Spire’s private revenues grew while NHS activity weakened significantly again. First-half adjusted EBITDA fell 16% to £112.4m as a 14.3% decline in NHS hospital revenue offset growth in insurance, self-pay and primary care.

UK venture funds matched US long-term returns in new analysis. British Business Bank data puts pooled TVPI at 1.78x for 2002–2021 vintages, although UK funds still trail their US counterparts on realised cash distributions.

Close Brothers is accelerating cost reductions as lending growth returns. Annualised savings reached about £36m in FY2026, with the specialist lender now targeting more than £60m by the end of FY2027.

NewRiver has launched a retail park partnership with Singaporean capital. Its first transaction is the £73.5m purchase of The Springs in Leeds, with NewRiver retaining a minority stake and management role.

Consumer borrowing accelerated in August while mortgage approvals weakened further. Bank of England data show faster credit-card and personal borrowing alongside softer housing activity and stronger corporate financing.

UK corporate tax receipts passed £100bn in the latest year. HMRC recorded £100.4bn across corporate taxes, with stronger financial-sector receipts offsetting falling energy levies and a small number of large companies accounting for most liabilities.

British Business Bank is increasing life sciences fund commitments significantly. It has agreed £135m across two Advent vehicles spanning early-stage development and later growth, taking commitments to specialist life sciences funds above £745m.

A £500m guarantee will expand specialist lending to British farmers. The British Business Bank and Oxbury are extending their financing partnership, with institutional capital and sustainability-linked pricing built into the new facility.

British institutions are committing more capital to home-grown technology scale-ups. British Business Bank and NatWest have expanded their backing of Phoenix Court as the UK seeks deeper domestic growth capital.