Business

Hospitality businesses across London should be given a rent and business rates holiday to help them cope with the disruption caused by tube strikes, according to leading audit, tax and advisory firm Blick Rothenberg.

Andrew Sanford, a partner at the firm, said many restaurants, bars and cafés are located in Transport for London (TfL) properties, and urged the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, to step in with immediate support.

“The Mayor should give them a rent and business rates holiday for the strike period if they are in affected postcodes,” Sanford said.

The strikes come at a time when the hospitality industry is already grappling with rising costs, including higher employers’ National Insurance contributions, increases in the national living wage, and the broader pressures of the cost-of-living crisis. Sanford warned that a week of “negligible footfall” could be devastating for small operators already under financial strain.

“While offices can adapt with home working, that option is not open to an already stressed sector that requires in-person work for a number of roles,” he explained. “London hospitality businesses will have to consider if it is better to close for the week to try and preserve cash.”

Sanford also cautioned that public sympathy for union demands of a reduced working week may be limited, given the growing pressures on small business owners who are already working longer hours to save costs.

He said the impact of strike action would fall hardest on those employed on zero-hour contracts.

“Hospitality employees on zero-hour contracts will be affected the most. They are only paid for the hours they work, meaning they may lose out on an entire week’s wages.”

The comments underline the fragility of London’s hospitality industry as industrial action continues to disrupt daily life in the capital, raising further questions about what more City Hall could do to protect one of the city’s most important sectors.

Read more:
Sadiq Khan urged to give hospitality rent and rates holiday during tube strikes

EDF has launched a new partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) aimed at helping more than 150,000 small firms reduce their energy costs, cut carbon and gain greater control over their consumption.

Through the collaboration, FSB members will gain access to a dedicated online hub featuring free resources such as guides, blogs, videos, webinars and focus groups. The hub is designed to provide practical advice on how to manage energy more efficiently, while also giving members the chance to feed back directly on the kind of support they need in future.

By combining the resources with smart meter data, small firms will be able to better understand their energy use, reduce waste and select tariffs that fit their needs. The move comes as government figures show that just over half of British SMEs (52 per cent) currently have a smart meter, highlighting significant scope for improvement.

The partnership also includes exclusive incentives for FSB members. New and existing small business customers can access Amazon vouchers worth up to £150 when signing up to EDF fixed-term contracts. Members will also be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win a year of free energy valued at £3,700.

Jon Perks, Director of Small Business at EDF, said: “Small businesses are the backbone of the UK economy. This partnership with the FSB will give them the tools, insight and confidence to manage their energy smarter, helping them save both cash and carbon. We are proud to support small firms with practical solutions that make a real difference to their business and sustainability goals.”

Caroline Lavelle, Chief Commercial Officer at the FSB, added: “Our members are constantly looking for ways to cut costs and strengthen their resilience. Partnering with EDF Small Business will provide them with expert advice, practical tools and meaningful incentives that can have a real impact on their bottom line and long-term sustainability.”

The EDF-FSB partnership is the latest example of how energy suppliers and business groups are working together to accelerate adoption of smart technologies and sustainable practices across the UK’s SME sector.

Full details of the offers and access to the new digital hub are available at: edfenergy.com/sme-business/federation-of-small-businesses.

Read more:
EDF partners with Federation of Small Businesses to help SMEs cut costs and carbon

British workers are taking more sick days than at any point in the past 15 years, with staff absent for the equivalent of nearly two working weeks on average over the past 12 months, new research shows.

Figures from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) reveal absence levels have risen sharply since the pandemic, up from just over a week of sick leave per worker on average before 2020.

The trend has been linked to an ageing workforce, a rise in long-term health conditions, and mounting mental health challenges. Mental health issues are now the leading cause of absences lasting four weeks or more, while stress is driving both short- and long-term absence. More than four in ten employers (41 per cent) reported stress-related absences among their staff.

The rise has added to concerns about the UK’s fragile productivity. EY recently calculated that the widening productivity gap between the public and private sectors since 2019 has cost the economy tens of billions of pounds.

Former Marks & Spencer boss Lord Stuart Rose warned the country is “on the edge of a crisis.” Speaking to Times Radio, he argued that Britain risks losing its culture of workplace resilience.

