Shares in major car manufacturers around the world surged on Monday after President Trump signalled that he may offer temporary exemptions to the steep new tariffs imposed on imported vehicles and parts. Speaking to reporters, Trump said he was “looking at something to help car companies”, noting that manufacturers needed “a little bit of time” to relocate production to the United States. While he gave no specifics on what product exclusions might be introduced, or...
Britain’s leading retailers are calling on the government to urgently review import tax rules that allow ultra-cheap goods from Chinese e-commerce giants such as Shein and Temu to enter the UK duty-free—warning that the country could face a surge in low-cost imports rerouted from the US following the introduction of sweeping tariffs by President Trump. Retailers including Sainsbury’s, Currys, and other major players in fashion, electronics, toys and homeware are said to have raised concerns...
Coventry-based FinTech innovator Inicio AI has secured £2.6 million in seed funding to scale its AI-driven affordability assessment platform, in a move that could reshape how organisations evaluate financial wellbeing. The funding follows the company’s recent victory at Birmingham Tech Week’s prestigious OneToWin pitch competition. The investment round includes £500,000 from the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund (WMCO)—managed by Midven, part of Future Planet Capital—as well as funding from Rigby Group PLC (£500,000), Haatch Ventures (£300,000),...
Booked it, a fast-growing technology provider specialising in advanced booking, CRM, marketing and loyalty solutions, has secured a £2.5 million investment from Calculus Capital to accelerate its expansion plans. The funding comes as the company targets £1 billion in total bookings, building on rapid momentum across the social and entertainment sectors. Founded during the pandemic in 2020 as a strategic pivot from its predecessor Licklist, Booked it has already surpassed £100 million in annual bookings...
UK businesses are grappling with what’s being described as a “harrowing” year, as confidence slumps in response to rising domestic tax burdens and mounting global trade tensions, according to new research from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). The ICAEW’s closely watched business confidence monitor fell to minus 3 in the first quarter of 2025, down from 0.2 in the previous quarter, marking the lowest reading since late 2022. The drop...
US Vice-President JD Vance has said there is a “good chance” that the United States and United Kingdom could strike a new trade agreement, as the two countries engage in active negotiations in the wake of President Trump’s sweeping global tariffs. Speaking in an interview with UnHerd on Monday, Vance confirmed that the US is “working very hard with Keir Starmer’s government” to explore opportunities for a deal that goes beyond tariffs, encompassing both goods...
Wage growth across the UK picked up slightly in the three months to February, defying a weakening labour market and providing a fresh challenge for the Bank of England as it weighs when to start cutting interest rates. New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that average weekly earnings, excluding bonuses, rose by 5.9 per cent year-on-year in the December to February period—up from 5.8 per cent in the previous month. When...
In real estate investing, every deal has its moving parts. Leads flow in from different sources. Projects have deadlines and budgets. Closings require coordination. Teams need clear communication. And above all, investors need to make fast, informed decisions. Without a reliable system tying everything together, the business can quickly become overwhelming. That’s why many real estate professionals now turn to software that acts not just as a tool—but as the heartbeat of their operations. The...
Managing an Airbnb property in the UK can be a rewarding yet challenging endeavor. With the rise of short-term rentals, more property owners are turning to Airbnb as a viable source of income. However, running a successful Airbnb goes beyond simply listing a property—it requires strategic planning, compliance with local laws, and a commitment to providing an exceptional guest experience. From understanding your legal obligations to enhancing the guest experience and optimizing property management, there...
Once known primarily for pyramids and pharaohs, Egypt has quietly climbed the global hot list for executives who refuse to choose between profit and pleasure. Visitor numbers from the UK alone jumped 24 per cent last year, and a growing share of those travelers are arriving with a laptop in one hand and a snorkel in the other. As companies embrace flexible work policies, the country’s winning blend of modern infrastructure, favourable costs, and show‑stopping experiences is...
