Over 3,000 cyber breaches were reported to the ICO, which regulates the collection and use of personal data over 2023
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Brexit Border IT Outages Delay Import of Perishable Items to UK by Up to 20 Hours
UK businesses face significant delays importing perishable goods due to Brexit border IT outages, with lorries held for up to 20 hours and retailers rejecting some orders.
![Heathrow has said passenger numbers were 60% lower in November than before the coronavirus pandemic and there were “high cancellations” among business travellers concerned about being trapped overseas for Christmas as Omicron spreads. The UK’s largest airport said the government’s travel restrictions had dealt a fresh blow to travel confidence and predicted it was likely to take several years for passenger numbers to return to pre-pandemic levels. This week ministers said passengers arriving in the UK would have to take a pre-departure Covid test, as well as a post-flight test, because of fears about the spread of the new variant. “[The] high level of cancellations by business travellers concerned about being trapped overseas because of pre-departure testing shows the potential harm to the economy of travel restrictions,” the airport said in an update. Heathrow said the drop in traveller confidence owing to the new travel restrictions had negated the benefit of reopening the all-important corridor to North America for business and holiday travel last month. Eleven African countries have been added to the government’s red list, requiring travellers to quarantine before reuniting with families. “By allowing Brits to isolate at home, ministers can make sure they are reunited with their loved ones this Christmas,” said John Holland-Kaye, the chief executive of Heathrow. “It would send a strong signal that restrictions on travel will be removed as soon as safely possible to give passengers the confidence to book for 2022, opening up thousands of new jobs for local people at Heathrow. Let’s reunite families for Christmas.” Heathrow said that if the government could safely signal that restrictions would be lifted soon, then employers at Heathrow would have the confidence to hire thousands of staff in anticipation of a boost in business next summer. The airport is expecting a slow start to 2022, finishing next year with about 45 million passengers – just over half of pre-pandemic levels. This week Tui, Europe’s largest package holiday operator, said it expected bookings for next summer to bounce back to 2019 levels. However, Heathrow said on Friday not to expect the aviation industry to recover for several years. “We do not expect that international travel will recover to 2019 levels until at least all travel restrictions (including testing) are removed from all the markets that we serve, at both ends of the route, and there is no risk of new restrictions, such as quarantine, being imposed,” the airport said.](https://b3935509.assetcdn.net/2.0/3935509/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/shutterstock_1100012546-230x154.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Greggs Faces Profit Margin Pressure Amid Rising Wage Costs
Greggs, the UK’s largest bakery chain, reports increased first-quarter sales but faces profit margin pressures due to rising wage costs. The company plans further expansion with 140-160 new shops this year.
Britons Spend 800 Years Waiting to Speak to HMRC
Taxpayers spent nearly 800 years waiting on hold to HMRC last year, as the spending watchdog criticizes the decline in customer service and the inefficiency of digital alternatives.
Nigel Farage: I can’t think of any government which has done more to stop British food production
Nigel Farage has said he cannot think of any government in recent times which has done more to damage British food production.
Marston’s Optimistic for Euros Summer as Profits Surge
Marston’s pub chain reports strong first-half profits driven by food and drink sales, anticipates a profitable summer with major sporting events including the Euros.
UK Unemployment Hits 12-Month High as Job Vacancies Decline
UK unemployment rises to 4.3%, the highest in nearly a year, as job vacancies decrease. The ONS reports signs of a cooling job market, with wage growth continuing to outpace inflation.
Heathrow Urges Government to Reinstate VAT-Free Shopping to Boost UK Aviation Competitiveness
Heathrow Airport criticizes the UK government for hindering the global competitiveness of the aviation industry by withholding VAT-free shopping privileges for foreign visitors.
JPMorgan Chase Invests £40M to Empower Britain’s Disadvantaged Communities
JPMorgan Chase pledges £40 million in philanthropic investments over five years to enhance access to job opportunities and support financially struggling individuals in the UK.
Former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi Appointed Chairman of The Very Group by Barclay Family
Nadhim Zahawi, former UK Chancellor, has been selected by the billionaire Barclay family to chair The Very Group, succeeding Aidan Barclay in this key role.
New homes built in the UK in 2024 plunges by fifth in blow to government house building targets
The UK’s housing construction sector faced a significant setback in Q1 2024, with a sharp drop in new home builds attributed to factors like high interest rates and adverse weather conditions.
MPs propose levy on arena concert tickets to raise funds for struggling small venues
MPs are proposing a ticket levy on concerts held at UK arenas and stadiums to support struggling grassroots music venues.
John Lewis cut 3,500 jobs last year while hiring new chief on £1.2m pay deal
The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) underwent significant restructuring last year, resulting in the reduction of 3,500 jobs amidst efforts to streamline operations and save costs.
British tech firm Raspberry Pi set for £500m float
Raspberry Pi, the Cambridge-based computer business known for its low-cost, credit-card-sized computers, is finalizing plans to float on the stock market this month, potentially valuing the company at up to £500 million.
British Steel nearing multibillion-pound taxpayer rescue
British Steel, owned by Jingye, is nearing a rescue deal with the UK government that could unlock hundreds of millions of pounds in taxpayer aid.