“We have arrived in a situation in Britain today where there is effectively no obligation to go to work. Absolutely none. I’ve worked for 50 years and taken less than three weeks of sickness pay. We need to have a little bit of grit. This nation needs everybody to lean in,” he said.

Rose stressed he was not dismissing genuine health conditions or the importance of mental health, but said the “balance” was wrong.

Hybrid working has been cited as a double-edged factor. The CIPD found more than a third of organisations with remote workers saw a decline in absence levels, compared with 16 per cent reporting an increase. Employers suggested the ability to work from home made it easier for some employees to continue working while managing health conditions.

Sir Charlie Mayfield, the former John Lewis chairman and now the government’s worklessness tsar, is preparing recommendations to keep long-term sick people in work. He has previously argued for a system of “carrots and sticks” for both employers and employees, insisting it is more effective and cost-efficient to keep people working than to bring them back from benefits.

Rachel Suff, senior wellbeing adviser at the CIPD, said employers need to adopt a proactive approach.

“Long or repeated periods of sickness absence can make it difficult for organisations to plan their work and unplanned absences can also place additional strain on colleagues. Supporting people to manage their health conditions while working is vital,” she said.

Government policy has also influenced trends. In 2022 the Department for Work and Pensions introduced digital fit notes and widened certification powers to include nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists and occupational therapists, not just doctors. Ministers hoped this would make access to sick notes easier and speed up treatment, though critics say it may also have made time off simpler to secure.

The scale of Britain’s health challenge is growing. One in four people now reports having a life-limiting disability, with the number of working-age adults living with a disability rising by two million in just five years to 8.7 million. Mental health problems are increasingly cited as a leading factor.

The CIPD survey of 1,101 employers also found most businesses are trying to adapt. Two-thirds (66 per cent) now offer occupational sick pay to all staff, while almost seven in ten (69 per cent) provide occupational health services.

Former work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall, who was replaced in last week’s cabinet reshuffle, told MPs earlier this year that Britain’s work culture must adapt to reflect rising disability and health needs. But for employers already facing a weaker economy, the sharp rise in absence represents both a workforce challenge and a test of resilience for UK productivity.

Read more:
UK sick days hit 15-year high as mental health drives long-term absences

Business today moves fast. Entrepreneurs are expected to manage teams, meet clients, and grow their companies, all while staying connected on the move. To keep up, they need more than just a phone. They need a tool that works as hard as they do.

The Google Pixel 10 is built for a new way of working. It blends productivity, security, and style into one device. For business owners and professionals on the go, it could be the most valuable tool to carry.

Power That Keeps Up with You

Running a business doesn’t stop when the working day ends. Entrepreneurs often move from meetings to flights to late-night emails. A phone that runs out of battery halfway through the day simply won’t do.

The Pixel 10 is designed to last. Its adaptive battery learns your habits and saves power where it’s not needed. That means it can last well into the evening on a single charge. When you do need a power boost, fast charging gets you back to work in minutes.

No more hunting for plug sockets at the airport or carrying bulky power banks. With the Pixel 10, power worries are taken off the list.

AI That Works Like an Assistant

Time is the most valuable resource for any business owner. The Pixel 10 uses advanced AI to help save it.

Smart replies let you respond to messages instantly without typing long responses.
Call screening helps filter out time-wasting spam or unknown calls.
Real-time translation breaks language barriers during international trips.
Voice dictation makes writing emails or notes fast and accurate.

These features combine to remove distractions and free up focus for what matters most. Running the business.

Seamless Integration with Business Tools

Entrepreneurs rely on a wide range of apps. From calendars and video calls to project management and expenses, everything must work smoothly.

In fact, many experts argue you can run a business entirely from a smartphone. An article highlights how entrepreneurs are using mobile devices to handle everything from payments and contracts to team communication.

The Pixel 10 is designed to integrate seamlessly with Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, and countless other business tools. It helps entrepreneurs keep track of meetings, manage documents, and organise projects without hassle.

Always Connected, Wherever You Go

Whether it’s a video call with a client or checking in with a remote team, reliable connectivity is non-negotiable. The Pixel 10 is built with 5G to ensure fast speeds and stable performance.

