News

May 11, 2026

Pub closures blamed on costs and disproportionate tax burden

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) have reported that 161 pubs closed across the country in the first three months of 2026. It is estimated that this has led to the loss of 2,400 jobs. Scotland has been the most heavily affected, with 41 closures between January and March.

May 7, 2026

Data law change relaxes consent rules for charities

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has published final guidance on the new ‘charitable purposes soft opt-in’ provision introduced by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

September 16, 2024

UK economy flatlines again

Figures released by the Office of National Statistics last week show that the UK economy showed no growth in July 2024. This is the second month in a row as there was also no growth in June.

September 12, 2024

Plan 1 student loan interest rate to change to 6%

The Plan 1 student loan interest rate reduced to 6% (from 6.25%) from 30 August. This rate change applies across the UK with the Department for Education (DfE), the Welsh Government and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland (DfE NI) all confirming the change.

September 11, 2024

Barratt Developments' profit drop sends ripples through construction and property sectors

Barratt Developments, the UK's largest housebuilder, has reported a significant decline in pre-tax profits, down by three-quarters for the year ending June 2024. This comes as the company completed just 14,000 homes, a sharp decrease from 17,000 the previous year, with forecasts suggesting even lower figures of 13,000 to 13,500 homes for the upcoming year.

September 9, 2024

Public sector procurement: Missed targets and opportunities for SMEs

A recent report by the British Chambers of Commerce and Tussell has highlighted the ongoing challenges the public sector faces in meeting its procurement targets for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).