Introduction According to the Barclays’ Q1 2026 Business Prosperity Index, UK businesses are increasing spending on cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and automation activities, with cyber, AI and cloud technology making up 44% of planned technology budgets over the next 12 months. Around 46% of companies are concerned that their rapid adoption of other technology areas for … Read more
Introduction According to a 2026 survey by Safesite Facilities, the average cost per year for vacant property incidents is around £50,000 for commercial property owners. Around 44% questioned stated that their costs arising from security and other property damaging incidents were between £25,000 and £50,000 per year, with 26% citing even higher costs at £50,000 … Read more
Introduction According to the 2026 Power Paradox Survey of 500 Business Leaders by Centrica Business Solutions, 81% of those questioned stated that they were looking to accelerate innovation activities at their organisation in order to carry out energy transformation due to rising costs, energy uncertainty and regulatory requirements. This figure was up from 58% in … Read more
Introduction According to a July 2026 Survey by 1st Formations of start-ups and small businesses, 90% of business owners are now happier following the launch of their company when compared to being an employee for someone else. In terms of income, 37% of business owners now earn more than when they were employed, 23% earn … Read more
Introduction According to the latest Quarterly Small Business Growth Survey by Novuna, the number of UK small businesses predicting growth has hit a 12 year low in Q3 of 2026. Just 24% of small businesses are forecasting any growth in Q3, down from 28% in Q2 of 2026. The main reasons cited for overall growth … Read more
Introduction According to the Q2 2026 Home Builders Federation (HBF) and Quantum Development Finance (QDF) SME Developer Sentiment Survey, there has been a significant decrease in confidence from SME builders when compared with Q1 of 2026 where there was a reserved but optimistic outlook. Headline figures show that 32% of property developers planned to increase … Read more
Introduction According to the latest research from the Indeed Hiring Lab, UK online job postings were down by 5% month on month in June 2026 and down by 13% year on year. This trend signifies that hiring activity in the UK by employers is continuing to go on a downward trend and job postings are … Read more
Introduction According to a new survey from Make UK, The Manufacturers Organisation, only 2% of UK manufacturers state that AI has been widely embedded across their operations. Around 40% of manufacturers are only using AI in a few areas and 20% have not adopted any AI at all. It is believed that major productivity gains … Read more
Introduction According to the UK Commercial Property Monitor For Q1 2026 from RICS, demand for commercial space by tenant businesses for all property types in the UK had a net balance of ‑8%, compared with -9% in Q4 of 2025, showing a continued declining trend due to tough economic conditions. Office space demand was considered … Read more
Introduction According to the BSI 2026 Net Zero Barometer Report, 82% of UK businesses surveyed have committed to net zero emissions by 2050 and 81% are currently in the process of taking action to move toward meeting these goals. A total of 37% of businesses have identified that improving energy efficiency within their business is … Read more