UK
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Microsoft will invest £22 billion in UK artificial intelligence. The plan includes a national AI supercomputer, expanded cloud infrastructure, and thousands of new processors, with the government forecasting more than 5,000 jobs and major regional growth in the North East of England.
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UK inflation rate stayed at 3.8 per cent in August. Headline consumer prices were unchanged from July, while housing and food costs remained elevated, leaving the Bank of England under pressure as it weighs its next decision on interest rates.
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UK labour market cools as payrolls fall and wage growth slows. The Office for National Statistics reports an 8,000 drop in payroll employment in August, with wage growth also decelerating. Unemployment remains steady, but vacancies continue to decline.
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HMRC loses £836m to tax loophole abuse, exceeding estimates. The practice of ‘phoenixing’ has significantly impacted HMRC’s ability to collect taxes, with losses reaching £836m in the 2022-23 tax year, surpassing previous estimates by 45 per cent.
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This week’s UK M&A activity spanned mining, housing, marketing, legal services, and reinsurance. From a $50 billion copper mega-merger to digital-first disruption of property law, the deals illustrate the UK’s role as a stage for global capital and strategic sector reshaping.
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LNER warns passengers after supplier breach exposes data. London North Eastern Railway (LNER) advises customers to stay alert following a cyber-attack on a third-party supplier, which revealed contact details and some journey history. No financial data or ticketing systems were compromised.
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Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison surpasses Elon Musk in wealth. Oracle’s stock surged over 40%, increasing Ellison’s net worth by $101 billion, highlighting the immense wealth generated by the AI boom reshaping technology fortunes.
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The UK economy registered absolutely zero growth in July 2025. The stagnation follows a stronger June and leaves the government under pressure to deliver credible pro-growth measures in its November Budget. Inflation concerns and global headwinds continue to weigh on the outlook.
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RMT chief claims £72,000 salary insufficient for London homes. Eddie Dempsey argues that tube drivers’ wages do not match the high cost of living in London, as the RMT continues its strike actions demanding better pay and conditions.
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Merck cancels £1bn London drug centre, impacting UK growth. The pharmaceutical giant will lay off 127 employees, citing an unfavourable UK investment climate. This follows AstraZeneca’s similar decision, highlighting industry frustration with current government policies.