Business

A third of British businesses are planning to invest in artificial intelligence in 2026 as firms sharpen their focus on productivity, skills and technology in an increasingly competitive market. Research from Lloyds Bank shows that AI is becoming a central pillar of growth strategies, with companies looking to automate processes, improve efficiency and strengthen long-term competitiveness. The Lloyds Business Barometer, based on a survey of 1,200 firms, found that productivity improvement is the top priority...

Small businesses across the UK have recovered £10 million in late and overdue payments with the help of the Office of the Small Business Commissioner, marking a major milestone in efforts to tackle damaging payment practices by larger organisations. Almost £1 million has been recovered so far in the current financial year alone, with more than £500,000 secured in December 2025, highlighting an acceleration in enforcement and case resolution compared with previous years. Since its...

Britain’s electricity demand has risen for the second year in a row after two decades of decline, marking a decisive turning point as electric vehicles, heat pumps and AI data centres usher in a new era of electrification. Provisional figures for 2025 show electricity consumption rose by 3 per cent, the fastest annual increase since 2001, according to analysis by Imperial College London for Drax Electric Insights. It is the first time the UK has...

Octopus Energy Group is preparing to spin out its technology arm Kraken in a landmark deal that values the business at $8.65 billion, following a $1 billion standalone investment round. The funding, announced in London on 29 December, is led by D1 Capital Partners, with participation from major global investors including Fidelity International, Durable Capital Partners and the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board through its Teachers’ Venture Growth arm. The move paves the way for...

The 2026 New Year Honours List has highlighted a broad cross-section of UK business leaders, rewarding contributions from high-growth sectors, corporate stewardship, entrepreneurship and efforts to widen business opportunity and investment. While the honours system casts a wide net across public service, arts, charity and science, several recipients stand out for their direct impact on the UK’s economy and business landscape. Banking, finance and corporate leadership Gary Andrew Hoffman — CBE Appointed Commander of the...

Over the past ten years, the New Year and Birthday Honours have increasingly reflected the changing shape of British business, from scale-up founders and fintech pioneers to industrial leaders and advocates for responsible capitalism. These figures stand out for their sustained economic impact rather than celebrity alone. Sir Richard Branson Founder, Virgin Group Already knighted, Branson has continued to receive recognition for services to entrepreneurship, employment and philanthropy. His Virgin ecosystem remains one of the...

Buying a used iPhone loses its appeal if an iCloud Activation Lock screen appears. Users often find this after turning on the phone, leaving them unable to use it. The Find My iPhone security feature Activation Lock. It prevents unauthorized use of a lost or stolen phone without the owner’s Apple ID and password. This article explains why this lock emerges and how to bypass iCloud Activation lock securely. The greatest and most trusted techniques...

Clear and reliable communication sits at the heart of every successful small business. Customers expect calls to be answered promptly, enquiries to be handled professionally, and appointments to be managed without friction. For many business owners, meeting these expectations while keeping overheads under control can feel like a constant challenge. Staffing costs, limited availability, and growing customer demands all place pressure on already stretched teams. As businesses grow, communication systems often struggle to keep pace....

The manufacturing trade body Made in Britain has raised concerns over the alleged unauthorised use of a logo closely resembling its own by Reform UK. In a statement, Made in Britain said it had become aware that Reform UK was using a logo it believes to be “substantially similar” to its registered mark across marketing materials and merchandise. The organisation stressed that no authorisation, licence or consent had been granted for such use. Made in...

Thousands of taxpayers chose to spend part of their Christmas break tackling their tax affairs, with more than 4,600 people filing their Self Assessment returns on Christmas Day alone, new figures show. Data released by HM Revenue and Customs reveals that 37,435 people submitted their returns between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, suggesting that for a growing number of taxpayers, festive filing is becoming a seasonal habit. Christmas Eve proved the busiest of the three...