News
Small businesses warn of April ‘perfect storm’ as costs surge
The Federation of Small Businesses warns 35% of small firms may close or cut output as higher wages, energy bills and tax changes hit in April.
Sunday 18 October 2026
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
The Federation of Small Businesses warns 35% of small firms may close or cut output as higher wages, energy bills and tax changes hit in April.
Liberty Global and Telefónica have agreed a £2bn deal to acquire Netomnia, expanding Virgin Media O2’s fibre reach to 20m UK premises and intensifying competition with…
Barclays’ Business Prosperity Index shows 58% of UK firms see Britain as the best place to grow, as the bank launches a £22bn Business Prosperity Fund.
Ofgem’s April price cap is forecast to fall 7% to £1,641, cutting typical household energy bills by £117 after government policy changes.
Boohoo Group is launching a £35m share placing to cut debt and support its turnaround, as shares fall 10% and competition intensifies.
UK inflation dropped to 3% in January, its lowest level since March 2025, strengthening expectations that the Bank of England could cut interest rates in March.
Octopus Energy Generation will deploy nearly $1bn into Californian carbon removal, heat battery and solar-plus-storage projects as part of a wider $2bn US expansion plan.
SatVu has secured £30m including backing from the NATO Innovation Fund to expand its space-based thermal imaging constellation for defence and sovereign intelligence use.
The British Business Bank has pledged up to £45m to Redrice Ventures’ £75m Fund II, supporting seed-stage UK consumer brands and creative industry startups.
UK unemployment rose to 5.2% and wage growth slowed to 4.2%, increasing pressure on the Bank of England to cut interest rates next month.
Topshop is returning to bricks-and-mortar retail in 32 John Lewis stores, marking its biggest high street comeback since Arcadia’s collapse in 2020.
The TUC warns the UK gender pay gap, currently 12.8%, will not close for another 30 years without faster reform, with finance showing the widest disparity.
BrewDog has appointed advisers to explore new investment options, including a potential sale or break-up, after losses and bar closures amid a challenging trading climate.
Former business secretary Sir Vince Cable has called for a police investigation into Prince Andrew’s time as UK trade envoy after US files suggest he shared…
GMR Capital, parent of Rontec, posted a record £98.4m pre-tax profit as its forecourt estate surpassed £1.5bn in value despite falling revenues.