Category: In Business

Lanarkshire has been announced as Scotland’s first AI Growth Zone, creating more than 3,400 jobs and attracting £8.2bn in private investment alongside targeted cost-of-living support for local communities.

Almost a quarter of UK exports are exposed to high payment collection risk in the US, China and India, putting £162bn of British trade at risk, according to Allianz Trade.

UK corporate insolvencies remained elevated in 2025 with more than 28,000 cases recorded, as higher costs, weak demand and tight credit continued to pressure businesses, according to R3.

Retail sales growth in the US, UK, France and Germany is set to slow in 2026 as consumers remain under pressure and volume growth weakens, according to Bain & Company.

Poundland has partnered with retail charity the Retail Trust to give its 12,000 employees access to enhanced mental health support, including counselling, wellbeing tools and training for managers.

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 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 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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.