Business News Round Up (25/08/2026)
Burnham hints at tax rises in Autumn Budget
Andy Burnham has hinted at tax rises in the Autumn Budget as he confronts the state of public finances. On his arrival in Downing Street, he pledged to give people “breathing space” and ease the cost-of-living. He also announced VAT cuts and a review of business rates in England. However, he has admitted that fiscal pressures facing the UK mean tax rises could be possible to support his spending commitments. “We are in a challenging position, whatever I do will be carefully thought through, it will be funded and there will be no more to come as we go into Autumn. I will always take a careful approach to things. I ran Greater Manchester for 10 years and we ran a very tight ship with rock solid finances.” There is pressure on him to introduce wealth taxes, to increase capital gains tax and a new tax on bank profits.
Nearly half favour improving the economy nationally over regional development as most Brits say economy growth does more good than harm
New polling data from Ipsos in the UK, conducted 31 July – 4 August 2026 among 1,067 British adults aged 18–75, reveals that while the British public broadly value economic growth, protecting the environment and limiting immigration prove to be somewhat competing priorities. Nearly 6 in 10 Britons (59%) agree economic growth does more good than harm, compared with just 13% who feel it causes more damage. Nearly 1 in 2 (47%) want more focus on improving the UK economy as a whole over improving the economy of specific regions and nations (favoured by 29%) Nearly 1 in 2 British adults (48%) support strict limits on immigration even if it harms economic growth, while 32% favour allowing as much immigration as needed to meet economic needs. 44% of the public prioritise protecting the environment over economic growth, whereas 24% believe growth should take precedence over environmental protection.
Five university-business partnerships receive Innovate UK ‘Very Good’ grading
Five Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) between the University of Salford and businesses across the region have received a ‘Very Good’ grading from Innovate UK, recognising collaborations that have helped organisations innovate, develop new capabilities and drive business growth. Delivered in partnership with KP Acoustics, Greenjets, Valves Instruments Plus (VIP), Farrat and Irwin Mitchell, the projects demonstrate how businesses can work with the university to access specialist expertise, accelerate innovation and turn research into practical solutions, it said. The partnerships have helped organisations develop new technologies, strengthen digital capabilities, improve workplace wellbeing and tackle complex business challenges across five very different sectors. KTPs are funded in part by Innovate UK and bring together a business, a university and a dedicated KTP associate to solve strategic business challenges through research and innovation.
More than half of home business owners work evenings and weekends
New research from garden building specialist Dunster House found that more than half (55%) of home business owners regularly work evenings and weekends, while nearly half (45%) regularly receive work calls or messages outside working hours. More than a quarter of business owners operating from home (26%) say they struggle to separate work from personal life, and nearly 6 in 10 (58%) say their business has physically taken over parts of their home. The toll isn’t just about hours. Nearly half (48%) of home business owners said they’ve felt isolated or lonely running a business from home, and more than half (53%) feel people take home-run businesses less seriously than office-based ones.