JP Morgan has ordered all London staff back to the office—but now faces a desk shortage. The bank’s U-turn on remote work has sparked backlash, with over 1,000 employees signing a petition.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Scottish salmon exports hit record high as global demand surges
Scottish salmon exports hit a record £844m in 2024, driven by soaring demand in France and the US, while Scotch whisky sales dipped amid shifting global trade trends.
Tax-free shopping cut costs London’s West End £640m in lost sales
London’s West End retailers lost £640m in sales last year due to the removal of tax-free shopping for tourists, with businesses warning the UK is falling behind European rivals.
Ultra-wealthy regret voting Labour as confidence in economy plummets
Two-thirds of wealthy voters who backed Labour now regret it as confidence in the economy crashes. Fears of higher taxes could fuel an exodus of millionaires, impacting public finances.
Plans to redevelop Cambridge shopping centre face rejection over daylight concerns
Plans to redevelop Cambridge’s Beehive Centre into offices and labs face rejection due to concerns over daylight loss for residents.
US inflation climbs to 3%, raising doubts over Federal Reserve rate cuts
US inflation unexpectedly rises to 3%, raising concerns that the Federal Reserve may delay interest rate cuts.
Close Brothers sets aside £165m amid car loan commission scandal
Close Brothers has announced it will allocate up to £165 million in its first-half accounts to cover potential legal and compensation costs linked to the growing car finance commission scandal.
Gambling site Stake shut down after investigation into controversial porn star ads
Gambling site Stake is shutting down its UK operations after an investigation into its use of explicit advertising.
Goldman Sachs and Deloitte roll back diversity initiatives amid US political pressure
Goldman Sachs and Deloitte are the latest corporate giants to scale back diversity policies amid US political pressure. Find out why companies are retreating from DEI commitments.
Trump’s trade war with Europe ‘about to get nasty’ as EU prepares retaliation
The trade conflict between the United States and the European Union is set to escalate as Brussels prepares retaliatory measures against Donald Trump’s latest tariff plans, a European investment bank has warned.
Government cuts red tape to create 10,000 more apprenticeships
The UK government is cutting red tape to create 10,000 more apprenticeships, reducing training durations and giving businesses flexibility over qualification requirements.
Reeves faces tough choices as fiscal headroom vanishes, raising tax hike fears
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has exhausted the UK’s £9.9bn borrowing buffer, with economists warning she may be forced to raise taxes amid sluggish growth and Trump’s trade war threats.
UK steel industry warns Trump’s tariffs are a ‘sledgehammer to free trade’
Trump’s 25% tariffs on UK steel exports spark fears of trade war, with industry leaders warning of “huge ramifications”. No 10 refuses to criticise White House decision.
UK and US refuse to sign global AI declaration, citing national interests
The UK and US have refused to sign an international AI declaration at the Paris summit, citing national interests. The move puts them at odds with global AI regulation efforts.
Consumer confidence rebounds as spending sees biggest rise in two years
UK consumer spending surged to its highest level in nearly two years, rising by 2.6% in January. While discretionary spending is up, businesses face cost pressures from rising wages and national insurance hikes.
