Walk through many of England’s town centres and the picture is familiar: shuttered shops, vacant market stalls, and a growing number of bookmakers and vape stores filling the spaces where anchor retailers once traded. For millions of people, this visible decline is not just a cosmetic frustration — it has become a symbol of how […]

For decades, regulatory reporting occupied a relatively unglamorous corner of the banking world. Skilled but largely invisible, reporting teams worked to ensure that the right numbers reached the right regulators at the right time. Accuracy mattered, deadlines mattered, and deep knowledge of complex rulebooks was the professional currency of choice. Beyond that, the function was

Morrisons has announced a significant restructure of its central operations, with around 200 roles at risk of redundancy at its Bradford headquarters. The proposed cuts represent just under 10% of the workforce at Hilmore House and form part of a broader transformation programme the supermarket chain has been undertaking since last year.The Bradford-based retailer, which

The UK government is preparing new legislation that could require companies to pay supplier invoices within 60 days or face penalties. The proposed rules are designed to tackle late payment issues that continue to put pressure on small businesses across the country.At present, paying within 60 days is encouraged under the Prompt Payment Code, but

The UK government has announced plans to give regional mayors greater control over how tax revenue is spent in their areas, marking a significant shift in economic decision-making away from central government.Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that proposals, expected in the Autumn Budget, will allow local leaders to retain and allocate a share of nationally collected

The Sidemen, one of YouTube’s most influential creator groups, have announced plans to open 15 new Sides fried chicken restaurants in 2026, significantly accelerating the brand’s UK and international expansion. Launched in 2021 in partnership with franchise operator Hero Brands, Sides already operates five UK sites and has begun international growth, including Singapore.Planned UK openings

The average UK house price has exceeded £300,000 for the first time, reaching £300,077 in January 2026, according to Halifax, one of the UK’s largest mortgage lenders. This reflects continued demand across the UK housing market, but it also creates additional challenges for first-time buyers and those who are self-employed or operate through limited companies.In

1. Global Political and Trade UncertaintyOne of the biggest drivers of the gold rally has been growing concern over international politics and trade.Recent tariff measures introduced by US President Donald Trump have unsettled global markets, particularly as further restrictions have been threatened against several trading partners. When trade relationships become unpredictable, investors often move away

UK government borrowing fell sharply in December, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Borrowing came in at £11.6bn, which is £7.1bn (38%) lower than the same month last year. The drop was mainly driven by a strong rise in tax and National Insurance Contributions (NIC) receipts, which more than offset

UK mortgage lenders are becoming increasingly competitive, and analysts suggest this could lead to further mortgage rate cuts in the coming weeks. New data points to a more active mortgage market as we move through 2025 and look ahead to 2026.According to recent industry analysis, the number of mortgage products available is now at its