Business

In the grand ledgers of commerce, where every decimal tells a tale and every balance sheet reflects the soul of a business, a quiet revolution is unfolding.

It doesn’t wear the flashy badge of a tech startup, nor does it shout for attention on Wall Street. Yet, it is reshaping the very foundation of financial operations across the globe.

We speak of outsourced accounting services, once viewed as a mere cost-cutting alternative, now emerging as the future-forward model of financial stewardship.

But why this shift? Why are businesses, from budding startups to seasoned conglomerates, increasingly entrusting their financial backbone to external experts? Let us examine this unfolding trend with an inquisitive eye and a reverence for time-tested wisdom.

The New Business Mandate: Focus and Flexibility

The modern enterprise is leaner, faster, and unencumbered by the traditional trappings of fixed infrastructure. Leaders today are not just looking to grow; they are seeking agility and focus. Outsourced accounting enables just that.

Instead of managing an in-house team burdened with payroll, compliance, audits, reconciliations, and reporting, businesses can now focus on their core operations while outsourcing these essential but non-core functions. It’s not an abdication of responsibility, but a strategic delegation, one that fosters clarity of vision.

Access to Global Expertise at a Fraction of the Cost

Accounting is not just about number crunching. It’s about navigating regulatory mazes, ensuring compliance, optimizing tax positions, and offering strategic insights. The level of skill required is significant, and expensive, especially in high-cost economies like the U.S., UK, and Australia.

By outsourcing to experienced professionals, often in countries like India, the Philippines, and Eastern Europe, companies gain access to world-class talent at a fraction of the in-house cost.

According to Deloitte’s Global Outsourcing Survey, businesses can achieve up to 60% savings on accounting costs by offshoring functions like bookkeeping, payroll, tax filing, and audit support. And let’s not forget — this talent is often certified (e.g., CAs, CPAs, CMAs) and trained in international financial standards like IFRS, GAAP, and SOX compliance.

Real-Time Reporting with Tech-Enabled Processes

The rise of cloud accounting software has blurred the boundaries of geography and time. Tools like Xero, QuickBooks, Zoho Books, and NetSuite enable outsourced teams to work in real-time, delivering dashboards, analytics, and financial reports at the click of a button.

An outsourced team today is not some faceless entity behind time zones. It is a digitally connected partner, working on the same platforms, with shared visibility and accountability.

This tech-driven collaboration ensures:

Faster month-end closes
Instant access to KPIs
Seamless compliance documentation
Error reduction through automation

No more chasing spreadsheets. No more waiting till quarter-end to know your financial health.

Navigating Complexity in a Globalized Economy

The world of finance is getting more complex — not less. From cross-border tax laws and multi-currency transactions to ESG reporting and digital payments, businesses are navigating a growing labyrinth of financial regulations and compliance demands.

Outsourcing brings in specialists who are not only up to date with the latest changes, but also equipped with frameworks to scale compliance across regions. Whether it’s GST in Australia, VAT in the UK, or Sales Tax in the U.S., outsourced teams help mitigate risk and ensure you’re never caught off-guard.

Scalability Without the Growing Pains

Business is not static. Your accounting shouldn’t be either. As your business expands, so does your financial complexity. You may launch new product lines, enter new geographies, or face new reporting requirements.

With an outsourced accounting and bookkeeping services model, scaling is seamless. Need three more accountants during year-end close? Require a forensic audit team post-funding round? Looking to implement financial forecasting tools? You can scale up (or down) without the hassles of hiring, onboarding, or restructuring.

This model is particularly beneficial for:

Startups scaling rapidly
E-commerce businesses with seasonal spikes
Franchise chains managing multiple locations
SMEs preparing for acquisitions or IPOs

Security, Compliance, and Business Continuity

Skeptics often raise a prudent concern: “Is it secure?”

In earlier days, yes, offshoring bore the taint of security risks. But today’s outsourcing firms operate under robust security protocols — think SOC 2 compliance, GDPR alignment, ISO 27001 standards, and 24/7 monitored infrastructure.

In many cases, outsourced teams are better equipped than in-house setups, offering:

Multi-tier data encryption
Role-based access controls
Redundancy systems for business continuity

Plus, when local disasters or disruptions strike (be it natural calamities or economic shifts), your offshore accounting function remains resilient and operational.

