Business News
Latest updates from the world of Business.

What is the Budget and what could be in it?
Chancellor John Healey will set out his plans for UK taxes on 28 October.

Turning the tides: Could hidden sea power energise our coastal towns?
Engineer David Mummery has developed a tidal energy generator that he says can change lives for people living in coastal communities.

'I took a chance on the whisky industry and I haven't looked back'
Zoey Darnbrough had no idea there was a distillery near her home - now she has a top tourism role there.

There's a crackdown on sports piracy - but is it already out of control?
The sports industry's lucrative business model is under threat from widespread illegal streaming and "dodgy TV sticks." A crackdown on sports piracy is intensifying as content providers and broadcasters aim to protect their revenues. The BBC Business article by Theo Leggett details how these illicit methods undermine professional sports' financial foundations, prompting increased global enforcement efforts to combat the issue.

Third runway at Heathrow Airport would drive growth, Healey says
Healey stated a third runway at Heathrow Airport would drive economic growth. This comes as the Prime Minister has refused to publicly declare his stance on the proposed expansion. The debate over Heathrow's future continues to be a significant point of discussion regarding UK infrastructure, economic development, and environmental policy. The project's approval or rejection carries substantial long-term implications for

Faisal Islam: Why China and AI are worrying global finance bosses
At the IMF meeting in Bangkok this week finance and business leaders grappled with uncertainty.

Watch: Did Tesla really just unveil a flying car?
Tesla CEO Elon Musk showcased the vehicle at a facility owned by his SpaceX company, which helped develop the model.

Banks expect to be hit with higher taxes in Budget
Senior banking executives in the UK anticipate facing increased taxation in the upcoming chancellor's Budget later this month. They have informed the BBC that they expect to be targeted for higher levies. This suggests a potential shift in fiscal policy impacting the financial sector, with banks preparing for a greater contribution to public finances through new or adjusted tax measures.

Ship attack reports near Hormuz reach record high as oil exports slow
BBC Verify analysis of data from a UK maritime agency shows 12 vessels were struck in a week.

Living with a stink? Technology might help
Smells from rubbish dumps and industrial facilities are being more carefully monitored.

I find it quite demoralising in store - why I do all my shopping online
After Primark announced plans for home delivery, we hear from women who never go into clothes stores.

'I paid thousands to a company for jobs that never came'
Apurv Patel is one of several people who say they were promised job opportunities that did not appear.

Nandy 'minded to intervene' in Sky's £1.6bn takeover of ITV entertainment arm
The culture secretary says the deal could affect free expression in the media and the variety of Britain's news landscape.

Healey says surprise UK growth is 'sign of resilience' ahead of Budget
The economy grew by 0.1% in August, defying analysts' expectations of a slight contraction.

AI giant Anthropic woos potential investors ahead of stock market debut
It comes as some investors have become concerned about the amount of money being spent on AI infrastructure.

How backlash against data centres could shape the US midterm elections
Democrats and Republicans alike are coming out against data centre development, amid growing backlash across the US.

As Christmas rush looms, how do China-made toys find their way to the US?
With the festive season on the horizon, we trace toys from factories in China to US shelves.

How much is the minimum wage?
What are the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage, and how much are they worth?

Drop-off charges at UK airports to be reviewed after sharp increase
The UK government is reviewing drop-off charges at airports following significant increases. This initiative aims to ensure travel remains accessible and passengers are treated fairly across the country. The review addresses concerns over rising costs impacting millions of travelers utilizing airport services for departures and arrivals, prompting a re-evaluation of current pricing structures.

Netflix to shed 1,000 jobs in steepest cuts since 2022
Netflix is set to reduce its global workforce by 1,000 jobs, marking the steepest cuts since 2022. This reduction equates to approximately 6% of the streaming giant's total employees worldwide. The decision reflects ongoing business adjustments within the company. This significant personnel change impacts various departments across its international operations, signaling a notable shift in its operational strategy and resource

Toilet paper and secret recorders: What we know about the arrest of the Saudi OpenAI engineer
Abdulrahman Alfozan had worked for the AI giant for more than a year before he was arrested by the FBI.

US inflation rises more than expected - here's what is happening with prices
The pace of price rises increased to 3.7% in the year to September, driving by higher motor fuel costs.

Driving test waits fall to two-year low - but still average 20 weeks
Learner drivers in September had to wait an average of 19.7 weeks, or around five months, for a practical test.

Wayfair among firms fined millions for misleading sales tactics
The Competition and Markets Authority has fined Wayfair, Appliances Direct, and Gold's Gym £6m in total.

Civil servant faked illness with make-up to juggle five jobs, court hears
Kashim Chowdhury is accused of fraudulently juggling multiple government jobs while working from home.

Faisal Islam: What surprise praise for UK economy tells us about the Budget
On three occasions in the past 24 hours, top IMF officials have praised UK plans to reduce its annual levels of borrowing.

