Global trade and economic uncertainty hit M&A deal activity in Q1 2025 with acquirers holding off on M&A and business owners waiting for a more optimal time to sell. However, a further potential reduction in interest rates combined with significant tax considerations for business owners should help to stimulate more deal activity, says leading audit, […]
The Cumberland Building Society has reported healthy financial results as it celebrates its 175th anniversary and continues to grow its savings and mortgages balance sheet, ending the year at a record high of £3.33bn. Mortgage lending rose by 6.6 to £2.76bn while savings balances climbed by 7.1% to £3.01bn. The Society, which made excellent progress as […]
The British Business Bank has appointed Julia Bond OBE as non-executive director (NED) to the Board of British Business Bank plc, effective from 19 May 2025, and chair of its Remuneration Committee, effective from 1 July 2025. Julia is a seasoned non-executive director with a career spanning global finance, public service, and long-term investment. She […]
To pay for defence and transport project spending increases, the government could put tax reliefs and exemptions on the chopping block, say leading audit, tax and business advisory firm, Blick Rothenberg. Robert Salter, a director at the firm, said: “The prime minister Keir Starmer announced an increase in the UK’s defence budget, and the chancellor, […]
Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst, Hargreaves Lansdown: “UK markets are in a holding pattern, with the FTSE 100 patiently waiting for a fresh catalyst to deliver the final push toward new all-time highs. The UK-US trade deal appears to be doing enough to insulate UK markets from excessive Trump-related volatility, though it remains to be seen how […]
Local authorities report 20% rise in Section 106 negotiation timelines, underscoring resources constraints and delaying construction of much-needed homes Home builders are now waiting an average of 515 days for infrastructure agreements to be finalised, adding significant delays to an already complex and time-consuming planning process. New analysis published by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) highlights […]
The 25% steel tariffs are creating both hope and uncertainty for the UK steel industry, especially as the exemption may only be temporary, say leading audit, tax and business advisory firm, Blick Rothenberg. Simon Gleeson, head of US Corporate desk at the firm, said: “The exception of the UK from 50% US steel tariffs is […]
More American taxpayers are planning to relocate to the UK, say leading audit, tax and business advisory firm, Blick Rothenberg. Robert Salter, a director at the firm, said: “Our firm is getting more and more inquiries from US taxpayers looking to relocate to the UK. With US some taxpayers likely relocating for personal reasons such […]
The specialist lender, formerly Bath & West Finance, states that it has now lent £270m, with £125m in the last 12 months alone. The largest portion of this has been through its residential and commercial bridging products which have contributed to over 1,300 new UK homes being funded or refurbished. The £250m milestone comes following […]
While the months after Christmas typically see spend on credit cards fall, the new data from global analytics software leader FICO for March 2025 underlines the financial pressures impacting UK households. Following seasonal patterns, average spend was 6.8% lower than February and 3.7% down compared to March 2024. However, payments to balance also fell in March, […]
