Biz update

Jo Hooper spent her 20s chasing career success, but had two work-related breakdowns before she was 31.

Feeling nostalgic for summer? How to beat the back-to-work blues

Going back to work after a summer holiday can be tricky - here are a few tips to make it easier.

Amazon rigged $20bn worth of ad prices, US lawsuit alleges

Amazon responded to the lawsuit, arguing the US Federal Trade Commission "misunderstands" their ad market.

Victoria Beckham's company makes its first profit after 18 years

Beckham's fashion and beauty business makes a £7.3m operating profit after years of losses.

'My parents won't lend me £10k but helped my brother': When families play financial favourites

August 30, 2026

So-called financial favouritism can cause jealousy and resentment long into adulthood. Here is how experts say you can avoid it

Trump hails 'historic' deal to control 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil

August 29, 2026

Venezuelan interim president says the unusual agreement will help revive her country's economy.

Wife of man who died after turbulence sues airline

Lawyers for Linda Kitchen say her husband was "fatally injured" after the flight dropped 6,000 ft.

Gatwick Airport faced water outage after main burst

SES Water says it has repaired a burst main which was affecting supply to the airport.

Fed has 'work to do' if price rises don't ease for Americans, Warsh says

Kevin Warsh remarks suggest interest rates could be increased if policymakers think inflation is running too high.

'Not far enough' - US parents and teens on Meta's new limits for young users

As part of an $18bn settlement in a child-safety lawsuit, Meta announced new restrictions on its apps. We asked families what they thought.

Selena Gomez pushes back against 'frivolous' fraud claims

Selena Gomez's lawyer says the fraud case is "absurd" - but it is far from unusual for celebrity family business relationships to go wrong.

What do you spend too much on?

Central London shoppers reveal what they love to splash out on - and share their tips for not overspending.

I used to live in a quiet area - now a data centre overlooks my garden

With the number of UK data centres set to rise, some communities are concerned about their impact.

Matt Lucas and Hugh Bonneville among actors calling for law on AI voice cloning

The performers are asking the government to give every person in the UK a legal right to own their voice.

Trump administration illegally retaliated against Anthropic, judge rules

The AI startup has been at loggerheads with the Pentagon over the use of AI by the US military.

The Interview

Kristina Wilfore on how a ‘Male Grievance Industry’ is defrauding men on social media

Overcooked? Why robotic pizza makers are failing

A string of failures has sapped confidence that robots will take over production at pizza restaurants.

Military veterans told they owe thousands of pounds over clerical error

Hundreds of former UK service personnel have had their pensions cut after being overpaid.

Military veterans told they owe thousands of pounds over clerical error

Hundreds of former UK service personnel have had their pensions cut after being overpaid.

I was spending £700 a month: How I beat my late-night shopping addiction

Younger generations are thought to be more susceptible to impulse spending. The BBC looks at ways to get it under control.

Much-loved ice cream shop to close after 106 years

The family-run shop has been a fixture in Brislington, Bristol since the 1920s.

Plug-in solar panels are coming to a shop near you - here's what to know

The UK government claimes panels could help homes "significantly cut" energy bills.

The Global Story

The US’s economic pressure could kick-start a global trade conflict

How Dolly Parton's business savvy helped her succeed far beyond the charts

August 26, 2026

While country music and films brought her fame, her entrepreneurial zeal brought her fortune.

Business Daily

August 26, 2026

Evergrande was at the heart of China’s property boom, and its dramatic collapse

Musk's rocket firm SpaceX to build $100bn launch facility

It will be the firm's biggest site yet and aims to send rockets to space in 2029.

The Interview

Maura Fogarty speaks to Joe Ngai from McKinsey China about business in the region

Firms scramble for battery power in Spain and Portugal

After last year's massive power failure Spanish and Portuguese firms are buying battery back ups.

Back to school: How parents can save on uniform costs

From baby banks to supermarket deals, there are many ways parents can ease the back-to-school burden.