The Rise of Strategic Financial Outsourcing

The term “outsourced accounting” once evoked images of transactional bookkeeping. But the tides have turned. Today’s outsourced financial partners are offering CFO-level services — from budgeting and forecasting to strategic financial planning and advisory. This evolution, known as Finance-as-a-Service (FaaS), is gaining ground. Businesses are turning to these outsourced experts not just to keep the books, but to:

Analyze margins and cash flow
Build investor-ready reports
Advise on capital structuring
Prepare for due diligence and audits

This isn’t just a trend. It’s a tectonic shift in how finance functions are perceived and delivered.

The Future Is Hybrid — and Outsourced Accounting Is Its Spine

As remote work, cloud computing, and global collaboration become the new normal, the future of finance will not be tied to one desk or department.

Instead, it will be hybrid, blending in-house strategic leads with outsourced execution teams. A CFO might sit in San Francisco, with accounting support in Mumbai, payroll processing in Manila, and tax compliance run out of Dublin.

This decentralized-yet-coordinated model is efficient, responsive, and cost-effective and outsourced accounting forms its backbone.

In Closing: A Pragmatic Leap, not a Passing Trend

Is outsourced accounting a silver bullet? Certainly not. Like all business decisions, it requires due diligence, clear SLAs, data security vetting, and cultural alignment.

But to dismiss it as merely a fad is to overlook the tide of transformation sweeping through the world of finance. In a world demanding speed, transparency, and global adaptability, outsourced accounting is no longer a choice.  It is a strategic necessity.
It is the future of finance, built not on cutting corners, but on building bridges.

Read more:
Why Outsourced Accounting Services Are the Future of Finance?

The UK’s once-booming craft beer industry is facing a sobering reality, as new data reveals that 43 breweries went insolvent in the year to February 2025 — the highest number in recent memory.

According to figures compiled by UHY Hacker Young, the surge in insolvencies highlights the intense pressure facing independent brewers, many of whom are struggling to stay afloat amid rising costs, a saturated market, and increasingly cautious consumers.

Breweries lost to insolvency over the past year include well-known names such as Hackney Brewery, Burton Town Brewery, and Fourpure, the south London craft brewery once used as a backdrop for a 2021 political photo op featuring then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

“The craft beer boom was one of the most exciting recent trends in food and drink,” said Brian Johnson, partner at UHY Hacker Young. “Unfortunately, it’s a sector that attracted too many entrepreneurs who struggled to break even.”

The UK’s craft beer market has grown exponentially since the mid-2000s, with a wave of independent breweries emerging to meet consumer demand for small-batch, locally brewed alternatives to big-name lagers. But the post-pandemic landscape has been far less forgiving.

A “perfect storm” of rising production costs — including energy, ingredients, equipment, and staffing — combined with stagnant or falling consumer spending has placed many brewers under unsustainable pressure.

Recent hikes in the national minimum wage and employer national insurance contributions have further inflated wage bills, while the ongoing cost-of-living crisis means many households are scaling back on discretionary purchases like craft beer.

“Weak consumer spending means many breweries will have to adapt to leaner times,” Johnson added.

Insolvencies are only part of the picture. A report released in February by the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) showed the UK lost 100 breweries during 2024, bringing the total number down from 1,815 to 1,715 — a steeper decline than in previous years.

The data suggests that in addition to formal insolvencies, many breweries are quietly closing their doors or exiting the market through mergers, sales, or voluntary closures.

“For smaller brewers who rely on loyal local followings, even a slight dip in demand can tip them over the edge,” Johnson said. “With so many brewers competing for attention, it’s increasingly hard to survive.”

While some breweries continue to innovate and thrive, the current climate suggests that the era of unchecked growth in craft brewing is over. The sector is being forced to consolidate, streamline, and refocus — with brands that can scale smartly or find a strong niche likely to emerge strongest.

For others, however, it may be last orders — a sobering sign that Britain’s love affair with craft beer may be entering a more mature, and less crowded, phase.

Read more:
Is it last orders for the UK craft beer sector as brewery insolvencies rise?

Zuber Issa, the billionaire entrepreneur who co-led the £6.8 billion acquisition of Asda in 2021, is investing millions in a new venture — the revival of Duckhams, a storied British motor oil brand once favoured by Formula 1 legends including Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna.

Issa’s investment, made independently of his brother Mohsin, is set to value Duckhams at approximately £50 million and will help propel the brand into new international markets while expanding its presence in the UK. The company, based in Bolton and employing around 100 people, is preparing for a five-year global expansion plan targeting 50 markets, up from the current 24.

“It’s great to see it back,” said Professor David Bailey, automotive industry expert at Birmingham University. “It is a brand very much intertwined with British motoring heritage and sport. It was sadly killed off as a brand under BP ownership.”

