More than 10,000 RMT members will stage rolling walkouts from September 5, threatening major disruption across the capital’s Underground network after rejecting a 3.4% pay rise.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Liberty Speciality Steel collapses into administration and government receivership with 1,450 jobs at risk
Around 1,450 jobs hang in the balance as Liberty Speciality Steel, a key supplier to aerospace, defence and energy industries, is placed under the control of government-appointed special managers following a high court winding-up petition.
UK strike threat risks halting Airbus’s global jet production
A 10-day walkout by 3,000 Unite members at Airbus’s Broughton plant in North Wales could disrupt assembly lines across Europe, China and the US, jeopardising delivery schedules as the world’s largest planemaker pushes to meet record demand.
NEETs near one million as jobless young women hit near-decade high
ONS data shows 450,000 young women are now out of work, education or training — the highest since 2016. NEETs reach 950,000 as FSB calls for urgent support.
Marks & Spencer to build £340m robot-powered warehouse creating 3,000 jobs
M&S is building a £340m automated warehouse in Northamptonshire to support its plan to double its food business, creating 3,000 jobs and boosting supply chain efficiency.
UK government borrowing lower than forecast in July as tax receipts rise
Government borrowing fell to £1.1bn in July, below OBR forecasts, as higher tax receipts and lower debt costs gave Rachel Reeves some relief ahead of the autumn budget.
UK manufacturers hit by 25% US tariffs on steel and aluminium exports
British exporters including JCB face hundreds of millions in extra costs after President Trump extended Section 232 tariffs to 25%. Industry groups urge UK government action.
Tax raid forcing pubs and restaurants to close one day a week
Hospitality businesses across Britain are being forced to shut their doors at least one day a week as soaring wage costs and higher taxes pile pressure on the sector.
Cambridge unveils first SPARK incubator cohort of 24 startups
King’s College, Cambridge has revealed the 24 startups selected for its first-ever incubator programme, SPARK 1.0, an initiative designed to turn research-backed ideas from students and alumni into investable companies.
Rachel Reeves plans to tax high-value homes to plug fiscal hole
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is weighing plans to scrap capital gains tax exemptions on high-value homes, in a move dubbed a “mansion tax”, to raise billions and plug a £40bn fiscal gap. Property experts warn it could stall sales and hit pensioners downsizing.
Number of private schools going bust doubles after VAT raid
Rising insolvencies highlight pressure on sector as VAT and loss of charitable status take effect
Sales and profits jump at Coleen Rooney-backed Applied Nutrition
Protein shake maker exceeds forecasts in its first year as a listed company, lifting JD Sports shares
Air fares and food prices push UK inflation to 18-month high
ONS data heaps pressure on Reeves ahead of autumn budget as cost-of-living fears resurface
Amazon faces multibillion-pound legal action over alleged price inflation for UK shoppers
Consumer rights group seeks refunds for 45 million Britons in landmark lawsuit
Britain warned it must build hundreds of new warehouses to meet defence pledge
Savills warns the UK needs 3m sq m of new warehouses by 2032 to meet rising defence demand. Defence spending, e-commerce and reshoring are driving rents higher.
