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An award-winning tradesperson has announced plans to leave the UK for Switzerland, warning that rising employment taxes, shrinking apprenticeship support and mounting red tape are driving skilled workers and small business owners overseas.

Award-winning builder quits UK for Switzerland, due to tax pressure and skills crisis

6 February 2026 News Jamie Young 0 Comments

An award-winning UK tradesperson is relocating to Switzerland, warning that rising taxes, weak apprenticeship support and red tape are driving skilled workers overseas.

Close Bank of England vote could see "reversal of this week's mortgage rate increases" say brokers BROKERS have said the closer than expected vote split at this week's Bank of England (BoE) rate decision and an apparent confidence among policyholders that inflation will be back to around target from April could see "a reversal of this week's rate increases" from major lenders. One said: "Lenders have been edgy over the past week or so but we could now see Swap rates, which determine the pricing of fixed rate mortgages, start to edge down again." But while this is good news for borrowers, a money expert warned savers that "the direction of travel is clear". At its meeting ending on 4 February 2026, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 5–4 to maintain Bank Rate at 3.75%. Four members voted to reduce Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 3.5%. The Bank of England said that while inflation is above the 2% target currently, it is expected to fall back to around the target from April, owing to developments in energy prices including from Budget 2025. Crucially, it added that, on the basis of current evidence, Bank Rate is likely to be reduced further, caveating that the extent and timing of further easing in monetary policy will depend on the evolution of the outlook for inflation. Brokers and property experts were upbeat about the announcement and accompanying minutes, suggesting the Bank's dovish tone and vote split could see mortgage rates once again start to edge down. Shaun Sturgess, Director at Swansea-based mortgage broker, Sturgess Mortgage Solutions, said: "A closer than expected vote and dovish minutes, with policymakers seemingly confident that inflation will be back to target soon, is exactly what the doctor ordered for borrowers. "Lenders have been edgy over the past week or so but we could now see swap rates, which determine the pricing of fixed rate mortgages, start to edge down again." Chris Barry, Director at Thomas Legal, a nationwide conveyancing firm, also said the vote was much closer than many anticipated. He continued: "This data does hint that when inflation starts to play ball, as the Bank expects it to, we could quite easily see another rate cut and in the not-too-distant future. The timing could be perfect if this takes place in the usually busy spring property market". Tony Redondo, Founder at Cosmos Currency Exchange, said "the era of hikes is over, the era of timing the next cut has begun", adding "the dovish hold signals the Bank of England is on the brink of a pivot". He continued: "While a hold at 3.75% was the consensus, the razor-thin majority suggests a regime shift is imminent. A Spring base rate cut is now firmly on the cards. "By highlighting April’s inflation target return, the BoE has set a clear 'data trigger'. If April data confirms this cooling, a May cut is the base case, though March remains a live possibility." Babek Ismayil, CEO at homebuying platform OneDome, said the vote split bodes well for borrowers: "A hold from the Bank of England was expected but the closeness of the vote and the Bank's apparent confidence that inflation will be back around target in a couple of months bodes well for borrowers. "It will be interesting to see how Swap markets react to this announcement, but there is every chance they may edge down, which could see mortgage rates follow suit." Jack Tutton, Director at SJ Mortgages, agreed: "The fact that the vote was so close will prompt the markets into thinking that a further cut to the base rate is coming sooner than thought. In turn, we could start to see mortgage rates falling again in the coming weeks." Katy Eatenton, Mortgage & Protection Specialist at Lifetime Wealth Management, said the cut could see lenders backtrack: "This close vote, perhaps closer than many were expecting after the rise in inflation, could see a reversal of this week's mortgage rate increases. "The Bank of England seems confident that inflation will be back around target from April and that is promising for a cut in the Spring, which will help borrowers around the country." But one broker was less convinced. Rohit Kohli, Director at The Mortgage Stop, said: "The close split is a clear warning for borrowers banking on continuous cuts. A 5-4 vote is tight by MPC standards and shows how fragile the outlook remains. "Inflation may drift back towards 2% on forecasts, but it has been stubborn, and it would not take much — from energy prices to fiscal shifts — to push it off course. "We already have clients who held off in early January when rates were falling, expecting further reductions. Some are probably now going to regret that decision. Rates have edged back up and those borrowers are scrambling to secure deals at higher levels than were available weeks ago. "A further wait-and-see approach ahead of the next MPC meeting could prove costly. Not everyone will want to roll the dice on that." Meanwhile, Antonia Medlicott, Founder & MD at Investing Insiders, warned savers about what looks set to come. She said: "The closeness of this vote shows that the direction of travel is clear. Savers should act now to ensure they're not repeating the same mistake too many UK savers did last year when they lost billions in purchase power by leaving their money in accounts paying below-inflation interest rates. "Be prepared to look online for the best rates, as the high street is rarely where you'll find them."

Hollywood money fuelled record £2.8bn spend on UK film production in 2025

5 February 2026 News Jamie Young 0 Comments

Hollywood studios and streamers pushed UK film production spending to a record £2.8bn in 2025, but growth may slow as Netflix shifts projects back to the US.

Chinese carmaker Chery to launch fourth brand in the UK

5 February 2026 News Jamie Young 0 Comments

Chinese carmaker Chery is launching its fourth UK brand, Lepas, expanding its fast-growing presence as Chinese EV and hybrid brands gain ground in Britain.

