Business

Some of Britain’s most recognisable retailers and visitor attractions are bracing for dramatic swings in their business rates bills from next April, as the 2026 revaluation lands with what has already been dubbed across the sector as “Reeves’ Christmas tax”. Fresh analysis from global tax firm Ryan reveals a retail landscape increasingly defined by extremes, with destination-led and seasonal attractions facing some of the steepest increases, while several high-profile high street names enjoy substantial reductions....

Expected tax revenues from the abolition of non-dom status have been dismissed as “fantasy economics” by a former government economist, amid warnings that the Chancellor is relying on deeply flawed assumptions to plug future gaps in the public finances. Fresh post-Budget analysis published today by economic consultancy ChamberlainWalker suggests that forecasts underpinning the non-dom reforms are increasingly detached from reality. Drawing on the Office for Budget Responsibility’s latest Budget report alongside earlier forecasts, the study...

Northern Ireland is facing the prospect of new car shortages and higher motoring taxes as post-Brexit provisions under the Windsor Framework come into force at the start of 2026, triggering concern across the automotive sector. From January 1, all new cars sold and registered in Northern Ireland will have to comply with European Union vehicle standards rather than those applied in Great Britain. Dealers warn that many British-specification models currently sold in Northern Ireland will...

A London-based veterinary start-up aiming to bring greater price transparency to pet care has raised £15 million to accelerate its expansion across the UK. Hello Vet, which allows owners to stay with their pets as they go under and wake up from anaesthesia, plans to open at least 20 to 25 new clinics and hire around 200 vets and veterinary nurses over the next two years. The business says its growth will be paced carefully...

On the first day of Christmas, my mentor taught to me, resilience as a growth strategy… Christmas is a time for slowing down, relaxing, and resetting for the year ahead. For the SME leaders we work with on our Help to Grow: Management Course, it provides the opportunity to reflect on the year gone by and think about the new strategies and tactics required to ensure the new year is merry and bright. But also,...

Cash shortages can disrupt even well-managed companies, often at moments when stability matters most. A delayed client payment, a sudden drop in seasonal revenue or an unexpected opportunity requiring immediate capital can place pressure on operations long before traditional funding becomes available. For UK businesses trying to maintain continuity in challenging periods, strengthening cash flow management for small businesses becomes essential for avoiding disruption and preserving momentum. Short-term financial tools are not designed to replace...

Dubai’s skyline tells a story of ambition realized. Each tower, each waterfront community, each master-planned neighborhood represents billions in investment and years of planning executed under intense pressure. The emirate didn’t become a global real estate hub by chance. Strategic vision combined with exceptional execution created what stands today. For property investors and homebuyers, understanding which real estate companies in Dubai consistently deliver matters more than marketing promises. This guide examines the top 10 developers...

Modern truth has ceased to be the ultimate authority. The word “post-truth” became Oxford Dictionaries’ Word of the Year back in 2016, defined as a condition in which “objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” In the years since, the situation has only deteriorated. Experts now describe an epidemic of informational noise and a wave of distorted narratives. In today’s world, the era of “post-truth” coincides...

The European Union’s planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 is set to be watered down, according to senior figures in the European Parliament, in a move that is likely to trigger fierce opposition from environmental campaigners. The decision, which is expected to be outlined by the European Commission this week in Strasbourg, would mark a significant retreat from one of the central planks of the EU’s Green Deal....

UK companies could be hit with fines of up to £60,000 per worker under proposed changes that would require right-to-work checks to be carried out on freelancers and other casual workers, a move that many business owners remain unaware of. Under current rules, employers have been legally required since 2008 to carry out right-to-work checks on employees engaged under traditional employment contracts. However, a government consultation — closing on Wednesday 10 December and forming part...