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Co-op warns of potential shop closures without business rates reform. The Co-op has cautioned that 60,000 small shops and 150,000 jobs could be lost without reform to business rates in the upcoming Autumn Budget. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is urged to announce maximum relief to protect high streets.
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Rachel Reeves urges business leaders to promote economic optimism. Pressure mounts on businesses to support a positive economic narrative amid concerns about Reform UK’s rising voter share and potential impact on government stability.
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This week’s UK M&A activity spanned engineering, wealth, insurance, and technology. From WSP’s £363 million purchase of Ricardo to Lloyds’s move for Schroders Personal Wealth, dealmaking reflected global appetite for regulated and technical sectors, where scale, integration, and specialist expertise continue to shape the direction of corporate consolidation.
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The UK government announces £50 million for mental health research. The funding aims to accelerate the development of treatments by involving those with lived experience in the innovation process, ultimately enhancing mental health outcomes across the NHS.
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Zilch CEO promises innovation in fintech as IPO scene heats. Philip Belamant, CEO of Zilch, has expressed excitement over the burgeoning fintech IPO market, highlighting Klarna’s successful debut as a positive indicator. Zilch plans to introduce unique offerings to public markets amid product expansions.
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UK job market struggles amid rising job seekers and minimal salary growth. The latest survey data indicates an increase in job seekers, attributed to redundancies and non-replacement of staff, while starting salary growth remains negligible, reflecting ongoing economic challenges.
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MHFA England launches consultation on workplace standards. Mental Health First Aid England has opened a public consultation on new standards to guide best practice for embedding mental health support in the workplace — aiming to reduce economic inactivity and improve wellbeing across UK businesses.
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WSP finalises its £363 million purchase of Ricardo PLC. The transaction brings the British environmental consultancy under Canadian ownership and strengthens WSP’s position in sustainability and infrastructure advisory services, following regulatory approvals and delisting from the London Stock Exchange.
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Starmer meets Modi in India’s capital to push delivery. The UK Prime Minister used his largest-ever trade mission to emphasise implementation, pledging £1.3 billion in new investment and promising faster progress on the UK–India trade deal signed in July. Businesses on both sides welcomed the ambition but warned delivery will define success.
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London IPO activity remains subdued but shows signs of recovery. Confidence in London’s IPO market is growing despite a slow third quarter in 2025, with several companies announcing plans to list. This indicates a strengthening pipeline for 2026 as market conditions improve.
