UK
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Oxford Instruments shares surge despite profit woes
Oxford Instruments shares rise despite profit drop. The company’s stock increased by 9.93% following a challenging first half, with revenue falling 7.9% due to US tariffs. However, cash flow improved, and order momentum from large customers provides optimism for recovery.
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UK unemployment hits 5 per cent as labour market cools
The UK’s unemployment rate has reached 5 per cent — its highest level in four years. Labour-market data from the Office for National Statistics suggest hiring has slowed sharply, raising pressure on the government’s forthcoming Autumn Budget and signalling a broader shift from worker shortages to labour-market slack.
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Support shortage threatens Gen Z entrepreneurship
Gen Z drives UK’s entrepreneurial surge but faces support challenges. Over 80% of 18 to 24-year-olds engage in entrepreneurial activities. However, financial pressures and limited access to professional networks threaten their potential as future business leaders.
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AI to drive job cuts, say UK firms
One in six UK employers foresee AI-driven workforce reductions. A CIPD survey reveals that clerical and junior roles face the highest risk as AI adoption accelerates. Large private firms are most likely to cut jobs, highlighting AI’s disruptive potential.
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Budget tax hikes may drive price rises
UK business leaders urge against raising employment costs in Budget. A survey reveals 86% of leaders fear Budget impacts, with 59% feeling small businesses are overlooked. Increased taxes could force price hikes, hindering growth and inflation control.
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Manchester named UK’s young entrepreneur capital
Manchester tops the UK’s list of young entrepreneur hubs. New analysis of over 60,000 Companies House records reveals the city has the highest concentration of founders aged 24 and under, reflecting a new wave of youth-led enterprise beyond the capital.
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Gender diversity lag at UK tech scale-ups, new report finds
Women hold just 18% of board roles in tech scale-ups. Despite near-universal support for diverse boards, more than a third of the UK’s fastest-growing technology companies have no female representation at board level, according to new research from Think & Grow.
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Retail footfall drops amid Budget tax fears
UK retail footfall declines for sixth month in a row. Activity dropped by 0.7% in October, with shopping centres and retail parks most affected. Concerns about the upcoming Budget and potential tax increases have deterred consumers from spending.
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Wealthy investors flock to offshore bonds
Wealthy Britons invest heavily in offshore bonds amid tax fears. Over £10.5 billion was invested in offshore bonds in the past year, doubling the previous year’s figure. This trend highlights concerns about rising taxes and complex fiscal regulations.
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From nice-to-have to non-negotiable: Wellbeing is a boardroom issue
Workplace wellbeing is no longer a peripheral concern. Sarah McIntosh, CEO of Mental Health First Aid England, argues that supporting employee mental health is both a moral and business imperative. As poor wellbeing drives record economic inactivity, new standards aim to make mental health a boardroom priority.