Revolut will invest €1bn and create 200 jobs in France as it designates Paris its European HQ—heightening concerns about London’s status as a fintech capital.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
UK ports demand compensation after Brexit border checks scrapped under new EU deal
British ports seek compensation after spending £120m on post-Brexit border infrastructure that will become redundant under new UK-EU trade deal easing SPS checks.
UK inflation set for sharp rise in April after surge in household bills
UK inflation is expected to jump to 3.6% in April, its fastest rise since 2022, driven by higher energy, water, and payroll costs, according to City analysts.
Businesses urge Rachel Reeves to restore tax-free shopping as US tariffs hit UK exports
Retail, fashion and luxury leaders call on the chancellor to reinstate VAT-free shopping for tourists to offset US tariff impact and boost Britain’s appeal as a global shopping destination.
UK house prices rise in May for fifth year running amid rush to beat stamp duty deadline
UK house prices rose 0.6% in May to a record £379,517, driven by a surge in new listings before stamp duty changes, Rightmove reports, marking five years of gains.
Small business debt load doubles since pandemic, hampering access to finance
UK small businesses now carry double the pre-Covid debt levels, making it harder to secure growth finance, according to a report by marketplace lender Funding Xchange.
US tariffs drive invoice rejections to record highs as businesses scramble to preserve cash
Global invoice rejections soared in Q1 2025 amid Trump’s tariff policy, with businesses delaying payments to renegotiate contracts and protect cash flow, says Basware.
Aviva warns against forcing UK pension funds to buy domestic assets
Aviva CEO Dame Amanda Blanc says mandating pension funds to invest in UK assets would be “a sledgehammer to crack a nut”, urging government to prioritise fiduciary duty.
Gold set for steepest weekly drop in six months as trade fears ease and dollar strengthens
Gold prices are on track for their worst week since November 2024, falling 3.3% amid a stronger dollar and easing US-China trade tensions.
NatWest nears full reprivatisation as taxpayer stake falls below 1%
The government’s stake in NatWest has dropped below 1%, marking a near-complete exit from the £45.5bn bailout era and paving the way for full reprivatisation within weeks.
UK business investment surges at fastest pace in two years, defying tax hike fears
UK business investment rose 5.9% in Q1 2025—the strongest growth since 2023—offsetting public spending cuts and defying fears over payroll tax increases.
Wireless Logic valued at £3.5bn as founder sells minority stake to General Atlantic
Wireless Logic sells a minority stake to General Atlantic, valuing the IoT communications firm at £3.5bn—100 times its 2011 value. Former Vodafone CEO joins board.
HMRC issues first individual tax avoidance Stop Notices to former solicitor Paul Baxendale-Walker
HMRC has issued its first-ever tax avoidance Stop Notices to an individual, targeting Paul Baxendale-Walker for promoting schemes using offshore trusts to avoid tax.
MP launches bill to make polluters pay for climate damage and resilience
A new climate finance bill aims to tax fossil fuel firms, superyachts, and private jets to fund flood defences and home insulation, as public support for ‘polluter pays’ policies grows.
Living Wage employers rise 19% as more businesses commit to higher pay
Despite a cooling labour market, the number of UK employers voluntarily paying the higher Living Wage rose 19% to 16,040, according to the Living Wage Foundation.
