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Young founders are ambitious but financially underprepared, Xero research suggests. A new survey finds 72% of 16-to-21-year-old students are attracted to entrepreneurship, while funding, confidence, and financial skills remain substantial barriers.
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UK retail sales rebounded as hot weather lifted demand. BRC-KPMG data shows May sales up 3.7%, with food, clothing, footwear, online non-food, and summer goods benefiting.
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Ministers are targeting scale-ups with new direct support today. The government has launched a concierge service and visa reimbursement scheme designed to help high-growth companies scale and remain in the UK.
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Santander’s tax warning intensifies pressure on UK banking tax policy. Ana Botín has criticised sector-specific taxation as banks argue competitiveness and investment are being constrained.
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UK employers are choosing flexibility as permanent hiring weakens again. KPMG and REC data shows permanent placements falling while temporary hiring rises, reflecting caution over cost, demand, and uncertainty.
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Britain is moving AI hardware policy into industrial strategy now. A £1.1bn plan will support chip design, compute infrastructure, specialist skills, public procurement, and scale-up finance.
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Openwork has joined bidders pursuing Schroders’ Benchmark advice business sale. The potential £250m deal reflects continuing consolidation across wealth management, adviser networks, and platform infrastructure.
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Frasers is considering a major move into regional retail property. A potential £500m Metrocentre bid would extend the group’s strategy of owning destination retail assets.
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Ministers are moving faster on the planned ground rent cap. The proposed £250 annual limit could now arrive in late 2027, affecting leaseholders, freeholders, developers, and property investors.
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Crest Nicholson’s lenders have appointed advisers as covenant talks continue. The housebuilder has delayed half-year results while negotiations over temporary covenant relief progress towards a mid-July conclusion.