4 h. ago Firms warn over impact of rising business costs from Government policies

Retailer Currys, pub group JD Wetherspoon and supermarket Morrisons became the latest to caution over the effects of business costs hikes.

Events

7 h. ago Wetherspoon profits hit by ‘higher than anticipated’ costs: shares lose froth

“Profits in the first half are likely to be lower than the comparable period in the previous financial year” – Sir Tim Martin

Economics

8 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 21 January: Inflation rate rebounds, Currys and Burberry shares surge

UK inflation bounced back in December as tobacco duty hikes and Christmas getaways pushed up the cost of living.

Economics

9 h. ago Wetherspoon profits hit by 'higher than expected' £45 million costs explosion

Warning came despite a storming 9% rise in sales over Christmas

Economics

9 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 21 January: Inflation rate above forecast, Burberry sales rise

UK inflation bounced back in December as tobacco duty hikes and Christmas getaways pushed up the cost of living.

Economics

6 d. ago Business rates hangover as Scotland’s retailers have Christmas to forget amid cost

“Those who did shop continued to take a parsimonious approach towards spending” – David Lonsdale, SRC

Economics

7 d. ago ‘I’ve had vets chasing lorries down the motorway’: The ‘hell’ of post

Toby Ovens of Broughton Transport called Brexit a nightmare, and said he hoped a reset with the EU would mean ‘light at the end of the tunnel’British vets have been forced to chase lorries down the motorway on their way to Dover due to the “pure hell” of Brexit paperwork needed by inspectors in Calais, MPs have been told.Toby Ovens of Broughton Transport told the business and trade committee that Brexit has been a costly and logistic nightmare, and hopes of a reset with the EU represented “light at the end of the tunnel”. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago The Guardian view on Trump’s assault on the Fed: it is part of an affordability blame game | Editorial

Attacking Jerome Powell distracts from Republicans’ thin legislative record and policies that continue to squeeze American household incomesThe US government’s authoritarian and vexatious attack on Jerome Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve, should be seen in the light of America’s affordability crisis, which Donald Trump once dismissed, but is now scrambling to claim as his cause. The cost of living is eroding his support ahead of the congressional midterms. By launching a legal assault on the Fed, Mr Trump is trying to shift blame for borrowing costs.Yet despite controlling the presidency, Senate and the House, Republicans have passed little beyond a large tax-cutting bill that benefits the rich. They have not legislated on housing supply, childcare, healthcare costs or wages. Indeed most of their actions are worsening affordability, notably deferring action even though millions face a sharp rise in their health insurance bills. Mr Trump’s sudden enthusiasm for credit card ca...

Politics

9 d. ago Pub announces devastating closure saying 'it's just not viable'

Its owners said that a decline in customer numbers and rising business costs means running the pub is no longer sustainable

Politics

9 d. ago Beloved UK garden centre with soft play, ice rink and restaurant announces closure after half a century

AN iconic garden centre has announced it will permanently close this year, after 50 years of trading. The beloved establishment said business was "no longer viable" after a challenging year, with rising costs and financial losses. The Woburn Sands Garden Centre, in Milton Keynes, announced the “difficult decision” ahead of the launch of its closing-down...

Politics

1 week ago Greggs increases sausage roll price as cost of living bites again

Price of Greggs sausage roll now £1.35 in most shops, amid rising business costs

Economics

1 week ago M&S counts the cost of the "long tail" of cyber attack at Christmas

But food sales sparkle as M&S continues to win market share from rivals

Events

2 w. ago UK government cuts estimated cost to businesses of workers’ rights bill

Revised impact assessment says ministers had been ‘deliberately cautious’ in their initial review

Economics

2 w. ago UK ministers cut estimated annual cost to business of worker rights act to £1bn

The government previously calculated the flagship legislation would impose a £5bn hit on companies

Economics

2 w. ago Scottish Budget: The case for tax cuts is crystal clear but the SNP aren't listening

Cutting taxes would stimulate the economy, reduce the cost of living, help businesses and generate the higher tax revenues to fund public services

Economics

2 w. ago Taxpayers miss out on millions after ‘phoenixism’ at UK recruitment firms

Practice where companies are liquidated and reacquired, free of debts, thought to cost taxpayers about £800m a yearInsolvent recruitment businesses shorn of their debts then reacquired from administration by the directors or shareholders that presided over their demise are costing the exchequer tens of millions of pounds in lost taxes, a Guardian analysis suggests.The practice of “phoenixism” – the art of liquidating a company and allowing the directors to rise from the ashes with a new entity, free of debts – is estimated by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to have cost taxpayers about £800m a year. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago Cost of living squeeze tightens and business confidence falls in blow to Starmer's economic 'reset'

The Prime Minister said that 'what matters more than anything else is the cost of living' and declared that this year Britain would be 'turning a corner'.

Economics

2 w. ago Warning of unemployment surge as business costs force companies to close

The search for jobs is becoming increasingly tough and more firms could be set to shut their doors

Events

2 w. ago How Aldi defied the odds to report a £1.65bn Christmas sales boost

The discount supermarket said sales jumped by more than 5% in run up to Christmas

Economics

2 w. ago ‘Even turbulent ’70s were easier than today,’ warn business leaders as high street crisis bites

EVEN the 1970s were a better time to do business than today, bosses have warned. A poll by the Jobs Foundation found more entrepreneurs than not thought the period of industrial strife five decades ago was marginally better than the 2020s. Some 78 per cent of family business owners are pessimistic about the economy in...

Events