Business News Round Up (24/11/2025)
British Business Bank sets out five-year plan to transform small business finance
The British Business Bank has published a new five-year strategic plan designed to deliver a step change in how smaller businesses across the UK access finance. The plan responds to the Government’s decision earlier this year to increase the Bank’s permanent financial capacity to £25.6 billion and give it greater flexibility to support high-growth and strategically important companies. The Bank said the updated mission reflects a drive to help businesses “start, scale and stay” in the UK, supporting long-term economic growth. Under the strategy, the Bank will significantly expand its investment activity, take on higher levels of portfolio risk and direct more support to scale-ups, regional clusters and science-based industries identified in the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy. It intends to increase annual deployment by two-thirds, unlocking a projected £26 billion of private capital alongside £13 billion of public funding, and enabling up to £10 billion in small-business lending through guarantees.
https://bmmagazine.co.uk/get-funded/british-business-bank-five-year-strategy-small-business-finance
Government acts on top business concern and cuts electricity bills for thousands of manufacturers by up to 25%
Over 7,000 British businesses will see their electricity bills slashed by up to 25%, alongside increased support on access to finance for high potential firms, as Government takes bold action to tackle the biggest issues facing British businesses. Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle will set out his big and bold offer of enhanced support in a keynote speech to a room of bosses from some of the UK’s top firms at the CBI Conference in London. He will announce the launch of an 8-week consultation for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) that will determine eligibility and deliver one of the key promises in the government’s modern Industrial Strategy. The scheme will cut energy prices for thousands of businesses, from April 2027, in high growth industries like automotive and aerospace and foundational sectors in their supply chains, like chemicals.
Edinburgh leading UK for hotel investment outwith London
Edinburgh remains the UK’s top destination for hotel investment outwith London, according to Deloitte. Executives and investors from the hotel industry responding to Deloitte’s 2025 European Hotel Industry and Investment survey ranked Edinburgh as the most attractive regional UK city for investment for a fifth consecutive year. The Scottish capital was ranked most attractive by over half (54%) of respondents, followed by Cambridge (41%), up two places from last year. Oxford and Manchester took third and fourth place respectively, both falling a place in the ranking. London was the most attractive city for hotel investment in Europe for a third consecutive year, ahead of Madrid and Athens.
British Business Bank reveals first partners for £200m fund
The British Business Bank has announced that Aegon UK, NatWest Cushon and M&G are the partners for the first close of the British Growth Partnership Fund I. The Bank is targeting a first close of £200m by the end of the financial year, enabling the fund to begin investing into high growth UK companies in 2026. All parties have now completed investment diligence and are finalising terms and structuring. The Bank continues to work with other investors, including London CIV. In May, London CIV became the first LGPS pool to announce its intention to work with the Bank on the launch of the British Growth Partnership, and discussions are ongoing regarding a potential investment into the fund. Announced at the International Investment Summit, the British Business Bank is establishing the British Growth Partnership, encouraging more UK pension fund and other institutional investment into the UK’s fastest growing, most innovative companies.
https://businesscloud.co.uk/news/british-business-bank-reveals-first-partners-for-200m-fund