Business News Round Up (05/02/2026)
UK exporters boost economy, as new study reveals major impact of export credit on UK industry
A new study from Oxford Economics reveals the impact of government-backed exports on the UK economy. Export deals backed by UK Export Finance (UKEF), the government’s export credit agency, have added £23 billion to the UK economy over the last five years and supported an average of 66,000 full-time jobs each year in key industrial sectors. The study shows that UKEF’s customers support an estimated 115,000 UK businesses across the country. The findings coincide with the UK Trade and Export Finance Forum, the UK’s largest annual gathering of export specialists. They demonstrate that when UKEF backs UK exports, the benefits cascade through UK supply chains, creating opportunities for firms to win contracts, grow their order books and create jobs in communities across the country.
Profit warnings from listed companies NW fall by more than a quarter in 2025
UK-listed companies in the North West issued 21 profit warnings during 2025, down 28% from the 29 warnings issued in 2024, according to EY-Parthenon’s latest Profit Warnings report. Twelve of the warnings issued by listed companies in the North West last year came from consumer-facing businesses, underscoring persistent consumer confidence challenges amid a sluggish economic growth outlook. Nationally, 75 profit warnings were issued by consumer-facing companies during 2025, closely followed by industrial companies with 69 warnings. Meanwhile, four of the region’s warnings were issued by companies operating in FTSE Industrials sectors, and three came from technology companies. The region’s listed businesses issued seven warnings during the final quarter of 2025, in line with the Q4 2024 figure, but up slightly from the six issued in Q3 2025. In total, UK-listed companies issued 55 profit warnings in the fourth quarter of 2025, down from 71 during Q4 2024.
Local government expenditure nears £14.9bn
New figures released by Scotland’s Chief Statistician provide a comprehensive overview of local government financial activity across the country for the 2024-25 period, covering service delivery costs, infrastructure investment, and overall debt levels. During this financial year, local authorities recorded a net revenue expenditure of £14,887 million to maintain essential services. Education and social work remained the primary areas of investment, representing £7,778m and £4,873m of total spending respectively. To support the long-term infrastructure required for these services, such as the construction of schools and roads, councils incurred £4,659m in capital expenditure. This investment was largely funded through £2,101m in grants and £1,479m in new borrowing. The report also highlights the current state of local government savings and liabilities. As of 31 March 2025, local authorities held £3,931m in usable reserves, consisting of surplus income earmarked for future requirements.
https://www.scottishfinancialnews.com/articles/local-government-expenditure-nears-ps149bn
UK tech leaders embrace risk as confidence returns
More than half of UK tech, IT and Telecoms business owners and CEOs say they are more willing to take risk than a year ago, signalling a growing sense of optimism about future growth, according to new research commissioned by mid-market private equity firm ECI Partners. The survey shows 55% of tech, IT and telecoms respondents now have a higher appetite for risk, compared with just 21% who say their appetite has fallen. A further 24% report no change. In contrast, perhaps owing to the increased burden of NI and business rate changes, only 31% of retail sector companies said they have a higher appetite for risk. Despite improving sentiment, rising costs are the single biggest concern for UK tech, IT and telecoms businesses, cited by 31% of respondents. Other challenges include digital transformation (15%), the perceived threat from AI (14%), talent shortages (11%) and regulation and compliance (10%).