Business & Economy

Published: 15 September '2025. The English Chronicle Desk The Fabian Society has called on Keir Starmer’s government to establish a “national occupational health service,” financed by a £2 billion levy on the UK’s largest employers, to address the country’s escalating worklessness crisis fueled by long-term sickness and poor health. As Labour seeks solutions to record levels of long-term sickness keeping millions of people out of work, the think tank argued...

Published: 15 September '2025. The English Chronicle Desk The UK’s ambitions for a major expansion of nuclear power have received a significant boost with a series of high-profile transatlantic agreements for the construction of advanced modular reactors, announced in the lead-up to Donald Trump’s visit to Britain. The deals, forged between the UK and US governments, promise to fast-track safety approvals and attract substantial private sector investment, highlighting potential economic...

Published: 12 September 2025 | English Chronicle Desk UK retailers have issued a stark warning that proposed increases in business rates could put up to 400 major stores at risk of closure, potentially endangering as many as 100,000 jobs. The warning comes ahead of the Labour government’s autumn budget, which is considering higher property tax charges on large retail premises, including supermarkets, department stores, and other high-value sites. The government’s...

Published: 12 September 2025 | English Chronicle Desk The UK economy stalled in July, according to official data, presenting a challenging backdrop for Chancellor Rachel Reeves as she prepares to unveil her second budget later this year. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported zero growth for the month, marking a slowdown from June’s 0.4% expansion and signaling a cooling phase in what had been a strong first half of...

Published: 11 September 2025 | The English Chronicle Desk The John Lewis Partnership, the employee-owned company behind John Lewis department stores and Waitrose supermarkets, has reported a significant widening of pre-tax losses, which nearly tripled to £88 million in the first half of 2025. The group attributed the increased deficit to restructuring expenses and new tax and regulatory charges that have weighed heavily on its finances. Despite a 4% rise...

Published: 11 September 2025 | The English Chronicle Online The United States pharmaceutical giant Merck has cancelled plans for a £1bn research centre in London and confirmed it will cut 125 scientific roles in the capital this year, delivering a sharp setback to Britain’s ambitions in the life sciences sector. The abandoned project, known as the UK Discovery Centre, was being built at Belgrove House, opposite St Pancras and King’s...

Published: 10 September 2025 | The English Chronicle Online Vodafone has launched a fresh investigation into alleged misconduct within its franchising division as it battles a £120m high court lawsuit that accuses the telecoms giant of exploiting small business owners who once ran its branded stores. The new inquiry marks the fourth internal probe into the division in just three years, underscoring the scale of the controversy engulfing one of...

Published: 10 September 2025 | The English Chronicle Online Apple has once again sought to redefine the smartphone market with the launch of its sleekest device yet — the iPhone Air — unveiled on Tuesday at the company’s annual product showcase in Cupertino. Billed as “awe-dropping,” the event highlighted Apple’s push toward design minimalism while balancing durability and performance. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, opened the presentation by declaring, “Design is...

Published: 09 September 2025. The English Chronicle Desk Fresh controversy has engulfed former UK prime minister Boris Johnson after revelations suggested he may have used his taxpayer-funded private office to profit from contacts made while in government. Senior politicians from across the political spectrum are now calling for his £115,000 annual public duty allowance to be suspended pending a full investigation. The disclosures, uncovered through a major leak of documents...

Published: 09 September 2025. The English Chronicle Desk UK retail sales rose in August, boosted by record warm weather and a Bank of England interest rate cut, yet retailers remain cautious about the coming festive period amid concerns over potential tax rises. The latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), compiled in collaboration with KPMG, show that overall sales increased 3.1% year on year, with strong performances in food...