The Co-op has warned that 60,000 small shops and 150,000 jobs could vanish unless the Government delivers urgent business rates reform, as new research shows most Britons doubt ministers will act to save struggling high streets.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Lloyds sets aside extra £800m to cover car loan mis-selling fallout
Lloyds Banking Group has increased its car finance mis-selling provision by £800m, taking the total to £1.95bn, as the FCA pushes ahead with an £11bn compensation scheme for UK drivers.
Lloyds puts CEO and top bosses through six-month AI bootcamp
Lloyds Banking Group is sending CEO Charlie Nunn and 300 senior leaders through a six-month Cambridge-designed AI bootcamp as part of its push to make artificial intelligence central to its banking and digital strategy.
PPE Medpro consortium signals willingness to settle as spotlight turns to government’s £85m missed resale opportunity
Following a £122m High Court ruling, PPE Medpro’s consortium says it is willing to engage in settlement talks with administrators — as questions mount over the government’s refusal to resell £85m worth of gowns.
Google could be forced to change search operations in the UK
The CMA has given Google “strategic market status” under Britain’s new digital markets law, paving the way for potential rule changes to its search and advertising business that could reshape how UK users and publishers interact online.
Landlords brand Starmer’s late-night pub plan a ‘waste of time’
Pub landlords have criticised Sir Keir Starmer’s plan to extend opening hours, warning it will raise costs and fail to revive Britain’s pub trade, which is struggling with higher taxes, energy prices and changing drinking habits.
LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders of 2025 revealed
The LDC Top 50 2025 celebrates the UK’s most ambitious entrepreneurs, with Mark Fitzgerald of CTR Group named overall winner and standout business leaders recognised for innovation, impact, sustainability and resilience across the UK.
£50m government boost for mental health research to deliver better treatments
The government has announced up to £50 million to accelerate mental health research, putting people with lived experience at the centre of innovation to develop more effective treatments and strengthen the UK’s life sciences sector.
Nigel Farage to meet Ineos tycoon Sir Jim Ratcliffe as Reform UK courts business leaders
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is set to meet Ineos billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe before Christmas as he steps up efforts to win over business figures critical of Britain’s clean energy, tax and industrial policies.
Jack Dorsey launches bitcoin payment wallet to rival credit cards
Block CEO Jack Dorsey has launched a bitcoin wallet for retailers using Square, allowing small businesses to auto-convert up to half their daily sales into cryptocurrency with no fees until 2027.
Gemini orders new Siemens trains as Uber-backed start-up takes aim at Eurostar
Uber-backed start-up Gemini Trains has ordered ten new Siemens Velaro Novo high-speed trains as it gears up to rival Eurostar on cross-Channel routes to Paris, Brussels and Cologne — with services expected to launch later this decade.
Kemi Badenoch pledges to abolish stamp duty in surprise conference announcement
Kemi Badenoch has pledged to abolish stamp duty as part of her new “golden rule” for public finances, promising to fund tax cuts and reduce the deficit through £47bn in savings while reigniting Britain’s housing market.
Manufacturing body welcomes JLR’s return to production but warns smaller suppliers face urgent liquidity support
The Confederation of British Metalforming has welcomed JLR’s staged production restart and supplier funding scheme but warned that smaller manufacturers still face severe liquidity pressures, urging banks and government to act quickly to protect UK automotive supply chains.
Kemi Badenoch to unveil ‘golden rule’ and totemic tax cut in Conservative conference speech
Kemi Badenoch will announce a ‘golden rule’ for public spending and unveil a flagship tax cut in her Conservative conference speech, aiming to put the economy at the centre of her leadership and boost the party’s growth message.
JPMorgan Chase named world’s most AI-advanced bank for third consecutive year
JPMorgan Chase has been named the world’s most AI-advanced bank for a third year running, leading the 2025 Evident AI Index. UK lenders HSBC and Lloyds improved their positions but continue to trail US rivals on AI talent.