Drought leaves 'barely any apples' to make cider

Some orchards are harvesting just a 10th of their usual crop, and facing an uncertain future.

How Canada could hit back to hurt the US economy - and Trump

What leverage does Canada, which sells about 70% of its exports to the US, actually have in this spiralling trade dispute?

'What you see is what you pay' - why some US restaurants are banning tips

Tips are central to US dining culture but some eateries think that they are unfair.

New 10p coin enters circulation - will you spot one?

The coin has been designed to feature King Charles III and a Scottish grouse close to extinction.

Graduate job vacancies drop by almost 50% in a year, survey suggests

Job site Adzuna said the number of graduate vacancies was the lowest since 2016

Coin hidden in 1971 earns finder free pint of beer

The card, discovered by Ellie Mead in Bicester, promised "one pint best beer if penny returned".

Shein aims for almost $27bn valuation in stock market debut

The fast-fashion giant's shares are due to start trading in Hong Kong on 1 September.

CrossCountry train services resume after outage

It follows major national rail disruption at the weekend.

'I didn't speak the Queen's English': Why people worry about their accents

A survey on attitudes towards accents suggests that so-called "accent bias" is still an issue in many workplaces.

How to get £2,000 to play computer games at university

Roehampton University offers students a year;y scholarship to play esports alongside their studies.

Business Daily

European governments and businesses are taking a tougher line on trade with China

Iran-linked hackers behind cyber attack that shut down power plant, reports say

August 22, 2026

The government says at no point was there a risk to the UK's energy system during the attack in July.

Economic adviser O'Neill rules out government job but backs PM's devolution plans

August 22, 2026

Lord O'Neill, former chief economist at Goldman Sachs, was tipped to become Andy Burnham's chief economic adviser.

More students planning to live at home for university over 'insane' living costs

August 21, 2026

Students like Jessica say they worry about missing out on student life, but feel they have no choice but to stay at home.

Watch: How does the US national debt affect consumers around the world?

August 21, 2026

The debt has more than doubled in a decade to reach a milestone $40tn (£29.4tn), Treasury figures show.

Millennials have found it hard to buy homes – but things may be turning a corner

August 21, 2026

Twenty-somethings are much less likely to own a home than previous generations. But data suggests things may be improving.

Couples share their biggest money disagreements

Candles, haircuts, a Tesla... this week we're asking couples in London: "What's the biggest money disagreement in your relationship?"

How much could Trump's 'economic D-Day' hurt Iran?

Iran has so far proved adept at finding ways around years of already punishing sanctions on its economy.

How landscape gardening is being electrified

The switch to quieter electric equipment is not going as fast as some would like.

The teen entrepreneur transforming farm management

The app was designed to give farmers more time with their families by making the business more manageable.

Stifling heat and broken toilets: TUI River Cruise passengers tell of their holiday hell

Holidaymakers tell the BBC they paid for luxury breaks but faulty air conditioning left them in sweltering heat.

Reform UK proposes tax rebates for firms to boost apprenticeships

Suella Braverman also advised student's "not to get ripped off by the great university scam".

Bernard Matthews confirms closure of Derby factory

Bernard Matthews Foods says its Shaftesbury Street factory will close by the end of 2026.

Danone €1bn takeover of Huel approved by watchdog

French firm says the acquisition of Huel will help it grow in the nutritional sector.

Travelodge boss resigns as chain tackles security after sex assault at hotel

Jo Boydell had been criticised for the company's handling of issues with its safety and security.

US national debt passes $40tn after doubling in a decade

It comes after the interest rate on 30-year bonds reached the highest level in almost 20 years.

Founder of collapsed Chinese property giant Evergrande sentenced to life in prison

Hui's sentencing marks a key moment in the fallout from Evergrande's collapse, which shook China's property sector.

