The Big Deal - British Business Editorial

(5/5) THE HEAT IS COSTING PRODUCTIVITY Britain hit 36.1°C this week, its hottest-ever June. Banks including JPMorgan and Deutsche sent staff home, and Oxford Economics estimates the heatwave could knock 1.5% off UK labour productivity.

(5/5) HIRING AT A FIVE-YEAR LOW — AND FIRMS ARE TURNING TO AI Vacancies are at their lowest since 2021 (ONS). Employers blame April's NI rise, the wage floor and the Employment Rights Act: the IoD says 63% are less likely to hire, 57% more likely to automate using AI.

(5/5) YOUR P&L IS GOING TO COMPANIES HOUSE From April 2028, small companies and micro-entities must file profit and loss accounts — a year later than planned, after FSB and ICAEW pushback. You can opt out of public publication. Paper and web filing are being scrapped.