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One in three SME loans now puts directors’ homes at risk. New data from Purbeck Insurance Services reveals a sharp rise in personal guarantee-backed borrowing among UK business owners, prompting fresh warnings over financial exposure and calls for government clarity ahead of the next fiscal statement.
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Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary criticises UK tax policies harshly. O’Leary claims Labour’s tax strategies hinder economic growth, urging reversal of taxes on wealth and air travel. His comments come as Ryanair reports record profits, emphasising strong demand despite policy tensions.
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UK’s smallest exporters struggle as larger firms gain trade benefits. Only 16% of micro exporters reported growth in Q3, compared to 42% of larger firms. The British Chambers of Commerce calls for urgent government action to support smaller businesses in expanding overseas.
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UK manufacturers urge government to prioritise growth in Budget. The sector faces significant pressures from high energy costs and tariff uncertainties, despite a slight recovery. Industry bodies call for no further national insurance hikes and support for green technology investments.
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Ofgem has announced plans to reduce Britain’s mounting energy arrears through a £500 million debt-relief scheme. The regulator said household energy debt now exceeds £4.4 billion, adding pressure to an already fragile consumer market.
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Shares in specialist lender Shawbrook surged after its London float. The £1.92 billion listing — the largest UK-company IPO on the London Stock Exchange in two years — was seen as a signal of renewed momentum in Britain’s listings market, long overshadowed by deeper US and European investor pools.
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This week’s UK M&A landscape was defined by transatlantic ambition and inward investment. From Barclays’ move into US consumer finance to Corpay’s £1.8 billion takeover of Alpha Group, deals reflected the UK’s twin identity as acquirer abroad and target at home. Technology, finance, and industrial consolidation led the activity.
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Cyber criminals are now scanning UK businesses’ devices over 4,000 times a day. BT has launched an AI-powered cybersecurity service with CrowdStrike to help smaller companies defend against increasingly automated attacks that are targeting professional services, retail, and hospitality.
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A new report warns that AI transcription tools may be putting newsroom data at risk. As journalists weigh convenience against confidentiality, experts urge the use of secure, enterprise-grade solutions designed to protect sources and uphold public trust.
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Barclays and Santander lead in net account switch losses. Barclays and Santander saw significant net losses in current account switches, while Nationwide gained the most customers. Technical outages affected customer retention at major banks.