BBC News

BBC News - Business

Has Britain's budget watchdog become too all-powerful?

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:00:03 GMT

Ahead of this week's Budget, some have accused the Office for Budget Responsibility of being a "straitjacket on growth"

Jamie Laing's Candy Kittens to acquire UK snack brand Graze

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 12:37:42 GMT

The deal comes as Unilever plans to offload some food brands to focus on care and beauty.

Budget 2025: What's the best and worst that could happen for Labour?

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 15:14:47 GMT

Three days in, after a tax U-turn and partial climbdown on workers' rights, Laura Kuenssberg looks at what impact Budget week might have.

Machu Picchu hit by a row over tourist buses

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:06:53 GMT

Protests have taken place over the coaches that take visitors up to the world heritage site in Peru.

A speeding driver killed my parents - there needs to be a cultural change

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:05:23 GMT

Claire Corkery wants attitudes to change on road safety after her parents were killed by a speeding driver.

People admit to 'secret spending' without telling partners

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 19:52:33 GMT

People were spending without telling their partners on beauty products, gambling, and cryptocurrencies.

Supermarket loyalty discounts to be allowed on baby formula

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 18:32:35 GMT

The government claims that parents who cannot or chose not to breastfeed could save £500 a year.

Pensioners see energy bills 'quadruple overnight'

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:13:36 GMT

Residents in two tower blocks see a huge rise in their energy bills that were previously subsidised.

Liverpool Street named UK's busiest station again

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:05:37 GMT

Some 98 million passengers entered and exited the station until the end of March, the regulator says.

Government racks up £100m bill responding to Covid inquiry

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 01:07:14 GMT

BBC analysis shows cost to taxpayer is 50% higher than thought, with inquiry's own costs at £192m.

Court sides with Adidas in appeal over Kanye West collaboration

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 02:51:49 GMT

Investors had accused Adidas of misleading them as its relationship with the rapper showed cracks.

Russia bans Roblox over concerns about safety and extremist content

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 03:36:04 GMT

Its media agency flagged content linked to terrorism and LGBT issues, which are deemed extremist.

The Kenyan start-up aiming to electrify African transport

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:03:14 GMT

From fleets of e-bikes to individual riders, eWaka aims to sell across Africa's delivery market.

People admit to 'secret spending' without telling partners

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 19:52:33 GMT

People were spending without telling their partners on beauty products, gambling, and cryptocurrencies.

From florist to drone maker: How the weapon became so mainstream

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 22:24:18 GMT

With drones centre stage in Ukraine, military firms around the globe are ramping up their production.

Water bill rises push troubled Thames back into profit

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 09:40:45 GMT

As it stands, Thames Water has sufficient cash to make it to the first quarter of next year.

Dell family to seed Trump accounts for kids with $250

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 20:00:08 GMT

The donation will help seed new Trump-branded investment accounts.

Supermarket loyalty discounts to be allowed on baby formula

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 18:32:35 GMT

The government claims that parents who cannot or chose not to breastfeed could save £500 a year.

Airbus to inspect some planes over 'quality issue' with panels

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:42:16 GMT

It comes days after thousands of Airbus planes were grounded for an urgent software update.

Italian fashion giant Prada buys Versace – at a discount

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 07:00:23 GMT

The $1.38bn (£1.04bn) deal between the two Italian fashion giants is well below the roughly $2bn Versace was sold for in 2018.

Fire-blocking chemicals promise safer buildings

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:13:36 GMT

New treatments promise to make buildings fire-resistant without using older, toxic chemicals.

Energy grid investment of £28bn to push up household bills

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:21:29 GMT

Ofgem says the investment will help lower reliance on imported gas and make wholesale energy cheaper.

The £5.30 orange juice that tells the story of why supermarket prices are sky high

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 06:58:17 GMT

Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why

Police consider corporate manslaughter charges in Post Office scandal

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 11:46:30 GMT

The move comes as police continue to investigate what has been called the UK's most widespread miscarriage of justice.

Greek sheep and goat cull raises fears of feta cheese shortage

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:10:14 GMT

Livestock is being culled across the country due to an infectious disease outbreak.

How family firms can best plan for succession

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:12:26 GMT

The Murdochs had a much-reported inheritance battle, but smoother transitions are possible.

The entrepreneur connecting tourists to African hospitality

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:02:30 GMT

TripZapp founder Rory Okoli wants to make it simple for tourists to book and pay for African travel.

Everything you need to know about Spotify Wrapped

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:30:06 GMT

The streaming giant gives users a summary of their listening habits every year.

Investigation into pre-Budget leaks is under way, MPs told

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 10:53:28 GMT

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has given her "full support" to a review of security processes around the lead-up to the Budget.

