🏢 Business Brief

Running a small business has become almost impossible | Letter

A letter from a small business owner describes how rising costs and taxes are making it nearly impossible to operate.

UK poised to water down 2030 EV sales targets after industry and union pressure

The UK government plans to soften its 2030 electric vehicle sales targets, potentially allowing hybrids to make up a larger share, after pressure from carmakers and unions. The 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars remains, but the pure EV mandate may drop from 80% to 50%.

‘We eat and drink risk’: higher costs bring curtain down on more UK music festivals

Rising costs and consumer caution have led to the cancellation of at least 20 UK music festivals this year, including Scotland's first Womad.

BT boss takes home £5.6m as pay and bonus package more than doubles

BT CEO Allison Kirkby's total pay package more than doubled to £5.6m, the largest for a BT boss in over a decade, reflecting a surge in the company's share price.

For those shedding a tear over house prices falling, these numbers may change your mind | Greg Jericho

Australian house prices continue to outpace income growth, though recent tax changes may improve affordability.

UK’s biggest retailers urge government to act on youth unemployment

Major UK retailers plan to write to Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging action on youth unemployment, warning of a 'lost generation' as the number of young people not working or studying exceeds one million.

Nationwide nearly doubles CEO’s pay packet to £4.7m despite bonus row

Nationwide Building Society nearly doubled CEO Debbie Crosbie's total pay to £4.7m, including £3.2m in bonuses, while staff receive an average 3.8% pay rise.

Unions attack ‘year-long delay’ for Tata Steel furnace’s grid connection in south Wales

Unions urge government intervention after Tata Steel's new electric arc furnace in Port Talbot faces up to a year delay due to grid connection issues with National Grid.

BA boss warns costly aviation taxes and rail tickets are stunting UK growth

British Airways' CEO warns that high aviation taxes and rail costs are deterring tourists and hindering UK economic growth.

Personal loans booming as cost of living drives Australians to borrow record amounts

Australian personal loan issuance hit a record $5.1 billion in Q1 2026, driven by rising living costs and financial stress.

UK’s fragile heirloom: ceramics sector calls for more help to save ‘vital industry’

The UK ceramics sector, employing 20,000 people, is struggling with international competition, rising labor costs, and high energy prices.

‘Immediate national priority’: ministers accused of complacency over UK food supply

UK ministers face accusations of complacency over food supply risks from fuel shortages, cyber attacks, and extreme weather. The Cold Chain Federation urges the government to prioritize potential disruption to the food system.

‘Historic’: Canadian warehouse workers sign first-ever union deal with Walmart

Canadian warehouse workers at Walmart have signed the first-ever union contract with the company, including pay increases and improved working conditions. The union views this as a step toward broader unionization efforts.

US added 172,000 jobs in May as labor market shows signs of resilience

The U.S. added 172,000 jobs in May, beating expectations, with unemployment steady at 4.3%.

↓ Bearish

More than a quarter of UK musicians lost all EU work since 2021, report finds

A report finds over a quarter of UK musicians have lost all EU work since 2021, with average tour earnings down 45%, citing post-Brexit barriers.

Federal workers experiencing ‘PTSD-like symptoms’ after unlawful firings by Trump administration

A survey of federal workers fired by the Trump administration reports widespread mental health effects, including PTSD-like symptoms.

Three quarters of workers not on track for 'moderate' pension income, report suggests

A report indicates that three-quarters of workers are not on track to achieve a moderate retirement income, estimated at £32,700 per year for a single person.

And More Data Showing a Weirdly Decent Labor Market

New data indicates the labor market remains unexpectedly strong.