Business News Round Up (20/10/2026)
UK small businesses anxious ahead of Autumn Budget
New research from digital broker money.co.uk reveals significant anxiety among UK small business owners ahead of the Autumn Budget on October 28th. A survey of 500 UK small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners found that 45% describe themselves as anxious or actively dreading the upcoming Budget, compared to just 22% who feel optimistic. The findings indicate that these Budget worries are impacting SME owners’ personal lives, with 60% reporting stress and 23% experiencing lost sleep directly due to speculation over the Budget. Strikingly, over three-quarters (77%) of business owners have delayed a personal financial decision, such as buying a house, having children, or retirement planning, because of Budget uncertainty. Concern for their livelihoods is also high, as 65% of those surveyed are worried that a rise in business taxes within this Budget could force their business to close within the next 12 months.
Job vacancies fall as small firms cut back on recruitment
Job vacancies in the UK have seen their largest fall since the start of the year as smaller businesses cut back on recruitment, official figures indicate. Vacancies fell by 21,000 in the three months to September to 691,000, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which said small firms were citing labour costs as a key factor in scaling back hiring. The ONS figures also showed the unemployment rate fell to 4.7% in the three months to August, the lowest for more than a year. The employment rate also rose slightly, and analysts said the jobs market was showing signs of recovery despite the weakness in hiring. The figures are the last official snapshot of the jobs market before Chancellor John Healey presents his first Budget next week.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6eq327pzr53o
UK profit warnings hit highest level in nearly two years as costs and conflict squeeze companies
UK-listed companies issued their highest number of profit warnings in nearly two years during Q3, as rising costs, geopolitical turmoil and weakening demand compounded pressure on corporate earnings. Businesses issued 65 warnings in the three months to September, up from 59 in the previous quarter and the highest quarterly total since Q3 of 2024, when 71 warnings were recorded, according to EY-Parthenon. Policy changes and geopolitical uncertainty were cited in 54% of warnings, the highest proportion recorded for this factor in more than 25 years of analysis. Almost two in five warnings, 38%, specifically referenced the conflict in the Middle East. Rising costs featured in 35% of warnings, the highest proportion for this cause since late 2022. Contract cancellations or delays accounted for 38%, while weaker consumer confidence was cited in 20%. Nearly one in five UK-listed companies has issued at least one profit warning in the past 12 months.
Greater Manchester is a leading UK centre for applied and responsible AI, finds report
Greater Manchester is a leading UK centre for the applied and responsible use of AI across key growth sectors, a new report shows. The smart adoption of AI is already making a real difference in health and life sciences, with the future potential to lead to better diagnosis and treatment for patients, in agenda-setting research by the region’s world-class universities, and in powering local economic growth among a community of Greater Manchester businesses developing AI products for customers around the world. Commissioned by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and produced by Perspective Economics, the Greater Manchester AI Ecosystem Study provides the first comprehensive baseline of AI activity across the city region. The study maps Greater Manchester’s AI businesses, workforce, economic contribution, investment, research assets and growth potential.