Business News Round Up (16/09/2025)
UK unemployment rate remains at 4.7%; near four year high
The UK unemployment rate remained at a near four-year high in July, data showed, while pay growth remained elevated. According to the Office for National Statistics, the jobless rate stayed at 4.7% in the three months to July, as expected, having risen to this level in May. This remains the highest level since July 2021. Pay growth across the whole economy, excluding bonuses, fell to an annual 4.8% rate in the three months to June, below the 5.0% seen the prior month. Data released late last week show that Britain economy recorded zero monthly growth in July. After a strong first half to the year, economists expect growth to slow over the second half as US tariffs continue to weigh on the global economy and Britain faces headwinds from rising inflation and uncertainty over who will be hit by likely tax rises later this year.
Scottish women-powered businesses receive record level of investment
Women-powered businesses in Scotland received a record level of investment in 2024, up 10.5% to £214m year-on-year, despite overall investment in UK women-powered businesses declining by 29.1%, from £6.36bn to £4.51bn. Over the last decade, total equity investment in Scotland’s women-powered businesses has reached £1.15bn, accounting for nearly a fifth (19.7%) of total investment in Scotland’s high-growth companies. The findings come from JPMorgan Private Bank’s fifth Top 200 Women-Powered Businesses report. “This year’s report highlights how Scotland’s women-led enterprises such as Oh Polly and Strathberry are not just participants but are crucial in shaping the UK’s economic future as they scale and bring their ideas to the global stage“ said Gillian Murray, team lead for Scotland at JPMorgan Private Bank.
https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-women-powered-businesses-receive-35903743
North West manufacturers see boost in activity and investment demand increases
Manufacturers in the North West saw a sharp rebound of activity during the third quarter of the year, according to a new survey, with signs that pent up investment demand has been turned on. According to the Make UK/BDO Q3 Manufacturing Outlook survey output and orders in the third quarter came in very strongly at a balance of +26% and +32% respectively while investment intentions jumped sharply to a balance of +16%. As such, recruitment intentions also rose sharply to +29%. The results have also shown the United States has recovered its position as the second most favoured market for growth prospects, having dropped out of the top three global blocs in Q2 for the first time in the history of the survey. Looking forward, growth forecasts for the sector remain weak with output still forecast to fall by -0.1% this year and -0.6% in 2026.
Google to invest £5bn in UK over next two years
Google has said it will invest £5bn in the UK in the next two years to help meet growing demand for AI services, in a major boost for the Government. The announcement, which comes as Google opens its new data centre in Waltham Cross in Hertfordshire, is expected to contribute to the creation of thousands of jobs, the US tech giant said. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the major investment into research and development, capital expenditure and engineering is a “vote of confidence” in the UK economy. It also follows reports that OpenAI and Nvidia will also unveil billions of dollars’ worth of investment into UK data centres this week. On Tuesday, Google said it will pump £5bn into capital expenditure, research and development, and related engineering over the next two years, which will include “pioneering” AI research in science and healthcare through its Google DeepMind operation.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/national/google-to-invest-5bn-in-uk-over-next-two-years