Job vacancies fall as small firms cut back on recruitment
Small firms cite labour costs as a key factor in scaling back hiring, the Office for National Statistics says.
BBC Business
Business · RSS · up to 100 stored headlines · Visit site
Text size100%
Food aid charity under pressure from fuel costs
FareShare South West says fuel costs are putting immense pressure on work helping thousands in need.
How is the US economy really doing under President Trump?
Ahead of the midterms Trump has boasted about the performance of the US economy. BBC Verify looks at inflation, jobs and economic growth in the country.
Chancellor rejects calls to raise Capital Gains Tax in Budget
Influential Labour figures had been pushing for equalising CGT and income tax, but critics have said this could drive wealthy people out of Britain.
'I'm fed up of swiping': Why singles now want to meet IRL
The BBC hears from people who think dating events are better value for money than dating apps.
Burnham vows end to 'rip-off parking charges' under new rules
The changes come after concerns that penalties issued by private providers are too harsh and leave motorists unfairly punished.
Ex-OpenAI worker accused of planting bug had Saudi support, claims prosecutors
Abdulrahman Alfozan, who is accused of planting a recording device, has been denied bail.
US bans China's DeepSeek from government in race for AI dominance
The Chinese technology is removed from most US government agencies as race for AI dominance steps up.
Bikes 'not for jousting,' says Lime after duel video
Footage emerged on social media of hundreds of people gathered in east London to watch a bike joust.
Vinted blocks French looters listing stolen goods for sale
The platform said since the weekend it had "taken immediate action to idenitify and remove listings linked to looting".
Bereaved families could face 'unjust' tax bill after civil service pension delays
The chairman of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee says families should not be taxed through no fault of their own.
What are the new faces coming to UK bank notes?
Banknotes are getting a nature-themed makeover – and the Bank of England has revealed the four creatures that will feature on our money.
Charities 'busier than ever' with furniture poverty
Charities in Hampshire tell the BBC that furniture poverty is becoming an increasing problem.
Musk and Anthropic pledge public share giveaways
Musk's announcement comes after Anthropic pledged to create a public benefit fund ahead of its blockbuster stock market listing.
China's growth accelerates as AI boom helps boost exports
Exports have helped offset weak spending at home, but trade tensions and AI doubts cloud its outlook.
People playing loud music on buses could face £100 fine
Antisocial behaviour on buses in England could lead to fines while a new campaign is also being launched for trains. A national campaign asking rail passengers "share the carriage, not the noise" is being launched.
EU tariffs aimed at China hitting Ukraine, steel boss says
The boss of one of Ukraine's biggest steel companies says the country has been "bundled together" in measures aimed at curbing cheap imports.
Don't fall for this - how to protect yourself from AI scams
Trading standards officers say AI is "super-charging" existing scams through clones and fake websites.
Home sellers cut asking prices on 3,000 properties a day
More property asking prices are being cut than at any time in 15 years, data shared with the BBC shows.
Microsoft pulls out of UK's largest AI data centre
Tech firm Nscale says it is still committed to building the site in Essex.
Gleaning group gives £1m of produce to food banks
Gleaning Cornwall warns that more funding is needed as costs rise sharply.
What is the Budget and what could be in it?
Chancellor John Healey will set out his plans for UK taxes on 28 October.
Turning the tides: Could hidden sea power energise our coastal towns?
Engineer David Mummery has developed a tidal energy generator that he says can change lives for people living in coastal communities.
'I took a chance on the whisky industry and I haven't looked back'
Zoey Darnbrough had no idea there was a distillery near her home - now she has a top tourism role there.
Heating oil customers face tough winter
The government plans to regulate heating oil prices after increases.
There's a crackdown on sports piracy - but is it already out of control?
The sports industry's lucrative business model is being undermined by dodgy TV sticks and illegal streaming links, writes Theo Leggett.
How day of protests unfolded as disorder breaks out across France
Demonstrations across the country turned violent, with cars and buildings set alight and shops ransacked.
Low-cost clinic helps pet owners with vet bills
RSPCA Medway West launches its clinic for the pets of people with low incomes.
Call for more food funding due to high living cost
Deputy Louise Doublet does not think the cost of living was considered in the ending of a trial.
Charity reflects on changing needs over 25 years
Help a Guernsey Child says it has provided in excess of £1.2m worth of essential support.
Nightclubs are disappearing - and it's affecting young people
One young person said with no nightlife in their town they cannot "let loose and mess around".
Third runway at Heathrow Airport would drive growth, Healey says
It comes after the prime minister refused to say whether he backed expansion.
Faisal Islam: Why China and AI are worrying global finance bosses
At the IMF meeting in Bangkok this week finance and business leaders grappled with uncertainty.
