NatWest’s latest UK Business Growth Tracker shows mid-market firms sustaining solid activity in Q3 2025 despite weaker manufacturing and subdued consumer demand, with easing cost pressures fuelling cautious optimism across the services-led economy.
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
Groundbreaking use of AI delivers major efficiency gains across UK government
A government-built AI tool has slashed consultation analysis times from weeks to hours, saving taxpayers millions and freeing civil servants for frontline work. The system, part of the “Humphrey” suite, could save £20m annually through automation.
Revolut’s UK banking license delay highlights growing rift between innovation and regulation
Revolut’s long wait for a full UK banking license shows regulators struggling to adapt legacy frameworks to digital-first banks, says GlobalData — a clash that could shape not just Revolut’s future, but the evolution of global fintech regulation.
Be.EV halves cost of ultra-rapid charging with 39p/kWh tariff
Be.EV has launched one of the UK’s cheapest ultra-rapid EV tariffs at 39p/kWh, making public charging cheaper than petrol or diesel and tackling the cost gap faced by millions of drivers without access to home charging.
Digital 2026: internet users pass 6 Billion as AI and social media reach new milestones
Meltwater and We Are Social’s Digital 2026 report shows social media now reaches 68.7% of the world, over one billion people use AI monthly, and digital ad spend tops $1 trillion — signalling a new era for global marketing.
Wind and solar power drive UK renewable electricity record
Britain’s renewable electricity generation hit a record 31.9TWh in Q3 2025, with soaring wind and solar output pushing clean energy to 51% of the power mix. Analysts say high renewables kept gas prices low ahead of winter.
UK Losing £3.5bn a Year as Women Exit Tech Sector, Warns 2025 Lovelace Report
The UK is losing up to £3.5bn a year as 60,000 women quit the tech sector, according to the 2025 Lovelace Report, which warns stalled progression and pay inequality are driving out experienced talent amid a growing national digital skills crisis.
The Open University and NatWest launch £50,000 ‘Open Business Creators Fund’ to empower women entrepreneurs
The Open University, NatWest, and the DWP have launched the £50,000 Open Business Creators Fund, offering grants, training, and mentorship to help women across the UK build and grow their own businesses.
Experts warn Chancellor against expanding VAT coverage in Autumn Budget
Tax and finance professionals have warned that expanding VAT in the Autumn Budget would risk driving up costs, deepening the cost of living crisis and stifling small business growth — calling the move “fiscal desperation, not reform.”
Royal Mail and TikTok Shop join forces to boost small British businesses
Royal Mail has become TikTok Shop’s primary delivery partner in the UK, giving over 200,000 small businesses access to the postal service’s nationwide network and tools to expand their e-commerce reach.
Royal Borough of Greenwich secures £5.8m to help residents facing barriers into work
The Royal Borough of Greenwich has received £5.8 million to launch Connect to Work, a major employment programme helping residents with health conditions, disabilities or other challenges find and sustain meaningful work through one-to-one support.
Why team adventures beat boardroom socials
Autumn marks the start of festive corporate event season – that time of year when work calendars often up with the usual ‘team building’ rituals: pub lunches, karaoke nights and overly facilitated icebreakers.
The UK’s top inspirational business speakers revealed in new poll
From Sir Richard Branson to Dr Jo Salter, Britain’s top motivational speakers have been revealed in a new poll by the Motivational Speakers Agency — highlighting the leaders and storytellers inspiring change across business, sport and innovation.
Access to finance remains a postcode lottery for UK small businesses
The British Business Bank says small firms in deprived areas are still struggling to access loans and credit, despite stronger demand for finance. New £340m regional funds aim to close the gap and support high-growth SMEs.
Pride in Place: Government’s £5bn regeneration scheme offers major opportunity for small businesses
The government’s £5bn Pride in Place programme will give 169 towns long-term regeneration funding — with local businesses set to benefit from new contracts, higher footfall and the economic revival of high streets and public spaces.
