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Merck agreed to buy British biotechnology company Silence Therapeutics outright. The approximately $1.3bn equity offer is conditional and would bring a clinical-stage RNA drug development platform into Merck’s healthcare division.
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UK profit warnings climbed during the third quarter of 2026. EY-Parthenon recorded 65 warnings, up from 59, as cost pressure, geopolitical uncertainty and delayed orders affected listed companies.
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multifi’s new BrokerScope tool screens finance applications against lender criteria. Its launch accompanies analysis estimating 40–65 hours of monthly work on unsuccessful cases, a figure derived from company modelling rather than independently measured broker activity.
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Xero’s Google Gemini integration brings live accounting insights to businesses. Eligible users, including those in the UK and EEA, can review financial performance, invoices, and cash positions using conversational AI.
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Ministers have announced investment across fourteen urgent-care infrastructure projects nationally. Almost £140m will support hospital facilities, ambulances, refurbishment and digital systems, with individual schemes progressing on their own timetables.
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Keller is examining acquisitions to expand its specialist engineering operations. The contractor sees opportunities across a large target universe, particularly in North America, but has announced no new transaction.
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Heathrow’s proposed third runway faces uncertainty despite fresh ministerial support. The Chancellor has backed its economic potential, while the prime minister remains cautious and investors await a clearer decision.
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Water companies warn regulatory uncertainty could increase their borrowing costs. Water UK says further credit downgrades might ultimately add £40 to annual customer bills, although no increase has been approved.
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Renault’s chief executive has challenged Britain’s future petrol-car sales deadline. François Provost wants closer alignment with proposed European automotive policies, although neither the UK deadline nor EU law has changed.
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New polling reveals substantial frustration among Britain’s small business leaders. The CPS/Opinium survey found 57% felt government was not on their side, with energy and taxation among leading concerns.