Business

Manchester has long been associated with creativity—whether through music, food, sport, or business. The recent Oasis reunion tour was a powerful reminder of the sheer creative energy that pulses through this Northern powerhouse.

So it should come as no surprise that even corporate catering in Manchester defies the norm, and the rest of the country could take note. Manchester is taking corporate event catering to a new level. Here, soggy sandwiches and limp beige buffets are a thing of the past.

Corporate lunches have evolved, and the city’s catering scene has risen to meet the demand for exciting, professional, and diverse options.

Today, Manchester is home to a wide variety of corporate catering companies offering everything from high-end sharing platters and wood-fired pizzas to gourmet desserts and individually wrapped lunches. Whether you’re hosting a team meeting, company celebration or executive dinner, these are the top choices to consider:

1. South Catering – Best for Office Catering & Corporate Lunches

South Catering is Manchester’s go-to choice for high-quality, stress-free corporate catering. Their offering includes fresh, made-to-order breakfasts, sandwich platters, packed lunches, and individually packaged meals, all delivered directly to your office or event.

What sets them apart is their flexibility and reliability. Whether you’re planning a client breakfast or feeding 150 staff for a training day, South Catering has it covered. Their online ordering is simple, delivery is always on time, and the food is consistently fresh, inventive, and crowd-pleasing.

We particularly rate their range of eco-packaged, clearly labelled lunches—a brilliant solution for busy teams or companies with diverse dietary requirements.

2. Manchester BBQ Company – Best for Outdoor Corporate Events

Ideal for summer parties or team-building days, Manchester BBQ Company delivers full-service outdoor catering. Their impressive grill setups, locally sourced meats, and hearty vegetarian options add a fun, relaxed atmosphere to any event. While weddings are their core market, they bring the same energy and quality to corporate bookings.

3. Frank’s Catering – Best for Executive Dinners & Private Chef Experiences

When you’re looking to impress at a boardroom level, Frank’s Catering delivers refined, white-glove service. They offer private chefs, elegant canapés, and multi-course tasting menus that elevate any C-suite gathering or high-end client dinner.

4. Japanese Kitchen – Best for Sushi and Asian-Inspired Catering

Japanese Kitchen brings delicate presentation and fresh flavour to business events across Manchester. Their on-site catering service means everything is prepared live, with handcrafted sushi canapés, rice bowls, and Japanese street food. They manage everything, so you can focus on hosting.

5. Little Red Pizza – Best for Plant-Based & Healthy Options

This South Manchester gem offers wood-fired pizzas made fresh on-site, with options for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free guests. Their portable pizza ovens add a fun, informal twist to office parties, launch events or away days.

6. Rosa’s Desserts – Best for Dessert Tables & Sweet Treats

If you’re looking to skip straight to dessert—or just want to end your event on a high—Rosa’s Desserts delivers beautifully presented patisserie-style treats across Manchester. From cupcake towers to cheeseboards and brownie platters, everything is made fresh with free delivery on orders over £50.

7. Mango Kitchen – Best for Authentic Asian Cuisine

A specialist in Indian and fusion street food, Mango Kitchen brings vibrant, flavour-packed catering to corporate events, especially those with a cultural or celebratory theme. Their dishes mix traditional Indian recipes with British and global influences—ideal for companies seeking bold flavours and a memorable experience.

8. Manchester Smoothie Co. – Best for Healthy Refreshments & Energy Boosts

(New addition!)

Manchester Smoothie Co. is a mobile juice and smoothie bar that’s perfect for wellness days, morning events, or post-lunch pick-me-ups. They offer fresh, cold-pressed juices and protein smoothies made on-site, creating an engaging experience that’s also health-forward. This option pairs brilliantly with morning briefings, fitness-themed events, or just as a refreshing addition to any catering spread.

Choose a Caterer That Reflects Your Company Culture

Manchester’s corporate catering scene is diverse, creative and incredibly professional. Whether you want bold global flavours, healthy refreshments, indulgent desserts, or simply reliable packed lunches, there’s an option to match your company’s needs and personality.

But if you’re looking for an all-rounder—someone who can handle everyday lunches, client meetings, and large-scale events with equal ease—South Catering remains the clear front-runner. With their versatile menus, individually wrapped lunches, and focus on consistency and service, they’ve set the bar for corporate event catering in Manchester.

