Business

Business sentiment in the UK private sector has slumped to its weakest level in nearly three years, as rising wage costs and mounting global trade concerns weigh heavily on economic outlook.

The latest “growth indicator” from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) reveals that a net balance of 30 per cent of companies expect a decline in activity over the next three months—a further deterioration from the -26 per cent recorded in May, and the lowest figure since September 2022.

“There is little sign of summer cheer in our surveys,” said Alpesh Paleja, deputy chief economist at the CBI. “Private sector activity is expected to remain subdued over the next three months. Our surveys were already pointing to weaker momentum than official data at the start of this year and this sluggishness looks to have continued.”

The gloomy outlook spans every major segment of the economy. In services, a net balance of -32 per cent of firms forecast a drop in volumes, with business and professional services down -29 per cent, and consumer services even worse at -43 per cent. Distribution sales are projected to decline by -39 per cent, the weakest reading in the sector since September 2022. Manufacturing output is also expected to shrink, with a balance of -14 per cent.

Businesses cited a mix of domestic and global pressures behind the downturn in sentiment. On the home front, the effects of the spring budget continue to ripple through the economy. In April, Chancellor Rachel Reeves raised employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) from 13.8 per cent to 15 per cent, while also lowering the earnings threshold for those contributions. At the same time, the national living wage was increased, hitting labour-intensive industries particularly hard.

“Firms highlight numerous headwinds,” said Paleja. “These include the continued impact of higher employer NICs and the national living wage hike on their costs and operations; further uncertainty from developments in the global trade landscape; compounded by a general sense of weak demand at home.”

Internationally, UK businesses are facing growing anxiety about trade disruptions, particularly in light of newly announced tariffs by President Trump, which threaten to raise costs and complicate supply chains. Manufacturing and distribution firms, already battling margin pressures, are particularly exposed to shifts in global trade policy.

The CBI’s warning comes as other recent data paints a similarly challenging picture. A separate industry survey released this week revealed that nearly one in three hospitality businesses are now operating at a loss, following a surge in costs linked to recent tax hikes. More than 60 per cent of hospitality employers have already cut jobs or hours, and over half have cancelled investment plans.

The CBI called on the government to act swiftly to shore up business confidence and stem further economic drag. Key policy asks include a reformed business rates system, more flexibility around the apprenticeship levy, new incentives for occupational health, and broader support for innovation and investment.

“Against this backdrop of uncertainty, private sector firms are looking to the government for decisive action,” said Paleja. “Without intervention, the risk is that this period of low confidence and weak demand drags on longer than it needs to.”

The CBI’s monthly growth indicator, based on responses from 650 businesses across manufacturing, retail, and services, reflects sentiment between April 25 and May 14. The results follow a string of mixed economic indicators, with official GDP growth for Q1 showing a modest 0.7 per cent rebound—but with little sign of sustained momentum heading into the summer.

With inflation easing but business costs still elevated, firms now face a critical period. Many will be watching closely for signs that ministers are prepared to listen—and respond—to growing calls for targeted, business-friendly reforms.

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Private sector confidence hits lowest level since 2022 as wage and trade pressures mount

The UK’s fast-growing crypto market has reached a major inflection point as IG Group, one of the country’s biggest online trading platforms, becomes the first London-listed company to offer direct cryptocurrency trading to retail investors.

From this week, IG clients in the UK will be able to buy and sell 38 individual digital tokens—including bitcoin, ethereum, and the meme-inspired dogwifhat—through a new partnership with digital asset platform Uphold. The launch marks a significant milestone not just for IG, but also for the broader integration of crypto into the regulated financial mainstream.

Michael Healy, IG Group’s UK managing director, described the move as “a major milestone in the UK’s crypto journey,” noting that demand from customers has reached “a tipping point”.

“Crypto is no longer a fringe asset class,” Healy said. “Our clients want secure, reliable access to digital tokens from a trusted provider—and as a UK-listed, regulated company, we’re ideally placed to meet that need.”

Though crypto trading is already offered by private fintechs such as Revolut, IG is the first company on the London Stock Exchange to formally enter the space. Healy believes this brings a new level of credibility to an industry that has long struggled with regulatory scepticism and an image problem rooted in volatility, fraud, and scandal.

The launch comes amid rising adoption of crypto in the UK. According to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), 12 per cent of UK adults now hold some form of cryptocurrency—up from just 4.4 per cent in 2021.

