Zoe Hamburger leaves McDonald’s UK&I as successor named September 2, 2025 After 18 months of maybe the UK’s best case of nominative determinism, Zoe Hamburger has stepped down from her senior role at the UK arm of McDonald’s. Hamburger joined the McDonald’s UK senior leadership team as chief restaurant officer in March 2024. In that role she was responsible for the operational restaurant business, including delivery, [...]
Heston Blumenthal calls for VAT cut to ‘save British pubs’ September 2, 2025 Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal has called on the government and licensees to take urgent action to halt the closure of thousands of UK pubs. The chef, who owns owner of the Michelin-starred gastropub The Hinds Head, is campaigning for a reduction to the UK’s VAT rate, which is one of the highest in Europe. He [...]
Aga Rangemaster cuts jobs and raises prices as UK demand falls September 2, 2025 Aga Rangemaster has continued to cut jobs as it battles falling demand in the UK and prepares for the rising costs from US President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The business, which is headquartered near Nottingham, has said it is raising prices in order to attempt to offset the increased costs from US tariffs but that their [...]
Is it time to add infrastructure to your portfolio? September 2, 2025 The UK has, for many years, consistently underinvested in infrastructure compared to its G7 peers. With flagship projects, the country has a terrible track record. In the past year, the long-awaited, controversial high-speed HS2 rail line saw its expansion into the north of England scrapped due to escalating costs. Meanwhile, the Lower Thames Crossing development [...]
Angela Rayner under pressure to clarify property questions amid hypocrisy accusations September 1, 2025 Angela Rayner is facing mounting scrutiny over her property portfolio, with accusations that she avoided £40,000 in stamp duty and questions around a house valuation in her constituency. These suggestions are made more embarrassing by her dual roles as deputy prime minister and housing secretary. The Times has reported on the “remarkable coincidence” that, at [...]
Businesses have one defence amid ‘seismic shift’ in UK fraud law September 1, 2025 Fraud laws have received a major shake up and businesses have been sent a stark warning to be weary of the “hidden danger”. New failure to prevent fraud offence, which came into effect today, mean firms could face prosecution from fraud committed by employees – even if management was unaware of it. Large firms will [...]
Greene King landlords plea for Rachel Reeves to cut bills September 1, 2025 More than 600 Greene King landlords have called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to lower taxes for pubs ahead of the Autumn Budget as the sector grapples with ever-rising costs. The hospitality industry has been vocal about the cost pressures it has been facing since the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020, with businesses facing surging energy, [...]
Budget 2025: Lloyds, Natwest and Barclays brace for a tax raid? September 1, 2025 Ahead of the 2024 Autumn Budget, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned Labour’s first fiscal event was “going to be painful”. He added those with the broadest shoulders “should bear the heavier burden” as Chancellor Rachel Reeves battled against an alleged ‘£22bn black hole’ inherited from the Conservative government. After lobbying efforts, banks were spared [...]
Large firms liable for fraud happening under their watch under new UK laws September 1, 2025 Businesses could be prosecuted if they profit from fraud committed by one of their employees even if managers do not know about it, under new UK laws. The new “failure to prevent fraud” offence, which came into effect on Monday, holds large firms to account over their internal anti-fraud measures. It says that businesses can [...]
Business execs should snap out of summer slump quickly this year September 1, 2025 As the Budget moves closer into view, it looks like business execs will be met with stark awakenings in post-August office reset.