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Latest News:

  • Government to consult on ECITB and CITB merger into single construction skills body
  • Spring Statement 2026: Rachel Reeves trims growth forecast as Middle East tensions cloud outlook
  • Energy bills could hit £2,500 if Iran conflict disrupts global gas supplies
  • UK shop price inflation slows to 1.1% in February, easing cost of living pressure
  • ‘Exhilarating’ teenage entrepreneurs take their ideas to Westminster
  • Public fears over finances push UK consumer confidence back down
  • Most young Britons cannot name a single entrepreneur
  • Economic volatility keeps majority of London’s small business owners awake at night
  • Taxpayers warned to pay HMRC by 3 March or face 5% surcharge
  • More than 860,000 to move to Making Tax Digital from April as quarterly reporting begins
The Government has announced it will launch a 12-week consultation on whether the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) should merge to form a single statutory training body for the construction and engineering construction sectors.

Government to consult on ECITB and CITB merger into single construction skills body

The Government will consult on merging the ECITB and CITB into a single industry training body, as leaders warn engineering construction skills must remain protected amid plans to boost growth and clean energy jobs.

Rachel Reeves delivered her 2026 Spring Statement against the backdrop of escalating conflict in the Middle East and mounting fears that higher energy prices could derail the fragile recovery taking hold in the UK economy.

Spring Statement 2026: Rachel Reeves trims growth forecast as Middle East tensions cloud outlook

Rachel Reeves delivers Spring Statement 2026 with downgraded growth forecast, rising unemployment and improved fiscal headroom, as business leaders warn of energy shocks and economic fragility.

Household energy bills could climb to as much as £2,500 a year if the escalating conflict involving Iran leads to prolonged disruption in global gas supplies, analysts have warned, raising the prospect of a renewed energy crisis.

Energy bills could hit £2,500 if Iran conflict disrupts global gas supplies

UK energy bills could surge to £2,500 a year if the Iran conflict disrupts LNG supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, analysts warn, as wholesale gas prices jump 50%.

Shop price inflation slowed more than expected in February, offering tentative relief to households grappling with elevated living costs and providing fresh evidence that broader inflationary pressures may be easing.

UK shop price inflation slows to 1.1% in February, easing cost of living pressure

Shop price inflation slowed to 1.1% in February, according to the BRC, as food and fashion discounts eased cost of living pressures ahead of the spring statement.

Teenage entrepreneurs swapped classrooms for committee rooms this week as groups of 16 and 17-year-olds pitched their start-ups inside the House of Commons, offering ministers a vivid reminder of the ambition bubbling beneath Britain’s youth unemployment statistics.

‘Exhilarating’ teenage entrepreneurs take their ideas to Westminster

Teenage entrepreneurs swapped classrooms for committee rooms this week as groups of 16 and 17-year-olds pitched their start-ups inside the House of Commons, offering ministers a vivid reminder of the ambition bubbling beneath Britain’s youth unemployment statistics.

A,Shopping,High,Street,Scene,With,Woman,Carrying,Shopping,Bag

Public fears over finances push UK consumer confidence back down

UK consumer confidence slipped to -19 in February, according to GfK, as concerns over personal finances and economic uncertainty depress spending and savings expectations.

Lord Alan Sugar has become the latest high-profile business leader to attack remote working, insisting that young people “just want to sit at home” and need to get their “bums back into the office.”

Most young Britons cannot name a single entrepreneur

More than 56% of 18-25 year-olds cannot name a single entrepreneur, with Richard Branson still the most recognised, according to new YouGov research for Enterprise Britain.

More than three in four small business owners in London are losing sleep over the pressures of running a company in today’s climate, according to new research from Novuna Business Finance.

Economic volatility keeps majority of London’s small business owners awake at night

Nearly 80% of London small business owners say economic volatility, tax fears and cashflow pressures keep them awake at night, despite rising growth expectations for 2026, according to Novuna research.

Around one million taxpayers who missed the 31 January self-assessment deadline now face an additional financial hit unless they settle what they owe to HMRC by 3 March.

