Local News

Housebuilding seeing its deepest slump since the early Covid pandemic Anna Wise Press Association Business Reporter 12:47, 07 Jan 2026 The latest S&P Global UK construction PMI survey paints a gloomy picture(Image: PA) UK housebuilding activity has continued its most severe downturn since the onset of the Covid pandemic, with the broader construction sector marking […]

Production struggled to recover from September attack, US tariffs and Jaguar model wind-down Simon Hunt www.cityam.com 11:21, 06 Jan 2026 Jaguar Land Rover said production only returned to normal levels by mid-November after the cyber attack(Image: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live) Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) saw a significant drop in sales in the final quarter of last […]

Professional services firms say tie-up will help their ‘ambitious growth plans’ Ian Wilkinson (Perspective Financial Group), left, and Scott Heath (DJH) (Image: DJH) A national financial planning group has teamed up with a fast-growing accountancy and professional services firm in a new wealth management joint venture. Perspective Financial Group, based in Chorley, has teamed up […]

Changes to property taxes announced in the Budget are ‘unlikely’ to have a significant impact on the market, Nationwide said For sale, under offer and sold signs, West Hampstead, London(Image: Tim Graham/Getty Images) The UK housing market ended 2025 on a “softer note,” with annual price growth slowing to 0.6% in December, from 1.8% in […]

Sector experts have told the Press Association that they expect insolvencies to continue to rise this year Sion Barry and Henry Saker-Clark PA Deputy Business Editor 09:12, 02 Jan 2026Updated 09:13, 02 Jan 2026 The store is closing its doors after 153 years of trade (stock image)(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto/atmoosh ) Company restructurings and insolvencies are […]

But the Treasury says it is making ‘fair and necessary decisions’ David Hughes, Press Association Political Editor and Hannah Baker South West Business Editor 22:00, 01 Jan 2026 Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves speaks at a business reception at Lancaster House in central London (Image: PA) Rachel Reeves is “hammering” workers with stealth taxes […]

The largest declines were seen in the East Midlands, North West and Yorkshire & the Humber Henry Saker-Clark, PA Deputy Business Editor 07:45, 01 Jan 2026 A pint of Heinken being poured One pub shut its doors for good each day in 2025 as cost pressures continued to weigh on the sector, according to new […]

Tom Bradshaw said the agricultural sector had experienced one of its “toughest years on record” Tractor in a field(Image: Leitenberger S/Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) British farmers are likely to face continued uncertainty in 2026 but have a “stronger foundation” to build on and grow, the president on the National Farmers Union (NFU) has […]

Alex Scrimgeour has been at the helm for five years and has been replaced on an interim basis by a non-executive director 08:04, 29 Dec 2025Updated 08:29, 29 Dec 2025 Everyman screen branding(Image: Publicity still) The boss of upmarket cinema firm Everyman Media Group has stepped down after nearly five years at the helm. Everyman […]

A raft of major brands have been forced to close branches as the retail sector continues to face tough trading conditions Henry Saker-Clark, PA Deputy Business Editor 08:25, 29 Dec 2025 A Poundland shop(Image: Pepco/PA) A host of major UK retail and hospitality brands closed stores across the UK this year, with other high street […]