IG’s service will offer access to a diverse portfolio of tokens through Uphold, which will act as custodian. However, it’s worth noting that Uphold is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, so retail clients won’t benefit from the protections typically afforded to more traditional financial products.

Still, for IG—a FTSE 250 firm best known for leveraged derivatives and stockbroking—the move signals a broader shift into long-term investing and digital asset management. “We’re expanding our product offering, and crypto is clearly a key part of where the future is headed,” Healy said.

The timing is notable. In the UK, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has recently reaffirmed the government’s intent to introduce “robust rules around crypto” as part of a broader strategy to enhance financial innovation and protect consumers. In the US, former President Donald Trump’s pro-crypto rhetoric has fuelled expectations of a friendlier regulatory environment should he secure a return to office. This contrasts with President Biden’s tougher stance and recent crackdowns on crypto exchanges and products.

While digital assets remain polarising—particularly among regulators wary of their use in money laundering and scams—their underlying blockchain technology and decentralised nature continue to attract institutional interest.

Crypto advocates say mainstream adoption by large financial institutions will help clean up the sector’s “Wild West” image, particularly following high-profile failures such as the collapse of FTX in 2022 and the fraud conviction of its founder Sam Bankman-Fried. IG’s entry, with its reputation for transparency and compliance, could serve as a turning point for retail confidence in crypto.

That said, the FCA remains cautious. It has repeatedly warned that cryptocurrencies are highly speculative and carry a significant risk of loss. There is no inherent value in most digital tokens, and the market remains extremely volatile.

Even so, IG’s move signals a shift in sentiment. By marrying the accessibility of retail crypto with the oversight and infrastructure of a listed company, the firm is positioning itself at the forefront of a new chapter in UK finance—one where digital assets are no longer peripheral but part of a credible, regulated investment landscape.

As the UK finalises its regulatory rulebook for crypto in the coming months, IG’s decision to embrace digital tokens could become a blueprint for other listed financial firms looking to engage with the asset class—bringing further legitimacy, and perhaps a little less chaos, to a sector long defined by both rapid growth and rampant uncertainty.

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IG Group becomes first UK-listed firm to offer retail crypto trading

At her spring budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves outlined an ambitious vision: to make Britain a “defence industrial superpower”.

In doing so, she joined a growing wave of European leaders rethinking their military budgets not just through the lens of national security, but as tools for economic growth. As war returns to Europe and global power balances shift, defence spending is being recast—from fiscal burden to potential economic catalyst.

It’s not just rhetoric. Reeves has earmarked an increase in the UK’s defence budget from 2.3% of GDP to 2.5% by 2027-28, equivalent to £6–8 billion in additional spending. Longer term, she wants to push that figure to 3%, which would mean another £17 billion by the end of the decade. Her stated aim: more UK-made drones, AI defence systems, and military tech incubated in British start-ups. The message is clear—this isn’t just about buying bullets, it’s about building economic momentum.

Across Europe, the same thinking is taking hold. Germany has set up a massive off-balance-sheet defence fund and is exempting military spending from its fiscal rules. The European Commission is letting member states borrow for defence outside of deficit constraints and is finalising a €150 billion loan facility to fund joint security projects. If the EU once championed the welfare state, it is now making peace with the warfare state—ushering in what some have dubbed a new era of “military Keynesianism”.

Traditionally, defence spending has had a limited impact on long-term productivity. Military expenditure in Europe has historically been a poor driver of economic expansion. A European Commission study found no clear growth effects from defence spending across 15 countries over five decades. Even in the UK, while real-terms defence spending has crept up since the 1980s, employment in the sector has halved. Today, only around 0.9% of UK jobs are supported by Ministry of Defence contracts.

Yet proponents argue that how governments spend matters more than how much. Paolo Surico, professor at London Business School and an advisor to the Treasury, believes defence spending can have a significant economic multiplier—if focused on research and innovation. He estimates that traditional military outlays generate a modest return of £0.60–£1.00 per £1 spent over four years. But when targeted at R&D and emerging technologies, that multiplier could rise to 2:1 over the long term.

Examples abound. The internet and GPS both trace their roots to U.S. defence research projects. The hope is that investment in autonomous drones, quantum radar, and cyber capabilities could deliver similar spillovers. Reeves has signalled support for this approach, stating that she wants the benefits of defence spending to be felt “across the whole country”, including in regional tech clusters.

But sceptics say the UK risks falling between two stools. Khem Rogaly of the Common Wealth think tank warns that Labour’s current approach resembles “military austerity”—funding rearmament by cutting back on other industrial investment, such as the National Wealth Fund. Others note that with around 50% of the UK’s defence procurement coming from overseas, and as much as 75% for EU countries, it’s often American firms, not British ones, that benefit most from Europe’s rearmament.