Read more:
Corporate Event Catering in Manchester Sets the Bar

In the boundary-less world of modern business, the desire to move funds across borders faster, cheaper and more securely has never been higher.

Outdated financial institutions are no longer well-suited to meet the needs of global markets, weighed down by inefficiencies, fees and lags that can impede the progress of cross-border commerce. Insert stablecoins and financial automation into the equation, and what emerges is a future where international trade can evolve in ways it never has before.

For companies, small businesses and online entrepreneurs eager to participate in the international economy without the obstacles of the traditional financial system, a stablecoin-native API can be exactly what they need.

The Rise of Stablecoins in Business

Stablecoins, as the name implies, are cryptocurrencies designed to be stable in value, with their prices often pegged to a real-world asset such as the US dollar, euro or other types of fiat currencies. Compared to standard cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, stablecoins do not suffer from high volatility or are seldom hit with massive price swings, which makes them perfect to use in everyday business transactions.

With stablecoins, businesses are able to avoid the involvement of banks and third parties in their transactions, they can make their payments faster, in a more reliable and cost-effective manner and are even able to make transactions 24/7. For UK startups and small companies that are doing business with other companies around the world, this means that the latter could get access to their funds a lot quicker. They can manage their cash flow a lot better, and there wouldn’t be any unwanted surprises in transaction fees.

Why an API Matters

The concept of stablecoin payments is not really new. However, what makes it truly transformational is the power of an application programming interface (API). An API enables businesses to develop and deploy stablecoin payments into their apps, websites and platforms that can range from invoicing to subscriptions, automatically.

It’s like embedding global payment rails into your software, without building everything from scratch. Businesses can trigger, receive and reconcile payments automatically, in real time and without having to leave their application.

Real-World Use Cases

Take an E-commerce platform based in the UK, paying freelancers in Southeast Asia. Ordinarily, sending an international transfer could take days and cost up to 5-7% in fees. With a stablecoin payment API, businesses can settle in seconds, for a fraction of the price, without the need to worry about foreign exchange rate risks or banks taking days to clear the funds.

Similarly, if you are a SAAS company, with customers across Europe, the US and the African continent, you can use a stablecoin API to auto-generate invoices, send stablecoin-denominated bills and receive payments in your preferred currency, all without touching a fiat bank account, even once.

The Business Benefits: Cost, Speed and Compliance

Using APIs for stablecoin payments is not just more efficient — it’s also cheaper. By cutting out the middlemen, businesses can save considerably on fees, an especially compelling argument when you’re operating on high volumes or low margins.

Beyond that, many APIs are already equipped with compliance solutions. They take care of KYC/AML checks, do transaction monitoring and support regulated stablecoins. That way, you have the best of both worlds: you can retain full access to the benefits of DeFi infrastructure, without needing to worry about getting into the crosshairs of international financial regulation.

One provider in that space is Due, which offers a few simple APIs that give businesses the easy option of sending and receiving global stablecoin payments. Their platform is specifically designed for quick onboarding and near-instant transaction processing, which makes it easier for companies to grow their business in the digital economy.

The Future of Cross-Border Payments

As global digital business models scale, so too must the economic infrastructure. Global stablecoin payments APIs are not a fintech trend; it is a new fundamental layer of money movement across nations.

For UK founders, small businesses and digital-first enterprises looking to expand globally, it might represent the opportunity for faster settlement, high liquidity, and actually operating globally, worth a newfound sense of possibility.

Money is finally moving to be programmable, stable and instant… And it’s here!

Read more:
API for Global Stablecoin Payments: Unlocking a New Era of Cross-Border Business

Siegfried Richter isn’t the kind of executive who chases the spotlight. But behind the scenes of billion-dollar deals and industry-wide transformations, he’s been the one pulling the strings—quietly, methodically, and with razor-sharp precision.

Richter has spent over 15 years reshaping how major insurance and retirement services firms operate. He’s helped Fortune 100 companies like Prudential, Aetna, and Liberty Mutual cut costs, modernise platforms, and move entire operations overseas. “If a process can be done better, faster, or smarter—we find the way,” he says. “That’s the job.”

Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, Richter leads large deals as Head of Business Process Services for Wipro, a global consulting and IT services firm. His playbook? Combine lean operations with deep industry insight—and never stop adapting.

How Siegfried Richter Built a Career in Transformation

Richter started building his transformation skills long before it became a buzzword. He holds an MBA with a focus on Information Systems and completed a senior honours thesis at Dartmouth College. But it wasn’t the titles that mattered. “It’s always been about impact,” he explains. “That means going deep into systems, numbers, and people—and figuring out what actually works.”

At Aetna, he helped design an International Clinical Center in Manila and built a technical hub in Noida, India. The goal? Move work offshore, boost efficiency, and lower costs—without losing quality. That one initiative grew from 50 to over 1,500 staff in just a few years.

Later, at Prudential, Richter led the consolidation of multiple outdated systems into one modern platform. That move alone saved the company $120 million a year. “Legacy systems are like duct tape. Useful for a while, but they’ll break under pressure,” he says. “Modern platforms are the future.”

Leading Global Outsourcing Projects with Local Insight

Richter has led transitions involving over 3,500 employees across India, the Philippines, Canada, and the U.S. But despite the scale, he keeps a people-first approach. “You can’t just think in numbers. People need to understand why change is happening and how it helps them grow,” he says.

At Wipro, he was a key player in securing a 10-year, $1.2 billion deal with one of the largest U.S. retirement services firms. The transformation blueprint added $850 million in enterprise value. “That deal didn’t happen because we had the best slides. It happened because we understood the client’s pain points better than anyone else,” he says.

He also played a critical role in winning an $850 million contract for another top mutual insurer. The competition was fierce—seven other firms were in the running. Richter helped the client redesign operations across data centres, tech platforms, and staffing, all while building a growth path for the insurer’s credit union business.

Solving Complex Problems with Lean Six Sigma and Analytics

Throughout his career, Richter has relied on Lean Six Sigma, performance data, and cost modelling to spot opportunities that others miss. At UNUM, he launched the External Partner Office and helped implement the company’s first formal BPO strategy. He found $23 million in savings during his first assessment trip to India and the Philippines.

“We don’t guess,” he says. “We use data to ask the right questions. And we use structure to get the right answers.”

One standout moment came when he led a claims adjudication redesign that cut $40 million in actuarial reserves. Another time, he turned an administrative cost centre into a profit centre for 33 client companies, saving $45 million annually.

Lessons in Leadership from a Global Perspective

Richter’s experience stretches across Zurich, Toronto, the UK, India, and the Philippines. He speaks German fluently and conversational Russian, and he’s used that global outlook to build trust with both clients and teams.

“The key to leadership is not being the loudest voice,” he says. “It’s about listening first, then making the hard calls.”

He’s presented at Deutsche Bank’s IT Strategy Symposium and Consero Group’s Procurement Forum. But he remains focused on the day-to-day work of building systems that last. “Conferences are good. Results are better,” he adds with a grin.

What’s Next for Siegfried Richter?

Richter continues to build Wipro’s U.S. Retirement Services footprint while mentoring the next generation of transformation leaders. He believes the future of outsourcing lies in transparency, measurable outcomes, and shared success.

“Vendors used to be hired help. Now, they’re partners in growth,” he says. “The companies that embrace this shift will pull ahead.”

Richter is also committed to refining his methodology. His cost optimisation models have been published and adopted by peers, and his work has shaped three multi-billion dollar acquisitions.

Key Takeaways:

Siegfried Richter has saved over $140 million annually through global outsourcing efforts.
He has led strategy and operations teams for Prudential, Aetna, Liberty Mutual, UNUM, and Wipro.
His transformation projects often start with deep data analysis and end with lasting structural change.
He secured and led execution on over $2 billion in deal value through Wipro’s U.S. Retirement Services division.
His leadership is defined by clarity, curiosity, and quiet execution—qualities often missing in high-stakes strategy.

Read more:
Siegfried Richter’s Strategy Playbook: From Lean Ops to $1B Deals

Vaping has emerged as an alternative to smoking. However, little regard is given to its environmental cost. Disposables, too much packaging, and careless disposal all contribute to increased e-waste.