Taxpayers warned to pay HMRC by 3 March or face 5% surcharge

One million taxpayers who missed the 31 January self-assessment deadline must pay HMRC by 3 March or face a 5% surcharge plus 7.75% interest on unpaid tax.

  1. Government to consult on ECITB and CITB merger into single construction skills body
  2. Spring Statement 2026: Rachel Reeves trims growth forecast as Middle East tensions cloud outlook
  3. Energy bills could hit £2,500 if Iran conflict disrupts global gas supplies
  4. UK shop price inflation slows to 1.1% in February, easing cost of living pressure
  5. ‘Exhilarating’ teenage entrepreneurs take their ideas to Westminster
  6. Public fears over finances push UK consumer confidence back down
  7. Most young Britons cannot name a single entrepreneur
  8. Economic volatility keeps majority of London’s small business owners awake at night
  9. Taxpayers warned to pay HMRC by 3 March or face 5% surcharge

Latest News…

The Government has announced it will launch a 12-week consultation on whether the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) should merge to form a single statutory training body for the construction and engineering construction sectors.

Government to consult on ECITB and CITB merger into single construction skills body

The Government will consult on merging the ECITB and CITB into a single industry training body, as leaders warn engineering construction skills must remain protected amid plans to boost growth and clean energy jobs.

Rachel Reeves delivered her 2026 Spring Statement against the backdrop of escalating conflict in the Middle East and mounting fears that higher energy prices could derail the fragile recovery taking hold in the UK economy.

Spring Statement 2026: Rachel Reeves trims growth forecast as Middle East tensions cloud outlook

Rachel Reeves delivers Spring Statement 2026 with downgraded growth forecast, rising unemployment and improved fiscal headroom, as business leaders warn of energy shocks and economic fragility.

Household energy bills could climb to as much as £2,500 a year if the escalating conflict involving Iran leads to prolonged disruption in global gas supplies, analysts have warned, raising the prospect of a renewed energy crisis.

Energy bills could hit £2,500 if Iran conflict disrupts global gas supplies

UK energy bills could surge to £2,500 a year if the Iran conflict disrupts LNG supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, analysts warn, as wholesale gas prices jump 50%.

Shop price inflation slowed more than expected in February, offering tentative relief to households grappling with elevated living costs and providing fresh evidence that broader inflationary pressures may be easing.

UK shop price inflation slows to 1.1% in February, easing cost of living pressure

Shop price inflation slowed to 1.1% in February, according to the BRC, as food and fashion discounts eased cost of living pressures ahead of the spring statement.

Teenage entrepreneurs swapped classrooms for committee rooms this week as groups of 16 and 17-year-olds pitched their start-ups inside the House of Commons, offering ministers a vivid reminder of the ambition bubbling beneath Britain’s youth unemployment statistics.

‘Exhilarating’ teenage entrepreneurs take their ideas to Westminster

Teenage entrepreneurs swapped classrooms for committee rooms this week as groups of 16 and 17-year-olds pitched their start-ups inside the House of Commons, offering ministers a vivid reminder of the ambition bubbling beneath Britain’s youth unemployment statistics.

A,Shopping,High,Street,Scene,With,Woman,Carrying,Shopping,Bag

Public fears over finances push UK consumer confidence back down

UK consumer confidence slipped to -19 in February, according to GfK, as concerns over personal finances and economic uncertainty depress spending and savings expectations.

Lord Alan Sugar has become the latest high-profile business leader to attack remote working, insisting that young people “just want to sit at home” and need to get their “bums back into the office.”

Most young Britons cannot name a single entrepreneur

More than 56% of 18-25 year-olds cannot name a single entrepreneur, with Richard Branson still the most recognised, according to new YouGov research for Enterprise Britain.

More than three in four small business owners in London are losing sleep over the pressures of running a company in today’s climate, according to new research from Novuna Business Finance.

Economic volatility keeps majority of London’s small business owners awake at night

Nearly 80% of London small business owners say economic volatility, tax fears and cashflow pressures keep them awake at night, despite rising growth expectations for 2026, according to Novuna research.

