Business news 17 September 2025
Jobs, pay, productivity, pensions, steel exports, house sale, market news, insolvencies & other stories that we thought would interest our members.
James Salmon, Operations Director.
Breaking – Consumer price inflation was announced at 3.8% as expected- more in tomorrows blog.
📉Job numbers fall and pay growth slows
Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows that the number of jobs in the UK economy was down by 119,000 year-on-year in the July to August period. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.7%, with this the highest rate in four years. The number of payrolled employees dropped by 6,000 in July, with a 142,000 decline over the year. Provisional estimates suggest there was a fall of 8,000 payrolled employees in August. The economic inactivity rate, meanwhile, was down 0.8 percentage points on a year earlier, coming in at 21.1%. The ONS data shows that there were 2.3 unemployed people for each vacancy, up from 2.2 in the previous quarter. Overall vacancies fell by 10,000 to 728,000 in the three months to August. The data also shows that annual wage growth, excluding bonuses, hit 4.8% in the three months to July. This is down from 5% in the previous quarter and the lowest since May 2022. Monica George Michail, associate economist at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, said wage growth is likely to fall to 4% by the end of the year. Reflecting on the ONS data, Matt Swannell, chief economic adviser to the EY Item Club, commented: “The jobs market continues to loosen very slowly.”
🧑🏻🎓Graduate jobs crisis deepens
Britain is experiencing a significant decline in graduate job opportunities, with vacancies on Reed’s website dropping from 180,000 to 55,000 since 2021/22, according to James Reed, CEO of the recruitment firm. Research by High Fliers shows that there was a 14.6% decrease in graduate hiring among the top 100 employers last year, the steepest drop since 2009. Mr Reed, who noted that AI is automating many white-collar roles, is urging families to encourage young people to consider manual labour as a viable career path.
📉OBR to downgrade productivity forecast
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has reportedly told the Chancellor that it will downgrade productivity forecasts for the UK economy. A Treasury source said: “We don’t know precisely what they are going to say on productivity, but we have been given indications there will be a downgrade.” The source pointed to the Conservative government’s poor record on productivity, arguing that Labour “are the ones picking up the bill.” It is noted that a downgrade to growth forecasts would hit the Chancellor’s fiscal buffer. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research says Rachel Reeves will have to find up to £50bn in extra taxes or savings to rebuild her headroom. While Capital Economics has suggested that the Chancellor faces a shortfall of around £30bn, analysts at Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan believe it may be lower.
🦅UK dealt tariff blow over steel exports
A deal that would remove tariffs on UK steel exports to the US has reportedly been put on hold indefinitely. The UK and US signed a trade deal in June that reduced tariffs on car and aerospace imports to the US. However, no terms were agreed for British steel, leaving tariffs at 25%. Industry sources say that while failure to secure a 0% tariff deal was disappointing, the UK retains an advantage as other countries face tariffs of 50%. Gareth Stace from UK Steel said it is “even more imperative now” that the Government “beefs up its own trade defences to ensure UK steelmakers have a sustainable share of their own market.”
Trump is currently in the UK for a state visit. Ahead of the visit the US & UK agreed on a $42bn “Tech Prosperity Deal” to work together on among other things, artificial intelligence.
📈Markets
📈Yesterday, markets declined ahead of the US FED decision on interest rates and on renewed concerns an tariffs after reports the US is considering new tariffs on auto parts. The FTSE 100 saw 74 of 100 companies decline and closed down 0.88% at 9195.66 and the Euro Stoxx 50 closed down 1.25% at 5372.31. Overnight in the US retreated from record highs, the S&P 500 fell 0.13% to 6606.76 and the Composite NASDAQ fell 0.07% to 22333.96.
The UK jobs market slowed once again providing some inflation relief to The Bank of England.
💱This morning on currencies, the pound is currently worth $1.3645 and €1.1523 . The Euro is at a 4 year high against the dollar.
TikTok’s US operations are to be bought by a consortium lead by Oracle.
On Commodities, 🛢️Oil (Brent) is at $68.05 & 💰Gold is at $3668.
📈On the stock markets, the FTSE 100 is currently up 0.19% at 9214. And the Eurostoxx 50 is up 0.12% at 5379.