Then there’s the question of financing. Unlike the EU, which is considering joint debt issuance to fund defence, the UK remains bound by strict fiscal rules. That limits the ability to borrow and risks crowding out other public investment.

Still, some economists argue that defence spending could unlock broader EU integration. With 15 member states already planning to use Brussels’ relaxed fiscal rules to boost military budgets, there is growing support for a permanent EU-level fiscal policy to fund shared security needs—potentially marking a “second ‘whatever it takes’ moment”, according to Vanguard economist Shaan Raithatha.

For the UK, though, the path is narrower. If Labour is serious about building an industrial strategy around defence, it must commit to more than just rebalancing budgets. It must create ecosystems of innovation, secure domestic supply chains, and avoid the temptation to simply increase troop numbers or purchase imported kit.

There are big questions about whether defence spending will deliver meaningful economic returns. But with geopolitical pressures rising and growth levers limited, Reeves may feel she has little choice but to try. The stakes, after all, are not just about job creation—but the future of national security, industrial resilience, and Britain’s place in a new global order.

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Can the UK economy get more bang from higher defence spending?

A third of the UK’s pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels are now operating at a loss following a wave of government-imposed tax increases that came into effect in April, according to a new industry survey.

The research, conducted by UKHospitality, the British Beer & Pub Association, the British Institute of Innkeeping and Hospitality Ulster, reveals that nearly one in three hospitality firms is losing money—raising concerns about the future viability of a sector that contributes over £26 billion to the UK economy and supports close to a million jobs.

The stark findings come after a series of fiscal changes introduced in the Chancellor’s spring budget. Most notably, employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) were raised from 13.8 per cent to 15 per cent, while the earnings threshold triggering NIC payments was reduced from £9,100 to £5,000. Business rates also rose for many premises, adding further financial strain.

According to the survey, which polled hundreds of businesses last month, 60 per cent of hospitality operators have already cut jobs and nearly two-thirds have slashed staff hours. More than half said they have been forced to cancel planned investments, and 76 per cent have increased prices in an attempt to remain solvent.

The total cost impact of these changes is estimated at £3.4 billion across the sector. Industry leaders warn that the sudden hike represents the sharpest quarterly increase in operating costs in years—and risks accelerating the closure of local pubs, hotels and restaurants that are still recovering from the pandemic and grappling with broader inflationary pressures.

In a joint statement, the trade associations warned: “The government seems to be setting itself up to miss its own targets with these most recent cost hikes for the hospitality sector.

“Jobs are being lost, livelihoods are under threat, communities are set to lose precious assets, and consumers are experiencing price rises when wallets are already feeling the pinch.”

The groups are calling for an urgent reversal of the NIC changes, faster reform of the business rates system, and a long-campaigned-for reduction in VAT for the hospitality industry—an intervention they argue would ease pressure on operators, reduce prices for customers, and stimulate job creation and investment.

Senior industry figures have also written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves warning that the NIC changes are regressive and disproportionately affect low earners. Some roles, particularly those close to the minimum wage, could become economically unviable as a result, they claim.

Tim Martin, chairman of JD Wetherspoon, has been among the most vocal critics of the government’s policy direction. He said his pub chain faces an additional £60 million in labour-related costs this year alone due to the increase in employers’ NICs and the April hike in the minimum wage.

Despite mounting pressure, the Treasury defended the government’s position. A spokesperson said: “We are a pro-business government and we know the vital importance of the hospitality sector to local communities and the wider economy. That’s why we’re supporting them with business rates relief, cutting duty on draught pints, capping corporation tax and protecting the smallest businesses from the employer National Insurance rise, which is helping to fund the NHS.”

While the government argues that broader measures will support hospitality through the transition, many operators say the current approach is short-sighted and risks undermining a sector that has long been a major contributor to UK jobs, growth and high street vitality.

Without meaningful intervention, trade bodies warn, more businesses will face closure in the coming months—threatening not just individual livelihoods, but the cultural and economic fabric of communities across the country.

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A third of UK hospitality businesses ‘operating at a loss’ after April tax hikes

Britain’s steelmakers are bracing for a sharp escalation in trade tensions after the United States signalled it will double import tariffs on UK steel to 50% from Wednesday — despite a recent transatlantic deal to remove such duties.

