EMPLOYMENT NICs hike blamed for rising unemployment The Daily Telegraph Daily Mail The Guardian The Times A report from the Resolution Foundation suggests Labour’s increase in employer NICs had driven up unemployment, with young workers being hit the hardest. The...

OUTLOOK CBI growth forecast based on 'cautious optimism' Sunday Express The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has upgraded its growth forecast for the UK from 1% to 1.3% for next year, citing Labour's "spend now, tax later" fiscal policy. The forecast includes a...

FINANCING Banks pulled back on SME lending in Q3 City AM High street banks' lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) slowed in the third quarter of 2025, according to UK Finance, reaching £4.2bn. Year-on-year growth dropped to 6.4%, down from 8.3% in the...

REGULATION FCA chief sets out pro-growth reforms Financial Times Reuters The Times Financial Conduct Authority chief executive Nikhil Rathi says the City watchdog plans to enhance SME lending, reform mortgage rules, and support digital finance in a bid to boost...

REGULATION LSE welcomes stamp duty holiday on shares City AM The London Stock Exchange (LSE) has welcomed the Government's introduction of a three-year stamp duty holiday for newly listed companies. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the measure, which eliminates the...

EMPLOYMENT Jobs market set to rebound Daily Mirror The UK jobs market is expected to recover following the recent Budget, according to recruitment experts. A survey by ManpowerGroup indicates that firms are ready to resume hiring after a six-month slowdown. The...

EMPLOYMENT Labour market faces severe downturn The Daily Telegraph Britain’s jobs market has fallen to its weakest level since 2011, according to BDO’s Employment Index, which tracks hiring demand, job losses and unemployment. Separate KPMG and REC data show full-time...

OUTLOOK Construction sector suffers severe downturn BBC News City AM The Guardian The construction sector experienced its most significant output decline in five and a half years, according to a recent S&P Global survey. The purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell...

OUTLOOK One in five small businesses shrink Daily Mail A recent survey by Enterprise Northern Ireland reveals that 20% of small businesses have contracted over the past year. The 2025 Enterprise Barometer highlights issues such as weak cashflows, rising costs, and...

OUTLOOK OECD: UK inflation set to be second highest in G7 City AM The Guardian The Times The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) predicts the UK will experience the second highest inflation in the G7 over the next year. This is attributed to...