Category: News

The UK has launched a new Critical Minerals Strategy to cut import dependence, produce 10% of minerals domestically, expand recycling to 20%, and back industry with £50m to secure supplies for EVs, defence and clean energy.

A cross-party group of MPs will deliver a 152,000-signature FairFuelUK petition urging Rachel Reeves to cut or freeze fuel duty amid warnings of economic harm from potential tax rises.

Industry leaders warn Britain could lose 10,000 late-night venues and 150,000 jobs by 2028 unless the Autumn Budget delivers urgent support amid rising costs and tax pressures.

UK retail sales fell 1.1% in October as shoppers held off purchases ahead of the Budget and Black Friday, raising concerns about festive trading and consumer confidence.

Government borrowing is £9.9bn higher than forecast so far this fiscal year, deepening pressure on Rachel Reeves as she prepares a tax-heavy Budget amid rising debt costs.

The government has unveiled a major AI investment package, including a £10bn South Wales AI Growth Zone and £350m in national AI infrastructure funding to boost UK innovation and jobs.

Eurotunnel has frozen UK rail investments after the VOA proposed a 200% rise in its business rates bill, warning the move could trigger higher Eurostar fares and jeopardise freight expansion plans.

Nearly two-thirds of fast-growth business founders believe the Labour government is “anti-business”, according to a new survey from Helm, one of the UK’s largest networks of scale-up entrepreneurs.

The Conservatives have accused Rachel Reeves of undermining the Budget process and misusing OBR forecasts after dropping plans for an income tax rise, prompting demands for transparency over her decision.

Tech founder Madelaine Thomas says Barclays shut her bank account and refused a business account because she earns income from OnlyFans, despite FCA warnings against denying services to adult workers.

Make UK has signed a major partnership with Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters to boost bilateral trade, technology innovation and defence collaboration between the UK and Canada.

Nearly 20% of prospective home movers have paused plans due to uncertainty over possible property tax changes in next week’s Budget, Rightmove says, as house price growth slows and confidence dips.

City investor David Zahn warns that rising gilt yields could force Rachel Reeves to deliver a second budget if markets react negatively to her fiscal plans, with 6% bond rates deemed “unsustainable”.

UK inflation has dropped to 3.6% — its lowest in four months — as energy and hotel prices ease, though food inflation has risen again. The fall comes one week before Rachel Reeves delivers the Budget.