Personal insolvencies in England and Wales were 14 per cent higher in July than a year earlier, driven by a rise in individual voluntary arrangements that took monthly numbers to their highest since November 2022.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
UK sells ten-year gilts at 5.155%, highest rate since 2007
UK borrowing costs hit a near two-decade high on Tuesday as the government sold ten-year gilts at 5.155 per cent, the highest rate since August 2007.
Private sector pay growth slows to 2.8%, a six-year low, ONS says
Private sector pay growth slowed to 2.8 per cent in the three months to June, a six-year low, while public sector pay rose 6.1 per cent, ONS data shows.
Perini Navi, builder of Mike Lynch’s Bayesian, put up for sale
Perini Navi, the Italian builder of Mike Lynch’s Bayesian superyacht, is up for sale as parent The Italian Sea Group calls for offers by 15 September.
Dragons’ Den firm Y1 Group buys Redbird Apparel in seven-figure deal
Y1 Group has acquired Redbird Apparel in a seven-figure deal, creating a combined UK branded apparel business with more than £7.5m in annual revenue.
UK Space Agency backs 16 satellite projects with £13m funding
The UK Space Agency is funding 16 satellite communications projects with £13 million, from a ScotRail broadband trial to low-cost sensors for farmers.
Pub planning protections will not stop closures, industry warns
New pub planning protections announced by Angela Rayner will not stop closures, industry figures warn, with Camra reporting 1,836 pubs shut since 2025.
Au Vodka agrees sale to Sazerac in reported £500m deal
Au Vodka sale: Sazerac, the US owner of Southern Comfort and BuzzBallz, has agreed to buy the Swansea vodka brand in a deal reported to be worth £500m.
Start-ups ‘losing faith’ in government as tech champion, report says
UK start-ups are losing faith in government procurement, the Startup Coalition reports, with 84 per cent of tech spend going to just 150 businesses.
Anthropic could be valued at more than $2trn in record IPO
The Anthropic IPO could value the Claude maker at more than $2 trillion, passing SpaceX’s record, when the AI firm lists in New York this autumn.
Aviva and Aberdeen bosses urge Healey to stop pre-budget tax leaks
Aviva and Aberdeen chiefs urge John Healey to stop budget leaks after pension tax speculation led savers to withdraw cash before the last two budgets.
Government opens review of EV sales targets ahead of 2030 phase-out
ZEV Mandate review: the Government has opened a consultation on EV sales targets ahead of the 2030 petrol and diesel phase-out, running to 23 October.
Meta glasses banned from courts across England and Wales
Meta glasses are now prohibited in courts and tribunals across England and Wales, with security staff instructed to hold the devices at the entrance.
China on course to export up to 10 million vehicles this year
Chinese car exports have driven charter rates for large car carriers to $70,000 a day, Clarksons data shows, with vessels booked years ahead.
Entain warns against lumping betting shops in with gaming arcades
Entain chief Stella David said betting shops should not be grouped with adult gaming centres under reforms to the Gambling Act’s aim to permit rule
