Business

Rising costs are pushing UK manufacturers dangerously close to an investment tipping point, with businesses warning that planned spending could be cancelled or moved overseas unless pressures ease. A new survey by Make UK, the manufacturing trade body, found that almost nine in ten industry leaders expect employment costs to rise this year, while two thirds anticipate higher energy bills. The findings underline mounting concern that the cost base for British manufacturing is becoming unsustainable....

Jeremy Clarkson has sparked a fresh debate about the pressures facing British agriculture after delivering a blunt response to a social media user who blamed Brexit for the struggles of UK farmers. The exchange followed a video Clarkson recorded in support of the farming advocacy campaign No Farmers, No Food, in which he called on the next government to put farming higher up the political agenda. In the video, filmed on his phone, Clarkson said...

Former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has defected to Reform UK, becoming the most senior ex-Conservative figure to join Nigel Farage’s party. Zahawi, 58, was unveiled alongside Farage at a press conference in London, where he warned that Britain was “drinking in the last chance saloon” and said the country “really does need Nigel Farage as prime minister”. In a video message announcing his move, the former vaccines minister and chancellor said: “Nothing works, there is no...

Gold and silver prices have surged to fresh all-time highs, prompting experts to urge ordinary Britons to take a closer look at what they already own, including forgotten jewellery tucked away in drawers and boxes at home. Gold climbed to $4,603.87 while silver reached $84.69, as investors piled into traditional safe-haven assets amid rising geopolitical tension involving Iran, fears of potential US military action, and fresh instability in Washington following the launch of a criminal...

Russell & Bromley, the 150-year-old luxury footwear and accessories brand, could vanish from the UK high street after a proposed takeover by Next that is expected to lead to the closure of all 37 of its stores. Around 450 jobs are understood to be at risk under a deal that would see Next acquire only the Russell & Bromley brand and intellectual property, while the retailer’s physical estate is wound down. Next is working alongside...

The UK jobs market ended 2025 on a weak footing, with both permanent and temporary hiring falling in December and unemployment already sitting at a four-year high. A closely watched labour market survey by KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) shows that permanent staff placements dropped to a four-month low at the end of the year, while temporary roles also declined. Vacancies continued to fall and the availability of workers rose sharply, underlining...

High-value clients are vital for long-term business success. These clients typically generate consistent revenue, become dedicated brand advocates, and have a high lifetime value. Businesses that are able to attract and retain high-value clients are often able to generate higher revenue and attract new consumers, giving them an obvious advantage in busy markets and sectors. However, attracting high-value clients can be difficult, and retaining them can be even harder. Because of this, businesses that understand...

As we move further into 2026, the “cloud-first” approach has become the global standard. However, this shift has also introduced a paradox: while the cloud makes scaling easier, it makes security more complex. For modern enterprises, staying ahead of sophisticated, AI-driven threats requires a dual-layered strategy. The most successful organizations today are winning by combining the operational excellence of cloud managed IT services with the proactive precision of a high-performance Vulnerability Scanner. Layer 1: Operational...

The government has issued a stark warning to Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI, signalling it is prepared to block access to its Grok chatbot in the UK if it fails to comply with British law on online safety. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said on Friday that ministers are moving swiftly to criminalise the creation of intimate images without consent, as concerns mount over the misuse of AI tools to generate sexualised images of women...

A good guide on secured loan in the UK helps homeowners take informed decisions about large borrowing. Many UK borrowers underestimate how much structure sits behind these loans. A secured loan creates access to higher limits and competitive pricing, though it also places your property at risk. You gain clarity once you understand how the charge system operates, how lenders assess equity, and what shapes affordability outcomes. Writers often turn this topic into a maze,...