Founded in 1899 by chemist Alexander Duckham in Millwall, east London, Duckhams was once the lubricant of choice for British automotive icons including Austin, Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Rover. In 1951, the company launched Duckhams Q, Europe’s first multi-grade motor oil. It later gained global recognition through its sponsorship of Formula 1 teams, including James Hunt’s Hesketh Racing.

After being acquired by BP in 1969, the brand was heavily promoted throughout the 1970s and 1980s. However, by 2000, BP began consolidating its motor oil products under the Castrol name, and Duckhams disappeared from most markets.

The brand was quietly revived in 2016 by Jabir Sheth, another petrol forecourts entrepreneur, who acquired the Duckhams IP from BP. In doing so, he also inherited a 51% stake in a joint venture in Thailand, the only country where the Duckhams name had continued to be used.

“There were handwritten formula books dating back more than 100 years,” said Firoz Patel, executive director at Duckhams, recalling the discovery of the brand’s original archives following the relaunch.

Since its initial return to market in 2017, Duckhams has rebuilt a presence in Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, including the UK, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Denmark, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

With Issa’s backing, Duckhams now plans to expand through a franchising model, working with local partners to blend and distribute oils, reducing overheads while leveraging regional expertise. The company will also target the classic car market, a space where it retains strong brand loyalty.

The strategy will be supported by increased advertising and retail distribution, with Duckhams oils set to be stocked in EG On The Move, Issa’s petrol forecourts chain. While Zuber Issa sold his stake in Asda to TDR Capital in 2024, he remains a major player in UK retail and fuel distribution.

“The investment will be used to increase brand awareness,” Patel explained. “And the focus on classic cars will help the brand reconnect with its heritage, while new distribution routes will drive growth.”

Professor Bailey said that Duckhams still holds brand equity in Commonwealth countries like Malaysia and Singapore, which gives it a competitive edge internationally.

“Its classics oil will appeal, of course, to owners of historic cars, but the firm will also need to appeal to the mass market to be successful, which will be more challenging,” he noted.

“Historically, the brand was highly innovative and linked to motorsports. Building on that will be key to relaunching the brand internationally.”

As Issa turns his attention from grocery aisles to engine bays, the revival of Duckhams could be one of the most unexpected British brand comebacks in recent years — marrying historic legacy with modern entrepreneurial ambition.

Read more:
Asda billionaire Zuber Issa backs revival of iconic British oil brand Duckhams

British taxpayers have injected more than £400 million into Sheffield Forgemasters, the historic steelmaker and defence contractor, just three and a half years after the company was brought into public ownership — burning through a decade’s worth of planned investment in record time.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed this weekend that a total of £403 million in state aid has now been funnelled into the lossmaking company since Boris Johnson’s government nationalised it in August 2021. The sum was originally intended to be spread over ten years to 2031, but has been fully allocated in little more than a third of that time — averaging £300,000 a day, or £169,000 a year for each of the company’s 640 employees.

Despite the mounting costs, the MoD has staunchly defended the investment, calling Forgemasters a “shining light of UK industry” and pointing to the firm’s critical role in national defence, particularly in supporting the UK and Australia’s SSN-AUKUS nuclear submarine programme.

Forgemasters, based in Sheffield, produces high-grade cast steel components used in nuclear-powered submarines, including parts for nuclear-grade defence systems that no other UK company can supply. The firm was acquired by the government in 2021 after a long period of financial turmoil and a failed attempt by a Chinese state-owned firm to purchase it in 2015 — a deal ultimately blocked over national security concerns.

At the time of nationalisation, Johnson’s government argued the buyout was “the best value for money for the taxpayer due to the unique capabilities and circumstances” of the firm.

However, Forgemasters has continued to operate at a loss, posting pre-tax losses of £4 million to £5 million annually since entering public ownership. Revenues have remained flat, and the company has not returned to profitability despite the heavy government backing.

The level of state aid has surged under the new Labour administration, with £160 million invested since July 2024 alone.

Forgemasters traces its origins back to the 1750s, but the company’s modern incarnation emerged during the Thatcher era, when it was spun out of British Steel during privatisation. It has been no stranger to controversy. In 1990, it was embroiled in the so-called “supergun affair”, linked to weapons exports to Iraq. In the 2000s, it supplied rolled steel to Russian metals giant Severstal, owned by sanctioned oligarch Alexei Mordashov.

After years of decline, the company narrowly avoided bankruptcy in 2020, after a £30 million loan from Wells Fargo nearly brought the business to collapse. The government stepped in the following year with a full nationalisation package.

