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Barclays has been accused of closing the bank account of a tech entrepreneur because she earns part of her income through the adult content platform OnlyFans. Madelaine Thomas, who runs a start-up called Image Angel while also generating income through adult content platforms, said the bank refused to open a business account for her company and had shut down an account linked to her work on OnlyFans and similar websites. Thomas applied for a business...

The Conservatives have accused Chancellor Rachel Reeves of undermining the Budget process and dragging the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) into political controversy after Labour briefed that improved economic forecasts prompted her to abandon plans for an income tax rise. Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride has written to Richard Hughes, chairman of the OBR, demanding clarity on when the Chancellor received the watchdog’s forecasts and whether they played any role in last week’s surprise U-turn....

Make UK has signed a major trade and partnership agreement with the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), strengthening industrial ties between the two nations and paving the way for deeper collaboration in areas such as rare earth minerals, artificial intelligence, nuclear technology and defence. The deal follows a joint statement by the prime ministers of the UK and Canada in June and formalises a shared ambition to expand bilateral trade, investment and technological exchange. Canada...

Pibit.AI has secured $7 million in Series A funding to accelerate development of its CURE underwriting platform, an AI-driven system designed to turn complex insurance submissions into fast, trusted decisions. The round, led by Stellaris Venture Partners with participation from Y Combinator and Arali Ventures, marks a significant step forward in the company’s ambition to modernise underwriting workflows across the industry. Underwriting has traditionally been a labour-intensive, document-heavy process, with tools that have barely changed...

British Airways has been unveiled as the first Founding Partner of the newly transformed Olympia, marking a major collaboration between two heritage British brands as the £1.3 billion redevelopment of the London destination enters its final phase. The multi-year, multi-million-pound partnership will give the airline naming rights to two new flagship venues and integrate Olympia into British Airways’ loyalty programme, offering exclusive benefits to its members. Olympia, originally opened in 1886 as an exhibition hall,...

Curves, the world’s fourth-largest women’s fitness chain, is expanding its franchise network across the UK and Europe as demand for women-only wellness spaces accelerates. With the global women’s wellness market now valued at more than £3 billion, the brand says it is uniquely positioned to offer entrepreneurs a proven, low-cost route into one of the fastest-growing sectors in health and fitness. Founded in 1992 by Gary and Diane Heavin in Texas, Curves was created to...

Nearly one in five prospective home movers has put their plans on hold amid uncertainty over possible property tax changes in next week’s Budget, according to new research from Rightmove. A survey of more than 10,000 people found widespread anxiety about potential changes to stamp duty, council tax and a possible new “mansion tax” on homes worth over £2 million — all measures Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering. Rightmove said 61% of respondents were...