UK unemployment is forecast to climb to 4.9% in 2026, the highest level since 2021, as Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces mounting pressure to plug a £50bn fiscal gap with further tax hikes.
Category: In Business
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UK falls to sixth in global innovation rankings as rivals surge ahead
Britain has dropped to sixth place in the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s Global Innovation Index, with South Korea and China climbing the rankings. Science minister Lord Vallance pledges to reverse the decline.
Millions of Brits to use generative AI for Christmas gift shopping in 2025
Coveo research reveals 71% of Brits plan to use generative AI to help with Christmas shopping this year—double 2024’s figure—as consumers seek inspiration, deals and budgeting support.
TikTok tops list of most scraped websites as AI training reshapes data priorities
Decodo’s 2025 Most Scraped Websites report shows TikTok has surged to the top spot with 321% traffic growth, highlighting how multimodal AI training is driving a shift toward video-first platforms.
UK startup set to tackle £3bn IT skills gap
A UK startup has unveiled a new platform designed to transform how IT consultancies use and share talent, amid rising concerns about wasted skills and soaring recruitment costs.
AI adoption stalls in large enterprises as doubts grow over returns
AI adoption among large enterprises dips from 14% to 12%, raising concerns over ROI and security. Experts call for training, governance and resilience strategies.
Lord Mayor honours UK trailblazers driving growth, innovation and social impact
Aspect Capital, Tide, Neighbourly and Guavapay have received the Lord Mayor’s Award for their role in championing innovation, growth and social purpose as part of the City of London’s Growth Unleashed programme.
Sadiq Khan urged to give hospitality rent and rates holiday during tube strikes
Hospitality businesses hit by rising costs should be given a rent and rates holiday to weather London’s tube strikes, says Blick Rothenberg, warning many may be forced to close temporarily.
HMRC leaves up to 4m taxpayer calls unanswered each year, MPs told
Up to four million taxpayer calls go unanswered by HMRC annually, a Commons committee has heard. Experts warn poor service risks non-compliance and undermines efforts to recover £46.8bn in unpaid tax.
Nodor acquires Autodarts to bring automatic scoring tech to global darts community
Welsh darts giant Nodor, owner of Winmau and Red Dragon, has acquired Autodarts, whose camera-based scoring system is used by 85,000 players worldwide, in a bid to revolutionise the sport.
Asset management ‘grindingly slow’ to improve gender balance as women remain just 13% of fund managers
Citywire’s Alpha Female report shows women make up just 13% of UK fund managers — barely up from 10% a decade ago — as asset management struggles to improve gender diversity despite years of initiatives.
Unions warn Labour not to dilute landmark workers’ rights bill after cabinet reshuffle
Trade unions including Unison, USDAW and the TUC have urged Labour to deliver its Employment Rights Bill “in full,” warning that watering it down after Angela Rayner’s resignation would be a “huge mistake.”
Farmers warn 5G rollout at risk as mast rents slashed by up to 90%
Rural landowners threaten to quit mobile mast deals after rents fall by as much as 90%, raising fears Britain’s 5G rollout could stall. Farmers accuse Labour of doubling down on a “broken” rental model.
Jaguar Land Rover cyberattack to take ‘weeks not days’ to fix as West Midlands suppliers hit
Jaguar Land Rover has warned its factories will remain shut for weeks after a major cyberattack paralysed production, leaving thousands of staff and suppliers across the West Midlands temporarily out of work.
Hamburger to depart McDonald’s UK after 18 months to lead Netherlands business
McDonald’s UK chief restaurant officer Zoe Hamburger has left her role after 18 months to become managing director of McDonald’s Netherlands, as the chain undergoes senior leadership changes.
