HSBC has announced that it will close 114 branches across the UK from next April as it blames the pandemic for a decline in footfall.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Mobile and broadband firms meet ministers to help people facing cost of living difficulties
The UK’s biggest broadband and mobile operators have today met with the government to follow up on commitments agreed in the summer to support customers with the cost of living.
BT offers staff £1,500 to end pay dispute
BT has offered the majority of its staff an extra £1,500 pay rise on top of an increase in April, bringing to an end a bitter pay dispute that led to the company’s first strikes in 35 years.
Fall in mortgage borrowing after mini-budget turmoil
Mortgage borrowing fell to its lowest level in nearly a year last month as the market turmoil after the government’s mini-budget caused a steep rise in borrowing costs, according to new data.
Elon Musk threat of Apple ‘war’ in row over Twitter
Elon Musk appeared to threaten a “war” with Apple after claiming that it had cut back on advertising with Twitter and was trying to exclude the social media site from its app store.
Primark to open at least four new stores and create 850 jobs
Primark has announced a £140m investment leading to the opening of four new shops and the creation of at least 850 jobs.
Government launches £1bn scheme to insulate middle-income homes
The government will spend an extra £1bn to insulate the least energy-efficient homes in the UK, the business secretary has announced.
UK firms well below EU average for tax roll burden of workers on £30k
The UK has one of the lowest payroll tax burdens for businesses, with the average cost of employing a worker on £30k being £3,000.
UK exports to Japan slump after ‘landmark’ free trade deal
The first major free trade agreement signed by Britain after Brexit has been branded a failure after new figures showed exports had fallen since it came into force.
North of England rail faces ‘utter chaos’, warns business group
Business leaders have warned that rail services across the north of England could “collapse into utter chaos” unless the government pushes urgently for a resolution to months of disruption.
Ineos in talks with Rolls-Royce on mini-nuclear power plant technology
Ineos, the chemicals company owned by the billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has held exploratory talks with Rolls-Royce on nuclear technology that could eventually be chosen to provide zero-carbon energy to the Grangemouth refinery in Scotland.
Charities seek to distance themselves from Michelle Mone after PPE claims
Charities linked to Baroness Mone and her husband are distancing themselves from the couple after they were accused of secretly receiving £29 million by lobbying for a PPE company.
Farmers without solar panels could lose out on £1bn as Government weighs up clampdown
Farmers without solar panels could be missing out on up to £1bn over the next two years, according to new analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU).
Meta seeks government protection from Rees-Mogg’s EU law bonfire
Facebook and Instagram have asked for government protection from Jacob Rees-Mogg’s bonfire of up to 4,000 EU laws on post-Brexit statute books.
Frasers finally gains a cut above the rest with Gieves & Hawkes purchase
Michael Murray’s attempt to “elevate” the Frasers Group brand has stepped up a gear after the Sports Direct owner confirmed it had bought Gieves & Hawkes.