Construction sector shrinks at fastest pace since pandemic, survey suggests

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:26:39 GMT

Some analysts said the score was a mere fluctuation in the run-up to the Budget.

Will quantum be bigger than AI?

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:10:59 GMT

The highly complex technology is increasingly being tipped to transform computing.

Fracking has transformed an Argentine town but what about the nation?

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 00:02:47 GMT

Argentina hopes that an oil and gas boom can benefit the whole country.

'Carspreading' is on the rise - and not everyone is happy about it

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 08:37:07 GMT

In the UK and across Europe, cars are becoming longer, wider and heavier.

BBC joins officers on criminal network raids

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 19:11:30 GMT

Three men have been arrested in dawn raids following a BBC News investigation into organised crime gangs operating on the High Street.

Six-month unfair dismissal right to begin from 2027

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:43:02 GMT

Labour ministers will commit to the start date next week after previously watering down the new protection.

'This is the big one' - tech firms bet on electrifying rail

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:14:09 GMT

Railway operators have new options for electric trains including getting rid of locomotives altogether.

The 'toughest crop': Can tech help cardamom farmers?

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:01:09 GMT

Sensitive to the weather and soil cardamom is difficult to cultivate - can tech help?

The start-up creating science kits for young Africans

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:13:20 GMT

Stemaide's goal is to bring tech skills to young Africans and prepare them for future jobs.

Heating tips to keep your home warm when budgets are squeezed

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 11:45:55 GMT

As temperatures fall across much of the UK, how should you heat your home and keep yourself safe?

What is happening to gas and electricity prices?

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 10:42:56 GMT

Customers will pay for investment in Britain's energy networks, but should save from other changes.

Will AI mean better adverts or 'creepy slop'?

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 14:48:29 GMT

Advertisers are using AI to personalise adverts but not everyone agrees that's a good idea.

How Milei's 'Thatcherite' economics divided his nation - but won over Trump

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 12:26:40 GMT

Ahead of Milei's visit to the White House - amid protests and anger on the streets back at home - Ione Wells unravels the paradox that Argentina's president has created

'I didn't expect that' - minimum wage chat leaves some shocked

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 08:55:40 GMT

The BBC's Tyler Edwards asks under 25s in Cardiff if they think the minimum wage increase is enough.

The curious case of why Poundland is struggling during a cost-of-living crisis

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 08:03:37 GMT

Why - in an age where so many of us are feeling the financial pinch - are some budget shops on UK high streets having such a tough time?

Bank of England warns of AI bubble risk

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 12:11:17 GMT

The central bank says US stock price valuations are their most stretched since the dotcom bubble burst.

Why time is running out for Germany's green hydrogen industry

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:18:35 GMT

Firms are ready to make the equipment needed for green hydrogen, but demand has not picked up yet.

Reeves speech did not mislead on challenges facing UK ahead of Budget, says OBR official

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:37:55 GMT

Prof David Miles tells MPs the messaging given by the chancellor was "not inconsistent" with the situation she faced.

Neighbourhood businesses hit by series of break-ins

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 07:10:55 GMT

Businesses in Canton tell BBC Wales about how a recent spate of break-ins has affected them.

Porn site fined £1m over age checks has never responded to Ofcom

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 11:10:10 GMT

The regulator tells the BBC it has been emailing AVS Group Ltd without reply since July.

Gary Lineker takes football podcast to Netflix

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 08:17:03 GMT

The Rest is Football will stream on Netflix during next summer's World Cup as part of a new deal.

Are you a HENRY? Here's how the budget affects you

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 09:40:19 GMT

HENRY stands for High Earners who are Not Rich Yet. Most are young and work in tech or finance.

Trump administration to roll back fuel economy rules set under Biden

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 22:33:23 GMT

Carmakers hailed the change as a victory for "common sense", while environmental groups criticised the plan.

Tax rises and tighter spending to hold back UK growth, OECD says

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 10:42:21 GMT

Growth in the UK economy is expected to slow next year, an influential global policy group predicts.

OBR head's resignation leaves potential landmines for Reeves

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:29:54 GMT

Chancellor's next mission to find a respected and credible economist to run the OBR will require careful balance

Boil water warning after Kent and Sussex supply failure

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 22:05:18 GMT

The Prime Minister calls Kent water crisis “shocking” as 24,000 homes are warned to boil water.

Nike, Superdry and Lacoste ads banned over misleading green claims

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 11:50:00 GMT

The advertising watchdog said the retailers misled shoppers with their 'sustainability' claims.

Vintage market trader retires after 60 years

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 11:49:00 GMT

Birmingham vintage market trader retires after 60 years