Business Matters

One in three small firms expect to shrink, sell up or close
Traders will pay to see Trump’s posts before you do
England’s semi-final gives pubs their biggest night of the World Cup
Rule out a wealth tax or own the exodus, Burnham warned
Whitehall’s AI playbook: train staff first, switch on tools second
Why Istanbul Is Moving Up the Agenda for International Property Investors
Importers face six-year record rule as UK carbon border tax nears
Ofcom investigates TikTok over ‘serious doubts’ its age checks work
British Steel nationalised as ministers refuse to let it go bust

Whitehall’s AI playbook: train staff first, switch on tools second

The Department for Business and Trade paired specialist AI skills training with the launch of Ask DBT. What Whitehall’s playbook means for UK SMEs.

UK businesses importing steel, aluminium, cement, fertiliser or hydrogen products face a new compliance burden from 1 January 2027, when record-keeping requirements for the UK's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) take effect. And in a detail that will catch many smaller firms off guard, using a customs broker or freight forwarder does not pass the responsibility on.

Importers face six-year record rule as UK carbon border tax nears

UK CBAM rules hit importers of steel, aluminium, cement, fertiliser and hydrogen from January 2027. What SMEs must do now to avoid HMRC penalties.

Small firms that reward staff with share options are set to lose one of their more tedious HMRC chores, after the government published draft legislation scrapping the requirement to notify the taxman separately every time an Enterprise Management Incentive option is granted.

HMRC moves to scrap separate EMI notifications in red tape win

HMRC’s draft Finance Bill scraps separate EMI grant notifications from April 2027, folding them into the annual return. What SME employers need to know.

Andy Burnham has been warned he must complete England's devolution map at speed or preside over a "two-tier England" in which a firm's prospects depend on whether it happens to sit inside a mayor's boundary.

Burnham told to move fast on devolution or risk a two-tier England

IPPR North warns Andy Burnham risks creating a two-tier England unless devolution reaches every region. What faster fiscal devolution means for SMEs.

Alvin, Simon and Theodore are heading back to work, and the deal behind their return is a quiet masterclass in how a family business should treat its most valuable asset.

Chipmunks return: why waiting a decade for the right deal paid off

Alvin and the Chipmunks return in a digital-first reboot with a 2028 film. What the family-owned franchise teaches UK SMEs about IP and licensing.

British business travellers could be boarding a direct train from London to Cologne by 2030, after start-up operator Gemini Trains vowed to break Eurostar's 32-year grip on the Channel Tunnel with new routes, new stations and introductory Paris fares of about £59.

Cologne in four hours: the start-up taking on ‘lacklustre’ Eurostar

Gemini Trains plans direct London-Cologne services and £59 Paris fares by 2030, challenging Eurostar’s Channel Tunnel monopoly. What it means for SMEs.

The small businesses behind Britain's live music industry have been handed a rare piece of good news, as the government's first long-term music strategy promises a £45 million growth fund, lighter-touch festival licensing and a two-year freeze on business rates bills for venues.

Festivals get longer licences and red tape cut in £45m music plan

The government’s new UK music plan promises festival licensing reform and a £45m growth fund. What Turn It Up means for venues, clubs and small firms.

The founders of UK fintech GoCardless are set for a significant financial windfall after the payments company agreed to be acquired by Dutch rival Mollie in a deal valued at €1.05bn (£920m).

Monzo founder Blomfield joins Anthropic as AI talent war escalates

Monzo founder Tom Blomfield has joined Anthropic’s compute team, the latest coup in the AI talent war. What his move signals for UK founders and SMEs.

Banker who bought Northern Rock named to lead audit watchdog

Dame Jayne-Anne Gadhia, ex-Virgin Money chief, is the government’s pick to chair the FRC. What the audit watchdog’s new leadership means for UK firms.