• Labour reverses stance on workers’ rights pledge

    Government revises plan on unfair dismissal protection for new staff. The UK government has altered its proposal to provide unfair dismissal protection from day one for new employees, following resistance from the House of Lords and industry warnings. Protection will now apply after six months of employment.


  • Millions plan smart tech buys today — but struggle to stay connected

    12.8mn Brits plan to buy smart tech on Black Friday. EE research shows one in three consumers struggle to keep devices connected, as the UK’s appetite for wireless gadgets grows faster than their ability to sync them.


  • JP Morgan bets £10bn on UK banks

    JP Morgan plans to build a major new tower in London. The project will inject £10bn into the local economy and create 7,800 jobs, establishing the bank’s largest European presence. It further supports 38,000 jobs and contributes £7.5bn to the economy.


  • Waracle expands into Europe with HackSoft acquisition

    Waracle expands into Europe with HackSoft acquisition. The Scottish digital consultancy has acquired Sofia-based HackSoft, marking its first move beyond the UK and expanding its capabilities in software engineering, product development, and data services across multiple sectors.


  • UK SMEs expect holiday sales surge, FedEx finds

    Eight out of ten UK SMEs predict higher holiday sales. New FedEx research shows strong international optimism, with 38% of festive sales expected from outside Europe. UK businesses say global e-commerce events are crucial to their performance this season.


  • The highs, lows and reaction to the Autumn Budget 2025

    Rachel Reeves has delivered a tax-heavy Autumn Budget for business. Markets have taken the measures in their stride, but leaders now face a higher, more complex tax burden and big questions about investment, skills, and productivity that our BQX deep-dive will unpack in full, as they plan for 2026 ahead.


  • Bryt Energy earns SKA Silver rating for sustainable Birmingham office

    Bryt Energy’s new Birmingham office has earned SKA Silver certification. Located at Bruntwood SciTech’s Cornerblock, the workspace was designed with sustainability and employee wellbeing in mind — from recycled materials to energy-efficient systems — marking a key step in the company’s long-term environmental strategy.


  • 80% of UK businesses face agility crisis amid budget uncertainty

    Four in five UK companies are struggling to adapt. As fiscal pressures mount ahead of the Autumn Budget, new research from accountancy firm Menzies suggests that decision-making inertia is stalling growth, with many businesses missing key opportunities due to slow responses and short-term thinking.


  • Disposable income drops; 20% struggle with bills

    Disposable income falls for the fourth consecutive month. One in five UK households struggles to cover essential bills as wage growth lags behind rising costs, pressuring Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of the upcoming Budget.


  • Softcat report highlights top business tech priorities for 2026

    Data security tops tech priorities for 47% of organisations. Softcat’s latest Business Tech Report reveals a strong focus on cybersecurity, AI adoption, and sustainable IT as businesses prepare for 2026’s digital challenges.