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UK advertising investment is still growing despite economic uncertainty. AA/WARC data shows spend rose 9.3% to £11.7bn in the first quarter, with retail media, social, out of home, and search leading growth.
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Workplace conflict is becoming a larger management cost. Acas has opened a consultation on its disciplinary and grievance code, with a stronger focus on early informal resolution as formal procedures are estimated to cost employers £2.36bn a year.
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Lloyds is tying profit growth to AI efficiency. The bank reported stronger first half profit and set out a strategy targeting more than £2bn of cost savings, placing automation, digital investment, and income diversification at the centre of its 2030 plan.
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Borrowing costs remain central to corporate planning decisions. The Bank of England held rates at 3.75%, but a 6–3 vote and industry reaction show companies are still preparing for fragile demand, higher finance costs, and uncertain inflation.
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Consumer borrowing accelerated while mortgage lending rebounded sharply during June. Annual unsecured-credit growth reached 9.1%, but weaker house-purchase approvals left a mixed picture for household demand and the property market.
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Unilever’s volume rebound has strengthened the case for brand investment. The group raised its full-year outlook after second-quarter growth.
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Netflix has edged alongside the BBC in UK viewing choices. Ofcom’s Media Nations report shows a changing first-screen battle.
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Employer confidence remains fragile despite stronger hiring intentions emerging again. REC’s JobsOutlook points to caution beneath labour-market demand.
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GSK is shifting UK research deeper into Cambridge’s life sciences cluster. The £400m investment will move more than 1,000 scientists.
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Ofcom has moved directly against Openreach’s latest fibre discount proposal. The regulator says targeted pricing could weaken long-term broadband competition.