Ofcom says the UK is on track to deliver full-fibre broadband to 96% of premises by 2027. The regulator’s latest review focuses on stable regulation, competition, and long-term investment.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
BBC and rival broadcasters fined £4.2m for colluding on freelance pay
The BBC, ITV, BT and IMG have been fined a combined £4.2 million after admitting to colluding on pay rates for freelance sports broadcasting staff, following a major investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
Wetherspoon shares slide as soaring labour and energy costs hit profits
JD Wetherspoon shares drop 10% after first-half profits fall short of forecasts due to rising labour and energy costs. Despite strong sales growth, the pub chain faces £60m in extra costs from April.
UK borrowing overshoots forecasts by £20bn as pressure mounts ahead of spring statement
UK public borrowing has overshot forecasts by £20.4bn, reaching £132.2bn with one month left in the tax year. With the Spring Statement approaching, pressure mounts on the Chancellor to tighten spending and avoid breaching fiscal rules.
Inheritance tax receipts surge to £7 billion in just ten months, says HMRC
HMRC inheritance tax receipts hit £7bn in just ten months, with record revenues expected by year-end.
Britain’s high streets saw 35 shop closures a day in 2024
UK high streets saw 35 shop closures a day in 2024, but PwC data shows signs of recovery as new store openings increase.
Eddie Jordan: The charismatic entrepreneur who shook up Formula One looses cancer battle at 76
Eddie Jordan, the bold and charismatic Formula One team owner, has died aged 76. A true motorsport maverick, he launched Michael Schumacher’s career, led Jordan Grand Prix to F1 victories, and remained a colourful figure in the sport.
Lord Sugar secures three-year deal to continue The Apprentice into his 80s
Lord Sugar has signed a new three-year deal with the BBC to remain on The Apprentice into his 80s, extending his tenure on the hit business show.
Bentley pushes ahead with EV shift despite resistance from traditional customers
Bentley is pushing forward with its EV transition, despite resistance from some customers.
British start-up wins £1m AI prize for breakthrough slashing materials development from years to days
A British start-up pioneering artificial intelligence to accelerate materials development has won the UK Government’s £1 million Manchester Prize.
Santander to close nearly 100 branches, putting 750 jobs at risk
Santander is closing 95 branches across the UK, putting 750 jobs at risk. The bank cites the rise of digital banking as a key factor but promises investment in upgraded branches and alternative services.
HMRC accused of misusing powers to “correct” R&D tax relief claims
HMRC has quadrupled the number of R&D tax relief claims it has “corrected” without opening formal enquiries, sparking concerns that legitimate businesses are being unfairly targeted.
Rachel Reeves urged to boost R&D spending to ‘world-leading’ levels
CBI calls for £30bn research investment to drive UK innovation and economic growth
Astrazeneca scrapped £450m vaccine plant after government missed funding deadline
AstraZeneca scrapped a £450m vaccine plant in Liverpool after the UK government missed a critical funding deadline. The pharma giant warns Britain is becoming one of the hardest places to attract investment in new medicines.
Trump’s tariffs ‘already hitting Britain’s steel exports’
Britain’s steel industry is already feeling the impact of Trump’s tariffs, with Tata Steel and British Steel warning of lost business and a flood of cheap imports threatening the UK market.
