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February’s UK dealmakers chased scale, stability, and strategic scarcity again. Engie’s £10.5bn agreement for UK Power Networks led the month, while Nuveen’s £9.9bn purchase of Schroders underscored pressure for asset-management scale. NatWest bought Evelyn Partners, nexfibre consolidated fibre via Substantial, and Brookfield-backed Radiant merged with London’s Ori in late February.
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Zoho data shows UK businesses still squeezed after Spring Statement. A survey finds inflation and rising costs remain top external pressures, with half reporting higher cost per employee. Leaders are turning to cost reduction, standardisation, and selective tech investment, while Xero figures point to slowing sales growth among small businesses.
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Reeves promised stability, but business wants delivery and detail now. The Spring Statement kept major policy changes for the Budget, as the OBR cut 2026 growth to 1.1% and forecast unemployment at 5.3%. Leaders welcomed the tone, yet asked for clearer help on hiring, skills, and AI adoption quickly, nationwide.
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UK gas prices nearly double amid US-Iran tensions. Wholesale gas prices in the UK surged by 93% this week due to escalating US-Iran conflict, potentially increasing inflation and affecting household energy bills.
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UK service sector profitability declines for seventeenth quarter. Businesses report continued pressure from rising costs with little improvement expected. Consumer-facing firms experience greater challenges, prompting staff reductions amid higher employment costs.
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Basware is expanding InvoiceAI with agentic tools for accounts payable. The company says new agents in its invoice lifecycle management platform will automate supplier disputes and help AP teams resolve payment queries, as finance leaders report rising pressure to show measurable AI returns.
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UK data watchdog fines Reddit £14.47m for data failings. The ICO found the platform lacked robust age assurance mechanisms and a lawful basis for processing data of children under 13, highlighting a need for stricter age verification measures.
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Checkout.com defies tech slowdown with increased hiring in 2025. The payments firm expanded its workforce by 15%, integrating AI across operations. This growth coincides with a return to profitability and a valuation adjustment to $12bn.
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Oxford Science Enterprises will trade on London’s new private market. The £1.3bn venture capital firm, known for backing tech spin-outs from Oxford University, will debut on the London Stock Exchange’s Private Securities Market, marking a milestone for the Pisces framework.
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UK engages with US over Trump’s tariff increase. The UK is negotiating with the US following President Trump’s decision to raise the global tariff rate to 15%. The UK had previously secured a 10% rate but is now affected by the increase.