The MoD insists that the government’s financial support is about safeguarding vital sovereign defence capability — especially amid rising geopolitical tensions and the development of the SSN-AUKUS submarine fleet, described as the most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy.

“The company manufactures specialist steel parts used in critical defence programmes,” the MoD said in a statement. “This government will support Sheffield Forgemasters to improve its capacity to meet defence needs and continue to review company performance.”

Nonetheless, the extraordinary burn rate of taxpayer funds — well ahead of schedule — raises questions over the government’s oversight, financial strategy, and long-term plan for one of Britain’s most strategically important, yet financially troubled, industrial firms.

While few question the importance of Forgemasters’ work for national defence, the mounting costs will likely fuel debate over how — and how much — the taxpayer should be expected to subsidise Britain’s industrial base in the name of strategic resilience.

Read more:
Taxpayer support for Sheffield Forgemasters hits £400m just 3.5 years after nationalisation

Jeremy Clarkson, once feared by car manufacturers for his savage TV reviews, is now being hailed by British farmers for helping drive a surge in demand for homegrown food.

According to Waitrose, the latest series of Clarkson’s Farm is fuelling a spike in sales of British-grown produce, as viewers rally behind UK agriculture.

Launched on Prime Video, the show’s fourth season premiered on Friday and has already made its mark at the tills. Waitrose reported significant sales increases across a range of local items: thick-cut British sirloin steak is up 193% year-on-year, Jersey Royal new potatoes up 89%, and red Leicester cheese up 50%. Even Cox and Gala apples are enjoying a revival, with sales up 52% and 30% respectively. Early season British asparagus is also proving popular, up 25%.

“Farming shows are doing more than just entertaining us,” said Jake Pickering, head of agriculture at Waitrose. “They’re making the public stop and think about British farming, the people behind it and the challenges they face.”

Clarkson’s Farm has resonated with viewers by showing the reality of modern farming—from bureaucratic battles with environmental regulations to the unpredictable economics of crop production. While Clarkson’s tone is often combative, his stories have had a humanising effect on the public perception of UK farmers.

The impact isn’t limited to viewers at home. The “farm-to-fork” movement is picking up pace in restaurants and online too. Chefs and food influencers such as Julius Roberts and Seb Graus regularly promote seasonal, British-sourced recipes to audiences of over a million followers, helping to boost awareness and demand for local produce.

Clarkson’s on-screen frustration with flea beetle-infested oilseed rape, hedgerow restrictions, soil management rules, and the “badger police” has provided viewers with a more grounded, if at times exasperated, take on farm life.

“People think farming is about caring for the land,” Clarkson told The Sunday Times in 2023. “But it’s mainly about filling in forms… or dealing with the soil police and the badger police.”

This mix of humour, hardship and real-world red tape has struck a chord. Ian Farrant, a fourth-generation beef farmer from Herefordshire, praised the programme’s honesty.

“Before Clarkson’s Farm, you only saw two extremes of farming on TV — the quaint smallholder with rare breeds, or the factory farm exposé,” he said. “Clarkson’s Farm shows the reality for most of us: small, family-run businesses trying to stay afloat.”

Retailers are noticing a broader shift. Emilie Wolfman, a trends expert at Waitrose, says customers are becoming more deliberate in their choices.

“We’re seeing a genuine shift in how people shop and more people wanting to connect to where their food comes from,” she said.

Restaurants are also tapping into the sentiment. Stevie Parle’s new restaurant, Town, in Covent Garden, is dedicated to using sustainable British ingredients, with dishes like potato bread with wild-farmed beef dripping on the menu.

Meanwhile, the farm-to-fork ethos is being reinforced by campaigns across social media and in retail, helping to bring the narrative of British farming into urban kitchens.

For an industry grappling with labour shortages, policy uncertainty and price volatility, Clarkson’s influence has provided a welcome morale boost. The fact that a reality TV series — anchored by a former Top Gear host — has driven real economic uplift in the agriculture sector speaks to the power of storytelling in shaping public attitudes.

And Clarkson himself? Characteristically wry, but quietly pleased.

“That makes me all warm and fuzzy,” he said, when told about the sales impact. “Long may it continue.”

From car critic to countryside advocate, Clarkson’s latest legacy may be his most unexpected yet: rekindling Britain’s connection to its farmers, one field at a time.

Read more:
The Clarkson Effect: how Clarkson’s Farm is driving a boom in British produce

Manually handling employee time records  often leads to frustrating errors in the workplace. Traditional timesheets generate more issues than solutions because employees frequently submit their work late and forget to enter data while their work logs prove inaccurate and the approval process takes up too much time.

