Business News Round Up (11/09/2026)
First year of Liverpool £2 overnight levy raises £2m visitor economy investment
More than £2m has been raised and invested in Liverpool in the first year of the city’s £2 overnight stay levy. The charge is separate to the Government’s proposed tourism tax. Both Liverpool and Manchester are among a small number of UK cities that have operational visitor charge schemes which operate through local accommodation or Business Improvement District (BID)-style structures. Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram, is determined the government levy is introduced “as soon as practicably possible,” estimating it would reap £11m a year. New figures published today (September 10) reveal that between June 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026, £2,069,864 has been invested from the BID levy into Liverpool’s visitor economy. Overall from the start of the city’s Accommodation BID in 2023, £4.5m has been invested in Liverpool’s visitor economy.
AI boom helps drive surprise UK growth in July
The UK’s economy grew faster than expected in July partly helped by businesses using artificial intelligence (AI). The economy expanded by 0.4%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, whereas economists had predicted no growth. The expansion was helped by a strong performance from the services sector, and particularly computer programming. Experts said July’s growth figure showed the UK economy was proving resilient in the face of shocks such as the war in Iran, but said they expected growth to slow in the months ahead as high energy prices affect households. July’s figure follows growth of 0.3% in June and zero growth in May. According to the ONS director of economic statistics, Liz McKeown, there was evidence that businesses involved with AI and related technologies helped to boost the sector, not just in July but in May and June as well.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5xjlvn71lo
9 in 10 FinTech leaders plan to increase UK investment
Britain’s fintech leaders are preparing to invest and hire in the UK but are warning Government that the country risks losing ground to rival financial centres unless it moves faster on AI, infrastructure and regulation, according to new research. The Fintech 100 Leadership Survey, commissioned by fintech advisory firm Chatsworth and carried out by Censuswide, surveyed 100 fintech leaders to gauge their confidence in the UK, investment and hiring intentions, and the areas where they believe government action is needed to keep Britain competitive. The results deliver a striking vote of confidence in Britain: 90% expect their businesses to increase UK investment and hiring over the next three years, with only 3% saying they are unlikely to do so. But that confidence comes with a warning. Just 6% believe the UK is not at risk of falling behind competing fintech hubs in any of the areas tested.
https://www.digit.fyi/9-in-10-fintech-leaders-plan-to-increase-uk-investment
Made Smarter North West equips leaders to deliver effective digital transformation
North West manufacturers are turning ambitious AI, automation and digital transformation plans into action after sharpening their leadership skills with Made Smarter. The government-backed Leading Digital Transformation (LDT) programme has now supported 145 leaders from 125 manufacturers, with alumni crediting it with changing how they plan, prioritise and lead digital change. From developing clearer strategies and roadmaps to engaging teams and managing change, participants say the programme has given them practical tools and greater confidence to turn ambition into impact. Delegates are applying their learning to sharpen strategy, improve planning and stakeholder engagement, challenge processes before digitising them, and better align investment in people and technology. In turn, those skills are supporting projects involving AI, automation and robotics, data and dashboards, connected systems and customer-facing technology.