'I applied for 200 jobs' - How 'spray and pray' AI job applications can backfire
Graduates are increasingly using AI to misrepresent themselves in job applications, research suggests. But some say their peer group has no choice.

How long will humans be needed for translation?
AI dominates the translation business, but for high-stakes work, humans are still needed.

The Sabrina Carpenter clip which helped a 22-year-old make £120,000 a year
Social media "clippers" make short, vertical videos that appear on the likes of Instagram and TikTok.

Poundland in rescue talks as owners seek buyer
The leadership team is attempting a buyout, but a union has warned the retailer could fall into administration instead.

Three things we've learnt about the UK economy from the IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its UK economic growth forecast upwards for the current year. This update from the influential economics body suggests a more optimistic outlook for the United Kingdom's financial performance. However, the IMF also highlighted that significant economic risks persist, indicating potential challenges despite the improved projection. This change impacts global economic perspectives and UK

BA flight forced to turn back over cracked window
British Airways said the plane landed safely at Gatwick and passengers were due to resume their journey.

UK growth forecast upgraded but higher energy prices to hit economy next year
The prediction from the IMF comes as final preparations are being made for the first Budget under Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

Phase Eight and Hobbs owner hit by cyber-attack, as H&M probes separate hack claim
TFG London has apologised to customers for disruption after it identified a "cybersecurity incident" on Sunday.

Publicly owned rail is popular. But is it making the trains run on time?
Meeting travellers' expectations could be challenging, experts warn.

Heating oil customers face tough winter despite shake-up promise
Heating oil customers facing soaring bills are promised better regulation of the sector by the government.

Fridges in French supermarkets hit by cyber attack
Hundreds of stores were targeted by the overnight hack, which spoiled fresh and frozen food estimated to be worth millions of euros.

AI minister warns 'likely' UK's cyber defences will be breached
Kanishka Narayan said the government will use advanced AI to strengthen the UK against cyber attacks.

HMV to close Oxford Street store after three years
HMV says it is looking for a new site in London's West End, but its current site is "unviable".

How to avoid getting stung if you miss credit card payments
People are increasingly struggling to meet credit card payment obligations. The BBC Business article highlights this trend, offering guidance on how to seek debt advice to mitigate financial penalties. This development reflects a growing concern regarding consumer debt management and the need for accessible support resources. The focus is on practical steps to avoid further financial strain amidst rising payment

Healey faces £35bn Budget challenge to meet spending pledges, says think tank
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) reports the UK government, led by Healey, faces a substantial £35 billion Budget challenge. To fulfill its existing spending pledges, the government will require a significant "top-up" of billions of pounds. This assessment highlights a potential fiscal gap, indicating current financial plans may be insufficient to cover committed public expenditures without further adjustments or

AI is less regulated than milk, says Microsoft president
Brad Smith calls for global rules on AI, and says the UK is in the "best position" to lead the charge.

Documents falsified to evade tax on Abramovich's wealth, BBC finds
Backdated paperwork also made the Russian oligarch’s yachts and mansions disappear from accounts, investigation finds.

Roofing scammers con homeowners out of thousands of pounds
One in 10 scams reported to Citizens Advice relate to fraudsters charging for work not done, or done badly.

Trump faces growing backlash over plans to import diesel from Russia
Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have criticised the deal, which was announced weeks before the US midterm elections.

Citroen revives the 2CV for an electric age
French automaker Citroen is reintroducing its classic 2CV model as an electric vehicle. This strategic move aims to modernize the iconic design for the electric age. The decision comes as European carmakers face increasing competitive pressure from Chinese rivals in the global automotive market. This reinvention reflects broader industry shifts towards electrification and market adaptation.

Ukraine strikes Yandex data centre in third attack on Russian tech giant
It is the third time this week that Ukraine has targeted Russian tech giant Yandex, forcing the company to suspend its operations.

Trump announces deal for Russian diesel as Zelensky calls it a gift to Putin
Former US President Trump announced a deal involving Russian diesel, a move sharply criticized by Ukrainian President Zelensky. Zelensky labeled the agreement an "investment in war," arguing it prolongs conflict rather than ending it. The BBC Business report highlights the direct opposition from Ukraine regarding this energy transaction. This development introduces a new dynamic in international energy politics and the

Boots has a new owner: Three ways it could affect you
Boots, a prominent UK High Street retailer, has been acquired by a Canadian billionaire family. This ownership change marks a significant development for the long-standing company, potentially influencing its future operations and services across Britain. The transaction transfers control of the well-known pharmacy and beauty chain to new private hands, impacting its strategic direction and market presence.

Analysis: Trump's shock Russia deal highlights mounting pressure to curb fuel prices
US President Trump reportedly struck an unexpected deal with Russia to address rising fuel prices. This move aims to alleviate political pressure on his party ahead of next month's midterm elections. The BBC analysis suggests this highlights the administration's urgency to curb consumer costs and secure electoral advantage, impacting domestic economic stability and international energy dynamics significantly.