Blick Rothenberg says Rachel Reeves must clarify how the £2bn AI Opportunities Action Plan funding will be spent, warning that new taxes or cuts to incentives could harm the UK tech sector.
Category: In Business
Advice on growing your small and medium sized business, SME, in the UK. Hiring and managing staff and finance plus marketing all on one website
UK bank deposit protection to rise to £120,000 from December
The FSCS deposit protection limit will rise from £85,000 to £120,000 in December, boosting consumer safeguards as UK regulators update rules to reflect inflation and financial stability needs.
Businesses warn Budget cap on salary sacrifice pensions would remove “one of the few tools employers have to manage rising costs”
Experts warn that a possible £2,000 cap on salary sacrifice pension benefits in the Budget would act as a stealth NI tax rise, remove a key cost-saving tool for employers and threaten EV schemes.
Only 3% of business leaders believe the Lords will back down in Employment Rights Bill fight, survey finds
A VinciWorks survey reveals only 3% of business leaders believe the House of Lords will back down over the Employment Rights Bill, leaving employers worried about uncertainty and unprepared for major reforms.
Quarter of female business owners take second jobs as economic pressures intensify, Tide and everywoman report shows
A new report from Tide and everywoman shows a quarter of UK female founders are taking second jobs as economic pressures rise, though two-thirds still expect revenue growth next year.
Serviced office operators warn chancellor that property tax changes threaten thousands of small businesses
More than 60 serviced office operators have warned Rachel Reeves that new business rates rules threaten thousands of UK SMEs, with sudden reclassification leading to steep bills and potential closures.
Experts say there is “nothing to fear” from Employment Rights Bill as employers back fairer workplace reforms
Employment experts and major employers say there is “nothing to fear” from the Employment Rights Bill, arguing reforms like day-one rights and stronger leave protections will boost fairness, wellbeing and productivity.
SME confidence improves, but rising energy and tax costs continue to hinder growth ahead of the Autumn Budget
New research shows 49% of SMEs are positive about 2026, but high energy costs, tax burdens and inflation remain major barriers ahead of the Autumn Budget.
Business leaders unite to celebrate a decade of UK B Corps
The UK B Corp movement marks its 10-year anniversary as new data shows certified businesses outperforming UK SMEs in growth, investment and resilience. With 2,600+ B Corps now operating nationwide, new standards arriving in 2026 will further strengthen accountability and impact.
Moving communities report urges government to back gyms and leisure centres ahead of autumn budget
Sport England’s Moving Communities report finds £3.63bn in social value from public leisure centres, prompting calls for stronger government support in the Autumn Budget.
Fitch cuts Aston Martin’s credit rating to ‘CCC+’ as tariffs deepen financial strain
Fitch downgrades Aston Martin to ‘CCC+’ as US tariffs, weak cash flow and falling US sales push the carmaker deeper into junk territory.
Reeves set to curb cycle-to-work tax perks for high earners buying expensive bikes
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to cap cycle-to-work spending as the Treasury moves to limit tax perks for high earners buying costly e-bikes and premium bikes.
Building core skills for a productive, high-growth economy
The UK is still grappling with what economists call the “productivity puzzle.” Since the 2008 global financial crisis, growth in output per worker has been sluggish when compared with international competitors such as the United States, Germany and France. Weak productivity holds back wages, dampens economic growth and limits our ability to fund vital public services.
Motorpoint drives 80% profit surge after selling hundreds of cars through AI agent
Motorpoint’s profits jump 80% to £2.7m as the car retailer sells 350 vehicles using its new AI agent ‘Lily’ and warns over uncertainty ahead of Reeves’s Budget.
Six million small firms urge COP leaders to unlock finance and incentives for green growth
The SME Climate Hub urges COP30 leaders to back policies unlocking green finance and incentives, helping small firms drive global net zero progress.
Need data that holds up in the boardroom — and the press? Trends Research is the UK's specialist SME research company, with a 750,000-strong panel and a 2,000-response minimum on every survey. AI-augmented analysis, headline-ready insights, and 38 years of trust built through Business Matters magazine. Trusted by Vodafone, BT, O2 and top UK PR agencies. From brief to deliverable in 10 working days — or 3 for press-led work. Request a quote today at https://trendsresearch.co.uk/
