Heritage fashion brand Barbour has paid a £30m dividend to its founding family after a resurgence in waxed jackets helped lift annual profits by £10m.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
One in three graduates on benefits say poor health prevents them from working
The number of graduates claiming benefits has surged since the pandemic, with one in three citing poor health as the main barrier to work, prompting renewed calls to prioritise vocational training over low-value degrees.
Could Jaguar U-turn on its all-electric future after EV rebrand backlash?
Jaguar is reportedly exploring a petrol-electric range-extender hybrid despite its EV-only pledge, as the carmaker seeks to ease range anxiety amid slowing electric vehicle demand.
Gold breaks $5,000 an ounce for first time as investors flee to safety
Gold surged above $5,000 an ounce for the first time as a weaker dollar, yen intervention fears and rising geopolitical tensions fuelled demand for safe-haven assets.
Scarlett Johansson and Cate Blanchett back campaign accusing AI firms of ‘theft’
Scarlett Johansson, Cate Blanchett and hundreds of creatives have backed a new campaign accusing AI companies of stealing copyrighted work and calling for mandatory licensing deals.
Poundland shuts 149 stores and cuts 2,200 jobs in £1 refocus turnaround
Poundland has closed 149 stores and cut 2,200 jobs as part of a major turnaround plan, refocusing on £1 items and relaunching its Pep & Co clothing brand.
Government steps in with £25m investment to keep AI firms listed in London
The UK government has made its largest direct investment to date through the British Business Bank, backing AI firm Kraken Technologies as ministers seek to keep high-growth tech companies listing in London.
Bank of England accelerates Leeds expansion as part of cost-cutting overhaul
The Bank of England plans to base half of all new external hires in Leeds as it cuts costs, reduces headcount and renovates its London estate, aiming to grow its northern hub to 500 staff by 2027.
Amazon set to cut thousands more jobs as AI overhaul accelerates
Amazon is preparing a second major round of job cuts as it looks to shed around 30,000 roles, with artificial intelligence and organisational restructuring driving reductions across corporate teams.
Labour urged to raise private pension access age to curb early retirement
Labour is being urged to restrict access to private pensions from age 55, with the Resolution Foundation arguing reforms could boost employment and ease pressure on the public finances.
Calling colleagues ‘old’ over IT skills is not age discrimination, tribunal rules
An employment tribunal has ruled that calling a colleague “old” over poor IT skills does not amount to age discrimination, dismissing claims brought against kitchen retailer Harvey Jones.
Mike Lynch superyacht builder sues widow for £400m over Bayesian sinking
The Italian Sea Group has filed a £400m lawsuit against Mike Lynch’s widow and the crew of the Bayesian superyacht, claiming the tragedy caused a collapse in yacht sales.
Nigel Farage renews pledge to tax banks by scrapping Bank of England interest payments
Nigel Farage has renewed plans to scrap interest payments the Bank of England pays to commercial banks, reviving tensions with the banking sector and raising questions over market confidence.
Government borrowing falls on income tax windfall, but pressure on public finances remains
Government borrowing fell by 38% in December as higher income tax receipts boosted revenues, but ONS figures show UK public finances remain stretched over the wider financial year.
Next buys Russell & Bromley out of administration as 33 shops face uncertainty
Next has acquired the Russell & Bromley brand in a £2.5m rescue deal, but the future of 33 stores and around 400 jobs remains uncertain as administrators review options.