The expected hike replaces the 25% tariff President Trump imposed on foreign steel earlier this year, which officially came into force on 12 March. Although the Prime Minister announced on 8 May that a breakthrough deal had been reached with the US to eliminate the steel levy, that agreement has yet to be finalised — leaving UK steel exports in limbo.

UK Steel, the industry’s trade body, warned that unless urgent clarity is provided, all UK steelmakers exporting to the US could be hit by the punishing new tax within days. The US is Britain’s second-largest steel export market, worth approximately £400 million annually and accounting for 9% of total exports by value.

Gareth Stace, Director-General of UK Steel, described the move as “yet another body blow” to an industry already struggling with global price volatility and rising production costs.

“UK steel companies are this morning fearful that orders will now be cancelled, some of which are likely being shipped across the Atlantic as we speak,” he said.

Stace warned that the “doubling of tariffs plunges the UK steel industry further into confusion”, noting that the long-promised resolution between the two governments has yet to materialise. “Uncertainty remains as to whether and when our second-biggest export market will be open for business or is being firmly shut in our faces.”

The 50% tariff forms part of a wider escalation in US protectionism under President Trump, who has imposed sweeping duties on steel, aluminium and other imports from countries running trade surpluses with America. Although a temporary 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs was announced earlier this month, the UK appears to have fallen into a regulatory gap as officials scramble to implement the terms of the UK-US accord.

Stace urged the UK government to act decisively and finalise the deal before the new tariffs take hold.

“UK Steel is now pressing our government to eliminate UK steel import tax and for it to come into effect urgently. UK steelmakers should not have to shell out for this new steep hike in US steel tariffs. All we want is to continue producing the steel our US customers value so highly.”

Industry leaders fear that unless the agreement is swiftly ratified, UK producers could face cancelled contracts, lost market share and long-term damage to their trade relationships with US buyers.

The Department for Business and Trade has not yet commented on the latest developments.

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UK steel industry faces fresh crisis as US tariff jumps to 50%

UK business confidence surged in May to its highest level since last August, according to new data from Lloyds Bank, driven by a sharp rebound in global financial markets and a softening in trade tensions between the US and its partners.

The Lloyds Bank business barometer rose by 11 points to 50 per cent, up from 39 per cent in April, more than reversing the dip seen last month. The reading is now at its strongest since the summer of 2024.

The lender said the sharp increase in confidence reflects improving sentiment in global markets after US President Donald Trump paused his threatened “reciprocal tariffs” until July. That decision – followed by a US court ruling this week declaring the tariffs illegal – fuelled optimism across Asian, European and American stock exchanges, as investors reassessed the outlook for global growth.

“The rebound in business confidence suggests that firms might be in a stronger position for the next quarter,” said Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist at Lloyds Commercial Banking. “The rise in confidence is driven by a sharp increase in economic optimism, reflecting the recovery in financial markets amid the easing of global trade tensions.”

The survey, based on responses from 1,200 firms, also found improvements in trading prospects and hiring intentions. A third of businesses said they plan to award pay rises of 3 per cent or more, while 65 per cent reported intentions to increase prices in the year ahead – down five points from April. Only 2 per cent said they would cut prices.

The data comes amid a mixed inflation picture. UK inflation rose to 3.5 per cent in April, the highest since January 2024, up from 2.6 per cent the month before. However, stronger-than-expected economic growth is helping to support business sentiment. GDP expanded by 0.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, and this week the International Monetary Fund marginally upgraded its full-year UK growth forecast to 1.2 per cent.

The Lloyds report adds to signs that the UK economy is showing resilience, even as concerns linger over inflation, rising wage demands and the future of global trade policy.

Despite uncertainties ahead, the strong rebound in confidence points to a more optimistic outlook among British firms heading into the second half of the year.

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UK business confidence jumps to nine-month high as trade tensions ease

Reform UK has become the first political party in Britain to accept bitcoin and other cryptocurrency donations, Nigel Farage announced during a high-profile appearance at the Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas.

Farage told the audience that Reform UK had updated its website to accept crypto donations from eligible UK donors, marking what he called an “innovative” step for British politics. “My message to the British public, and particularly to young people, is to help us to help you bring our country properly into the 21st century,” he said. “Let’s recognise that crypto and digital assets are here to stay.”

The former UKIP and Brexit Party leader used the speech to unveil his party’s planned Cryptoassets and Digital Finance Bill, which includes a pledge to slash capital gains tax on cryptoassets from 24% to 10%. He also proposed creating a bitcoin digital reserve within the Bank of England and promised legal protections for users of cryptocurrency by making it illegal for banks to “debank” individuals who trade or hold crypto.

