Britain’s private sector workers are facing the worst hit to real incomes since 2022 as inflation outstrips earnings growth, a softening jobs market erodes bargaining power and the Bank of England weighs its next move.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Bags of Ethics chief and shipping carbon-capture pioneer crowned at 2026 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Awards
Smruti Sriram OBE of Bags of Ethics wins the 2026 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award, with Seabound’s Alisha Fredriksson taking the Bold Future Award for slashing shipping emissions by up to 95 per cent
Taps could run dry without urgent action on drought, peers warn ministers
A House of Lords committee warns England’s water supply could fall 5bn litres a day short by 2055 unless ministers act now on drought, leakage and rainwater capture. What it means for SMEs, farmers and industry.
SpaceX lifts the veil on its finances as Musk readies the biggest flotation in stock market history
SpaceX has revealed its finances for the first time, posting $18.7bn revenue and a $4.9bn loss as Elon Musk readies what may be the biggest IPO ever.
Britain seals landmark Gulf trade deal in G7 first, promising £3.7bn lift for UK exporters
Britain becomes the first G7 country to sign a free trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council, a £3.7bn-a-year prize for UK exporters, carmakers and food producers.
OpenAI lines up confidential IPO filing as race for AI listings accelerates
OpenAI is preparing a confidential IPO filing with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, paving the way for one of the most consequential AI listings on record and raising the stakes for SpaceX, Anthropic and the wider technology sector.
AI-powered nimbyism is jamming Britain’s planning system putting 1.5 million new homes at risk
AI tools such as Objector.ai and ChatGPT are helping residents flood councils with sophisticated planning objections, slowing UK approvals and putting the 1.5 million homes target at risk, warns TerraQuest chief Geoff Keal.
ASA rebukes John Lewis, Boots and Debenhams over inflated Black Friday discounts
The ASA has ruled Black Friday adverts from John Lewis, Boots and Debenhams misled shoppers by exaggerating savings, in its latest AI-led pricing crackdown.
Rooftop solar pioneers sought as CPRE opens nominations for Centenary Award
CPRE has opened nominations for its Best Rooftop Solar Solution award, recognising SMEs, community groups and innovators delivering clean energy. Entries close 30 June 2026.
Greene King pulls the plug on supermarket strategy with sale of Old Speckled Hen to Spain’s Damm
Greene King has sold Old Speckled Hen to Estrella Damm owner Damm UK as it retreats from supermarkets and refocuses on its pubs. Inside the deal and what it means for British brewing.
Standard Chartered to swap 7,800 back-office jobs for AI as UK labour market wobbles
Standard Chartered will axe almost 7,800 back-office roles by 2030, swapping ‘lower-value human capital’ for AI, as UK unemployment climbs to 5% and payrolls slide.
Kyle vows no climbdown on late payment crackdown as landmark bill enters parliament
Business Secretary Peter Kyle tells Business Matters he will not bow to corporate lobbying as the Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill enters parliament with a 60-day cap, 8% interest and multi-million pound fines.
UK jobless rate climbs to 5% as Iran war and Hormuz shock chill hiring
UK unemployment unexpectedly climbed to 5% as the Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz closure chill hiring, with payrolls down 100,000 in April and vacancies at a five-year low.
Lloyds set to scrap Halifax brand after 173 years in major high-street shake-up
Lloyds Banking Group is reportedly preparing to retire the Halifax brand after 173 years, in one of the biggest shake-ups of the UK high street in a generation. Here is what it means for customers, SMEs and the wider banking market.
Natwest pledges £20bn for the North of England as banks bet on devolution to drive growth
NatWest commits £20bn over 10 years to the North of England, backing housing, transport, clean energy and devolution as Paul Thwaite makes the case for regional growth.
