Hospitality Leaders Urge Scottish Government To Back 10% Hospitality Vat
More than 100 leading chefs and hospitality businesses across Scotland have written to the First Minister, asking him to back the #VATsTheProblem campaign.
Read more...
Small Businesses
Administrations Rise Due to Cost Pressures and Uncertainty
Stats released today by The Insolvency Service reveal that administrations were 44% higher than in July 2026, and 60% higher than in August 2025. Administration numbers have been volatile in recent months, driven by over 250 connected companies in the Real Estate sector entering administration.
Read more...
Budget Must Reduce Hospitality Tax Burden To Create Jobs
UKHospitality has said the Budget on October 28 is a ‘moment for change’ where the new Government should move away from disproportionately taxing employment.
Read more...
Hospitality Could Offer £2.3bn Economic Benefit As NEET “Experience Trap” Fuels UK’s Youth Unemployment Crisis
Britain is facing a ‘first jobs’ crisis which is costing billions of pounds a year, a new report has revealed. Analysis by Hilton (NYSE: HLT) and WPI Economics estimates that moving one young NEET…
Read more...
Burnham Government’s AI Reset Must Build Trust in AI Among Small Firms, says FSB
The AI Minister’s new cabinet role gives the Government an opportunity to help small firms adopt the technology with confidence, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) says.
Read more...
MPs Press Treasury on Hospitality Support, VAT and Burnham Business Rates Pledge
Hospitality policy came under scrutiny in the House of Commons on Monday as MPs questioned the Government on support for pubs, bars and tourism businesses, including calls for a lower VAT rate in Northern Ireland and questions over a business rates pledge associated with Andy Burnham.
Read more...
Burnham’s Business Rates Proposals Raise Questions Over Growth and Competitiveness
With Andy Burnham now emerging as the overwhelming favourite to succeed Sir Keir Starmer, debate around his proposals on business rates and support for high streets, hospitality and smaller businesses is likely to intensify.
Read more...
Trust Gap Threatens £42bn AI Opportunity, FSB says
Unlocking wider AI adoption among small firms could add more than £42 billion to the UK economy each year – but fears around data, liability and copyright are holding many back, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has said.
Read more...
Government Presses Ahead with Zero-Hours Contract Reforms Despite Hospitality Concerns
The Government has taken the next step towards reforming zero-hours contracts, launching a consultation on measures designed to provide workers with greater certainty over their…
Read more...
Ban On Upwards-Only Rent Reviews Won’t Save The High Street – Morr & Co
New legislation to ban upwards-only rent reviews (UORRs) for commercial property are unlikely to save the high street and may not achieve government aims, according…
Read more...UK Tops 2026 Global Property Tax Rankings
The UK has the highest property tax burden of any major economy, according to new analysis published in global tax firm Ryan’s 2026 Annual Business…
Read more...
Inflation Climbs to 3.3% as Fuel Shock and Food Costs Squeeze On-Trade Operators
UK inflation climbed to 3.3% in the year to March 2025, up from 3% the previous month, according to newly released figures from the Office…
Read more...
Beer & Pub Association Welcome Unanimity On Need For Rates Reform Welcome
Following the publication of party manifestos ahead of the forthcoming Holyrood election, the Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) has welcomed the near cross-party consensus…
Read more...
Fragile Gains in Small Business Confidence at Risk From April Cost Rises
Small business confidence is crawling back from historic lows – but without government action, fresh cost pressures could drag it straight back down, the Federation…
Read more...
Food Inflation Could Treble by the End of 2026, FDF Warns
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has sharply revised its forecast for UK food inflation, warning that prices could rise to at least 9% by…
Read more...