Farage told the conference—where he was introduced as a “UK presidential candidate”—that he wanted to make the UK a “crypto powerhouse”. He contrasted his party’s ambitions with what he described as inaction from both the current Labour government and the previous Conservative administration.

“Rishi Sunak, when he was briefly prime minister, made one speech about crypto and how London used to be a global financial centre. One speech and nothing else,” said Farage. “Labour? Well, we have 25 men and women in cabinet and not a single one of them has worked in private business.”

The Reform UK website was updated on Thursday to include a cryptocurrency donation page, with a disclaimer noting that all contributions must comply with Electoral Commission rules—meaning anonymous donations are not allowed.

A party spokesperson confirmed the move and said further details about how cryptocurrency donations would be processed were expected to be released on Friday.

Farage’s announcement signals a significant shift in UK political fundraising and policy, with Reform UK positioning itself as the most crypto-friendly political force in the country. It also comes as global interest in blockchain-based finance continues to grow, amid both enthusiasm from investors and regulatory uncertainty from governments.

Unlike traditional UK political parties structured as membership organisations, Reform UK is registered as a private company—Reform 2025 Ltd, a not-for-profit entity jointly controlled by Farage and director Zia Yusuf. This structure gives Farage sweeping influence over the party’s direction and funding.

With polls showing increasing support for Farage’s party in some constituencies and a general election expected within the next 18 months, the move could mark the beginning of cryptocurrency playing a more prominent role in British political discourse.

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Reform UK becomes first British political party to accept Bitcoin donations, says Farage

Berry Bros. & Rudd, the historic British wine merchant favoured by the Royal family, is set to open its first US store in Washington, marking a significant expansion as demand for luxury British heritage brands surges across the Atlantic.

Founded in 1698 and holding a Royal Warrant since the reign of George III, the company is renowned for its deep ties to the British establishment and its reputation for fine wines and spirits. While it already operates internationally with offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo and London, this new venture will be its first physical retail presence in the United States.

A spokesperson for Berry Bros. & Rudd confirmed: “This marks a key milestone in our international growth and we look forward to serving a wider community of customers across the US.”

The decision to expand stateside reflects a growing appetite among affluent Americans for British craftsmanship, aristocratic traditions, and Royal connections. Luxury names such as Fortnum & Mason and Holland & Holland have seen strong traction in the US, with the latter recently reporting a fivefold increase in American sales thanks to demand from wealthy clients in states like Texas.

“There’s always been a long-standing appreciation for the brand in the US,” a Holland & Holland executive said recently. “Affluent Americans love the English aristocracy, Royal family and our links with them. That connection is a very romantic notion for a lot of affluent Americans.”

The timing of the expansion also comes amid a warming of political ties between the Trump White House and Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government. In February, the Prime Minister extended a formal state visit invitation to Donald Trump on behalf of King Charles, during a meeting at the White House hailed as a diplomatic “love-in”. The recent UK-US trade deal was later described by Starmer as a “fantastic, historic day”.

Still, many UK companies continue to face export challenges, with 10 per cent tariffs remaining in place on numerous goods sold into the US market.

Domestically, Berry Bros. & Rudd has been grappling with a squeeze on margins from rising employer National Insurance contributions and a slew of new tax obligations, including the Extended Producer Responsibility packaging levy and the government’s alcohol duty reform.

In January, the company announced plans to cut around 30 roles from its 400-strong workforce. Chief executive Emma Fox cited “extremely challenging global market conditions” and increasing operational costs as the main drivers behind the cuts.

“Like many businesses, we are having to make some very difficult but necessary decisions in the face of extremely challenging global market conditions, as well as significant cost pressures, high inflation and recent increases in NI contributions,” she said.

A senior industry executive warned that such pressures are now forcing high-end UK wine businesses to look overseas for growth. “The fine wine business is beginning to move out of the UK,” the executive said. “It’s not hyperbole, everyone’s just in despair. Nobody can invest. Everyone’s being driven abroad.”

As one of the most prestigious names in the world of fine wine, Berry Bros. & Rudd’s foray into the US signals not just confidence in American demand — but also a potential pivot away from an increasingly inhospitable business environment at home.

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Royal family’s wine merchant to open first US store in Washington

Elon Musk’s Starlink is on track to play a larger role in the UK’s broadband infrastructure, with telecoms regulator Ofcom proposing new temporary spectrum licences to expand the satellite internet provider’s capacity across the country.

