Business News

This section contains the latest business news stories.

UK inflation rate remains at 3.8%

Data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that the rate of inflation held steady at 3.8% in the year to September.

Employers named and shamed for minimum wage breaches

The government has named and shamed nearly 500 employers who failed to pay the National Minimum Wage (NMW).

Chancellor must avoid 'doing bare minimum' in Budget

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves that she must 'avoid doing the bare minimum' in the upcoming Autumn Budget on 26 November in order to dodge a 'fiscal Groundhog Day' next year.

UK will be second-fastest growing G7 economy, IMF predicts

The UK is set to be the second-fastest-growing of the world's most advanced economies this year, according to new projections from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

UK economy grew 0.1% in August

The UK economy expanded by 0.1% in August, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Unemployment rate rises as job vacancies fall

Data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that the unemployment rate rose to 4.8% between June and August 2025.

Chancellor should use Budget to reform tax system, IFS says

Chancellor Rachel Reeves should use the Autumn Budget to reform the UK's tax system, says the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).

HMRC brings in extra £4.6 billion using 'big data' system

HMRC brought in an extra £4.6 billion in tax revenue last year by using its 'big data' system.

Countdown to Vaping Products Duty begins

There is now less than a year until the UK government introduces a Vaping Products Duty (VPD) and vaping duty stamps (VDS) on 1 October 2026.

Study finds 'increased openness' to using external finance amongst firms

A study carried out by the British Business Bank has revealed that the use of external finance amongst small firms stabilised in 2024 as businesses increasingly welcome using finance for growth.

New tax avoidance law risks missing target, warns CIOT

New legislation aimed at tackling rogue tax agents and those pushing tax avoidance schemes won't catch all of those it is aimed at, warns the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT).

HMRC to resume taking tax owed by debtors directly from bank accounts

HMRC has resumed its programme allowing direct recovery of money from debtors' bank accounts.

Over 750,000 young people yet to claim savings

Over 750,000 18-to-23-year-olds have yet to claim their matured Child Trust Funds (CTFs), according to HMRC.

Budget must give UK business a competitive edge

The Autumn Budget must sharpen the UK's competitive edge to stay ahead of the pack in an increasingly dog-eat-dog world, says the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).