With the increase in vaping comes the increase in its responsibility. Sustainable habits minimize the impact on the environment and do not impact the experience.

The article explores simple ideas for vapers to adopt greener practices that truly matter.

Why Eco-Friendly Vaping Matters

Vaping does leave an environmental footprint. Discarded pods and plastic wraps accumulate quickly as trash.

The Hidden Waste Problem in Modern Vaping

Disposable vapes are one of the most harmful products from an environmental standpoint. These are mostly mixed materials comprising plastic, metal, and lithium batteries. These combinations cannot be recycled.

According to recent data, millions of disposable vape pens are thrown away globally each week. Many of them end up in landfills or as litter.

Improper battery disposal is an even bigger risk. Batteries that aren’t recycled correctly can leak harmful chemicals. Some may even catch fire in waste facilities. The widespread use of single-use devices has made this a growing concern for waste management systems.

Sustainable Vaping Habits for Everyday Users

A couple of conscious habits can reduce the waste and environmental harm brought by vapes.

Choose Reusable Devices Over Disposables

Refillable vape devices last longer and generate less waste. They also perform better. Unlike disposables, they don’t need to be replaced as often. This reduces both plastic and electronic waste.

Vapers also have more control over their nicotine strength and flavor choices. That makes the switch both sustainable and satisfying.

While the upfront cost of reusable devices may seem higher, the long-term benefits outweigh it. You save money and reduce environmental harm. Some refillable kits can last for years with proper care.

Proper Vape Product Disposal and Recycling

DO NOT dispose of vape coils, used pods, and e-liquid bottles in household trash cans. The majority of these materials are non-biodegradable or toxic.

Recycling programs that accept small electronics or specialized vape disposal centers are a better option. Batteries should be separated and dropped off at designated collection points. This prevents environmental damage and safety risks. Check local recycling rules. Vapers can also store used items in one spot and dispose of them in bulk at the right place.

Ingredients and Eco-Friendly Choices

What goes into your device also matters. Nicotine type, production sources, and packaging all count.

Understanding Nicotine Salts

Nicotine salts are known for smoother hits at lower wattage. That’s good for many users.

Because they require less power and fewer puffs to satisfy cravings, users often vape less. That means less liquid consumed and longer sessions.

This change in consumption reduces waste and energy use. Many vapers are now considering collections like the Elux Legend Nic Salts Collection for their efficiency and smoother experience. These types of salts may support reduced consumption.

Reducing Vape Carbon Footprint

Buy larger bottles instead of many small ones to reduce packaging.
Choose quality devices that last instead of frequently replacing cheap ones.
Avoid impulse purchases of disposables, especially during travel or events.
Support local vape shops to limit emissions from long-distance shipping.
Care for your device to increase its life and lessen the frequency of replacements.

Advocating for a Greener Vaping Community

Making personal effort is important. But real change happens faster through shared habits and informed communities.

Sharing Knowledge and Encouraging Responsible Habits

Vapers learn from each other. Sharing eco-friendly practices in online groups or at vape meetups normalizes sustainable behavior.

Whether it’s discussing proper battery disposal or recommending refillable systems, every shared tip helps. It encourages others to do better.

Those who know about efficient options like the Elux Legend Nic Salts Collection can also share their experience. Not as a promotion but as a suggestion for longer-lasting and less wasteful methods. Peer influence, when focused on sustainability, can shift community norms.

Final Thoughts

Environmentally friendly vaping does not mean perfection. It is about making improved decisions with what is available. Whether it is reusable equipment or waste disposal, little things can make a difference. With the shift in vaping, we should shift, too. Through conscious practices, vapers will be able to relish their time and the earth. Vaping is sustainable. It begins with you.

Read more:
Eco-Friendly Vaping Habits That Make a Difference

At a time when venture capital is increasingly commoditized, James Rothschild stands out not because of his family’s legacy, but because of how he’s reshaping it.

As an investor with a family legacy, he is proving that family capital, when deployed with patience and purpose, can drive significant growth in technology sectors that matter.

Rothschild’s journey is notable for how it diverges from traditional investing. Instead of chasing quick returns, these firms are built on a foundation of patient, long-term capital from family offices. This approach stands in contrast to the fast-paced exit cycles favored by many fund managers. Rothschild’s model encourages collaboration, co-investing alongside other institutions, which diversifies risk and unlocks unique deal flow.