You can download files, join video conferences, and collaborate with ease, even when travelling abroad. Combined with O2’s reliable network and roaming, the Pixel 10 keeps your business running no matter where you travel.

Security That Protects What Matters

The Pixel 10 comes with multiple layers of protection. It has face and fingerprint unlock for secure and quick access. Its Titan M2 security chip helps defend against digital threats, and with automatic security updates, your phone is always prepared for the latest risks.

Business leaders carry sensitive data on their phones every day, and cyber attacks are a real and measurable risk. The UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 found that over 43% of UK businesses and 30% of charities experienced a cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months. This highlights why built-in protections like the Titan M2 chip and automatic updates are essential.

This level of protection gives entrepreneurs peace of mind. Even if the phone is lost or stolen, the data remains safe

A Camera Built for Work and Beyond

The Pixel 10’s AI-powered camera makes it easy to capture sharp images of whiteboards, documents, or events. Features like Photo Unblur and Magic Eraser make sure every image looks professional.

It’s not just about work either. For entrepreneurs who spend much of their time travelling, the Pixel 10 doubles as a top-tier camera for capturing those rare moments of downtime.

Seamless Integration with Business Tools

Entrepreneurs rely on a wide range of apps. From calendars and video calls to project management and expenses, everything must work smoothly.

The Pixel 10 is designed to integrate seamlessly with Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, and countless other business tools. It helps entrepreneurs keep track of meetings, manage documents, and organise projects without hassle.

No switching devices, no lagging performance. Just simple, efficient workflows from one pocket-sized hub.

Style That Matches Your Ambition

First impressions matter in business. The Pixel 10 doesn’t just perform well, it looks the part too.

Its sleek and professional design makes it a natural fit in the boardroom, a client dinner, or an international conference. Lightweight and slim, it slips easily into a bag or pocket. The Pixel 10 balances style with function, reflecting the professional standards of those who carry it.

Why the Pixel 10 Is the Right Choice for Entrepreneurs

Running a business is never simple. But the right tools can make the journey smoother. The Google Pixel 10 offers everything an entrepreneur needs:

Long-lasting power.
AI that saves time.
Strong security.
Seamless connectivity.
Professional design.
It’s more than just a smartphone. It’s a partner in productivity, travel, and growth. For business owners who want a phone that supports their ambitions, the Pixel 10 delivers on every level.

Read more:
The Smartest Business Tool in Your Pocket: Why the Pixel 10 Is Built for Entrepreneurs

Gold has surged to a fresh record high above $3,600 an ounce as investors increase bets that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this month, fuelling demand for the traditional safe-haven asset.

Spot gold rose 0.8 per cent to trade at $3,614.24 an ounce, lifted by a weaker dollar and mounting concerns over the global economic outlook, US trade tensions and questions about the dollar’s long-term dominance.

The latest rally extends a sharp run-up in prices that has seen gold climb more than 35 per cent since the start of the year, as investors and central banks alike have added to their holdings to hedge against inflation and policy uncertainty.

The surge follows warnings from analysts at Goldman Sachs, who last week said gold could climb to nearly $5,000 an ounce if President Trump’s sustained attacks on the Federal Reserve undermine its independence. Investors fear that political pressure on the Fed could weaken its resolve in fighting inflation, prompting a further flight from dollar-denominated assets into precious metals.

The momentum behind gold underscores the scale of investor unease over the direction of US monetary policy and its impact on the global economy. With inflation still elevated and the Fed caught between the need to maintain credibility and political scrutiny from the White House, analysts suggest that bullion could remain a major beneficiary of uncertainty in the months ahead.

Read more:
Gold surges past $3,600 an ounce as investors bet on US rate cuts

Tottenham Hotspur have moved to quash speculation over a potential sale, confirming they have rejected two preliminary takeover approaches — one from Amanda Staveley’s PCP International Finance and the other from a Chinese consortium.

The north London club issued a statement late on Sunday night after a weekend of mounting rumours following the shock departure of long-serving executive chairman Daniel Levy. Spurs said they had been forced to clarify the situation under UK takeover rules, stressing that majority owner Enic Sports & Developments Holdings Ltd has “no intention” of entertaining offers.

