Business news 22 January 2026 UK inflation surprise, insolvencies mount and policy uncertainty dominates UK businesses are facing another testing mix of rising costs, fragile confidence and mounting insolvency risk. Inflation has jumped higher than expected, interest-rate relief looks delayed,

Business news 14 January 2026 UK businesses are facing a growing squeeze as tax concerns, regulatory pressure and weakening confidence collide. Fresh surveys show business sentiment at a three-year low, investors increasingly anxious about tax rises, and hospitality operators cutting

Business news 13 January 2026 Small businesses entered 2026 under growing pressure as confidence slumped to its lowest level since the pandemic, costs rose sharply following the Budget, and insolvency activity continued to tick higher. Pubs, restaurants, recruiters and retailers

Business news 12 January 2026 Cost pressure is still the headline for UK small businesses that sell on terms: business rates uncertainty is spreading beyond pubs, tax policy is getting noisier (and harder to plan around), and confidence indicators are

Business news 1 December 2025 A packed news day brings fresh challenges for SMEs as economic confidence weakens, costs rise across multiple sectors, and political controversy around the public finances intensifies. The Chancellor’s tax decisions continue to ripple through businesses