This philosophy informs many recent major transactions, such as channeling Rothschild family capital into high-growth U.S. tech. Rothschild’s investments span several tech-driven disruptions. Tru Arrow participated in Series B funding for DataHub, an open-source metadata platform enabling enterprises to manage AI data securely.

Tru Arrow’s involvement in Rhombus Systems, a startup delivering AI-enhanced physical security, and CHAOS Industries, which develops defense-grade radar systems powered by machine learning, reveals a broader interest in high-stakes infrastructure tech paired with strategic, long-duration investment support.

Rothschild has quietly overseen exits that demonstrate strategic timing. One example is Swarm Technologies, a satellite communications startup acquired by SpaceX in 2021, coming full circle to the family’s broader Washington-backed space efforts.

Rothschild’s influence is thus extending both capital and direction.

While Rothschild maintains a low public profile, his influence is extensive. Tru Arrow is a significant investor in companies like Figma, EquipmentShare, Groq, and Common Living. Whether it’s SaaS design tools or co-living real estate, Rothschild is consistently betting on platforms that blend technology with real-world scale.

At 38, Rothschild carries a name steeped in financial history, but he’s actively defining his own path. He’s the co-founder of West Arrow, now co-leads Tru Arrow with Adam Silverschotz and Glenn Fuhrman, in a growth-focused venture partnership.

Family capital, framed correctly, can not only sustain investor returns but also foster advancements in cybersecurity, defense, data governance, and alternative assets. Rothschild has been adept at sourcing deals, managing his fund’s strategy, and guiding portfolio companies to maximum success.

James Rothschild is proving that by leveraging family wealth with the mindset of a growth technologist and the patience of a steward, he can mobilize capital toward transformative enterprises.

Read more:
Investor James Rothschild: A Family-Capital Blueprint Powering Innovation

The UK economy received an unexpected lift earlier this year as businesses rushed to complete orders ahead of President Trump’s sweeping tariff regime, according to the latest forecast from the EY Item Club.

The respected forecaster has raised its 2025 growth projection to 1 per cent, up from the 0.8 per cent previously expected, crediting a “flurry of business spending” in the first quarter before tariffs on imports into the US came into force in April.

“There was some activity and some additional exports brought forward and that lifted [the economy] in the first quarter,” said Matt Swannell, chief economic adviser to the EY Item Club. “But you can see from the size of the upgrade that the outperformance wasn’t massive.”

Despite the modest short-term benefit, Swannell cautioned that the outlook for the remainder of 2025 and beyond remains subdued, with trade disruption, geopolitical uncertainty, and the ongoing impact of fiscal tightening likely to constrain growth.

The Item Club forecast UK GDP will rise by just 0.9 per cent in 2026, before returning to a more typical “cruising speed” of 1.5 per cent in 2027.

“There are likely to be continued headwinds over the next couple of years,” Swannell said. “We’re seeing a combination of uncertainty around trade, the potential for further tax rises, and the lagged effects of interest rate increases, particularly for households refinancing fixed-rate mortgages.”

The EY Item Club also expects the unemployment rate to rise to 5 per cent by the end of the year, up from its current level of 4.7 per cent. While hiring has slowed, the report stresses that companies are not engaging in large-scale layoffs, describing the trend as an “orderly loosening” of the labour market.

Supporting that view, new data from Adzuna shows 875,546 job vacancies in July, a 2.7 per cent increase on the same time last year and the strongest annual growth since July 2022.

“This may be a potential turning point for the UK job market,” said Andrew Hunter, co-founder of Adzuna. However, he noted that vacancy levels remain below pre-pandemic figures and that hiring activity remains “patchy” across sectors.

Inflation is now expected to average 3.4 per cent in 2025, higher than the 3 per cent the Item Club had projected in the spring. This persistent price pressure is being driven by rising household energy bills, higher labour costs, and the impact of April’s increases in the national minimum wage and employer national insurance contributions.

As a result, the Bank of England is forecast to begin easing interest rates over the coming months. The Item Club expects the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to cut the base rate in August, November, and February, reducing it to 3.5 per cent, where it is expected to remain in the near term.