Around one million taxpayers who missed the 31 January self-assessment deadline now face an additional financial hit unless they settle what they owe to HMRC by 3 March.

Taxpayers warned to pay HMRC by 3 March or face 5% surcharge

One million taxpayers who missed the 31 January self-assessment deadline must pay HMRC by 3 March or face a 5% surcharge plus 7.75% interest on unpaid tax.

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Business

Martin Daly looks like a government success story on paper. He runs a growing building firm, trains apprentices, wins national awards and contributes to the local economy. And yet, he’s leaving.

“I can’t afford to train people anymore”: why UK’s top tradesman is leaving the country

An award-winning tradesman explains why rising taxes, weak apprenticeship support and lumpy income are pushing UK sole traders to leave.

UK fintech Sidekick has raised £7.8m in Series A funding as it looks to widen access to investment products that have traditionally been locked inside private banks.

UK fintech Sidekick raises £7.8m to open up private-bank style investing to professionals

Sidekick has raised £7.8m to expand access to private-bank style investing tools for professionals who’ve outgrown entry-level apps but don’t want opaque wealth management.

Tools like this won’t fix the structural imbalance between big buyers and small suppliers, but they do acknowledge something policymakers and lenders often ignore: income isn’t smooth when you work for yourself. Flexibility isn’t a luxury, it’s survival. And anything that gives you room to breathe without dragging personal savings or long-term debt into the picture is at least moving in the right direction.

American Express rolls out flexible payment option for small businesses feeling the cashflow squeeze

American Express has launched a Flexible Payment Option for Business Platinum and Gold Cardmembers, giving small businesses more control over cashflow when income is uneven.

The lack of paid paternity leave for self-employed fathers is leaving families facing what campaigners describe as an “impossible choice” between bonding with a newborn child and maintaining an income, as the government begins a long-awaited review of parental leave and pay.

No paid paternity leave for self-employed fathers leaves families facing an ‘impossible choice’

Self-employed fathers in the UK say the lack of paid paternity leave forces them to choose between family and income, as MPs review parental leave policy.

Rachel Reeves is considering a pay-per-mile tax on electric vehicles (EVs) as part of her forthcoming Budget, in a move that could raise hundreds of millions of pounds a year and help offset the sharp decline in fuel duty revenues caused by Britain’s shift to greener transport.

Rachel Reeves considers pay-per-mile tax on electric vehicles to plug £30bn fiscal gap

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is weighing plans to introduce a pay-per-mile tax on electric vehicles in her November Budget, with drivers facing a 3p-per-mile charge to offset falling fuel duty revenue.

The government is still reviewing plans to tighten reporting requirements for small and micro companies, with ministers yet to decide whether to press ahead with rules that would require them to publish profit-and-loss accounts for the first time.

Government still weighing changes to small company filing rules, says business minister

Small business minister Blair McDougall says the government is still reviewing reforms that would force small firms to publish detailed profit-and-loss accounts, amid concerns over red tape and privacy.

Reeves forced to correct parliamentary record after misquoting key figures

Labour risks breaking tax pledge as Rachel Reeves targets higher earners in autumn Budget

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to raise taxes on higher earners in her 26 November Budget, potentially breaking Labour’s manifesto promise to protect “working people” amid pressure to fund public services.

This Is How I Run My Business…

Fawn and India Rose James, the granddaughters of late property and publishing magnate Paul Raymond, have received £23 million in dividends from the family’s billion-pound Soho property empire following another record year of rental income.

Paul Raymond’s granddaughters receive £23m as Soho Estates profits surge

Fawn and India Rose James, the granddaughters of late property and publishing magnate Paul Raymond, have received £23 million in dividends from the family’s billion-pound Soho property empire following another record year of rental income.

Steven Bartlett, the entrepreneur and Diary of a CEO host, has revealed his business empire has been valued at $425 million (£320 million) following a major eight-figure investment — a deal that cements his position as one of the richest entrepreneurs ever to appear on Dragons’ Den.