Markets are awaiting the Federal Reserve’s expected quarter-point rate cut decision which is driving all asset classes.
💸Fund managers pulling out of UK stocks
Fund managers are pulling out of UK stocks at the fastest pace since 2004. Analysis by Bank of America shows that average equity allocations to the UK dropped from a net 2% underweight in August to a net 20% underweight in September. With allocations into UK stocks at its lowest in 18 months, Bank of America analysis suggests investors have been deterred by Britain’s sluggish growth and the prospect of tax hikes in the upcoming Budget. Elyas Galou, an investment strategist at Bank of America, said UK assets “are the most unloved assets right now,” adding that investors are “now almost considering the UK as if it were an emerging economy.” Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith said it is “incredibly serious” that investors are “selling out of Britain at the same time as wealth creators are leaving,” while Hugh Sergeant, a fund manager at River Global Investors, said investors are “terrified of this Government, and particularly the next Budget.”
💰More than £70bn withdrawn from retirement pots
Financial Conduct Authority data shows that pension savers withdrew more than £70bn from their retirement pots in 2024/25, a 35.9% increase on the previous year. Experts attribute the surge, in part, to concerns over potential pension tax changes, with speculation around the upcoming Budget and future inheritance tax rules adding to uncertainty. Only 30.6% of people accessing their pension for the first time took regulated advice, slightly down from 2023/24, while annuity sales rose by 7.8% to 88,430. Sir Steve Webb, a former Pensions Minister who is now a partner at pensions consultants LCP, said: “Given that pensions should be a long-term business, it is deeply disappointing that consumer behaviour is being driven so profoundly by uncertainty around public policy.”
🏠Outdated home sales system hurts the market
Britain’s outdated home buying and selling system is costing movers £560m a year due to failed transactions, with over half a million deals collapsing annually, according to a report by Santander and WPI Economics. Complex processes, delays, and issues like gazumping are key drivers of failure, leaving 85% of affected buyers out of pocket, often losing more than £1,200 each. Beyond financial costs, the stress and uncertainty are deterring homeowners from moving, dampening the housing market and causing nearly £1bn in lost economic activity. Santander argues the system, which has been largely unchanged for a century, is unfit for current market needs and calls for reforms including digitisation, a centralised property data system, and measures to prevent gazumping. This, it says, will restore confidence and ease both the financial and emotional strain on buyers and sellers.
🛜Trustpilot
Trustpilot said it was confident in delivering sustainable growth in line with its mid-teens guidance, as it reported a surge in interim profit. The Copenhagen-based consumer review platform said pretax profit jumped 45% to $3.7 million in the first half of 2025 from $2.6 million a year prior.
🍺Tax hikes threaten brewery
Robinsons Brewery has warned that tax hikes will significantly impact its financial performance, voicing concern over increases in employers’ National Insurance, the national minimum wage, and reduced business rates relief.
🚨Latest Insolvencies
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – CERTA PRECISION ENGINEERING LIMITED
- Appointment of Administrator – THE MITCHELL GROUP LTD
- Appointment of Administrator – COLSHAW CONSTRUCTION LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – SORBONNE GREENE LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – EBAY KTA (UK) LTD
- Appointment of Liquidators – B&E FAMILY INVESTMENT COMPANY LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – GREGORY & CO CONSULTANTS LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – 5I SOLUTIONS LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – SILVERDOME HOLDINGS LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – DDO CONSULTING LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – SOUSSI CONNECT LTD
- Appointment of Liquidators – LIGHTRIDGE LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – DIRECT CARPET CO (BRIGHOUSE) LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – LINDFORTH LTD
- Appointment of Liquidators – RADIUS HEALTHCARE LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – MBO HOLDINGS LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – MITCHELL & SON HOMES LTD
- Winding up Order (Companies) – THE PILION TRUST LTD
- Winding up Order (Companies) – ENGINEER.AI GLOBAL LIMITED
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – MERE DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – SMG FINANCIAL OPTIONS LIMITED
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – BRICKS GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – SHIVOM VENTURES LIMITED
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – CLK PRINT LTD
- Petitions to wind up (Companies) – RLH (2000) LIMITED
- Appointment of Administrator – YBS DECORATION SERVICES LTD
- Appointment of Liquidators – N.P. TIMBER COMPANY LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – SWIRE SHIPPING LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – AIRCT LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – INDEVA LTD.