Little Moons co-founder: Don't wait for your product to be perfect

The mochi ice cream company co-founder shares her top tips, job highs and lows, and what a perfect Sunday looks like.

India's Gen Z are driving up a mega boom in its beauty market

E-commerce, rising income levels and the world's largest youth population are fuelling India's beauty boom.

I quit my £80,000 job to make ice cream - here's how

The co-founder of Little Moons shares her advice for anyone thinking about starting a business of their own.

US retail giant receives $1bn boost from tariff refunds

The US chain said it received a $994 million pre-tax reimbursement, which resulted in its second quarter operating income rising to $2.6bn.

Jump in energy bills drives UK inflation to highest rate for four months

A 2.9% rise in inflation had been widely expected by economists, with Chancellor John Healey saying the Iran war “continues to impact prices here at home”.

Track defect found near derailment site - report

Initial findings from an RAIB investigation show an "irregularity" at the site near Lewes.

Inflation is heating up but don't expect another crisis

Rising living costs could heap pressure on PM Andy Burnham though it depends what happens in the coming months.

OpenAI slows down training after its AI carried out hack

The ChatGPT-maker said training will be slowed for two weeks while it puts the upgrades in place.

Trainline, Virgin Atlantic and RED Driving School investigated over 'drip pricing'

The consumer watchdog said they were trying to find out if the three companies were not showing full prices upfront to customers.

Chinese robotics giant Unitree soars in stock market debut

Shares in the world's biggest humanoid robot maker started trading on Shanghai's Star market on Wednesday.

The critical tech staying safe by going underground

The war in Ukraine has spurred people to consider putting vital infrastructure underground.

'Banned over a pair of £2 sandals': Why some sellers are complaining about Vinted

Several thousands of Vinted users say they have been wrongly suspended or permanently banned from the preloved app.

Mobile payments on the rise but cash decline slows

Nine in 10 mobile wallet users have their debit card loaded as their default payment method, new data shows.

Mobile payments on the rise but cash decline slows

Nine in 10 mobile wallet users have their debit card loaded as their default payment method, new data shows.

Global borrowing costs hit fresh highs over oil, AI and inflation concerns

Interest rates on long-term US, UK, German and Japanese government debt have soared.

Global borrowing costs hit fresh highs over oil, AI and inflation concerns

Interest rates on long-term US, UK, German and Japanese government debt have soared.

Global borrowing costs hit fresh highs over oil, AI and inflation concerns

Interest rates on long-term US, UK, German and Japanese government debt have soared.

Virgin takes step towards running Channel Tunnel rail services

August 17, 2026

Firm wants to run up to 20 daily journeys to Europe but it must get additional approval for overseas tracks.

'I used food banks while my ex owed thousands in child maintenance'

August 17, 2026

Parents have told BBC Panorama the agency tasked with helping to secure financial support for children after separation or divorce is driving them to breaking point.

Business Daily

August 16, 2026

Amid economic uncertainty, workers are more cautious about taking their next career step

Protein or pickled garlic? What's new in ice cream

August 14, 2026

There's a constant battle in ice cream to come up with new flavours and to keep costs down.

Why is Selena Gomez being sued?

August 14, 2026

BBC journalist Ana Guerra-Moore looks at why investors who backed Wondermind Global are claiming the pop star failed to fulfil promises.

I got an £89 refund – how to cancel and avoid unwanted subscriptions

August 14, 2026

After the PM announced a crackdown on subscription traps, readers share how they got into and out of unwanted plans.

'I lost $14,000 in a month': Investors hit by Korean stock market's wild swings

Some traders are reeling from heavy losses after a brutal correction in South Korea's stock market.

Engine parts smashed Ryanair window that man's head was sucked out of, report says

A preliminary report by US investigators says an engine fan blade broke on last month's flight from Greece to Germany.

Harvey Nichols bought by owner of Sports Direct

The department store made famous by sitcom Absolutely Fabulous had warned it would cease trading.

