Emma Jones CBE, founder of Enterprise Nation, becomes the UK’s new small business commissioner, pledging to tackle late payments and champion SMEs across the country.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Metro Bank shares surge on talk of private equity takeover by Pollen Street Capital
Metro Bank shares hit a two-year high following news of a potential takeover by private equity firm Pollen Street Capital, raising uncertainty for customers and staff after recent job cuts.
UK bank TSB could be sold off by Spanish owner Sabadell amid BBVA takeover battle
Spanish bank Sabadell confirms interest from potential buyers for UK lender TSB as it fends off a £9.4bn hostile takeover from rival BBVA, signalling a possible sale of the British high street bank.
AI could lead to more job cuts at BT, says chief executive
BT boss Allison Kirkby signals more job losses could follow AI rollout, adding to plans to cut up to 55,000 roles by 2030 as part of a £3bn cost-saving strategy.
Rachel Reeves accused of leaving devolved nations in the red after NICs rise
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is accused of underfunding Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland after applying the Barnett formula to cover rising employer NICs, leaving multimillion-pound public sector gaps.
Retail giants ‘face £600m bill’ as new business rates bite
New business rates reforms will hit Britain’s largest retailers with a £600m tax rise from April 2026, with London’s West End and supermarkets hardest affected, according to Colliers.
Ivy owner apologises for demanding discounts from suppliers
Restaurateur Richard Caring says a letter demanding a mandatory 2.5 per cent reduction as a result of the ‘current increased cost of trading’ was sent in error
British manufacturers turn their backs on US as export market amid Trump-era trade turmoil
British manufacturers are turning away from the US due to rising tariffs and trade uncertainty, with Make UK forecasting a 0.2% contraction in 2025 and warning of looming de-industrialisation.
Metro Bank takeover approach adds to fears of London Stock Market exodus
Metro Bank has received a takeover approach from Pollen Street Capital, sparking fresh concerns over the number of companies leaving the London Stock Exchange amid rising private equity interest.
HMRC to slash physical post – unless you owe them money
HMRC will stop sending most physical letters in a bid to save £50m a year, moving 90% of communications online. Experts warn millions could be left behind by the shift to digital-only tax services.
Leading British businesswomen awarded damehoods in King’s birthday honours
Emma Bridgewater, Debbie Crosbie, Clare Barclay and Anne Glover are among top business leaders honoured with damehoods in the King’s birthday list, celebrating services to ceramics, banking, tech and entrepreneurship.
PPE Medpro legal battle intensifies as civil servant admits approval ‘mistake’ over sterile gowns
A senior official admits errors in PPE Medpro contract approval, as day two of the £122m High Court case reveals confusion and contradictions inside the government’s Covid procurement process.
High Court rejects challenge to Labour’s private school VAT policy, dealing blow to parents and schools
The High Court has upheld Labour’s decision to apply 20% VAT to private school fees, rejecting claims that it breaches human rights or discriminates against SEN and religious families. The ruling affects over half a million pupils.
VodafoneThree pledges £11bn to bring 5G to every corner of the UK by 2034
VodafoneThree, now the UK’s biggest mobile operator, will invest £11 billion to roll out standalone 5G to 99.95% of the country by 2034, aiming to eliminate “not spots” and boost mobile and broadband speeds nationwide.
EDF buys EV charger firm Pod Point for just £10m – four years after £352m london float
French energy giant EDF has acquired EV charger company Pod Point for just £10 million, down from its £352 million IPO valuation in 2021, after a sharp drop in revenue and continued losses.
