Business

Farmers have staged a surprise overnight blockade of major supermarket distribution centres, escalating tensions over farmgate prices and the cost pressures facing UK food producers.

Shortly after midnight on Sunday 4 January, around 32 farmers used tractors to block three supermarket depots in Northamptonshire, targeting two sites operated by Tesco and one run by Sainsbury’s in the Daventry area.

The protest prevented loaded lorries from entering or leaving the depots, while allowing empty vehicles and supermarket staff to pass through. Farmers involved in the action said the disruption was intended to highlight what they describe as unsustainable pressure on producers, rather than to inconvenience workers.

The action follows growing frustration among farmers who argue that farmgate prices have failed to keep pace with soaring input costs, even as shoppers continue to see higher prices at the tills.

Protesters accused large retailers of squeezing suppliers to protect margins, leaving producers absorbing rising costs linked to energy, fertiliser, labour and finance. Many farmers say those pressures are now threatening the long-term viability of domestic food production.

“We’re not blocking staff or emergency access, we’re blocking the system that keeps pushing risk and cost back onto the farm,” he said.

Police attended the three depot sites in the early hours but left after several hours, having established that the protest was peaceful and that no main roads were being obstructed.

There were no reports of arrests or damage, and the farmers dispersed later in the morning.

The blockade highlights growing strain across the UK food supply chain as producers, processors and retailers grapple with higher operating costs and volatile demand.

Industry observers say the protests reflect a wider mood of unrest in the agricultural sector, where many farmers feel caught between rising production costs and the buying power of large supermarket groups.

While retailers have repeatedly pointed to their own cost pressures, including energy bills, wages and logistics, farmers argue that price negotiations remain heavily weighted in favour of the largest buyers.

With food inflation easing more slowly than expected and cost pressures persisting into 2026, analysts warn that further flash protests and supply chain disruption cannot be ruled out unless pricing disputes are addressed.

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Farmers stage midnight blockade of supermarket depots over pricing pressure

UK unemployment is expected to climb to its highest level in more than a decade in 2026, as economists warn that weak growth, rising employment costs and subdued private sector confidence continue to weigh on the labour market.

According to The Times’ annual Economists Survey of 48 leading economists, more than two-thirds believe the unemployment rate will end 2026 between 5% and 5.5%, up from its current level of 5.1%. If the upper end of that range is reached, it would mark the highest jobless rate since 2015.

The survey paints a downbeat picture of an economy increasingly reliant on government spending, with private sector hiring constrained by higher taxes, rising wages and ongoing uncertainty following the Chancellor’s autumn Budget.

Economists point to Rachel Reeves’s £25bn increase in employer National Insurance contributions, alongside higher minimum wages and forthcoming changes under the Employment Rights Bill, as key drags on hiring intentions.

Fhaheen Khan, senior economist at Make UK, said businesses are being hit “from multiple directions” when it comes to employment costs, making recruitment and workforce expansion increasingly difficult.

Nina Skero, chief executive of the Centre for Economics and Business Research, added that hiring will remain “suppressed” as firms grapple with weak demand, higher payroll taxes and what she described as an “exceptionally high” minimum wage in some sectors.

For small and medium-sized businesses, these pressures are already translating into more cautious staffing decisions, delayed recruitment and greater reliance on automation and productivity improvements rather than headcount growth.

A majority of economists surveyed expect UK GDP growth to sit between 1% and 2% in 2026 — broadly in line with recent performance but far from the levels needed to materially improve living standards or business confidence.

Several economists warned that much of that growth will be driven by public spending rather than private investment.

Alpesh Paleja, deputy chief economist at the CBI, said the public sector is likely to do “more heavy lifting” than at any point since the 2010s, while Paul Dales, chief UK economist at Capital Economics, estimated that as much as 80% of growth in 2026 could come from government activity.

Jagjit Chadha, professor of economics at the University of Cambridge, summed up the outlook bluntly, describing the UK’s performance as “moribund”.

More than 80% of economists believe the Bank of England will cut interest rates at least twice in 2026, with some forecasting rates could fall from 3.75% to as low as 2.5%.

While lower borrowing costs may provide some relief to households and businesses, economists cautioned that rate cuts alone are unlikely to trigger a strong rebound in private sector investment or hiring.

James Smith, developed markets economist at ING, said concerns over inflation were “overblown”, suggesting there is room for monetary easing. However, others warned that unless confidence improves and employment costs stabilise, businesses may remain reluctant to expand.

Nearly three quarters of economists expect UK inflation to fall close to the Bank of England’s 2% target by the end of 2026, helped by lower energy bills and slower wage growth as the labour market cools.

Globally, economists were more optimistic. A majority expect world growth of between 2% and 3%, with the US economy forecast to outperform the UK and eurozone. However, most expect China to miss its 5% growth target next year.

For business owners, particularly SMEs, the survey reinforces expectations of a challenging year ahead: slower demand, cautious consumers and a tougher employment environment.

While interest rate cuts may ease pressure on borrowing, economists warn that without a meaningful improvement in productivity, private investment and business confidence, the labour market is likely to remain fragile through 2026.

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UK unemployment could hit 11-year high in 2026 as growth stalls, economists warn

A group of Britain’s most recognisable cultural figures has launched what insiders describe as a “cool, creator-led” alternative to Dragons’ Den, aiming to uncover and back the next generation of young entrepreneurs through TikTok and social platforms.

The new venture, The Artists Collective, brings together Maya Jama, Jack Whitehall, Roman Kemp, Daniel Kaluuya and Tom Grennan, who have pooled their personal capital to invest in early-stage UK and European businesses.

Rather than pitching in boardrooms, founders will be discovered online, with TikTok expected to play a central role in sourcing and spotlighting talent. The aim is to connect high-growth startups with both funding and cultural reach, a combination the group believes is more powerful than traditional finance alone.

The Artists Collective typically invests between £50,000 and £300,000 at Seed and Series A stage, focusing on sectors including AI, B2B software, cybersecurity, fintech, healthtech and media.

Unlike traditional angel syndicates, the model pairs capital with access to audiences, partnerships and commercial introductions. Participating artists support portfolio companies through their networks rather than short-term promotional endorsements.

An industry source said: “This is business investment for the TikTok generation, less suits and spreadsheets, more cultural relevance. For the right founder, having a household name attached can unlock doors money alone can’t.”

While the public launch is new, the collective has already quietly backed around 20 early-stage technology businesses. The group is understood to be finalising further investments worth up to £300,000 per company.

One of its early deals saw Whitehall become the public face of Seat Unique, a premium ticketing platform, illustrating how celebrity involvement can be used selectively to accelerate growth.

The structure has drawn comparisons with US artist- and athlete-led investing, where figures such as Serena Williams and LeBron James have built substantial wealth by backing startups early and staying closely involved.

The Artists Collective was established by Fergus and Ruari Bell, founders of The Players Fund, which already works with elite athletes on venture investing. The collective sits within that wider ecosystem, investing alongside a network of sports and entertainment figures.

Ruari Bell, managing partner at The Artists Collective, said: “Artists want a trusted home to invest together, learn together and support founders where it actually counts. This is about long-term collaboration, not loud promotion. We aim to let the results speak for themselves.”

The group has co-invested alongside established venture firms including Andreessen Horowitz, Accel, SV Angel and Seedcamp.

The launch highlights a wider shift in early-stage funding. As younger founders build audiences alongside products, investors who understand culture, distribution and attention are becoming as valuable as traditional angels.

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It’s Dragons’ Den for the TikTok generation as Britain’s biggest stars back young founders