“The Board of Tottenham Hotspur Limited is aware of recent media speculation and confirms that its majority shareholder, Enic Sports & Developments Holdings Ltd, has received, and unequivocally rejected, separate preliminary expressions of interest,” the statement read.

The bids were said to have come from Staveley’s company and from a consortium led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited. Under takeover rules, both PCP and the Chinese consortium must now announce by 5 October whether they intend to make a formal offer. If they do not, they will be barred from returning with a bid for a set period unless circumstances change.

Tottenham underlined that the clarification should end speculation over a possible change in ownership. “The Board of the Club and Enic confirm that Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale and Enic has no intention to accept any such offer,” the statement added.

Sources close to the Lewis family trust, which controls Enic’s 87 per cent stake in Spurs, have also insisted the club is not on the market.

The announcement comes amid significant upheaval at the Premier League side, with Levy stepping down last week after almost a quarter of a century in charge. Peter Charrington, who joined as a non-executive director earlier this year, has been installed as non-executive chairman and was named in the official statement as the person responsible for arranging its release.

While Spurs have recently been linked with takeover interest from several quarters, the club’s owners remain determined to retain control, pointing to the ongoing investment in infrastructure and commercial growth. Tottenham, valued at close to £3 billion, opened their 63,000-seat stadium in 2019 and reported annual revenues of more than €615 million in Deloitte’s Football Money League earlier this year.

For now, despite the speculation stirred by Levy’s exit, Tottenham’s board is emphatic: Spurs are not for sale.

Read more:
Tottenham Hotspur reject takeover approaches from Amanda Staveley and Chinese consortium

As many as four million phone calls to HMRC go unanswered every year, leaving taxpayers and businesses “in the dark” as they attempt to navigate the UK’s increasingly complex tax system.

The figure emerged during a hearing of the Commons Business Committee last week, where MPs questioned officials about the tax authority’s ability to collect the £46.8 billion in tax owed but not yet recovered.

Labour MP Liam Byrne pressed HMRC executives on customer service levels, asking how many calls from the public were going unanswered. In response, Jonathan Athow, HMRC’s Director General of Customer Strategy and Tax Design, admitted that with the department funded to respond to only 85 per cent of calls, the number left unanswered could reach “three, maybe three or four million calls potentially.”

The revelation has prompted sharp criticism from the tax industry, which warns that inadequate support risks undermining compliance and the government’s own revenue targets.

Seb Maley, CEO of tax insurance provider Qdos, said the situation was leaving millions of people struggling to get clarity on their obligations.

“Millions of taxpayers and businesses are being left in the dark by HMRC, which is shooting itself in the foot by failing to answer between three and four million phone calls every year,” Maley said.

“Behind each missed call is a person trying to do the right thing – whether it’s paying tax or seeking guidance to ensure compliance. The complexity of the UK’s tax system makes clear, reliable advice indispensable. Without effective communication channels, many taxpayers are left to navigate unclear rules on their own. This can easily lead to mistakes and ultimately, non-compliance.”

While HMRC has pledged to improve service levels in the wake of mounting criticism, industry figures stress that progress must be rapid if the government is to stand any chance of closing the tax gap.

“Every unanswered call is a missed opportunity to help people meet their tax obligations fairly and efficiently,” Maley added.

The warning follows a difficult period for HMRC, which has faced growing pressure over long delays, reduced staffing levels, and failed attempts to push taxpayers toward digital-only services. MPs and professional bodies have repeatedly called for urgent action to restore confidence in its frontline support.

With billions at stake, experts argue that improving taxpayer engagement is no longer just a customer service issue — it is a matter of fiscal necessity.

Read more:
HMRC leaves up to 4m taxpayer calls unanswered each year, MPs told

Scottish MarTech company Hyble has secured $2 million (£1.5m) in venture debt financing from Virgin Money, funding that will accelerate the rollout of its new AI-powered platform and support expansion in the U.S. and European beverage markets.

The Edinburgh and Glasgow-based business, which specialises in helping drinks brands and distributors manage point-of-sale (POS) execution for the on-trade, said the investment would underpin the launch of Hyble 2.0, its next-generation platform designed to bring AI automation, speed and measurable ROI to beverage marketing.

