are cutting jobs, halting investment and selling assets to stay afloat in response to sweeping tax changes. According to research by CBI-Economics, commissioned by Family Business UK, the government’s move to cap business property relief (BPR) and reform agricultural property relief (APR) has triggered a wave of [...]
Average price of pint to surge above £5 due to April cost hikes, say beer bosses March 24, 2025 The average price of a pint of beer is set to surge past £5 for the first time due to cost hikes hitting the sector next month, according to industry bosses. Pub sector chiefs have warned that prices for customers will have to increase in order to help keep venues running in the face of [...]
What NOT to expect in the Spring Statement March 24, 2025 The Spring Statement shouldn’t be a big thing, but it’s increasingly feeling like it could be. Here's what Reeves should do, but won't.
WPP bets big on AI to regain industry leadership March 22, 2025 Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just reshaping industries, it’s upending them. Nowhere is this more evident than in advertising, where AI is reshaping how brands create, deliver and optimise campaigns. While many firms are still finding their feet with AI, WPP is claiming it has hit the ground running. For the global communications giant, the AI [...]
London’s store closures finally return to pre-pandemic levels March 21, 2025 Retail closures in London stabilised last year after rising during the pandemic, according to a new survey. The capital lost about a store a day last year, with five stores closing and four new stores opening, according to PwC. Head of retail at PWC Jacqueline Windsor said the figures indicated “cautious optimism” for UK retail. [...]
Pershing Square: Deutsche Numis upgrades FTSE 100 trust March 21, 2025 Deutsche Numis has upgraded FTSE 100 trust Pershing Square, run by infamous hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, to a ‘buy’. In a research note, analysts upgraded three trusts to a ‘buy’: £8.1bn Pershing Square, £273.5m Aurora UK Alpha and £436.9m Schroder Asian Total Return. “Pershing Square benefits from a manager with a strong long-term track [...]
Will London take New York’s fintech crown? March 21, 2025 According to Z/Yen’s 37th Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 37), the Square Mile is snapping at the heels of the Big Apple.
Asos shares spike on positive trading update March 21, 2025 Asos shares rose by over a fifth this morning after the company posted a better than expected market update. The e-commerce retailer told markets that it expects a “significant improvement in profitability” this year, adding that its own brand full-price sales have returned to growth. Investors reacted positively to the news. Asos’ share price had [...]
OBR growth forecast ‘will be halved’ March 21, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ hopes for growth are set to be shattered as another forecaster looks to downgrade expectations. The Bank of England halved its growth forecasts from 1.5 per cent to 0.75 per cent in February while the OECD recently dropped predictions the UK would expand by 1.7 per cent. Now The Telegraph is reporting [...]
Bolt sends £200m warning to Reeves ahead of Uber VAT ruling March 21, 2025 Ride-hailer Bolt has sent a stern warning to Rachel Reeves over government inaction on a possible 20 per cent VAT hike for taxi firms. City AM understands the mobility firm has written to the Chancellor warning it has withheld £200m of investment in the UK over the last three years as ministers dither over the [...]