Business Matters

Borrowing hits £1.8bn in July as Healey’s first budget looms

UK borrowing July 2026 came in at £1.8bn against an OBR forecast of a £500m surplus, adding to pressure on John Healey before ...
Business Matters

UK retail sales fall 0.5% in July as heatwave keeps shoppers away

UK retail sales fell 0.5 per cent in July, ONS figures show, as record heat cut spending on clothing, footwear and household ...
Business Matters

UK firms in critical financial distress rise 9% to more than 53,000

UK firms were in critical financial distress in Q2, up 9% on a year ago, BTG's Red Flag report shows, with leisure, hotels ...
Business Matters

Hundreds of pharmacies weigh closure as business rates bills soar

Almost half of 420 owners surveyed say pharmacy business rates bills could force closure, with 55 per cent weighing a move to ...