As more growing businesses choose remote or hybrid work, it’s important to have a simple and reliable way to track time. Automatic timesheet software solves these issues by eliminating manual input and offering real-time insights which helps teams focus on their primary work responsibilities.

What Are Automatic Timesheets

Digital tools known as automatic timesheets operate without human involvement to record employee work hours. The timesheet app tracks employee work hours by recording their activities in real time. The main functionalities include automated time tracking together with productivity monitoring and straightforward report creation which results in both time conservation and accuracy improvement and enables managers to understand team performance better

The Problems with Manual Time Tracking

Manual time tracking means employees have to write down or enter their work hours themselves. This method may seem easy, but it often creates problems:

Time-Wasting
Filling out timesheets by hand takes time that could be used for real work. Managers also spend extra time checking and fixing mistakes.
Human Errors
People can forget to log their hours or write the wrong times. These mistakes can lead to problems with pay, billing, or project tracking.
No Real-Time Information
Manual systems don’t show what’s happening right now. Managers can’t see how time is being used until it’s too late to make changes.
Frustration and Compliance Issues
Employees may feel annoyed by having to remember and record their time every day. If records are wrong, it can cause issues with company rules or legal requirements.

How Automatic Timesheet Software Enhances Efficiency and Productivity

1. Saves Time and Reduces Manual Work

Timesheet software controls time tracking functions autonomously allowing workers to skip manual work. The real-time tracking system automatically logs work activities without interruption so workers can serve their core duties instead of performing administrative work.

2. Improves Accuracy

This tool reduces errors by automatically recording work hours, ensuring precise data. Without manual entry, common mistakes like incorrect logs or missed entries are avoided with timesheets management software. As a result, billing and payroll processes become more reliable, and overall project monitoring improves.

3. Boosts Team Productivity

Teams achieve better productivity when repetitive time tracking tasks are eliminated, allowing them to focus on meaningful work. With the benefits of timesheet management, managers gain clear insights into how time is spent, helping them detect workflow inefficiencies and make informed decisions. The established system also promotes better organization and accountability, leading to improved productivity levels across the team.

4. Enhances Accountability

Timesheet software provides real-time visibility into how employees spend their work hours. This transparency encourages responsibility and keeps teams aligned. Managers can also spot areas needing improvement and guide employees more effectively.

5. Simplifies Payroll and Invoicing

With automated reports, timesheet software simplifies salary and billing operations.  By enhancing timesheet approval managers can both minimize errors and facilitate on-time payments and invoicing as well as reduce several hours of manual labor.

6. Supports Remote and Hybrid Teams

Distributed teams benefit from this software because it tracks time accurately regardless of employee location and time difference. The tool enables efficient work activities without needing continuous oversight thus making it ideal for hybrid and remote work settings.

Effortless Time Tracking with Time Champ’s Timesheet Feature

Time Champ makes time tracking easy with its automated timesheet feature. It tracks employees’ work hours in real time, eliminating the need for manual entries and reducing errors.

Key features include:

Automatic Tracking: No manual input required — Time Champ records work hours as they happen.
Real-Time Monitoring: Managers get instant access to accurate timesheets, improving visibility and control.
Custom Reports: Easily generate timesheet reports for better insights into time usage.
Seamless Payroll Integration: The automated process of timesheet data movement creates a fluid connection between payrolls and payment systems for timely accurate employee payments.

Time Champ provides users with an effortless system to track time accurately which saves businesses time while boosting productivity.

The Role of Automatic Timesheets in Modern Workplaces

Businesses require advanced tools to manage time effectively because work methods continue changing due to remote and hybrid work environments. Automatic timesheets support modern workplaces because they enhance both time-tracking simplicity and error reduction as well as employee accountability. The system enables businesses to achieve order and maintain deadlines and transparency while working with employees in any location. The adoption of automation allows organizations to move between different work environments while maintaining their productivity standards.

Conclusion

The implementation of automatic timesheet systems assists companies to cut down employee expenses and achieve better results with their workforce. Time management tools create simple employee payroll processes and billing procedures while lowering administrative labor needs and helping both stationary workers and those who work from any location. The real-time performance feedback from Time Champ allows teams to maintain their concentration while improving organization. .

Read more:
Boost Productivity and Save Hours with Automatic Timesheets

Developers have spent nearly £3.5 billion buying unloved office blocks across the UK over the past three years — but not to keep them as workplaces.

Instead, these often outdated properties are being transformed into hotels, homes, labs and student accommodation, as demand for traditional office space continues to shift post-pandemic.

