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UK service sector profitability declines for seventeenth quarter. Businesses report continued pressure from rising costs with little improvement expected. Consumer-facing firms experience greater challenges, prompting staff reductions amid higher employment costs.
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Gucci faces backlash for using AI images at Milan show. The Italian luxury brand’s use of AI-generated visuals for Milan fashion week has sparked criticism over concerns about its impact on craftsmanship and heritage.
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UK data watchdog fines Reddit £14.47m for data failings. The ICO found the platform lacked robust age assurance mechanisms and a lawful basis for processing data of children under 13, highlighting a need for stricter age verification measures.
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Meta agrees multi-billion-dollar deal for AMD AI computing power. Meta has committed to a significant investment in AMD’s AI computing capabilities, potentially acquiring a 10% stake in the chipmaker. The agreement highlights Meta’s ambitious AI infrastructure expansion plans.
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Checkout.com defies tech slowdown with increased hiring in 2025. The payments firm expanded its workforce by 15%, integrating AI across operations. This growth coincides with a return to profitability and a valuation adjustment to $12bn.
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Sole traders spend 27 hours yearly on tax admin. With Making Tax Digital approaching, Monzo Business has launched a free built-in tax tool to help sole traders and landlords meet new HMRC requirements, as research shows many remain underprepared and lose significant working time to compliance tasks.
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Oxford Science Enterprises will trade on London’s new private market. The £1.3bn venture capital firm, known for backing tech spin-outs from Oxford University, will debut on the London Stock Exchange’s Private Securities Market, marking a milestone for the Pisces framework.
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UK business lending growth forecast to halve this year. Net growth in lending from banks to businesses is expected to slow to 3.5% in 2024, down from 6.9% in 2025, amid global tensions and economic pressures.
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UK job vacancies fall to lowest since 2021, affecting London. The UK job market faces challenges as vacancies drop to their lowest since 2021, with London experiencing the most significant decline. Despite this, advertised salaries have risen faster than inflation.
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Entrepreneurs should prepare early before selling any asset. Gary Ashworth, Chairman of Albany Beck and author of “Double Up Money Mastery,” outlines the questions founders must ask to maximise value, manage risk, and approach negotiations with clarity and discipline.