Watch: Did Tesla really just unveil a flying car?
Tesla CEO Elon Musk showcased the vehicle at a facility owned by his SpaceX company, which helped develop the model.
Fuel costs squeezing margins for some businesses
Diesel recently topped £2 per litre and there is concern that a duty freeze will not go far enough.
'TV and cheap booze' blamed for landlord quitting
Lincolnshire has lost 27% of its pubs and bars since 2009 and some are calling on the government to act against cheap supermarket booze.
Ship attack reports near Hormuz reach record high as oil exports slow
BBC Verify analysis of data from a UK maritime agency shows 12 vessels were struck in a week.
Living with a stink? Technology might help
Smells from rubbish dumps and industrial facilities are being more carefully monitored.
I find it quite demoralising in store - why I do all my shopping online
After Primark announced plans for home delivery, we hear from women who never go into clothes stores.
'I'd spend $1,000 on a wedding present'
New Yorkers share how much they spend on a wedding gift - and how they decide.
Banks expect to be hit with higher taxes in Budget
Senior banking executives have told the BBC they expect to be "on the menu" in the chancellor's Budget tax later this month.
Nandy 'minded to intervene' in Sky's £1.6bn takeover of ITV entertainment arm
The culture secretary says the deal could affect free expression in the media and the variety of Britain's news landscape.
Healey says surprise UK growth is 'sign of resilience' ahead of Budget
The economy grew by 0.1% in August, defying analysts' expectations of a slight contraction.
Thousands of NI workers to get pay bump as Real Living Wage rises
About 6,000 workers in NI are paid the Real Living Wage - which is voluntarily paid to reflect the cost of living.
'I paid thousands to a company for jobs that never came'
Apurv Patel is one of several people who say they were promised job opportunities that did not appear.
AI giant Anthropic woos potential investors ahead of stock market debut
It comes as some investors have become concerned about the amount of money being spent on AI infrastructure.
How backlash against data centres could shape the US midterm elections
Democrats and Republicans alike are coming out against data centre development, amid growing backlash across the US.
As Christmas rush looms, how do China-made toys find their way to the US?
With the festive season on the horizon, we trace toys from factories in China to US shelves.
How much is the minimum wage?
What are the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage, and how much are they worth?
Drop-off charges at UK airports to be reviewed after sharp increase
Confirming the review, the government said it was "vital to ensure travel remains accessible and that passengers are treated fairly".
'It's rough out here': Americans struggle with rising inflation
US inflation continues to rise, and this month the jump was above forecasts. Here's how some are surviving.
Toilet paper and secret recorders: What we know about the arrest of the Saudi OpenAI engineer
Abdulrahman Alfozan had worked for the AI giant for more than a year before he was arrested by the FBI.
Netflix to shed 1,000 jobs in steepest cuts since 2022
The cuts equate to around 6% of the streaming giant's total workforce worldwide.
Driving test waits fall to two-year low - but still average 20 weeks
Learner drivers in September had to wait an average of 19.7 weeks, or around five months, for a practical test.
US inflation rises more than expected - here's what is happening with prices
The pace of price rises increased to 3.7% in the year to September, driving by higher motor fuel costs.
Civil servant faked illness with make-up to juggle five jobs, court hears
Kashim Chowdhury is accused of fraudulently juggling multiple government jobs while working from home.
Job cuts could fund diesel price drop says deputy
With the ongoing war in the Middle East increasing prices, one deputy is ask for duty to be frozen.
Faisal Islam: What surprise praise for UK economy tells us about the Budget
On three occasions in the past 24 hours, top IMF officials have praised UK plans to reduce its annual levels of borrowing.
'It's definitely tight trying to budget on maternity leave'
An estimated 47,500 people in Sheffield are unable to make ends meet and pay their bills.
Wayfair among firms fined millions for misleading sales tactics
The Competition and Markets Authority has fined Wayfair, Appliances Direct, and Gold's Gym £6m in total.
Heating oil users facing fuel or food winter choice
It comes as ministers say they will tighten up rules on heating oil and promote competition.
Not building third runway would be 'huge missed opportunity', warns Heathrow boss
Thomas Woldbye tells the Today progamme it would be "good to know" the government's position on the project, after comments made by the prime minister.
Bank of America hit with $1.2bn fine for money laundering failings
The bank inadequately flagged transactions linked to potential Chinese money laundering networks, the Treasury said.
How long will humans be needed for translation?
AI dominates the translation business, but for high-stakes work, humans are still needed.
'I applied for 200 jobs' - How 'spray and pray' AI job applications can backfire
Graduates are increasingly using AI to misrepresent themselves in job applications, research suggests. But some say their peer group has no choice.
