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Employment growth among UK small businesses rose just 0.5%. Employment Hero’s latest Jobs Report reveals year-on-year growth fell from 7.8% to 2.5%, as retail and hospitality employment declined amid post-Budget uncertainty and muted seasonal hiring.
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Nearly half of UK business owners report increased risk appetite. New research from ECI Partners suggests optimism is returning across sectors, with technology and HR leading the way. While cost pressures persist, the findings point to strong interest in private equity and international expansion.
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UK finance leaders are regaining confidence in AI. Deloitte’s latest UK CFO Survey shows 59% of CFOs more optimistic about AI’s potential to boost performance, up from 39% last quarter. Risk appetite remains subdued, but digital investment and productivity expectations are strengthening into 2026.
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IWG is expanding its West Yorkshire presence with a new Regus workspace. The flexible office provider will open at 1 Godwin Street, Bradford, in partnership with Nice Leisure, as demand for hybrid and platform working models continues to accelerate across the region.
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Thirty global HR leaders outline a new people agenda. Their insights form the foundation of workplace expert David Liddle’s new book, People and Culture: A Practical Guide for HR Professionals and Leaders, published this week by Kogan Page.
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Older millennials are seeking more mental health support than ever. Between 2023 and 2025, Onebright saw a steady rise in referrals from 35–46-year-olds as middle management pressures, childcare, and financial stress converge — marking a growing crisis in workplace wellbeing among senior professionals.
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2026 will be the year of grown-up innovation. Cyrus Vantoch-Wood, Founder at Insurgent, forecasts a global shift from spectacle to substance — from performative sustainability to pragmatic regeneration — as companies rebuild purpose, value, and continuity in a world demanding competence over conjecture.
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Demand for IT professionals rises despite UK labour market concerns. Over half of UK businesses plan to expand their IT teams, highlighting digital skills’ importance as unemployment rises. Cybersecurity roles face critical shortages, stressing the need for skilled professionals.
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Business confidence rose slightly at the end of 2025. Lloyds Banking Group’s survey indicated a modest increase in business confidence after the Autumn Budget, despite earlier concerns over potential tax hikes. Optimism reached a four-month high.
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AI has become accessible to small businesses almost overnight. Yet as Kelly Salter, Commercial Director at names.co.uk (part of team.blue), explains, many still struggle with skills gaps, confidence, and trust. Bridging this divide requires practical guidance and mindset change — helping small businesses see AI as a partner, not a threat.