Labour announces £275m investment in technical training and apprenticeships in England as part of its industrial strategy, targeting skills gaps and countering Reform UK’s rise in manufacturing regions.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
BBC threatens AI firm Perplexity with legal action over unauthorised use of news content
The BBC has issued a legal threat to AI firm Perplexity, accusing it of copyright infringement and unauthorised use of BBC content in chatbot responses.
Labour scraps £950m EV rapid charging fund, redirecting £400m to on-street chargers
Labour has axed the Conservatives’ £950m EV rapid charging fund, redirecting £400m toward on-street infrastructure in underserved areas as part of a revised electrification strategy.
UK to cut green levies on businesses as part of 10-year industrial strategy
The UK government will cut green levies for over 7,000 businesses to reduce energy costs and support manufacturing, as part of a major 10-year industrial strategy unveiled by Keir Starmer.
UK jobs market shows modest rise in new postings as tax pressures weigh
The UK jobs market posted a modest rise in new job adverts last month, suggesting early signs of resilience despite economic headwinds and growing pressure on employers from tax increases.
Royal Mail boss quits after just one year as new owner takes over
Royal Mail CEO Emma Gilthorpe resigns after one year in role, as new owner Daniel Kretinsky completes £3.6bn takeover of parent company International Distribution Services.
Scottish farmers worried over imported trade deal meat
Scottish farmers warn that meat imports from trade deal nations like Australia and Brazil could destabilise the domestic sector, as calls grow for fairer, joined-up trade policy.
Start-up in bid to prove UK leads in space tech with launch of metal-fuelled engine
UK space tech start-up Magdrive is set to launch a metal-fuelled spacecraft engine from California, aiming to prove Britain’s potential as a leader in next-gen satellite propulsion.
Buy here now: Oasis to open merch stores ahead of reunion gigs
Oasis will open six official merch stores across the UK and Ireland before their long-awaited reunion tour kicks off, selling exclusive items and adding to a projected £1bn fan spend.
Wine shortage fears after bottling workers go on strike at key UK facility
Wine supplies to UK supermarkets could be disrupted this summer as workers at the Encirc bottling plant in Bristol go on strike over pay and collective bargaining rights.
UK borrowing falls in May after higher tax on businesses
UK public sector borrowing fell to £17.7bn in May, below forecasts, as higher national insurance receipts and lower debt interest costs eased pressure on public finances.
UK retail sales show biggest fall in 18 months as shoppers cut back on food and clothing
Retail sales in the UK fell 2.7% in May — the largest monthly drop since December 2023 — driven by weaker demand for food, clothing and homeware, according to ONS figures.
Inheritance‑tax take hits £1.5bn in two months as flight of non‑doms casts doubt on future revenues
Inheritance‑tax receipts reached £1.5 billion in April and May, the first two months of the 2025‑26 tax year, HM Revenue & Customs revealed on Thursday.
Morrisons rebounds from cyber‑disruption with stronger second‑quarter sales
Morrisons has reported a sharp rebound in trading after a ransomware attack earlier this year disrupted product availability across its stores.
Post Office Horizon scandal payouts pass £1bn as redress efforts continue
More than £1bn has now been paid to over 7,300 victims of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal, as compensation continues through four complex redress schemes.