Water bills set to rise for many after firms permitted extra funding

Ofwat has given provisional approval for 13 water companies to charge customers more to pay for investments.

Zero hours crackdown could cost firms up to £2.9bn a year

Labour's employment rights bill crackdown on zero hours contracts could cost businesses up to £2.9bn a year, new official analysis has found.

Twitch users outraged as Amazon uses their content to train AI in opt-out feature

Users of the popular streaming platform criticised allowing Amazon to use their data by dafault.

UK economy grows but experts warn of challenging months ahead

Hot weather and the men's football World Cup boosted the economy but the Iran war may weigh on growth

Why Japanese firms are being so slow to use AI

Japanese risk aversion and conservatism blamed for slow AI take-up by the country's business sector.

Business Daily

Guinness owner Diageo launches a reset after profits fall and shares slide

US inflation eases as food and fuel costs cool

Annual US inflation dipped to 3.4% in July, with food costs slowing and housing keeping prices slightly higher.

Spotify to add label for AI-generated artists and remove them from recommendations

The new feature, starting from mid-September, will tell listeners if an artist is AI-generated.

Burnham warned Iran war could hit UK growth next year

The conflict in the Middle East has pushed up oil and fuel prices, and also disrupted supply chains.

Bakery buys comedian's former sites after closure

Bakery business Janes Pantry confirms its plans to reopen at least 20 of the Coughlans shops.

Jaguar Land Rover owner Tata Group's chairman to step down

Chandrasekaran said he would not seek reappointment when his term ends due to a lack of support from the Tata Sons board.

Homes near pylons to get £250 a year off energy bills – first sites revealed

Households living within 1,600ft of upgraded pylons will get £250 a year off their electricity bills.

PM admits cost of living help is not enough and hints at further support

The PM has announced a rake of measures to help people since taking office three weeks ago.

Tokenomics: Why making AI pay is tricky

Buyers of AI services are struggling to control costs and sellers are not sure how much to charge.

Sun-tanned cauliflowers and knobbly spuds - the heatwave veg that's good to eat

British shoppers should expect to see more wonky vegetables due to repeated heatwaves.

Tributes to co-founder of John Pye auction house

A statement issued by the firm said "John lived a fantastic life full of laughter and hard work".

AI agent hacks gym to get its user a spot in pilates class

The incident is being seen as the latest example of the AI tools going to any lengths to complete their tasks.

The Global Story

Are we entering the Chinese Century, or is the Chinese Dream already fading for some?

'I paid £400 for a Prada bag on Vinted - only to find it was fake'

A woman who paid £400 for a Prada handbag on Vinted later discovered it was a fake.

More than 10 firms pay up to $100,000 a month for fast access to Truth Social posts

Trump Media expects the controversial service, which launched this month, to provide a new revenue stream, as it posts a quarterly loss.

'I started in my 20s and made £8,000': Why women are often better investors than men

Women can make higher returns but only about a quarter of UK women have investments, compared with about 40% of men.

Business Daily

Europe's biggest business district in Paris is turning vacant office space into housing

Jeff Bezos and Liverpool explained

BBC Sport's Sam Harris breaks down the potential new investment of Jeff Bezos into Liverpool.

Thames Water gave finance boss a £1m signing-on fee

The seven-figure payment was given to Steve Buck as part of package to persuade him to join the troubled utility company.

Ban on 'subscription traps' brought forward by three months

The prime minister is embarking on a UK tour with a series of announcements aimed at easing living costs.

'You could smell someone' who worked at Raleigh

August 09, 2026

The company was more than just a employer. For years, it was part of the fabric of Nottingham.

You could be missing out on £150 off your energy bill - here's how to check

August 09, 2026

Some people need to ensure they are named on their energy bill before the deadline to qualify for help.

Is football AI-proof? Why tech investors wanted a slice of the World Cup

August 08, 2026

What was the thinking of the investors backing the now-canned plan, and are such proposals in the future inevitable?

