UK permanent hiring stabilised in July as the REC-KPMG jobs report’s placements index hit 50 for the first time in nearly four years, led by London.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Lloyds fights High Court claims over alleged £1.2bn Arena TV fraud
Lloyds Banking Group is defending High Court claims of up to £1.1bn and £280m over the alleged £1.2bn Arena Television lending fraud. Trial set for 2028.
Analysts expect gilt yields to fall before 28 October budget
Gilt yields are forecast to fall before the 28 October budget, analysts say, as investors weigh UK bonds against volatile US and Japanese debt markets.
Met’s CCTV reporting platform quadruples shoplifting charge rate
The Metropolitan Police’s CCTV shoplifting reporting platform raised charge and caution rates from 7.3% to 29.4% and now expands to eight more boroughs.
Tina McKenzie named interim FSB chair as Martin McTague takes peerage
FSB interim national chair Tina McKenzie takes over as Martin McTague steps down to join the House of Lords, the small business organisation announced.
360 directors convicted of filing offences in three months, Companies House says
Companies House disqualified 23 directors for 70 years combined in the first half of 2026 and convicted 360 more of filing offences, new figures show.
Raleigh owner Accell Group enters insolvency proceedings
Accell Group, the Dutch owner of Raleigh bikes, has entered insolvency proceedings, with its UK and Ireland arm moving to appoint administrators.
More than 100 companies added to Global Talent visa host list
The Global Talent visa has been expanded to let more than 100 UK research businesses, including AstraZeneca and JLR, host international researchers.
Citigroup chief ‘worried’ by 48% UK bank tax rate
Citigroup chief Jane Fraser warns that UK bank taxes of about 48 per cent, against 27 per cent in New York, could jeopardise investment in London.
Healey draws up plans to borrow extra £9bn a year for asset stakes
John Healey’s £9bn borrowing plan would fund stakes in infrastructure, housing and business through mayors, with analysts weighing the market impact.
Disney signs deal to let TikTok creators use its film and TV clips
The Disney TikTok deal will let creators use clips from films and shows including Star Wars and Marvel, launching in the US before other countries.
More than 120 MPs and peers call for urgent student loan review
Student loan repayment rules face fresh scrutiny as more than 120 MPs and peers urge Chancellor John Healey to order an urgent review of the system.
TfL licenses robotaxis for supervised Uber trips in London
London robotaxis are a step closer after TfL granted private hire licences to Wayve-powered Uber vehicles, with supervised journeys due later this year.
Saudi-led consortium completes $55bn EA takeover
The $55bn EA takeover by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners has closed, taking the games publisher off Nasdaq.
Bank of England staff worked nearly 13,000 days overseas, FOI data shows
More than 1,000 staff used the Bank of England working from abroad policy for 12,889 days in total, freedom of information data released this week shows.
