Business News Round Up (24/09/2026)
Scottish mid-market poised to invest ‘if government backs growth at Budget’
Appetite to invest has increased for 93% of Scottish mid-sized businesses over the past three months. The latest survey by accountancy and advisory firm BDO – covering 500 firms with revenues between £10m and £500m – asked leaders which sectors would drive the most economic growth over the next five years – with 41% identifying the hospitality and leisure industry, followed by financial services (83%) and retail and wholesale (28%). Despite a more positive outlook, mounting supply chain costs and disruption (cited by 59%), together with increased employment costs and skills shortages (45%), are the top challenges that risk holding back growth. Ahead of the UK and Scottish budget statements, businesses highlighted where the government should focus specific funding to boost the economy: 42% want the state to take equity stakes in strategic businesses (60%), with more than a third calling for increased business grants (28%).
UK exports to EU could have been £6.5 billion a year higher with a mutual recognition agreement, finds IPPR
UK goods exports to the European Union could have been up to £6.5 billion higher each year from 2021 to 2024 if Britain had secured a deal to prevent duplicate product testing after Brexit, according to new analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). The think tank estimates that the absence of such a deal may have cost UK exporters between £3.7 billion and £6.5 billion a year in lost revenue since the UK’s post-Brexit trading arrangements came into force. At the upper end, this translates to around 0.18 per cent of GDP, more than a tenth of a year’s expected economic growth, based on current OBR forecasts. The losses stem from requirements for some British products to undergo additional testing and certification before they can be sold in EU markets.
Manchester retains place as highest ranked city in GDS-Index
Manchester has been named as the highest-ranked English city in the Global Destination Sustainability Index for a second successive year. The GDS Index is a global benchmarking and performance improvement programme that helps destinations measure and improve their sustainability performance across environmental, social, supplier and destination management criteria, while providing practical recommendations for improvement. The report assesses a destination based on factors including environmental, social, supplier and destination management organisation. It also considers the city’s commitment to tackling climate change and creating a positive impact for residents, visitors and local communities. In the 2026 report, Manchester has climbed up a place from the previous year, ranking 34 out of 100 destinations and scoring 75.29 per cent across all categories. The city has once again secured its place in the top 40 globally, despite increased competition. For the second consecutive year, Manchester is the highest-ranking city in England.
New workplace health system aims to tackle economic inactivity and boost UK growth
A major new initiative designed to help people with health conditions and disabilities remain in work has been unveiled, with business leaders and Government backing a new Workplace Health System that could transform the way employers support staff across the UK. The latest report from Sir Charlie Mayfield, co-chair of the Keep Britain Working programme, highlights the urgent need for earlier intervention and better workplace support as economic inactivity linked to poor health continues to rise. Around 300,000 people leave work each year because of a health condition, despite evidence suggesting many departures could be prevented. Research cited in the report shows that an employee absent from work for between four and six weeks has a 96 per cent chance of returning. However, after a year away from work, fewer than half successfully return.