Business

The operator of the Channel Tunnel has frozen millions of pounds of planned investment in Britain and warned that rail fares could rise after the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) proposed a 200 per cent increase in its business rates bill. Eurotunnel, owned by French group Getlink, said it was in “deep disagreement” with the planned revaluation, describing it as “unjustified …

In most British workplaces, people notice safety messages long before they meet a manager or supervisor. Simple visual prompts set expectations about behaviour, safety, and respect from the moment someone steps through the door. Those early cues shape how visitors feel about risk, responsibility, and standards inside the organisation. Clear no smoking signs are part of that first impression for …

Nearly two-thirds of fast-growth business founders believe the Labour government is “anti-business”, according to a new survey from Helm, one of the UK’s largest networks of scale-up entrepreneurs. In a poll of 400 Helm members, 63% said the government is anti-business, compared with just 23% who disagreed. A further 14% said they were unsure. Even more striking was the response …

The Conservatives have accused Chancellor Rachel Reeves of undermining the Budget process and dragging the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) into political controversy after Labour briefed that improved economic forecasts prompted her to abandon plans for an income tax rise. Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride has written to Richard Hughes, chairman of the OBR, demanding clarity on when the Chancellor …

Barclays has been accused of closing the bank account of a tech entrepreneur because she earns part of her income through the adult content platform OnlyFans. Madelaine Thomas, who runs a start-up called Image Angel while also generating income through adult content platforms, said the bank refused to open a business account for her company and had shut down an …

Pibit.AI has secured $7 million in Series A funding to accelerate development of its CURE underwriting platform, an AI-driven system designed to turn complex insurance submissions into fast, trusted decisions. The round, led by Stellaris Venture Partners with participation from Y Combinator and Arali Ventures, marks a significant step forward in the company’s ambition to modernise underwriting workflows across the …

Make UK has signed a major trade and partnership agreement with the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), strengthening industrial ties between the two nations and paving the way for deeper collaboration in areas such as rare earth minerals, artificial intelligence, nuclear technology and defence. The deal follows a joint statement by the prime ministers of the UK and Canada in …

British Airways has been unveiled as the first Founding Partner of the newly transformed Olympia, marking a major collaboration between two heritage British brands as the £1.3 billion redevelopment of the London destination enters its final phase. The multi-year, multi-million-pound partnership will give the airline naming rights to two new flagship venues and integrate Olympia into British Airways’ loyalty programme, …

Curves, the world’s fourth-largest women’s fitness chain, is expanding its franchise network across the UK and Europe as demand for women-only wellness spaces accelerates. With the global women’s wellness market now valued at more than £3 billion, the brand says it is uniquely positioned to offer entrepreneurs a proven, low-cost route into one of the fastest-growing sectors in health and …

Nearly one in five prospective home movers has put their plans on hold amid uncertainty over possible property tax changes in next week’s Budget, according to new research from Rightmove. A survey of more than 10,000 people found widespread anxiety about potential changes to stamp duty, council tax and a possible new “mansion tax” on homes worth over £2 million …