According to new figures from property consultancy CBRE, between 2022 and 2024, developers bought 5.9 million sq ft of office space — roughly equivalent to 12 Gherkin buildings — specifically for conversion into alternative uses. The trend reflects a significant reconfiguration of the UK’s commercial property market, where “secondary” office space is being reimagined to meet demand in other high-growth sectors.

“There is a significant shift in the UK real estate landscape,” said Colin Thomasson, head of UK investment properties at CBRE. “Repurposing secondary office assets into vibrant, multifaceted spaces where office demand is weaker, or where there’s a demand-supply imbalance for other asset types such as residential or life sciences, is a viable solution.”

These conversions are not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Instead, developers are tailoring their plans to local market needs. In regional cities such as Bristol, Leeds and Glasgow, the dominant conversion type is residential, with demand for city-centre living continuing to outstrip supply.

In Edinburgh, the focus is squarely on hotels, as tourism bounces back post-Covid. There, five office buildings have been sold for conversion since 2022, including Capital House, which was acquired by Premier Inn-owner Whitbread. The company has submitted plans for a £21 million redevelopment, adding to its growing strategy of repositioning office assets in key tourism hubs. Whitbread has also been active in London, where it purchased a City office block in 2023 for £56.5 million, again for hotel conversion.

In Birmingham, the dominant trend has been education-related redevelopment. Aston University made headlines last year when it bought the former Birmingham City Council headquarters for £25 million, with plans to convert the site into new facilities for its business, law, and science schools.

In the so-called “Golden Triangle” of London, Cambridge, and Oxford, where life sciences real estate is in high demand, developers are turning old offices into laboratories. These cities are grappling with a critical shortage of lab space as biotech and research firms look to scale. The conversion of offices into life sciences hubs is a fast-growing niche, driven by private equity and institutional investment into the UK’s innovation economy.

The shift away from traditional office space began during the pandemic and has only accelerated. As companies seek modern, sustainable, and centrally located office space to attract and retain talent, demand has shifted toward prime, grade-A buildings. This has left a glut of “secondary” office stock — typically older, less energy-efficient, and in less desirable locations — sitting vacant.

“The ability to source and secure grade-A office space is acutely difficult for occupiers,” said Simon Brown, head of UK office research at CBRE. “Building quality and location are of the highest priority. As such, secondary office space presents opportunities for those that are happy to refurbish, as opposed to build from scratch.”

While some developers are choosing to convert offices entirely, others are choosing to upgrade and modernise these buildings, bringing them up to standard to compete with new developments — especially as the cost of new construction rises.

CBRE’s data highlights a growing divide in the office market: between new, ESG-compliant buildings that are in high demand, and ageing stock that no longer meets occupiers’ expectations — but offers fresh opportunity for those willing to adapt.

The billions of pounds being invested into repurposing and repositioning secondary offices across the UK is a clear indication that the commercial property market is evolving, with developers, institutions and universities seizing the opportunity to reshape urban real estate for a new era.

Whether it’s student housing in Glasgow, hotels in Edinburgh, labs in Cambridge or new homes in Leeds, Britain’s unwanted office blocks are getting a second lease of life — just not as offices.

Read more:
Developers have spent £3.5 billion buying unloved office blocks across the UK in the past 3 years

British food and flower producers say they have wasted millions of pounds preparing for post-Brexit import checks that may now never be implemented, following the UK government’s sudden decision to delay the planned rollout of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls on EU agri-food imports.

The sector had been working toward a July 2025 deadline for the introduction of full checks on animal and plant products coming from the European Union. But the government’s recent trade “reset” with Brussels — part of a broader push to reduce border friction and food inflation — has left businesses in limbo and prompted frustration over shifting regulatory timelines.

“The industry cannot prepare because it doesn’t have adequate information on time and has no confidence in the UK government because they say one thing and do another,” said Nigel Jenney, chief executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium, which represents suppliers of fruit, vegetables and flowers.

“We’ve already shown commitment. We’ve invested huge amounts of money — millions of pounds — in building infrastructure in good faith at our own cost to allow goods to be inspected.”

Just two weeks before the policy shift, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) told businesses that an authorised operator scheme — which would allow trusted companies to conduct their own inspections — was “imminent.” Many firms had already invested heavily in training, facilities and systems to meet the anticipated requirements.

“With what the government has just done, the writing is on the wall,” said Mike Parr, CEO of PML Seafrigo, a logistics provider specialising in cold supply chains. His company spent over £7 million building a dedicated customs facility for post-Brexit import checks — an investment now likely to be written off.

