Business News Round Up (24/07/2025)
Profit warnings by region’s listed companies down in first half
UK-listed companies in the North West issued eight profit warnings during the first half of 2025, down 27% compared to the 11 warnings issued in the same period of last year, according to EY-Parthenon’s latest Profit Warnings report. Six of the warnings were issued by consumer-facing businesses in the North West, reflecting ongoing consumer confidence challenges and a volatile and uncertain economic landscape. In Q2 2025, there were just three profit warnings issued by companies in the North West, down from four in Q2 2024, marking the region’s lowest quarterly total since Q2 2021. Warnings in the region also fell quarter-on-quarter, down from five in Q1. In contrast, UK listed companies issued a total of 59 profit warnings in Q2 of the year, up from 49 throughout Q2 2024. The leading factor behind overall UK profit warnings in Q2 was policy change and geopolitical uncertainty, cited in 46% of warnings.
Corporate Insolvencies in Scotland rise by 17.3%
The first quarter of 2025-2026 (April to June) saw corporate insolvencies in Scotland rise by 17.3% year-on-year, totalling 332. The new figures come from Accountant in Bankruptcy, Scotland’s insolvency service, which showed that there was a quarter-on-quarter increase of 12.9% corporate insolvencies, with the last quarter of 2024 having 294 total insolvencies. Personal insolvency numbers (bankruptcies and protected trust deeds) in Scotland for the first quarter of 2025 decreased by 5.8% compared with the first quarter of 2024, to a total of 1,935. Compared with the previous quarter, from January to March 2025, the number of personal insolvencies rose 15.8%.
https://www.digit.fyi/corporate-insolvencies-in-scotland-rise-by-17-3
Business rates surges in Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds predicted next year
Businesses occupying prime Grade A office property in the central business districts of Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds will see significant rises in their business rates bills next April, following the 2026 Revaluation, according to the Colliers Business Rates team. Colliers estimates that office occupiers in the best space in Birmingham could see increases of up to 26% in their bills next year, in Manchester, an increase of 25% and in Leeds, perhaps as much as 44%, excluding the impact of any transitional relief scheme that may be introduced. Colliers has analysed rental values in the prime Grade A office space in the three cities’ CBDs as at the Valuation date of April 1, 2024. As a result, Colliers predicts rateable values will have increased since the last list, with Birmingham RVs increasing 45%, Leeds 67% and Manchester 44% over the three-year period.
Scottish firms to receive £4.8 million to boost clean maritime tech
Scottish businesses will receive £4.8m to boost the research of clean maritime technologies. The UK Government’s maritime minister Mike Kane will officially announce the winners of the £30m, UK-wide fund, during a visit to Clydeport today. Almost £5m of the funding will go to 25 Scottish businesses to support the development of green maritime fuels and tech such as ammonia, hydrogen, methanol, solar and electric. It is the sixth round of funding to be announced as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) scheme, with £32.6m already given to firms north of the border. The UK Government said the cash will help decarbonise shipping and “cement” Britain as a “clean energy superpower”, while boosting jobs in coastal communities.
https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-firms-receive-48-million-35608467