OUTLOOK Businesses doubt growth plans The Times Businesses are increasingly sceptical about the Government's growth mission, with a survey by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry showing that over 85% of 150 business leaders believe Labour will struggle to...

EMPLOYMENT More than a fifth of adults not looking for work Sky News BBC News The Guardian The Independent More than a fifth of working-age adults in the UK are not in work or actively looking for work, with the economic inactivity rate standing at 21.5% in the three...

OUTLOOK UK's start-ups face international threat The Independent UK The UK is at risk of becoming an "incubator economy" as tech start-ups are increasingly being acquired by international competitors, warns Universities UK. Eleanor Busby reports that...

OUTLOOK Compulsory liquidations hit ten-year high London Evening Standard The latest figures from the Insolvency Service reveal that February saw the highest number of compulsory liquidations in over a decade, with 393 companies forced to close. This surge comes as...

OUTLOOK OECD slashes UK growth forecasts The Times Daily Mail The OECD has revised down its growth forecasts for the UK, predicting an expansion of only 1.4% in 2025, down from 1.7%, and 1.2% in 2026, reduced from 1.3%. The adjustment adds pressure on the Chancellor...

Monday, 17th March 2025 OUTLOOK London's small businesses aim for growth London Evening Standard Research indicates a strong commitment among London’s small businesses to pursue growth, with 84% planning new initiatives this Spring, significantly above the national...

TAX More retirees pay income tax than Gen Z Sky News The Daily Telegraph Daily Express Recent HMRC data reveals a significant shift in income tax contributions, with 5.45m Britons over 70 paying more tax than 5.23m under 30s in the 2022-23 financial year. This change...

TAX Higher rate taxpayer total hits record high Daily Mail Official figures show that 680,000 people were dragged into the 40% tax bracket in 2022/23, meaning the number of higher-rate taxpayers has hit 5m for the first time. Figures published by HMRC show that 5.1m...

CORPORATE Firms ‘quieter' about diversity targets? Daily Mail The Independent The latest report from the Parker Review shows that there were 13 chief executives from an ethnic minority background leading FTSE 100 firms at the end of 2024, up from 12 in 2023. While 95...

TAX Modest earners paying taxes designed for the wealthy The Daily Telegraph Analysis by the Taxpayers’ Alliance shows that modest earners are paying high tax rates originally designed for the wealthy. While the 40% higher-rate threshold – which kicks in at £50,270 –...