Hundreds of Royal Mail staff quitting each week under new efficiency plans
The CWU says more posties are leaving since a new delivery system was brought in that it claims is not working in hundreds of offices.
Saudi employee charged with planting recording device in OpenAI office
Prosecutors say the device, wrapped in toilet paper, was found inserted in a USB port on the back of a TV in an executive conference room.
NI company in talks to save Poundland from administration
Poundland says Martin Property Group from Londonderry is the management team's "preferred partner"
Car finance compensation payments delayed until next year
Millions could be entitled to compensation as a result of commission arrangements between lenders and dealers.
Three things we've learnt about the UK economy from the IMF
The influential economics body has upgraded its UK growth forecast for this year, but risks remain.
BA flight forced to turn back over cracked window
British Airways said the plane landed safely at Gatwick and passengers were due to resume their journey.
Poundland in rescue talks as owners seek buyer
The leadership team is attempting a buyout, but a union has warned the retailer could fall into administration instead.
Phase Eight and Hobbs owner hit by cyber-attack, as H&M probes separate hack claim
TFG London has apologised to customers for disruption after it identified a "cybersecurity incident" on Sunday.
Cost of living struggles inspire 'social supermarket'
New social supermarket offers cheaper groceries with dignity and choice.
UK growth forecast upgraded but higher energy prices to hit economy next year
The prediction from the IMF comes as final preparations are being made for the first Budget under Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Bumble bought for $1.3bn in 'bet on the future of humanity'
The dating app which recently ditched its "women-first" chat rule has been bought by an investment firm.
Publicly owned rail is popular. But is it making the trains run on time?
Meeting travellers' expectations could be challenging, experts warn.
Heating oil customers face tough winter despite shake-up promise
Heating oil customers facing soaring bills are promised better regulation of the sector by the government.
The Sabrina Carpenter clip that helped a 22-year-old make £120,000 a year
Social media "clippers" make short, vertical videos that appear on the likes of Instagram and TikTok.
What are your rights on auto-renew subscriptions?
Martin has advice for listeners caught out by auto-renewing subscriptions, explaining what rights consumers have and whether there's a way to challenge the renewal or cancel.
Why some have no choice but to pay costly oil prices
Rural communities are badly hit by the rising cost of heating oil, as our Wiltshire reporter explains.
Fridges in French supermarkets hit by cyber attack
Hundreds of stores were targeted by the overnight hack, which spoiled fresh and frozen food estimated to be worth millions of euros.
AI minister warns 'likely' UK's cyber defences will be breached
Kanishka Narayan said the government will use advanced AI to strengthen the UK against cyber attacks.
HMV to close Oxford Street store after three years
HMV says it is looking for a new site in London's West End, but its current site is "unviable".
Why some have no choice but to pay costly oil prices
The rural communities vulnerable to heating oil prices rises as the weather gets colder.
Why are more roofs not made of solar tiles?
Solar tiles were touted as an attractive alternative to solar panels - why have they not taken off?
How oil-rich Alberta's economy might fare if it broke away from Canada
Albertans vote this month on staying in Canada or moving ahead to a binding independence referendum.
Rainmakers: The drones used to seed clouds
Cloud seeding is gaining attention as countries look to boost rainfall - will drones help?
The AI telling farmers when to harvest
Will farmers want AI tools to help judge when to pick fruit, or is their own intuition enough?
The start-ups hoping to return battery making to the US
Batteries based on sodium-ion technology could be made in the US with locally sourced materials.
My hometown shows that high streets have to change or die
Aberdeen is launching an ambitious bid to revive its struggling centre. Could it offer lessons for other high streets?
X-planes: Are they needed in the new era of drones?
Where do America's X-plane projects fit in an era of cheap drones?
How the oil capital of the US welcomed a solar power boom
Texas is now the country's biggest producer of solar-farmed electricity.
Europe's car makers are in crisis. Will the threat of war rescue them?
Auto executives across Europe hope rearmament can help them flex their industrial muscles once more.
Spain battles climate change on several fronts
A summer of wildfires and heatwaves underlines the threats to the country's economy.
The virtual worlds where robots are trained
Training systems that allow robots to negotiate the real world are getting more sophisticated.
Would you buy branded clothing from your favourite tech firm?
Nvidia, OpenAI and Anthropic are all now selling their own limited edition fashion lines.
Aviation faces hotter, stormier skies – and passengers might have to accept more disruption
Are people going to have to increasingly accept more delays and diversions as the effects of climate change intensify?
Why the UK is dithering over what to do about e-scooters
Why is it taking so long for the government to regulate them, and what are the consequences of delay?
Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension
Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older