Regulation
-
Amidst all the uncertainty, has the Budget offered a new dawn for SMEs to invest?
UK SMEs may finally have reason for cautious optimism. Rory Crisp-Jones of Jones & Co Finance argues that the Autumn Budget has provided long-awaited stability and renewed incentives to invest — from full expensing and a new 40% First-Year Allowance to a steady 25% corporation tax rate — shifting the balance towards growth.
-
The highs, lows and reaction to the Autumn Budget 2025
Rachel Reeves has delivered a tax-heavy Autumn Budget for business. Markets have taken the measures in their stride, but leaders now face a higher, more complex tax burden and big questions about investment, skills, and productivity that our BQX deep-dive will unpack in full, as they plan for 2026 ahead.
-
Trump rails against AI “over-regulation”
President insisted the US requires a single federal AI standard. He warned that competing state rules could stifle innovation and allow China to overtake the US in the global AI race.
-
EU opens probe into Amazon and Microsoft cloud dominance
EU regulators have launched investigations into Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. The European Commission says the probes will examine whether the two tech giants’ cloud services should face tougher obligations under digital market rules.
-
EU parliament reduces corporate reporting rules
EU Parliament votes to reduce sustainability reporting and due diligence. The European Parliament has voted to significantly reduce coverage under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, eliminating the requirement for companies to prepare climate transition plans….
-
Keir Starmer courts business leaders pre-budget
UK business leaders meet at Downing Street amid budget concerns. Executives from major firms joined Sir Keir Starmer to discuss impending fiscal challenges. The session aimed to ease tensions before a budget expected to introduce significant tax increases.
-
Firms overcomplicate Consumer Duty rules, FCA says
FCA warns firms against excessive compliance with Consumer Duty rules. The financial watchdog aims to simplify compliance, addressing concerns about regulatory burden and cost. The FCA seeks to clarify expectations and improve flexibility, ensuring businesses do not overinterpret requirements.
-
US escalates lobbying against EU’s digital services law
US diplomats mount formal campaign against the EU’s digital law. A confidential directive from Washington has instructed American diplomats in Europe to push for changes to the Digital Services Act, arguing the rules burden US tech companies and threaten free speech. European authorities are standing firm as regulatory tensions grow.
-
UK leaders establish worldwide benchmark for AI evaluations
The UK introduces a new AI audit standard. The British Standards Institution has launched the world’s first international certification standard for AI assurance, creating new benchmarks for independence, rigour, and global governance.
-
Thames Water crisis prompts Ofwat replacement
Ofwat faces replacement amid scrutiny of water companies’ performance. A new regulator may be announced following a review by Sir Jon Cunliffe. Pollution incidents have risen sharply, with Thames Water accounting for nearly half of serious cases.