“We spent all that money training our guys in the process, and it’s going to be of no use now.”

The uncertainty over SPS checks comes at a critical moment in the global supply chain calendar, with the southern hemisphere citrus season just getting underway. Many non-EU imports, including citrus, are subject to rigorous checks under EU rules, but not in the UK — raising broader questions about the UK’s future food safety regime.

“We don’t know when these regulations will come into force,” Jenney said. “We’re just starting the citrus season and there is zero clarity.”

The episode reflects the wider economic toll of Brexit red tape on UK food and agriculture. According to the Centre for Inclusive Trade Policy, British exports to the EU have dropped 16% since Brexit, with customs delays, regulatory divergence and red tape cited as key barriers.

“Trade with the EU is incredibly important to UK food and drink manufacturers,” said Karen Betts, the Federation’s chief executive. “Europe is our single biggest customer, and most of the food and drink we import — from ingredients to finished products — comes from Europe, too.”

“Trade in both directions has become complex and challenging. UK food and drink exports to Europe have fallen by a third since 2019, and businesses continue to face challenges and delays with imports.”

Betts called on the government to improve communication and industry engagement, and to work to influence EU regulations in areas where the UK remains aligned.

“The government must work closely with industry on the detail and ensure the UK is able to influence EU decision-making where this impacts British businesses and competitiveness,” she added.

The government insists the recent delay to SPS checks is part of an effort to reduce costs for consumers, tackle inflation and prevent unnecessary red tape.

“The aim is to prevent unnecessary border checks, remove red tape for businesses and help tackle the cost of food,” a government spokesperson said.

But for many in the industry, the latest delay is less about cutting costs and more about regulatory whiplash. Businesses are left with sunk costs, stalled investment plans and growing doubts over the credibility of UK trade policy.

With logistics firms, port authorities, and agri-food businesses now waiting for clarity on whether any of the promised border checks will ever materialise, the episode is a stark reminder that post-Brexit policy continues to be as politically charged as it is operationally complex. And for those who have already invested millions in compliance — only to be left in the dark — patience is running out.

Read more:
UK food producers count the cost as post-Brexit import checks delayed again

Job creation from new businesses in the UK has fallen to an eight-year low, with start-ups hiring fewer staff and closures contributing to a rising economic toll, according to new analysis by Cynergy Bank.

The bank’s Business Births & Deaths Index, which draws on official data from the Office for National Statistics, shows that the average number of employees per new business in the first quarter of 2025 dropped to 2.64 — the lowest level since records began in 2017. That figure is down sharply from 3.5 employees per start-up recorded eight years ago.

At the same time, business closures and relocations are erasing more turnover than start-ups are generating, with the combined turnover of businesses shutting down or moving abroad reaching £27.4 billion in Q1 — £5.1 billion more than in the same period last year.

Over the past 12 months, total turnover lost to closures reached £92.7 billion, outpacing the £90.4 billion in turnover generated by new firms over the same period. This marks a reversal of the long-standing trend in which start-ups typically offset the economic loss from closures.

“It is concerning to see new businesses employing fewer and fewer staff, and the turnover of closing or relocating firms at an all-time high,” said Nick Fahy, Chief Executive of Cynergy Bank. “It’s possible that some of these larger firms are choosing to relocate abroad in response to recent unfavourable tax changes, which underscores the need for a more supportive environment for UK businesses.”

In terms of employment, the net job creation from start-ups versus closures was modest, with just 4,334 jobs added in the first quarter. The figure points to a growing challenge: while entrepreneurial activity remains high, the businesses being formed today are leaner, smaller and less labour-intensive.

The data also reveals a worrying trend in insolvency. Creditors’ voluntary liquidations — where companies agree to wind up due to insolvency — remain close to record highs. There are also concerns that significant tax and creditor debts are being written off without proper scrutiny, potentially placing further pressure on the broader economy.

Despite the overall decline in job creation, Cynergy Bank found that business formation remains resilient in many sectors. Real estate, education, finance and health continue to see strong start-up activity, suggesting that entrepreneurial appetite in growth sectors remains intact.

However, in some industries, the churn is more severe. In farming, for example, fewer than half the number of closing businesses are being replaced, indicating deeper structural challenges in the sector.

Fahy emphasised the importance of maintaining a robust environment for start-ups and SMEs: “Despite these sobering statistics, I strongly believe that the entrepreneurial spirit of the UK remains intact. But we must support it — with smarter taxation, accessible capital and clear regulatory signals.”

As the government prepares for its next fiscal update and reassesses its business support policies, the figures serve as a wake-up call: start-ups alone cannot offset the economic weight of business failures unless they are given the tools — and confidence — to scale.

