Diesel drivers drive electric van searches up 143% as fuel costs bite
UK Google searches for electric vans rocketed 143% in March as diesel prices bit into SME margins, new data from The Van Insurer reveals. Read more: Diesel drivers drive electric…
2026
Supermarket shelves face summer gaps as Iran war threatens UK’s CO2 lifeline
Whitehall drafts emergency plans as the ongoing Iran conflict threatens UK carbon dioxide supplies, with potential knock-on effects for meat producers, brewers and SME food businesses this summer. Read more:…
UK steelmakers face 77% electricity price gap as Middle East war deepens competitiveness crisis
UK steelmakers now pay up to 77% more for electricity than French and German rivals as Middle East conflict drives wholesale prices higher. UK Steel welcomes BICS but demands urgent…
Britain’s first major AI data centre sparks net zero clash as gas power plans revealed
Britain's first nationally significant AI data centre at Wapseys Wood would be powered by a gas turbine, fuelling concern that the UK's AI ambitions are clashing with climate goals. Read…
UK economy surged before Iran conflict but stagflation now looms for Britain’s SMEs
UK GDP grew 0.5% in February, beating forecasts, but the Iran conflict threatens British SMEs with stagflation as energy costs soar and the IMF slashes growth forecasts. Read more: UK…
Reeves unveils 25% electricity bill cut for 10,000 manufacturers as energy costs bite
Chancellor Rachel Reeves expands the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme by 40%, cutting electricity bills by up to 25% for 10,000 UK manufacturers from April 2027. Read more: Reeves unveils 25%…
US tariff refund backlog leaves UK exporters in limbo as Washington scrambles to process billions in claims
Thousands of importers face an open-ended wait for US tariff refunds as CBP's new CAPE portal covers only 63% of claims. UK SMEs trading transatlantically could be owed a share…
Disney to axe 1,000 jobs as new chief D’Amaro moves to streamline empire
Disney's new CEO Josh D'Amaro is cutting around 1,000 jobs across its studio, television, ESPN and marketing divisions as the entertainment giant battles shrinking box office returns and streaming pressures.…
Norwegian green-steel start-up closes in on rescue deal for former Liberty works in South Yorkshire
Norwegian-backed Blastr has entered exclusive five-week talks with the UK's official receiver to buy Speciality Steel UK, raising hopes of a rescue for Rotherham and Stocksbridge. Read more: Norwegian green-steel…
Reeves flies into Washington as IMF brands Britain the G7’s biggest loser
The IMF has slashed Britain's growth forecast by 0.5 points — the sharpest G7 downgrade — as Rachel Reeves arrives in Washington with inflation nearing 4%. Read more: Reeves flies…