News

June 22, 2026

High energy bills force a quarter of UK manufacturers abroad

One in four of Britain’s manufacturers has moved production abroad or is seriously considering it, according to research by Make UK, formerly the Engineering Employers' Federation.

June 18, 2026

Delayed payments and rising costs see Britain’s builders tottering on collapse

A new report has concluded that late payments and rising costs are crippling Britain’s construction sector. Firms already in or at risk of financial distress make up more than eight in ten companies.

May 28, 2026

UK unemployment rises to 5% but inflation drops to 2.8%

Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the unemployment rate in the three months to March 2026 has risen to 5% from 4.9%.

May 27, 2026

HMRC introduces targeted advance assurance service for R&D claims

Originally proposed in last autumn’s Budget, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have introduced a targeted advance assurance service for Research and Development (R&D) tax relief claims. The service, which is a pilot, aims to provide businesses with clarity on complex or high-risk areas before they make a claim.

May 26, 2026

Nationwide crackdown on dodgy high street shops

A major police offensive was announced last week that will tackle dodgy shops linked to organised crime. Rogue high street businesses will face raids, closures and cash seizures.

May 21, 2026

AI providing misleading advice on VAT return filing

Incorrect advice provided by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other websites is contributing to a growing trend of late VAT return filing and payment.