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Regulatory pressure is back on the growth agenda for companies. A DBT survey has exposed widespread frustration over cost, duplication, inconsistency, and slow regulatory processes.
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Small business borrowing is exposing directors to personal financial risk. Purbeck says personal guarantee backed finance applications rose 63% in Q2, with average loan values above £300,000.
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Asda has raised pay across its frontline retail workforce. The supermarket’s second increase this year adds to pressure around labour costs, retention, service quality, and grocery margins.
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Europe has reduced the weight of sustainability reporting requirements. Revised ESRS rules cut datapoints, add flexibility, and introduce a voluntary standard for smaller companies outside CSRD scope.
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Thames Water must strengthen the case for a major scheme. Ofwat has allowed the reservoir link to progress, while demanding more evidence on cost, alternatives, and environmental impact.
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Small companies face renewed scrutiny over policy and cost pressure. MPs have challenged ministers on tax, procurement, energy costs, crime, franchise protections, and support for high street resilience.
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Baillie Gifford is reshaping headcount around changing client demand now. The voluntary-exit programme reflects pressure on active asset managers as capital shifts towards private assets, wealth channels, family offices, and international intermediaries.
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Ocado has put a timetable around its founder succession plan. Tim Steiner will remain chief executive until the start of FY2028 before moving into a founder role, as the automation group manages investor pressure and technology-market uncertainty.
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easyJet’s Castlelake talks have shifted from resistance to recommendation territory. A revised 690p-per-share proposal could take the UK-listed airline private, but ownership rules, valuation, regulatory approval, and airline-market volatility remain central to the deal.
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UK investment intentions have fallen to post-pandemic lows this quarter. British Chambers of Commerce data shows only 17% of businesses plan to increase investment, with inflation, taxation, fuel costs, sales weakness, and sector pressure weighing on capital spending.