Steven Bartlett’s fortune soars as new $425m valuation cements his status among richest Dragons

Entrepreneur and podcaster Steven Bartlett’s holding company, Steven.com, has been valued at $425m (£320m) after securing major new backing — making him one of the wealthiest Dragons’ Den investors ever.

Marketing & Social Media

It may have built its reputation on viral dances and resurrecting forgotten pop hits, but TikTok is rapidly establishing itself as a serious force in UK retail.

‘A gamechanger’: 200,000 UK small businesses sign up to TikTok Shop

Apple’s iPhone, Amazon and Virgin Atlantic have been named YouGov’s UK Advertisers of the Month for September, after each brand saw a sharp increase in consumer awareness of their advertising.

iPhone, Amazon and Virgin Atlantic named UK advertisers of the month for September

Viral jacket potato brand SpudBros has come under fire after being accused of “bullying” a small business owner over a name dispute.

SpudBros blasted for ‘bullying’ small UK business in name dispute

Legal

Judgment in Getty Images v Stability AI seen as a setback for copyright owners as calls grow for new UK rules on AI training data

AI firm Stability AI wins High Court case against Getty Images over copyright claims

Stability AI defeats Getty Images in a landmark UK copyright case. Judge rules AI model Stable Diffusion is not an “infringing copy,” fuelling calls for new UK regulation.

Officials and liquidators are pursuing businesses behind 21 movies that sought nearly £16 million in incentives from a joint HMRC and British Film Institute scheme.

HMRC and BFI investigate film producer Alan Latham over £16m taxpayer-funded movie projects

HMRC and the British Film Institute are investigating film producer Alan Latham after 21 of his movies sought £16m in UK tax relief. Liquidators are probing £20m in missing film investments.

Viral jacket potato brand SpudBros has come under fire after being accused of “bullying” a small business owner over a name dispute.

SpudBros blasted for ‘bullying’ small UK business in name dispute

Viral TikTok potato sellers face backlash after Portsmouth trader says he was threatened with legal action over similar name

Capita has been fined £14 million by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for serious data protection failures following a major cyber-attack in March 2023 that compromised the personal details of 6.6 million people across the UK.

Capita fined £14 Million over 2023 cyber-attack that exposed data of 6.6 Million people

The Information Commissioner’s Office has fined outsourcing giant Capita £14 million for cybersecurity failings linked to a 2023 hack that exposed the personal data of 6.6 million people — one of the UK’s most serious corporate data breaches in years.

HSBC has suffered a fresh blow to its green credentials after the UK advertising watchdog banned a series of misleading adverts and said any future campaigns must disclose the bank’s contribution to the climate crisis.

HSBC warns UK business banking customers of third-party data breach

HSBC has alerted UK business banking customers to a data breach at a third-party platform exposing passport details and identity documents. Customers are urged to stay vigilant against fraud.

Cyber criminals have stolen the personal details of potentially millions of Gucci, Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen customers in a ransomware attack on their parent company, Kering.

Millions of Gucci, Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen customer records ransomed in cyberattack

Hackers have stolen data from millions of Gucci, Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen customers in a Kering cyberattack. The stolen details include names, emails and purchase history, though no card data was taken.

Metro Bank has announced plans to slash 1,000 jobs and discontinue its iconic seven-day branch model, as part of an extensive cost-saving initiative, following a significant expansion of its cost-cutting strategy post-autumn rescue deal.

Helix Law uses AI to take on Metro Bank in $20m copyright case

Brighton-based Helix Law is representing US software firm Arkeyo in a $20m High Court battle against Metro Bank, using AI tools to slash disclosure costs and prove how smaller firms can take on legal giants.

royal wedding marriage Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Jaguar Land Rover threatens legal action over National Rail’s use of ‘rover’ and ‘ranger’ ticket names

Jaguar Land Rover has issued a cease-and-desist to National Rail over its use of ‘rover’ and ‘ranger’ tickets, claiming infringement on its Range Rover trademark, despite the ticket names predating the car brand.

