Small food businesses warn that the new packaging tax could be catastrophic, forcing price rises, cashflow problems and business closures amid soaring operational costs.
Category: In Business
Advice on growing your small and medium sized business, SME, in the UK. Hiring and managing staff and finance plus marketing all on one website
Brands warn UK must restore VAT-free shopping to attract US tourists amid tariff fears
British luxury brands urge government to reinstate VAT-free shopping for tourists, warning that Trump’s new tariffs could push US shoppers to Europe, bypassing the UK.
Small businesses embrace AI for quick productivity wins, study finds
New research reveals UK small businesses are using AI to boost efficiency, with productivity gains of up to 133%. From marketing help to rota planning, AI is proving to be a powerful tool for SMEs.
Charity shops go digital to compete with booming second-hand fashion apps
UK charity shops are expanding online to compete with second-hand apps like Vinted and Depop, as high street sales decline due to rising costs and fast-fashion donations. Discover how leading charities are adapting.
London finance sector sees seasonal hiring boost, but Trump tariffs and global instability cloud outlook
The City of London’s financial services sector experienced a modest hiring rebound in the first quarter of 2025, according to Morgan McKinley’s latest London Employment Monitor.
Why hiring veterans makes business sense
Veterans bring leadership, loyalty and problem-solving skills to UK firms, says a new OVA study. Discover why hiring ex-military staff is a smart move for businesses.
Hull tipped to become new Bordeaux as climate change reshapes Europe’s wine map
A new report predicts Hull could support cabernet sauvignon by 2100, as climate change pushes wine production north, with Yorkshire set to rival Bordeaux in the future of fine wine.
Retail, hospitality and leisure sectors face fresh uncertainty amid Trump tariff chaos
Despite a 90-day pause in US tariffs, UK retail, hospitality and leisure sectors continue to face rising costs, disrupted supply chains and uncertainty, warns Clarke Willmott’s Amanda French.
Bond street reclaims title as Europe’s most expensive shopping street
Bond Street has regained its crown as Europe’s priciest shopping street, with prime rents rising 20% in 2023 to £13,162 per sqm, overtaking Milan’s Via Monte Napoleone, says Savills.
Wrightbus to build 1,000 zero-emission buses as part of major expansion drive
Northern Ireland’s Wrightbus is set to deliver 1,000 zero-emission buses, boost production by 40%, and unveil the UK’s first long-range hydrogen coach, in a £25m innovation drive backed by government.
HMRC blocks over 100 million malicious emails in three years, amid growing cyber threat
HMRC has blocked over 100 million malicious emails since 2021, as cyber threats against UK government services escalate. Experts call for stronger defences and upskilling in cybersecurity.
Edinburgh, Manchester and Bristol lead UK’s high-growth business boom outside London
Barclays Eagle Labs’ 2024 report reveals Edinburgh, Manchester and Bristol are the top UK regions outside London for high-growth tech businesses, driving local economic growth and innovation.
Business leaders and MPs at odds over tax reform priorities, says new research
New research from Price Bailey reveals a stark divide between MPs and business leaders on tax reform priorities, with capital gains and business sale taxes topping business concerns while MPs focus on business rates.
‘Everyone is affected’: Solihull reacts to Trump’s 25% tariff on UK car exports
As Donald Trump’s 25% tariff on UK car exports threatens jobs at Jaguar Land Rover, Solihull residents fear the wider economic ripple effect on their town and the industry.
What is live shopping and will it take off in the UK?
Live shopping blends entertainment with e-commerce, but will it catch on in the UK like it has in Asia? Here’s what brands and analysts think about its future.
