OUTLOOK Business confidence climbs in May The Times Business confidence in the UK increased slightly in May, with a monthly barometer from Lloyds rising three points to 47%. This follows a decline in April and sits just below the 12-month average of 48% - but is above...

ECONOMY ECB: Iran war puts financial stability at risk Financial Times The Times The European Central Bank (ECB) has warned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East poses serious risks to financial stability. The ECB said: "While the full impact of the war is...

INVESTMENT Retail investors lose faith in UK firms City AM Retail investors are losing confidence in UK-listed companies, according to a survey by InvestorHub and ShareSoc. Around 53% of investors reported concern over a lack of transparency in communications, while...

OUTLOOK Insolvencies surge, with 2,085 firms collapsing in April Daily Mail Official figures show that 2,085 UK firms collapsed in April, with this the highest monthly total since June 2024 and a 3% increase on April 2025. The data for April means that there have been...

TAX Reform vows to scrap overtime tax BBC News Sunday Express The Sunday Telegraph Reform UK has announced a plan to eliminate income tax on overtime for those earning under £75,000, with party leader Nigel Farage saying that if elected, it will "make work pay." The...

OUTLOOK UK business activity fell for first time in more than a year in May Financial Times Reuters The Daily Telegraph UK business activity fell for the first time in over a year in May, according to the S&P Global Flash UK PMI composite output index. The survey,...

ECONOMY UK inflation dips to 2.8% in April Financial Times The Daily Telegraph BBC News City AM The UK's inflation rate has decreased to 2.8% for the year ending in April, down from 3.3% in March, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). ONS chief...

TAX Labour's mansion tax could be deferred, with interest The Daily Telegraph Daily Mail The Times Owners of homes valued at £2m or more may defer Labour's mansion tax until they sell their home or die if they meet low-income criteria, according to a consultation...

TAX Mass job losses from AI could wipe out income tax The Daily Telegraph The Guardian Arun Advani, director of the Centre for the Analysis of Taxation, has said it is likely that advances in AI will impact tax income in the next five years, echoing the view of Tom...

TAX Rise of private unlimited companies to shield assets The Daily Telegraph Wealthy families in the UK are increasingly turning to private unlimited companies as a strategic vehicle for inheritance tax (IHT) planning. The shift is a response to new tax burdens,...