The raise follows a period of rapid momentum for Hyble, with revenues up 93 per cent year-to-date compared with the same period last year. Growth has been driven by strong enterprise demand in North America and increased adoption across both alcoholic and soft drinks sectors in the U.S. and Europe.

One of Hyble’s biggest breakthroughs came through its work with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (SGWS), the largest beverage distributor in the U.S. The partnership demonstrated the platform’s ability to reduce print turnaround times by more than 60 per cent, cut operational costs, and improve field sales execution.

“Hyble 2.0 will harness AI to transform how menus and POS are created, deployed, and optimised — giving sales teams smarter tools, faster execution, and measurable ROI,” said Craig Letton, CEO and co-founder of Hyble. “This funding allows us to double down on innovation, expand our U.S. presence, and continue delivering for the world’s biggest beverage brands and distributors.”

As part of its next phase of growth, Hyble is hiring six new AI engineers across its Scottish offices, focusing on further enhancing automation and usability of the platform. In the U.S., the company has promoted Katie Hoare to General Manager and is expanding its sales team to capture rising demand.

Catriona Penny, Senior Director of Venture Debt at Virgin Money, said: “Hyble is a great example of the kind of high-growth, technology-led business we’re proud to support. Their focus on solving real-world execution challenges for global beverage companies with AI, data and operational speed is exactly the kind of innovation that will define the next generation of market leaders.”

With fresh capital secured and an AI upgrade imminent, Hyble is positioning itself to strengthen its foothold in the U.S. while cementing its reputation as a disruptive player in global beverage marketing technology.

Read more:
Hyble secures $2m Virgin Money funding to drive AI-powered platform and U.S. growth

The term ‘side hustle’ has gone from niche to mainstream. All signs are that we’re a nation that are now actively seeking ways to earn a few extra quid. And for some, the taste of success in this area means they’re quitting the nine to five to pursue their dreams of turning hobbies and passions into full time careers.

Nearly two in five people (39%) in the UK have admitted to starting a side hustle in 2025. Equally, Google reports searches for the term have increased more than three-fold since the end of Covid. The enforced isolation and tectonic shift in the market that created, coupled with the subsequent cost of living crisis, has created the perfect storm for individuals across the UK to think about how to boost their coffers.

Technological advances and the ease with which you can use supporting tools, and the power of social media to very quickly create an engaged audience and fan base, even for niche products and services, means the opportunity to build a side hustle has never been easier.

However it’s those very same tools that are now helping the kitchen-table entrepreneurs make their hobbies and passions fully-paid careers. eBay, which has now incredibly been operating for almost 30 years, can lay claim to be the original platform to help people turn over a few quid on used and old items clogging up space in the wardrobe, attic or garage.

The popularity of newer sites such as Vinted, which increased revenues by a staggering 36% between 2023 and 2024, rising from €596m to €813m, shows just how much we’re ready to take advantage of simple-to-use digital tools and apps that make the job easier.

Equally, design and visual assistance tools like Canva means anyone thinking about professionalising their operations can do so with ease and with little cost. The platform that allows easy and low cost design assistance has more than doubled its user base in the last two years, going from 100m global users in 2023 to 220m in 2025.

It’s led to a flourish of supporting tools to further aid the process. UK print specialists, Where The Trade Buys, has launched a new service, specifically for those trying to get to grips with some of those tools that can best help turn a side hustle into a full-time career.

Emma Thomson from Where The Trade Buys, said: “Whether it’s crafting artwork, making labels for homemade jam, or creating sharable packaging design for those addictive influencer-style unboxing moments, getting to grips with simple-to-use tools like Canva can make all the difference.

“Helping people to learn how to print from Canva and transform their designs into low-cost, usable tools to professionalise their business can make all the difference between earning a few quid for the rainy-day savings pot, or quitting the nine-to-five and devoting all your time to making it your career.

“That’s why we’ve launched a whole section on our site to help support those who want to make more of their products and services in a more efficient manner.”

And those who can earn big sums from tiny businesses are growing. According to available figures, the proportion of digital micro businesses earning more than £100,000 annually rose from 11% in 2022 to 17% in 2024, a 55% increase in just two years.

