Business & Economy

Published: 04 September 2025 | The English Chronicle Desk The UK government has unveiled a £338 million scheme aimed at helping thousands of sick and disabled people re-enter the workforce, as part of sweeping welfare reforms that officially became law this week. Ministers say the new initiative will provide targeted support to people facing some of the greatest barriers to employment, in an effort to reduce long-term dependency on benefits...

Published: 04 September 2025 | The English Chronicle Desk The Scottish government has announced a ban on arms companies that supply the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from receiving financial aid, marking one of the most significant policy shifts in the devolved administration’s trade and investment strategy. The move comes against the backdrop of mounting international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with First Minister John Swinney describing the situation...

Published: 04 September 2025 | The English Chronicle Desk Households and businesses in the United Kingdom could collectively save as much as £5bn every year if gas-fired power stations were removed from the wholesale electricity market, according to a new report that has reignited debate over how energy prices are set. The findings, co-authored by Adam Bell, the government’s former head of strategy at the Department for Energy Security and...

Published: 03 September '2025. the English Chronicle Desk Tesco, the UK’s largest supermarket chain, has begun trialling in-store avocado scanners designed to help shoppers determine the ripeness of their fruit before purchase, tackling the common dilemma of buying avocados that are either too hard or too soft. The new technology, which will be tested in five stores this week, uses compact scanning devices to assess the interior texture of the...

Published: 03 September '2025. the English Chronicle Desk JD Wetherspoon, the UK pub chain, has announced that most of its locations across England will no longer accept Scottish £20 and £50 notes, citing concerns over counterfeit currency linked to organised crime. The move affects the majority of English pubs in the chain, although locations with “close links” to Scotland and pubs situated in Scotland will continue to accept the notes....

Published: 03 September '2025. the English Chronicle Desk The Treasury has announced that Chancellor Rachel Reeves will present the highly anticipated autumn budget on 26 November, amid growing speculation over potential tax measures and government spending plans. The budget, which comes as the Labour government faces mounting economic pressures, is expected to outline strategies aimed at stimulating growth while managing public finances. Over the summer, Reeves has reportedly been exploring...

Published: 22 August 2025. The English Chronicle Online The government has announced a major crackdown on child benefit fraud, pledging that tougher investigations will save taxpayers an estimated £350 million over the next five years. The initiative will focus on claimants who have moved abroad but continue to receive payments despite no longer being eligible. A Cabinet Office team will cross-check child benefit records with international travel data, targeting individuals...

Published: 22 August 2025. The English Chronicle Desk WH Smith saw almost £600 million wiped off its market value on Thursday after the retailer revealed a £30 million accounting error at its North American operations, prompting a sharp downward revision of financial forecasts and the launch of an independent review. Investors reacted swiftly, with the company’s shares plunging by 42% amid concerns over the overstated profits and broader implications for...

Published: 22 August 2025. The English Chronicle Desk Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has called on the UK government to block Elon Musk’s Tesla from supplying electricity to British homes, citing national security concerns. Davey warned that granting the electric car and clean energy company a licence to enter the domestic energy market would be “a gravely concerning move” given Musk’s history of political interference in the UK. Tesla applied...

Published: 20 August 2025 | The English Chronicle Desk A family in Redcar, North Yorkshire, say their lives have been upended after a video of a black man and his brother playing in the park with his white granddaughters was shared online by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, sparking a wave of abuse and false accusations. Olajuwon Ayeni, a musician, and his wife Natalie, have faced racial abuse and been falsely...