Legal experts warn UK businesses face growing legal and compliance risks from AI in 2026, including copyright disputes, hallucinations, data privacy breaches and rapidly evolving regulation.
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
UK government urged to extend business rates relief to hotels amid mounting tax pressures
The UK government is being urged to extend its business rates relief fund for pubs to hotels, as the sector faces steep rises in rates, national insurance and wage costs, advisers warn.
Capital gains tax receipts fall 8.4% to £13.5bn as investors delay disposals
Capital gains tax receipts fell 8.4% to £13.6bn in 2025, HMRC data shows, prompting warnings that higher CGT rates and lower allowances are discouraging investment without raising revenues.
MPs warn UK–India trade deal tariff gains at risk from cuts to export support staff
MPs warn that billions in tariff savings from the UK–India trade deal could be lost unless the Government halts deep cuts to export support staff and sets out a clear plan to help businesses use the agreement.
Over a fifth of UK SMEs say trade tariff war remains their biggest challenge
More than one in five UK SMEs say global trade tariff disputes are their greatest challenge, with rising costs and supply chain disruption squeezing margins, according to new research from Paragon Bank.
Uber drops 2030 all-electric target as chief executive warns EV shift is stalling
Uber has admitted it will miss its pledge to run an all-electric fleet by 2030 in the UK, Europe and the US, as its chief executive cites high costs, weak incentives and slowing EV adoption.
Asda puts upto 1,200 warehouse jobs at risk amid cost-cutting drive
Asda is preparing to cut up to 1,200 warehouse jobs as it outsources George clothing distribution to DHL, with unions warning private equity ownership is putting workers and communities at risk.
Toy sellers watch social media curbs as UK market returns to growth
UK toy sales rose for the first time in five years in 2025, driven by adult buyers, but manufacturers are monitoring the potential impact of social media bans for under-16s on future growth.
Facial recognition pilot cuts crime in south London, says Met
A pilot of live facial recognition technology in south London has helped cut crime and led to more than 100 arrests, according to the Metropolitan Police, as the force prepares to defend its use of the technology in the High Court.
Employers rethink healthcare benefits as weight-loss drugs reshape workplace provision
UK employers are reassessing healthcare plans as demand for weight-loss drugs like Ozempic rises, forcing businesses to balance employee expectations with rising benefit costs.
Reeves set to back self-driving car firm with tens of millions in taxpayer funding
Rachel Reeves is preparing to channel tens of millions from the National Wealth Fund into Oxa, the Oxford-founded self-driving technology firm, as Labour accelerates autonomous vehicle plans.
ChatGPT to carry adverts for some users as OpenAI searches for new revenue
OpenAI will trial adverts in ChatGPT for free users and a new $8-a-month tier, as it looks to boost revenue amid ongoing AI losses.
US tariffs push Canada towards Europe and China as investors look beyond Washington
US trade tariffs are driving Canada closer to Europe and China, as investors shift billions away from the US amid ongoing trade uncertainty.
Octopus Energy crowned Britain’s Most Admired Company
Octopus Energy has been crowned Britain’s Most Admired Company 2025, becoming the youngest business ever to win the title at the London Stock Exchange.
Musk’s Starlink undercuts BT with UK broadband price cuts
Elon Musk’s Starlink is now cheaper than BT in parts of the UK after broadband price cuts to £35 a month, intensifying pressure on traditional providers.
