UK
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Small exporters struggle while big firms thrive
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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Manufacturers urge government to boost growth
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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UK energy regulator outlines plan to tackle £4.4 billion energy debt
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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Shawbrook shares jump after biggest UK company IPO on LSE in two years
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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UK M&A deals of the week: 31 October 2025
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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Criminals scan UK business devices 4,000 times a day — BT
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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AI transcription and data privacy in newsrooms under scrutiny
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 customer exodus
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.
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Liz Kendall reveals £55bn enhancement for UK R&D
Labour has unveiled a £55 billion plan for science and technology. The programme — the largest sustained investment in UK R&D — will channel billions into research organisations and innovation bodies through 2030, as part of a national strategy to make Britain a global science and technology superpower.
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UK tech scale-ups lag FTSE peers in AI board expertise
Just one in three UK tech scale-ups have AI board expertise. New research from Think & Grow reveals UK technology scale-ups risk falling behind larger listed peers, with just 32% boasting artificial intelligence expertise on their boards compared with 40% of FTSE 350 tech companies.