A British start-up pioneering artificial intelligence to accelerate materials development has won the UK Government’s £1 million Manchester Prize.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Santander to close nearly 100 branches, putting 750 jobs at risk
Santander is closing 95 branches across the UK, putting 750 jobs at risk. The bank cites the rise of digital banking as a key factor but promises investment in upgraded branches and alternative services.
HMRC accused of misusing powers to “correct” R&D tax relief claims
HMRC has quadrupled the number of R&D tax relief claims it has “corrected” without opening formal enquiries, sparking concerns that legitimate businesses are being unfairly targeted.
Rachel Reeves urged to boost R&D spending to ‘world-leading’ levels
CBI calls for £30bn research investment to drive UK innovation and economic growth
Astrazeneca scrapped £450m vaccine plant after government missed funding deadline
AstraZeneca scrapped a £450m vaccine plant in Liverpool after the UK government missed a critical funding deadline. The pharma giant warns Britain is becoming one of the hardest places to attract investment in new medicines.
Trump’s tariffs ‘already hitting Britain’s steel exports’
Britain’s steel industry is already feeling the impact of Trump’s tariffs, with Tata Steel and British Steel warning of lost business and a flood of cheap imports threatening the UK market.
Jonathan Reynolds to push for UK steel tariff exemption in Washington talks
Jonathan Reynolds is urging Donald Trump’s administration to exempt British steel from tariffs as the UK seeks a wider trade deal. With the OECD warning of slower UK growth, negotiations in Washington will be critical for British industry.
Pound hits four-month high as Trump’s tariff war rattles markets
The pound has hit a four-month high against the dollar as Donald Trump’s tariff war stokes fears of a US recession. Investors are fleeing American stocks, with UK and European markets benefitting from the turmoil.
Former Liverpool star Phil Thompson loses £300,000 IR35 tax appeal
Former Liverpool footballer and Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson has lost his IR35 appeal, leaving him with a £300,000 tax bill. Find out why HMRC ruled him a ‘disguised employee’ and what it means for freelancers.
UK economy downgraded as OECD warns of trade war fallout
The UK’s economic growth forecast has been downgraded by the OECD amid rising global trade tensions. Find out how US tariffs and inflationary pressures could impact Britain’s economy and business outlook.
Reeves meets regulators to tackle red tape as growth forecasts cut again
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is wert to meet with senior representatives from eight key regulatory bodies on today, seeking to strip away bureaucracy and accelerate economic growth in the face of fresh warnings about the UK’s outlook.
Americans increasingly wary of Trump’s tariff push as new poll reveals mounting anxieties
Americans are growing ever more uneasy about Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy, despite the former president’s fervent reassurances.
Construction firms drive new hiring surge amid improving market outlook
A recent Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) report shows rising demand for construction workers, gardeners, and teachers, hinting at renewed business confidence in the UK.
Buyers sense a new property market advantage as record homes flood UK market
Homebuyers in England are set to benefit from the highest number of properties on the market in almost a decade, according to Rightmove.
Young staff bear the brunt of wage and tax hikes, latest data reveals
UK SMEs are reducing headcount among 16-24-year-olds at the fastest rate in years, amid looming rises in the minimum wage and employment taxes.