Under the plans, Starlink would gain access to additional E band frequencies at three of its existing ground stations in Hampshire, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire. These Earth stations connect users by transmitting data between Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites and terrestrial infrastructure.

The proposed licences, set to run until the end of 2028, come with technical safeguards to prevent interference with other satellite and broadband services. Ofcom said the move would enable Starlink to boost its network capacity and better serve both businesses and households in rural and remote areas.

“We consider that granting these licences would enable Starlink to increase the capacity of its services, benefiting people and businesses who use these services in the UK,” Ofcom said in a statement. “This should encourage investment, foster innovation and bolster growth of satellite services in the UK.”

Starlink, a division of Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX, already provides internet access to isolated communities and rural businesses that have long struggled with slow or unreliable broadband. It has also won public sector contracts, including providing connectivity to rural NHS GPs and support for ambulance tracking systems.

The company operates a vast constellation of thousands of satellites in low-Earth orbit, designed to deliver high-speed internet in areas where traditional fixed-line or mobile networks are either impractical or cost-prohibitive.

Starlink’s expansion comes as demand for rural broadband access grows and as political pressure mounts over persistent coverage gaps across the UK. Mobile operators including EE and Virgin Media O2 have been trialling Starlink’s technology to enhance their own networks, especially in “not spots” – areas with poor mobile reception. T-Mobile is conducting similar tests in the US.

The move also aligns with the broader trend of integrating satellite and mobile technology. Vodafone, which is finalising a £15 billion merger with Three, has launched a satellite broadband joint venture with Texas-based AST SpaceMobile. Meanwhile, Ofcom has approved new capabilities that allow smartphones to connect directly to satellites, bypassing traditional masts and potentially transforming connectivity in rural regions.

However, Starlink’s growing influence has not come without scrutiny. Elon Musk has faced criticism over his political affiliations and his role in the Ukraine conflict, where Starlink technology has become critical to maintaining digital infrastructure. Musk’s previous suggestion that he could cut off access to Ukrainian forces has raised concerns about the geopolitical risks of relying on private satellite networks.

The company is also set to face fresh competition from Jeff Bezos’s Project Kuiper, Amazon’s rival satellite broadband initiative, which is preparing for its own UK rollout in the coming months.

While satellite broadband won’t replace traditional fibre or mobile networks, its integration is expected to provide vital redundancy and service continuity in underserved locations. Operators are likely to charge a premium for such services, in a model similar to international roaming.

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Starlink set to expand UK footprint as Ofcom greenlights new spectrum licences

Celebrity interior designer Celia Sawyer has accused Netflix of copying her idea for an erotic home makeover show, claiming the streaming giant’s How to Build a Sex Room mimics a concept she previously pitched — and was told would be “deleted”.

Sawyer, best known for Channel 4’s Four Rooms and frequently dubbed the “Queen of bling” for her lavish designs, alleges that her proposal for a series titled Kinky Rooms was sent to Netflix — only for a near-identical format to appear a year later.

“It was exactly the same idea, exactly the same format,” the 58-year-old tells The Daily Mail. “They said they were going to delete it, and then a year later it popped up as a Netflix show.”

Sawyer says her pitch included a proposed episode about designing a space for a polyamorous couple — which she notes was replicated in the Netflix series, with an episode focused on creating “a swanky dungeon” for a polyamorous family. Other episodes in the eight-part US series included a “rock ’n’ roll sex basement” and a “five-star spa” themed retreat for couples.

“You put a lot of work into this stuff and then that happens,” says Sawyer. “I was really upset. It was awful.”

Sawyer, who runs a luxury design studio in Mayfair and has fitted out everything from yachts to private jets — including a 24-carat gold and platinum bath — says she contacted Netflix after the show aired, only to receive a formal legal letter denying any connection.

“They sent a stroppy legal letter from their lawyer telling me they didn’t take the idea,” she recalls.

While Netflix has declined to comment, Sawyer’s frustration reflects wider tensions in the entertainment industry over the protection of intellectual property and the difficulties individuals face when pitching to large studios.

Sawyer, who left school at 15 and built a career designing for ultra-high-net-worth clients, now splits her time between her home in Barbados and a £4 million property in Sandbanks, Dorset, which she shares with her husband Nick, a food commercials director. The couple recently became embroiled in a separate dispute with a neighbour over privacy concerns after a neighbouring renovation overlooked their garden.

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Netflix accused of copying show idea by ‘Queen of bling’ Celia Sawyer