Henry Whitaker is a business journalist
business journalist
BT has unveiled a new sovereign data platform aimed at UK public-sector organisations and domestic businesses, designed to keep sensitive data stored and managed entirely within the UK as concerns over security, regulation and resilience continue to grow.
Whitbread has warned that changes to business rates could add £40 million to £50 million to its costs next year, adding further pressure on the hospitality sector as hotels face rising expenses and slowing consumer spending.
UK retail shares rose after the government unveiled major business-rates reforms aimed at cutting costs for small shops, cafés and leisure businesses, while shifting more of the tax burden onto larger commercial properties.
UK businesses are laying off workers at the fastest rate since 2021 because construction output is falling quickly because of weak demand, rising costs, and economic uncertainty.
UK companies are shedding jobs at the fastest rate in more than four years, with construction hit hardest as falling demand, rising costs and economic uncertainty push firms to cut staff and delay investment.