Read more:
UK start-ups create fewer jobs as business closures climb, Cynergy report finds

The global digital health industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2034.

The UK market alone is expected to more than triple, rising from $12.8 billion in 2024 to $37.6 billion by 2033. Central to this transformation is the rapid expansion of online pharmacies and the increasing use of revolutionary treatments such as Mounjaro — a once-weekly injection now approved for weight management.

As online pharmacy revenues in the UK surge — forecast to grow from $2.73 billion in 2024 to $4.24 billion by 2029, an increase of 55.56% — both the convenience and the complexities of digital healthcare are becoming increasingly evident.

The Rise of Online Pharmacies: A Statistical Snapshot

Market Growth and Key Drivers

The global online pharmacy market, valued at $109.74 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $286.26 billion by 2029, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.33%. In the UK, demand is accelerating due to:

Widespread access to smartphones and the internet
A post-pandemic shift towards convenience
Integration of telemedicine and digital health platforms
Greater emphasis on preventative care and general wellbeing

These developments are not only making healthcare more accessible but also boosting consumer interest in medications that can be prescribed, purchased, and delivered entirely online.

Safeguarding Digital Health: Challenges in Regulation and Patient Safety

Despite the sector’s rapid growth, significant challenges remain. Online pharmacies are more than twice as likely to fail regulatory inspections compared to traditional high-street pharmacies, raising concerns around governance, counterfeit medicines, and patient safety. In response, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has implemented stricter regulations to safeguard patients and ensure compliance.

Mounjaro’s Introduction: A New Era in Prescription Treatments

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist, originally developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is now authorised in the UK for weight management. Clinical trials have demonstrated weight loss of up to 22.5%, positioning it as a leading option among a new class of highly effective obesity treatments.

Availability and Demand in the UK

Mounjaro is currently available:

Through the NHS, as part of specialist weight management services
Via private online pharmacies, with monthly prices ranging from £99 to £215, depending on dosage and provider

The NHS plans to make Mounjaro available to 250,000 eligible patients over the next three years, focusing on individuals with severe obesity and related health conditions.

Private providers such as SheMed, Asda Online Doctor, Ashcroft Pharmacy, and My London Pharmacy offer digital consultations, prescription approvals, and home delivery — removing traditional barriers to access.

Price Comparison: Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) in UK Online Pharmacies (May 2025)

Pharmacy
2.5mg
5mg
7.5mg
10mg
12.5mg
15mg

SheMed
£99
£159
£159
£159
£159
£159

Nottingham Weight Loss
£129
£139
£149
£159
£169
£179

Chemist 4 U
£129
£139
£169
£179
£189
£189

Ashcroft Pharmacy
£120
£139
£169
£189
£204
£204

Asda Online Doctor
£128.98
£139
£169.99
£189.99
£204.95
£204.95

Superdrug
£215
£215
£225
£225
£245
£245

Boots
£219
£219
£229
£229
£249
£249

The Future of Healthcare: Where Digital Health Meets Breakthrough Medication

Improved Access and Personalised Care

With online consultations and AI-supported tools, UK patients now benefit from:

Easier access to treatment in rural or underserved areas
Remote monitoring and virtual pharmacist guidance
Enhanced treatment adherence through tailored plans and digital follow-ups

AI and Automation in Pharmacy Services

British pharmacies are increasingly adopting AI technologies for:

Prescription review and triage
Stock management and automated refills
Timely delivery of essential medicines

While automation enhances efficiency, ongoing compliance with GPhC, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and the UK’s data protection regulations (UK GDPR) remains vital to prevent harm and uphold public trust.

Challenges Ahead: Regulation, Privacy, and Trust

Despite its potential, the digital pharmacy model introduces complex challenges:

Regulatory frameworks must evolve to manage cross-border sales, ethical AI use, and cybersecurity risks
Online pharmacies continue to face higher risks of non-compliance, necessitating greater oversight and professional accountability

Conclusion: Navigating a New Frontier in UK Healthcare

The convergence of digital innovation, artificial intelligence, and transformative treatments such as Mounjaro is reshaping the UK healthcare landscape. As more patients turn to telehealth and online prescriptions, the healthcare system must evolve to safeguard safety, transparency, and public trust.

The future of healthcare is undeniably digital. But its long-term success relies on collaboration between providers, policymakers, and patients — ensuring that accessibility, safety, and responsibility remain central to this evolving landscape.

Read more:
Digital Health Expansion: Online Pharmacies and the Rise of Mounjaro