The US manufacturing sector contracted for the first time since the financial crisis in August, survey data showed today, in a sign that a global slowdown and trade tensions are damaging producers.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Firefighters put out blaze at second Ocado warehouse
Ocado had to cancel deliveries last night after a fire broke out at its newest warehouse, only six months after a blaze destroyed another of its robot-controlled depots in Hampshire.
Johnson to meet Macron as French president downplays new deal hopes
Boris Johnson is to meet Emmanuel Macron today, hours after the French president seemed to downplay hopes of solving the Irish backstop problem.
Supermarket considers rationing small business buyers to ensure supplies
A senior executive at a major food retailer has said it is considering introducing rationing to prevent firms that have not made their own no-deal Brexit plan from using food retailers as wholesalers.
Ryanair passengers face disruption as 48 hour strike over pay starts
Thousands of Ryanair passengers could face disruption as a two-day strike by UK pilots gets under way.
Government automatically enrols firms in customs system in readiness for no-deal Brexit
The government has said it will start automatically enrolling UK firms in a customs system as it speeds up its preparations for a no-deal Brexit.
ASOS demands suppliers nip-and-tuck their costs after profits warning
A former darling of online retail has demanded a discount from all its suppliers a month after issuing a shock profit warning.
Foreign investment hits record levels as £5.5bn goes into British tech start-ups
British technology start-ups are enjoying an unprecedented investment boom, shrugging off concerns over a no-deal Brexit.
No-deal Brexit plan threatens UK fuel plants
The future of the UK’s fuel refineries could be threatened by a no-deal Brexit, according to a recently published internal local authority document.
Donald Tusk dismisses Boris Johnson’s backstop plea
The President of the European Council has slapped down Boris Johnson’s suggestion that the Irish backstop be dealt with during transition.
No-deal Brexit ‘could cost farms £850m in profits’
A no-deal Brexit could cost the farming industry £850m a year in lost profits, new research suggests.
Pub giant Greene King snapped up by Hong Kong firm CKA
Pub giant and brewer Greene King has agreed to be bought by Hong Kong operator CKA, the latest deal in a wave of consolidation in the sector.
No-deal papers reveal council fears over food supply
Legal school meal nutrition standards may need to be amended, or discarded, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, according to internal local council planning documents.
Downing Street ramps up election prep as Corbyn throws down gauntlet
Boris Johnson’s team within Downing Street is ramping up preparations for a general election, as Jeremy Corbyn today pledges to make a second referendum part of his campaign.
Trump plays down fears of US recession
Donald Trump has tried to reassure markets about the risk of the US falling into a recession by saying the economy is doing “tremendously well”.