ONS data shows UK wage growth slowed to 4.6% in Q2 while vacancies fell for the 37th consecutive month, as businesses warn higher payroll taxes are weakening hiring confidence.
Category: News
Stay informed with the latest UK self-employed news, small-business policy changes, tax updates and freelancer market trends.
The Entertainer to become employee-owned as founder hands over UK’s biggest toy shop chain to staff
Gary Grant will transfer 100% ownership of The Entertainer to its 1,900 employees via an employee trust, joining a growing list of major UK brands moving to staff ownership.
Poundland to close 49 more UK stores as new owners push ahead with restructuring
Poundland will shut 49 more UK branches by mid-September – with 10 closing today – as part of new owner Gordon Brothers’ plan to slim the chain by nearly 70 stores.
Farage faces rising tension with younger Reform voters over net zero stance
Nigel Farage’s hardline climate policies risk alienating younger Reform UK supporters, as polling shows a growing rift over net zero and renewable energy investment.
Ex-army pilot Peter Dilnot tops FTSE 100 ‘fat cat’ pay list with £45m package
Melrose CEO Peter Dilnot has overtaken AstraZeneca’s Pascal Soriot as the UK’s highest-paid FTSE 100 boss after a £45m payout, fuelling fresh debate over executive pay gaps.
Rachel Reeves tipped to target pensions, property and investments in bid to plug £50bn fiscal gap
Finance experts warn Britons to prepare for targeted tax changes on pensions, property and investment assets ahead of Rachel Reeves’ autumn Budget as the Treasury faces a £50bn shortfall.
DVLA to roll out digital driving licences by end of year in major services overhaul
The DVLA will launch mobile driving licences via the new GOV.UK Wallet app this year, allowing motorists to prove their identity and age from their smartphones.
The Ivy faces legal challenge from waiter over share of tips and service charges
A former waiter is taking The Ivy to an employment tribunal, claiming he was unfairly allocated tips and service charges despite new laws on fair and transparent distribution.
Jeremy Clarkson warns of ‘catastrophic’ UK harvest as farmers battle extreme weather and rising costs
Jeremy Clarkson says Britain faces a “catastrophic” harvest due to extreme weather, as farmers warn drought and rising costs could push many agricultural businesses to the brink.
HSBC reverses Canary Wharf exit plan amid desk shortage and return-to-office push
HSBC has signed a 15-year lease for new offices in Canary Wharf after a shortage of desks at its future City HQ forced the bank to rethink plans to leave the Docklands.
Soho House profits surge as membership limits boost exclusivity amid privatisation talks
Soho House has posted record consecutive profits after restricting new memberships in key cities, as billionaire chairman Ron Burkle renews plans to take the company private.
Gambling firms lose £4bn in market value amid fears of Reeves-led tax hike
Shares in Flutter, Entain and Evoke tumbled as fears grow that Chancellor Rachel Reeves will target the gambling sector with higher taxes in the autumn Budget.
Rayner defends plan to raise 18-year-old minimum wage despite business backlash
Deputy PM Angela Rayner is pushing to give 18–20-year-olds the full adult minimum wage, despite warnings from business leaders it could cost jobs amid rising employment taxes.
Gold futures hit record high as Trump imposes surprise tariffs on one-kilo gold bars
Gold futures surged to a record high on Friday following reports that the United States has imposed steep tariffs on imports of one-kilo gold bars, a move set to hit Switzerland’s multibillion-dollar bullion trade.
Gary Neville accuses Labour of making it harder for businesses to hire after £25bn tax hike
Gary Neville has criticised Labour’s £25bn employer national insurance rise, warning it will deter hiring and hurt struggling UK businesses already facing rising costs.