According to ONS figures tracking the volume of start-ups being registered in the first quarter of 2025 is up 2.8% on the same period in 2024, to 89,515. But Ecommerce and online retail is an industry where side-hustles appear to be having the most impact. The retail industry showed a marked bucking of the trend, its 9.1% increase in the same comparative periods showing it to be the strongest rise across all sectors.

Emma adds: “The stats prove this is unlikely to be a passing phase, just because, in the last five years, global health and difficult economic issues may have dictated the way people looked for ways to earn extra cash. For a newer generation, who want greater autonomy in the way they live their lives, having total control over how they earn their money, is a far less daunting prospect. When 61% of Generation Z admit to having a side hustle, there are clear indicators that mean this is way more than just a fad.”

Read more:
The rise of the side hustle: How thousands are turning hobbies into paid careers

The asset management industry has been accused of making only “grindingly slow” progress on gender diversity, with women still accounting for just 13% of UK fund managers — a figure virtually unchanged over the past decade despite numerous high-profile initiatives.

According to the latest Citywire Alpha Female report, the UK figure mirrors the global average. Out of more than 18,400 money managers worldwide, just 12.9% are women, compared with 12.5% last year and 10.3% in 2016.

Sophie Downes, who co-authored the report, said: “We’ve heard a lot about diversity initiatives in investment firms, but progress on the overall numbers has been grindingly slow.”

The absolute value of assets managed by women has tripled over the past ten years to £4 trillion, but this growth reflects a rise in mixed-gender teams, which now manage almost 15% of funds, up from just 6.7% a decade ago.

Data shows these mixed teams often outperform their peers on risk-adjusted measures. Analysis reveals they delivered the lowest volatility in four of the past five years, supporting the long-held argument that gender-diverse teams bring more balanced risk management.

Baroness Helena Morrissey, (pictured) former chief executive of Newton Investment Management, said: “We know that men and women have complementary approaches to risk. We think differently, and that leads to better outcomes.”

Despite the evidence, nearly 80% of funds are still managed exclusively by men, overseeing £11.7 trillion of assets. By contrast, funds run solely by women or all-female teams oversee just £548 billion. The disparity extends to fund size too: the average male-only fund controls £535 million, compared with £362 million for those overseen by women.

New launches remain heavily skewed towards men. Just 3% of newly launched funds this year were handed to sole female managers, down from 5% last year, and none to female-only teams. These plum assignments are viewed as critical career accelerators, raising concerns that women are systematically overlooked for high-profile opportunities.

The report also highlights a retention gap. Flexible working post-pandemic was expected to benefit women in financial services, but turnover among female portfolio managers is significantly higher than men. The study found 44% turnover for women compared with 30% for men.

Representation also varies sharply by asset class. The lowest levels of female fund managers are seen in commodities and alternative assets, at 8.2% and 5.7% respectively, while bond funds fare only slightly better at 13.6%.

The findings come at a time of wider global pushback against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In the US, companies including Goldman Sachs and Deloitte have rolled back DEI policies, while the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority confirmed earlier this year it would not impose new rules on diversity and inclusion.

Sonia Jenkins, chief people officer at Schroders, said the backlash had forced employers to reassess their approach: “It’s too easy to get caught up in DEI as a fad rather than as something that is integral to business. The more data points we have that support the business case, the more credibility it gives us.”

Industry leaders insist that while the regulatory framing may be shifting, the commitment to diversity remains. Karis Stander, director of culture, talent and inclusion at the UK’s Investment Association, said: “Should reaching 50/50 be the goal? I’m less interested in that and more interested in whether women feel they can enter the industry and access the rich tapestry of roles that are out there. Some firms are reframing their programmes less as ‘diversity initiatives’ and more as ‘talent programmes’. This can open the door to broader thinking about inclusion and opportunity.”

For campaigners, however, the headline numbers remain damning. After a decade of targets and initiatives, only a modest increase from 10% to 13% of fund managers being women suggests that real structural change in asset management has barely begun.

Read more:
Asset management ‘grindingly slow’ to improve gender balance as women remain just 13% of fund managers