- Appointment of Liquidators – GRAVITAS PROPERTY LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – DERMAMOSS LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – LONGUEVILLE PROPERTIES LIMITED
- Appointment of Liquidators – AP IMPLEMENTATION SERVICES LIMITED
➕Why you should become a member of CPA!
The Credit Protection Association (CPA) has been assisting thousands of UK businesses to get paid, since 1914. We have supported our members through all sorts of difficult trading environments. we face high interest rates, a struggling economy and elevated insolvencies. CPA’s services can help your business navigate these difficult waters.
We are unlike other credit management and debt collection companies. We offer a range of services to our members. They are all included as part of a fixed annual subscription, tailored to your needs.
🎁What CPA membership gives you
Under your annual subscription you will have access to our main services:
- Our Creditcare credit reports give clear credit ratings and credit limits. Along with a host of detailed information on your potential customers. Our Creditcare reports empower you to trade with confidence.
- Our monitoring service will alert you to any significant changes in the status of those customers.
- ️Our Overdue account recovery service can be used to chase up payment on any late payments. But it is unlike other debt collection companies. This service directs your customer to pay direct to you. Having to pay a third party can be damaging. Encouraging them to pay you direct is different. It maintains your goodwill with them. Its effective too. Our Overdue account recovery service resolves over 80% of accounts referred to us.
All of the above services and other complimentary services (e.g. address verification), are included in your subscription!
And what of the small minority of debts not resolved through our Overdue account recovery service? You can refer the debt to our collections department to escalate the late payment collections process.
Summary
CPA eases cash from tardy debtors – Efficiently, Effectively, Economically and Ethically. We provide credit information so you can monitor and assess your key customers and be warned of any potential risks.
How has CPA has been improving business cash flow for over 100 years? By tackling late payers and campaigning against the late payment culture in the UK.
We are unlike other credit management companies. We offer our members a fixed annual subscription regardless of how high the value of their debts maybe!
Many businesses resort to borrowing more money to improve cashflow. CPA suggests that business owners tackle the cashflow problem at its source. Are late payments are a strain on your cashflow? Then talk to CPA about how we can help you reduce those late payments.
Just ☎️ call Peter Uwins, CPA’s National Sales Manager, on 020 8846 0000 (business hours) or 💻 email nsm@cpa.co.uk today.
When you see your money come in, you will be so glad you used CPA.
️ The Credit Protection Association – Prompting Punctual Payments – Ethical, Effective, Efficient, Economical collections
Do you have a commercial late payer that is causing you grief?
Use CPA’s no-win, no-fee, commercial debt recovery service!
Do you have a particular business customer who is late paying and causing you sleepless nights? Why not ask CPA’s collection department to buy it on recourse?
CPA’s collection department will then pursue the debt. We will be liable for any costs incurred. When we have recovered the debt, we will pay you the net principle debt recovered less our fixed percentage.
Our hope
We hope that once you have enjoyed success you will want to try more. You might consider becoming members. Taking out a subscription is the most cost effective way to access our services. Membership includes our Overdue Account Recovery service. But also our Creditcare reports and a range of other complimentary services.
Just call ☎️ 020 8846 0000 and ask for Godfrey Nelson or Cris Shirley (business hours) or 💻email debtpurchase@cpa.co.uk today.
️ The Credit Protection Association – Prompting Punctual Payments – Ethical, Effective, Efficient, Economical collections.
Get compensated for past late payments
Have you been paid late by business customers in the last six years?
Maybe you no longer work with them. Under ⚖️ legislation, you are entitled to compensation you for those late payments you have suffered.
You put up with the PAIN ⚡ – now claim the GAIN! 💰
Claim late payment compensation (LPC) from former business customers who paid you late in the last six years!
CPA (LPC) Recoveries is using our bespoke software and decades of experience to do just that for our clients
Check our compensation calculator to see how much your business could be owed!
Discover NOW the potential value of late payment compensation hidden in your sales ledger!
️ The Credit Protection Association – Prompting Punctual Payments – Ethical, Effective, Efficient, Economical collections.