“The MPC appears more concerned about cutting interest rates too quickly rather than too slowly,” Swannell said. “But a softening job market and cooling pay growth should provide reassurance that domestic inflationary pressures are set to fade, albeit gradually.”

While the early-year uplift may provide some temporary optimism for policymakers, the EY Item Club’s outlook remains cautious. The UK’s near-term growth is expected to be held back by external shocks, elevated borrowing costs, and limited fiscal headroom.

Swannell summed up the broader outlook: “The UK economy may have got off to a slightly better-than-expected start in 2025, but the bigger picture is one of low growth, persistent uncertainty, and an economy still adjusting to post-pandemic, post-Brexit, and now post-tariff volatility.”

Read more:
Trump tariff confusion gave UK economy short-term boost, but long-term risks remain, says EY Item Club

The rapid rise of padel in the UK is fuelling a wave of planning activity, with new figures showing a 113 per cent increase in court applications in 2024 alone.

The sport’s continued surge in popularity has unlocked nearly 17,000 potential development sites across the country, according to new data released by land and planning insight platform Searchland.

Padel — a fast-paced racquet sport that combines elements of tennis and squash — has become one of the UK’s fastest-growing sports. Figures from the Lawn Tennis Association show that the number of people playing the sport has jumped from just 89,000 in 2021 to more than 400,000 by the end of 2024. This unprecedented growth, coupled with relatively low setup costs and compact court dimensions, has made padel a prime opportunity for investors, developers, and local authorities.

Searchland’s data reveals that the number of padel-related planning applications has risen sharply in recent years. In 2021, only 53 applications were submitted. This increased to 82 in 2022, then nearly doubled to 163 in 2023, before jumping to 348 last year — a 113 per cent annual rise. Already in 2025, 295 applications have been submitted, and the company projects this will rise to 544 by the end of the year, marking a further 56 per cent year-on-year increase.

The platform has also identified a broad and largely untapped pipeline of sites that are well-suited for padel development. It estimates there are currently 16,851 “existing destination opportunities” — sports venues such as golf courses, racquet clubs, and football facilities that have unused land suitable for padel. These sites are typically located in or near urban areas where demand for leisure activities is high. London alone accounts for 1,086 of these opportunities, with 47 of them already having submitted planning applications. Other cities showing strong development potential include Bristol, with 206 sites, followed by Edinburgh, Leeds, and Manchester.

Beyond sports venues, Searchland has pinpointed 15,742 commercial properties across the UK that are appropriate for padel conversion. These include underutilised buildings or sites that can accommodate padel courts and are positioned in areas with a likely captive audience. London again tops this category, with 929 such sites, followed by Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Bradford, and Sheffield.

In addition to permanent sites, Searchland has also identified 674 “short-term padel investment opportunities”. These are large-scale development areas — such as housing estates with long construction schedules — where padel courts could be temporarily installed to generate revenue before full development begins. In many cases, these courts could either be dismantled when required or retained as a feature of the final project. London is home to 151 of these short-term opportunities, while Bristol and Birmingham also offer potential.

Speaking on the findings, Hugh Gibbs, co-founder of Searchland, said the rise in padel’s popularity is more than a cultural moment — it’s a clear market signal.

“Padel’s extraordinary rise in popularity isn’t just a trend,” he said. “It’s a powerful signal to landowners, developers, and local authorities. The combination of surging participation, relatively low setup costs, and strong ROI potential makes padel an ideal addition to both temporary and permanent development plans.”

With almost 17,000 locations already identified as prime opportunities, the potential for growth is immense. As interest continues to grow and demand outpaces supply in many areas, padel is quickly becoming one of the UK’s most attractive sporting investments — offering developers a unique chance to meet the country’s appetite for active, community-driven spaces.

Read more:
UK padel boom triggers surge in planning applications as nearly 17,000 development sites identified

Taxpayers have been warned to settle their tax bills by 31st July or risk incurring late payment interest at 8.25%, as HMRC intensifies its crackdown on unpaid liabilities.

The alert comes from Blick Rothenberg, a leading audit, tax and business advisory firm, which says taxpayers who have yet to pay their second payment on account for the 2024/25 tax year must act quickly to avoid financial penalties.