Richard Caring is nearing a £1bn deal to sell The Ivy Collection, including the original Covent Garden location. Learn more about the historic sale and its implications for one of London's most iconic dining brands.

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.

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Made in Britain

As the Labour Party Conference kicks off this weekend, Made in Britain, a trade association that unites domestic manufacturers through the official Made in Britain Trademark, has issued a cross-party call for MPs to actively support local manufacturers.

Made in Britain applications surge following Trump tariffs as businesses embrace UK-made goods

The UK’s leading manufacturing trade organisation, Made in Britain, has reported a 20% surge in membership applications in the wake of President Trump’s sweeping new tariffs on imported goods, as interest in “buying British” grows among businesses and consumers alike.

Made in Britain, the not-for-profit organisation behind the official trademark for UK manufacturing, has forged a new partnership with Lincoln-based digital marketing agency Carrington.

Made in Britain teams up with Carrington to drive UK manufacturing growth

Made in Britain, the official trademark for UK manufacturers, has appointed digital marketing agency Carrington to boost visibility for 2,100+ members, championing British-made products and sustainable growth.

A centuries-old craft at the heart of British manufacturing is under mounting pressure to navigate complex global trading obstacles, as fresh data reveals that 80% of UK-produced saddles are shipped overseas—particularly to the USA, Europe and Australia.

Incredible British craftsmanship in demand as 80% of UK-made saddles sold worldwide despite export hurdles

A centuries-old craft at the heart of British manufacturing is under mounting pressure to navigate complex global trading obstacles, as fresh data reveals that 80% of UK-produced saddles are shipped overseas—particularly to the USA, Europe and Australia.

Roach Bridge Tissues, a specialised printer and converter of wrapping tissue paper, serves the retail POS and e-commerce markets with a diverse clientele that includes designer apparel, footwear, cut glass, pottery, wine bottle wrapping, interleaving for sheet metals, optical lenses, and home removals packaging.

Secrets of Success: Insights from Camilla Hadcock, Director of Roach Bridge Tissues

Roach Bridge Tissues, a specialised printer and converter of wrapping tissue paper, serves the retail POS and e-commerce markets with a diverse clientele that includes designer apparel, footwear, cut glass, pottery, wine bottle wrapping, interleaving for sheet metals, optical lenses, and home removals packaging.

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Newswire

Meme coins started as internet jokes but have turned into a real force in crypto. While some still see them as nothing more than social media-fueled gambles, others recognize a shift toward real-world applications.

Find Mining: Turning your phone into a mining machine could bring you $13,500 in passive income every day

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  • “XRP Futures Hit $1B — WinnerMining Cloud Mining Shows You How to Earn $1,850 a Day”

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Opinion

A group of some of Britain’s best-known cultural figures has launched a new multi-million-pound investment platform aimed at backing early-stage businesses, positioning itself as a modern, creator-led alternative to traditional angel investing.

Celebrities launch TikTok-era investment collective to back next generation of founders

Net zero isn’t just for big business – why sole traders must hold their nerve in 2026

“Wow” – what a year for British small businesses

Technology

Judgment in Getty Images v Stability AI seen as a setback for copyright owners as calls grow for new UK rules on AI training data

AI firm Stability AI wins High Court case against Getty Images over copyright claims

OpenAI has signed a landmark $38 billion agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to secure the immense computing power required to train and deploy its next generation of artificial intelligence systems — marking one of the biggest technology infrastructure deals ever struck.

OpenAI strikes $38 billion deal with Amazon to supercharge AI computing power

OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, is in discussions to raise close to $40 billion in fresh funding—almost doubling its valuation to as high as $340 billion, according to reports.

Half of UK adults now use AI for financial advice, study finds

Business

Providing excellent customer service is often essential for a business to succeed. Even with a strong product and competitive pricing, a business can struggle if its customer service doesn’t meet expectations.

Why customer service is integral to business success

Providing excellent customer service is often essential for a business to succeed. Even with a strong product and competitive pricing, a business can struggle if its customer service doesn’t meet expectations.

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