Business

The British Business Bank has committed €20 million (£17.3m) to Notion Capital’s new €114 million (£98.6m) growth fund, Notion Capital Opportunities III. The investment strengthens the partnership between the state-backed bank and the London-based venture capital firm, which has a track record of backing high-growth UK and European software companies. The British Business Bank has been a long-standing backer of Notion Capital, investing in the firm’s last four core venture funds as well as its...

Thousands of taxpayers risk falling foul of HMRC’s rules this autumn, with two crucial deadlines approaching in October. Missing either of them could leave households facing an instant £100 fine, with penalties spiralling to as much as £1,600 for serious delays. Andrea L Richards, accountant and chief executive of Accounts Navigator, has urged individuals to act swiftly to avoid unnecessary charges, highlighting the 5 October self-assessment registration deadline and the 31 October paper return deadline....

Speculation over government tax reforms is beginning to cast a shadow over the upper end of the UK housing market, according to new figures from Zoopla. The property portal reported that demand for homes priced above £500,000 has slipped by 4 per cent compared with last year, while the number of buyers searching for £1 million-plus homes has fallen by 11 per cent over the past five weeks. Sellers are also showing caution, with listings...

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) rejected two major settlement offers from PPE Medpro, including a complete remake of 25 million sterile gowns or a £23 million payment, Business Matters can exclusively reveal. The offers, both made on a no-fault basis, were tabled first in December 2022, then again shortly before the trial began in June 2025 — and even reiterated mid-trial, as the dispute over the £122 million PPE contract played out...

The online gaming industry is undergoing significant transformation, driven largely by evolving regulatory frameworks. Both Australia and the United Kingdom are leading examples of how governments are adapting to the growing digital gaming sector. While their approaches share a common goal—ensuring consumer protection and market integrity—they differ markedly in execution. These regulatory shifts are not only reshaping operational standards but also influencing player behavior, market competition, and long-term growth prospects. For stakeholders navigating this space,...

The UK government has unveiled the next three train operators that will return to public ownership, as ministers push ahead with the phased dismantling of private rail franchises. The Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed that Greater Anglia services will be renationalised first, on 12 October 2025, followed by West Midlands Trains on 1 February 2026, and Govia Thameslink on 31 May 2026. It marks the latest step in the government’s plan to bring the railways...

Growth Lending has unveiled a £150 million strategy to support the expansion of healthcare and social care providers across the UK, pledging to deliver flexible capital to a sector grappling with rising demand and tight access to finance. The specialist lender, best known for backing high-growth B2B businesses, will target ambitious operators in social care, primary care, education, and health-led community services. Funding will be deployed through debt facilities starting from £2 million, with a...

Chancellor Rachel Reeves used her keynote address at the Labour Party conference to draw sharp battle lines with Nigel Farage and Reform UK, declaring them the “single greatest threat” to Britain’s way of life and living standards. In a speech heavy on rhetoric but light on new policies, Reeves sought to contrast Labour’s agenda of economic stability and long-term planning with what she characterised as Reform’s “easy answers”. She accused the party of being “in...