“From May 2022, HMRC increased late payment interest from 3.5% to 8.25% as part of their agenda to crack down on people that owe tax,” said Tom Goddard, Senior Associate at Blick Rothenberg. “People who owe money for the 2024/25 tax year must pay their bill as soon as possible.”

What are payments on account?

Payments on account are advance payments made towards the next year’s income tax bill, calculated based on a taxpayer’s previous year’s liability. They are paid in two instalments — one by 31st January, and the second by 31st July.

For example, someone with a £10,000 second payment on account who delays payment until 31st December 2025 would face nearly £350 in interest charges, Goddard explained.

“This is also an incentive to get your tax return submitted early,” he added. “By doing so, you ensure your July payment is accurate — rather than risk overpaying and waiting for a refund.”

Can payments be reduced?

Yes — if a taxpayer reasonably expects that their income for 2024/25 will be lower than in 2023/24, they may reduce their payments on account. However, Goddard warned that over-reducing the figure could lead to interest charges and potential penalties if the estimate proves too low.

“Now that the 2024/25 tax year has ended, those who have already made a claim to reduce their payments on account should check whether this was appropriate based on their final income levels and, if necessary, adjust their payments,” he said.

Who needs to pay?

Payments on account generally apply to those with self-employment income, rental profits, or investment income, where tax isn’t deducted at source.

Taxpayers do not need to make payments on account if:
• Their 2023/24 tax liability was under £1,000, or
• More than 80% of their tax was collected through PAYE.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is also excluded from payments on account.

What if you can’t pay?

Goddard urged those struggling financially to contact HMRC directly as soon as possible.

“HMRC may offer a payment plan to help alleviate some of the financial burden, allowing payments to take place over a more manageable timeframe,” he said.

With just days left before the 31st July deadline, taxpayers are advised to check their status, file their returns if possible, and take action — or risk costly charges and escalating interest in the months ahead.

Read more:
Taxpayers who haven’t settled their bill with HMRC must pay by 31st July or face fines and interest

Doug Wright MBE, a man whose name has become synonymous with McDonald’s in the West Midlands, has announced his retirement from the fast food giant after an extraordinary 44-year career.

Wright, affectionately known throughout the region as Mr McDonald’s, has sold his 26-strong restaurant portfolio in a move that brings to an end one of the most inspiring entrepreneurial journeys in British business. Sixteen of the sites will return to corporate ownership, while the remaining ten will pass into the hands of fellow franchisees.

It’s the closing chapter of a career that began with the most modest of openings: on 1 July 1981, a then-16-year-old Wright took a cleaning job at McDonald’s in Bedford, earning just 93p an hour.

From there, through sheer graft, leadership and vision, Wright rose through the ranks to become one of the company’s most successful UK franchisees. In 2002, after years of service at the corporate level, he realised a lifelong ambition when he was granted his first franchised restaurant. Over the next two decades, he built Wright Restaurants into a regional powerhouse and one of the West Midlands’ largest private employers, with nearly 3,000 staff.

“I joined McDonald’s initially for three weeks,” Wright reflects, “and it taught me life skills. That’s something I hear time and again from employees and their families.”

Indeed, his legacy is not simply in the bricks, mortar and turnover of a 26-site empire, but in the lives it touched — from staff who found a career, to customers who saw McDonald’s become part of their community fabric.

“From the dream of owning one restaurant, the aim became two — and we just kept going from there,” Wright said. “But you have to step off the bus at some point, and my dad always said: ‘Be sure to orchestrate your own exit’.”

That sense of personal agency has characterised Wright’s business philosophy. Even as his empire grew, his hands-on approach never wavered. Colleagues describe a leader who never lost touch with frontline staff and who built a culture more akin to family than fast food chain.

“I will miss the people the most,” he admits. “We’ve always acted as one big family — we’ve celebrated together and grieved together. Along the way, we’ve lost some very decent people.”

But Doug Wright’s contribution goes far beyond the bottom line. Following a life-changing car accident at the age of 20, Wright became determined to use his success as a platform for giving back. Over the years, he has become a towering figure in West Midlands philanthropy.

As chair of the Ronald McDonald House Charity, he helped raise millions of pounds, enabling the facility near Birmingham Children’s Hospital to provide accommodation for nearly 17,000 families with seriously ill children. Through a staff lottery alone, Wright’s team provided 9,500 nights of family stays at the House.

