The series of tax hikes introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her Autumn Budget last year has contributed to a spike in pubs going bust across the UK in April, according to new figures. A total of 67 pubs closed down during the month – the highest number since July 2024 when 75 entered insolvency…

British manufacturers are turning away from the US due to rising tariffs and trade uncertainty, with Make UK forecasting a 0.2% contraction in 2025 and warning of looming de-industrialisation. Read more: British manufacturers turn their backs on US as export market amid Trump-era trade turmoil

Shares in Metro bank boomed as markets opened on Monday after reports the high street lender had been approached for a takeover. The FTSE 250 bank’s stock was up nine per cent to 122.00p during early trading. On Friday, shares closed at 112.2p, giving it a market capitalisation north of £750m. This follows private equity…

Treasury chief secretary Darren Jones refused to rule out further tax hikes in the autumn budget on Sunday. Asked on GB News whether he would rule out tax rises later this year, Jones said “that will be subject to the OBR forecasts… it’s right that we take these types of decision in an orderly way.”…

Metro Bank has received a takeover approach from Pollen Street Capital, sparking fresh concerns over the number of companies leaving the London Stock Exchange amid rising private equity interest. Read more: Metro Bank takeover approach adds to fears of London Stock Market exodus

If London is serious about shaping the next era of tech, we must treat semiconductors as vital national infrastructure, writes Russ Shaw.

A senior official admits errors in PPE Medpro contract approval, as day two of the £122m High Court case reveals confusion and contradictions inside the government’s Covid procurement process. Read more: PPE Medpro legal battle intensifies as civil servant admits approval ‘mistake’ over sterile gowns