Business
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Economists urge Bank of England to slow quantitative tightening. Long-term borrowing costs have surged, raising concerns over the UK fiscal outlook and prompting calls for the Bank of England to reconsider its quantitative tightening strategy to avoid further market disruption.
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Most UK CEOs opt to stay away from Reform’s conference. Senior leaders cite reputational risk, while policy watchers attend. The contrast frames an emerging playbook in corporate-political strategy.
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Palmer Energy Technology has acquired Oxford spin-out Brill Power. The deal, alongside a £5 million Series A round, will support deployment of Brill’s battery management systems across UK energy storage projects.
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UK services growth surged to a 16-month high in August. The S&P Global/CIPS PMI rose to 54.2, signalling stronger demand across business services, hospitality, and transport, as inflationary pressures eased and overseas demand picked up.
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Chancellor Rachel Reeves will present her first full autumn budget. The Treasury has announced the date as 26 November, with speculation over potential tax increases to address a public finance shortfall of up to £40 billion.
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The UK is becoming a top destination for tech businesses. Barclays reports that UK tech leaders favour their market over Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the US, citing strong opportunities and talent access. Rising AI demand and economic confidence bolster growth.
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Ineos invests in Castore, shifting Belstaff ownership in strategic deal. The company’s strategic investment in sports apparel brand Castore facilitates Castore’s acquisition of heritage brand Belstaff, marking a shift towards luxury fashion.
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Virgin StartUp launches ‘Momentum’ accelerator programme to support dyslexic entrepreneurs. The programme aims to help dyslexic founders scale their businesses through workshops, mentoring, and resources. Dyslexic entrepreneurs contribute significantly to the UK economy, with many possessing skills ideal for entrepreneurship.
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Ofgem raises energy price cap by 2% for October-December. Despite a decline in wholesale prices, typical household energy costs will rise to £1,755 annually. The increase is less than 2024’s inflation-adjusted figure and £625 below the 2023 peak.
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UK banks close over a third of branches in five years. Traditional banks have significantly reduced their physical presence, citing increased digital banking adoption. This trend is driven by changing customer preferences, though it has raised concerns about access to cash services.