He has also championed countless local initiatives — from grassroots sports to arts programmes and educational projects. His charity work has included support for Marie Curie, the Teenage Cancer Trust, Arrive Alive, and the Teenage Market.

“The thing I am most proud of is how we have made a difference to so many communities and charities where we live and work,” he said. “Our collective community work has been transformational.”

Wright’s contribution to civic life has also seen him take on a number of high-profile roles. He served as a patron and board member of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, as Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands, and — in 2023 — as High Sheriff of the West Midlands, a role he described as “the highlight of my working career”.

He also had the honour of being included in Queen Elizabeth II’s final Honours List in 2022, where he was awarded an MBE for services to business and charity.

Though stepping away from McDonald’s, Wright is not retiring from public life. He remains the chair of Kids’ Village, a pioneering charity building the UK’s first holiday resort designed to provide free breaks for children with critical illnesses and their families.

“In particular, being part of the Chamber was a turning point for me — joining an organisation where you can connect, grow, and meet like-minded people,” he said. “The support I received there helped get Kids’ Village off the ground.”

Sir Andy Street, former Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Doug’s story of rising from humble origins to become the biggest franchisee in the country is one of graft and ingenuity. But more than that, he’s used his success to lift others — through Ronald McDonald House, Kids’ Village, and during his time as High Sheriff. He is the embodiment of the truth that business is a force for good.”

Raj Kandola, acting deputy CEO of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, echoed that sentiment:

“Doug stands as one of the West Midlands’ great business success stories. His contribution to the regional economy is matched only by the impact he’s had on the communities he’s served. We thank him for his tireless service and wish him all the best in this next chapter.”

Read more:
Mr McDonald’s bows out: Doug Wright sells 26-restaurant empire after 44 years

Sales of prestige lip products in the UK have surged by 16 per cent year-on-year to £80.4 million in the six months to June, as cash-strapped consumers turn to small luxuries to lift their mood — a classic example of the so-called “lipstick effect.”

The term, coined by Leonard Lauder, former chairman of Estée Lauder, describes how sales of cosmetics and affordable indulgences tend to rise during economic downturns as consumers forgo big-ticket items but still seek moments of emotional reward.

New data from market research firm Circana suggests the trend is alive and well in 2025. Lip product sales grew at nearly double the rate of the broader make-up category, and more than three times the pace of eye make-up sales, highlighting the growing demand for portable, feel-good beauty items.

“While 2025 has been a challenging year and many consumers have become selective in their spending, they are still splashing out on affordable luxuries like lipstick and beauty buys to boost their mood,” said June Jensen, vice-president of Circana’s UK prestige beauty division.

It’s not just about colour anymore. Consumers are increasingly gravitating towards multi-functional products, particularly lip items that combine colour with skincare benefits. Sales of hydrating balms and lip oils surged by 21 per cent year-on-year, with shoppers seeking out formulas that moisturise, tint, and protect, often with added SPF or anti-ageing ingredients.

“These are moments of private indulgence and pleasure that offer refuge from a chaotic world,” Jensen added.

The trend has also been amplified by social media and influencer marketing, with platforms like TikTok and Instagram driving interest in new textures and hybrid formulations. Products like overnight lip masks, tinted balms, and skincare-infused glosses have seen a particular rise.

One standout brand is Laneige, whose products gained popularity through singer Charli XCX’s online endorsements and ambassador work, tapping into a younger demographic eager for accessible but aspirational beauty buys.

While lip products are leading the charge, Circana suggests the lipstick effect is expanding into other categories as consumers look for multi-purpose, mood-boosting beauty staples. Items such as tinted moisturisers, concealers, setting sprays, and powders with skincare benefits are showing early signs of similar growth.

“The lipstick effect is likely to continue flourishing in this economic climate,” said Jensen. “But it’s not just about lipstick anymore — it’s about affordable confidence in all forms.”

In an era of economic caution, the success of prestige beauty suggests that emotional uplift remains a priority — and that even a swipe of balm can offer a powerful form of escapism.

Read more:
Lip balm sales rise as Britons seek affordable luxuries in cost-of-living squeeze