FTSE 100 swings and gilt yields hold above 4.9% as US strikes on Iran and Burnham uncertainty rattle markets. What it means for UK SME costs and borrowing.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Zuber Issa snaps up 85 Prax forecourts in dash to rebuild fuel empire
Zuber Issa has bought 85 forecourts from the collapsed Prax Group, taking EG On The Move to 285 sites. What the deal means for forecourt operators.
Gas prices leap 5% as Trump declares Iran ceasefire ‘over’
Wholesale gas prices jumped 5% after Donald Trump declared the Iran ceasefire over, reviving fears of another energy cost shock for UK businesses.
John Lewis calls time on currency desks, putting 200 jobs at risk
John Lewis job cuts put around 200 roles at risk as it plans to close in-store currency desks and gift wrapping, blaming the shift to digital payments.
23andMe breach victims land $47m payout from firm’s new owner
Victims of the 23andMe data breach will share a $46.75m payout after a US court ruling. What the case means for UK firms holding sensitive customer data.
Part-time hiring hits three-year high as wary employers keep permanent roles on ice
UK part-time hiring has hit a three-year high as cautious employers meet rising demand without permanent staff costs, new KPMG and REC figures show.
Farage quits as MP and forces Clacton by-election amid deepening row over undeclared donations
Nigel Farage has resigned as MP for Clacton and will stand in a by-election, as two standards investigations into undeclared payments are suspended by his exit.
Prince Harry’s £50m hacking claim against Daily Mail publisher thrown out in full by High Court
The High Court has dismissed in full the £50m unlawful information gathering claim brought by Prince Harry, Sir Elton John and Baroness Lawrence against Daily Mail publisher Associated Newspapers.
Glamping couple take Britvic to court over Magic Mushroom Cabin photo
A Northamptonshire glamping couple are suing J2O maker Britvic over the unauthorised use of a photo of their Magic Mushroom Cabin, in a case every SME should watch.
US jobs growth stalls in June as World Cup boost fails to materialise
US payrolls rose by just 57,000 in June, barely half of Wall Street forecasts, as the World Cup failed to lift hiring and the Fed weighs its next move on rates.
ITV agrees £1.6bn sale of media and entertainment arm to Sky in landmark broadcasting deal
ITV has agreed to sell its media and entertainment business to Sky for up to £1.6bn, creating a UK broadcasting champion to take on Netflix and YouTube. Free-to-air protected until 2034.
Electric and plug-in hybrid cars overtake petrol-only sales as Chinese brands claim one in seven UK registrations
Electric and plug-in hybrid cars have outsold petrol-only models in the UK for the first time, as Chinese brands MG, Chery and BYD take one in seven sales.
Firms ‘taxed out of existence’ as investment appetite falls to lowest level since Covid
BCC survey of 4,744 firms finds just 17% plan to raise investment, the weakest reading since the pandemic, as tax rises and soaring costs squeeze UK businesses.
Insolvency Service turns to AI in crackdown on rogue directors behind £800m ‘phoenixism’ problem
The Insolvency Service’s new 50-strong taskforce will use AI analytics to catch directors who liquidate firms to dodge tax, amid an £800m phoenixism problem.
Sunak admits Covid bailouts were a mistake as he urges Britain to let failing firms go bust
Rishi Sunak admits Covid-era business support propped up firms that should have failed, urging the UK to embrace US-style creative destruction to revive growth.