The UK’s data protection watchdog has fined the owner of image-sharing platform Imgur nearly £250,000 after finding serious failures in how the site handled children’s personal data.

ICO fines Imgur owner £247k over children’s data failures

5 February 2026 News, Technology Business Matters 0 Comments

The ICO has fined MediaLab £247,590 after finding Imgur failed to protect children’s personal data, allowed under-13s to use the platform without age checks and exposed them to harmful content.

Cutting net migration to zero would deliver a short-term boost to living standards but ultimately prove “fiscally unsustainable”, leaving the UK economy smaller, public finances weaker and the deficit permanently higher, according to new analysis.

Cutting net migration to zero would shrink UK economy and worsen deficit, think tank warns

5 February 2026 News Jamie Young 0 Comments

Cutting net migration to zero would deliver a short-term boost to living standards but ultimately prove “fiscally unsustainable”, leaving the UK economy smaller, public finances weaker and the deficit permanently higher, according to new analysis.

The UK Government has announced a £36 million investment to expand access to advanced artificial intelligence computing, backing a major upgrade of the University of Cambridge’s DAWN supercomputer.

UK invests £36m in AI supercomputer to boost research and startup innovation

5 February 2026 AI, News, Technology Jamie Young 0 Comments

The UK Government has announced a £36m investment to expand Cambridge’s DAWN AI supercomputer, giving researchers and startups free access to advanced computing power.

Peter Jones buys American Golf as Dragons’ Den star expands retail empire

4 February 2026 Get Funded, News Jamie Young 0 Comments

Dragons’ Den investor Peter Jones has acquired American Golf, the UK’s largest golf retailer, as he looks to revive the loss-making chain and expand its online business.

Car finance companies must all complete credit checks, and affordability assessments when deciding who they should approve. I have worked for a bad credit car finance lender, a car finance broker, and a car finance specialist dealer, and understand the key things that car finance providers focus on when making their lending decisions.

Santander attacks FCA ‘overreach’ as UK car finance scandal bill passes £460m

4 February 2026 News Jamie Young 0 Comments

Santander has accused the FCA of regulatory overreach after setting aside £461m for the UK motor finance scandal, as its Spanish parent agrees a $12bn US bank takeover.

The UK economy is losing as much as £3.5 billion a year as tens of thousands of women leave the technology sector amid stalled career progression, unequal pay and weak leadership pipelines, according to a new landmark report released to mark Ada Lovelace Day.

Women in tech and finance face higher risk of AI job losses, City of London report warns

4 February 2026 AI, News, Technology Jamie Young 0 Comments

Women working in technology and financial services are at greater risk of losing their jobs to artificial intelligence and automation than men, according to a new report from the City of London Corporation.

Howard and Aidan Barclay have been given six weeks to reach an agreement with creditors after HSBC launched bankruptcy proceedings over debts linked to the collapse of the family’s logistics empire.

Barclay brothers given six weeks to strike deal to avoid bankruptcy

4 February 2026 News Jamie Young 0 Comments

Howard and Aidan Barclay have until 17 March to strike a deal with creditors after HSBC launched bankruptcy proceedings linked to the collapse of Yodel and ArrowXL owner Logistics Group.

Brussels would be willing to discuss closer trade ties with the UK, including the possibility of cooperation on a customs union, a senior European commissioner has said, signalling the clearest openness yet from the EU to re-engage with Britain.

EU has ‘open mind’ on UK customs union talks, commissioner says

4 February 2026 News Amy Ingham 0 Comments

Brussels is open to discussing closer trade ties with the UK, including a customs union, as EU commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis signals willingness to re-engage.

The Welsh first minister has sparked controversy after urging the public to stop watching Netflix and instead go to the pub in order to support struggling hospitality businesses.

Stop watching Netflix and go to the pub, Welsh first minister tells public

4 February 2026 News Amy Ingham 0 Comments

Welsh first minister Eluned Morgan has urged people to stop watching Netflix and go to the pub as Wales unveils a one-year business rates discount for hospitality.

The interest rate the taxman charges on unpaid tax has reached a 14-year high of 6 per cent, but if you expect the same return on anything it owes you, you’ll be out of luck.

One million miss HMRC tax return deadline as penalties begin

3 February 2026 News Jamie Young 0 Comments

Around one million taxpayers missed the HMRC self-assessment deadline, triggering automatic £100 fines and potential interest charges for late filers.

Barnsley has been rebranded as Britain’s first “tech town”, with ministers unveiling plans to use artificial intelligence to improve local schools, healthcare and businesses as part of the government’s push to embed AI across the economy.

Barnsley named UK’s first ‘tech town’ as US giants back AI rollout

3 February 2026 AI, News Business Matters 0 Comments

Barnsley has been rebranded as the UK’s first “tech town”, with Microsoft, Google, Cisco and Adobe backing a government-led AI rollout across schools, healthcare and local businesses.

The Information Commissioner’s Office has launched formal investigations into X Internet Unlimited Company and X.AI over their handling of personal data in connection with the Grok artificial intelligence system.

ICO opens formal investigation into Grok AI over data protection and harmful imagery concerns

3 February 2026 AI, News Amy Ingham 0 Comments

The Information Commissioner’s Office has launched formal investigations into X Internet Unlimited Company and X.AI over their handling of personal data in connection with the Grok artificial intelligence system.