OUTLOOK More firms in critical financial distress Daily Mail The number of UK businesses in critical financial distress increased by 9% to 53,756 in Q2 2023, according to Begbies Traynor Group's quarterly red flag report. Leisure and culture sectors were hit hardest,...

TAX Tax hikes not needed, says economist City AM Chancellor John Healey can deliver "immediate remedial action" for the economy in the upcoming Budget without raising taxes, according to Simon French, a Panmure Liberum economist who previously worked at the Treasury....

REGULATION IPO market needs 'root-and-branch' reform City AM Samantha Myers, a partner at law firm Reed Smith, looks at Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) reforms aimed at improving the IPO landscape, saying that while they will "help the UK make up lost ground," more...

OUTLOOK BCC says 'resilience not enough' for growth City AM Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), has warned that the Government’s focus on resilience alone will not drive economic growth. She has urged policymakers to reduce...

OUTLOOK US debt crisis could hit UK hard The Daily Telegraph City AM Leading analysts warn that rising US borrowing costs could plunge the UK into a severe recession. The US recently faced its highest long-term bond interest rates in 25 years, raising concerns about...

OUTLOOK UK businesses brace for tough times The Times UK medium-sized businesses are facing significant challenges due to rising costs and supply-chain disruptions, according to a survey by BDO. Nearly 50% of firms anticipate these issues will be their primary concern...

EMPLOYMENT Hospitality boss slams Labour over rising costs The Daily Telegraph The Times The chief executive of UKHospitality, Allen Simpson, has warned that Labour’s plans to end zero-hours contracts will lead to more job losses in the sector, hitting young people...

EMPLOYMENT Labour's zero-hours contracts ban to cost £3bn a year Financial Times The Daily Telegraph Labour's proposed crackdown on zero-hours contracts under the Employment Rights Act could cost businesses between £350m and £2.9bn a year, depending on the agreed...

OUTLOOK Construction drags on UK growth City AM The UK economy is expected to face setbacks as the construction sector experiences a significant decline. Economists predict a 0.1% contraction in GDP for June, reversing earlier gains. Analysts from Pantheon...

SUPPORT FCA boosts support for UK scale-ups City AM The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is giving Zilch, ClearScore, Modulr, Teya and Urban Jungle dedicated regulatory support through its Scale-up Unit, including named contacts to help with new products, regulatory...