What do people want from Argos?

August 07, 2026

As Sainsbury agrees to sell Argos for £120m, we ask people if they still shop there, and what the new owners can do to compete with big online retailers like Amazon.

Why airlines are warning over lithium-ion batteries

The airline industry wants passengers to be careful when travelling with lithium ion batteries.

Argos is getting a makeover - but can it attract new shoppers?

The retailer has been around for 50 years but struggled to compete with newer rivals such as Amazon. Can its new owners turn it around?

Business Daily

Why is global trade proving so resilient despite the tariffs and trade restrictions?

EasyJet agrees to £5.7bn takeover by US firm

The no-frills carrier agrees to be bought by US firm Apollo after a rival suitor drops out.

First OpenAI, now Meta - why do AI hacks keep happening?

A flood of companies are revealing AI models gained access to the internet - with real consequences.

Cashing in on SpaceX: 'Every chance I get, I'll sell a little more'

Andre Lavoie joined SpaceX in 2009 as an engineer, now he's looking to cash in his shares in the company.

Shorts, strappy tops and sandals: What is acceptable to wear to work?

Here's how to style for success while keeping your cool - and where you and your boss stand on your wardrobe.

Owner of bike maker Raleigh files for insolvency

Accell, based in the Netherlands, has owned the famous bike brand since 2012.

Car washes and vape shops can still sponsor skilled foreign workers despite visa changes

The rules were tightened in July 2025 to restrict the scheme mostly to graduate-level employees who would be earning at least £41,700.

'I've had to Botox my CV': Are AI recruitment tools affecting women's careers?

Are AI recruitment tools disadvantaging women who are seeking to return to the workplace?

Thousands of young people missing out on money they don't know about

People aged between 18 and 23 may have thousands in unclaimed government accounts.

Meta becomes latest firm to say its AI hacked another company

Meta is the latest company to disclose an AI agent breach, raising cyber-security concerns.

Winemakers prosper but veg farms wilt in the drought

Growers in the West of England search for new crops to grow in a changing climate.

The homeowners selling up for a life on the water

Growing numbers of people are swapping mortgages for moorings amid the cost of living crisis.

Iran says deal with Oman on Strait of Hormuz is in final stages

Neither the US or Oman have commented on the proposed agreement on the vital waterway.

US beef prices have soared but farmers aren't making more money

The meat has never been more expensive, due to supply shortages, but there's a big squeeze on profits.

Infantino sorry for errors but stays Fifa president

Gianni Infantino will remain Fifa president after receiving backing from senior executives, but "sincerely apologises" for errors in his controversial private investment plans.

Trump administration pays back $100bn in 'Liberation Day' tariffs to businesses

It represents roughly 60% of all tariff revenue collected under the policy, with billions still to be repaid.

Student loan repayment rates an 'unsustainable burden', chancellor told

More than 120 MPs and peers have asked John Healey to carry out an "urgent review" of repayments.

Disney agrees deal to let TikTokers use its films and TV shows in videos

A deal between will allow some creators to use clips from Disney films and TV shows in their videos.

Prioritise new jobs over green targets to win public contracts, firms told

The changes are part of government efforts to tackle the youth unemployment crisis.

What happened to the internet?

Faced with a barrage of ads, misinformation, AI slop, toxicity and doom-scrolling, it can feel like the internet is kind of... broken. Is it? And what are the alternatives?

Vegetables to get smaller and more expensive due to hot weather, farmers warn

This year's harvest could be the worst on record due to the exceptionally dry spring and summer.

How tech is helping in the battle against wildfires

Tech is being used to watch for wildfires but firefighters are still needed to put them out.

The cost of being single – and how friends are teaming up to beat it

Many singles face extra costs for housing, bills, food and holidays but there are ways to ease the burden.

'I feel like I dug my own grave': The workers caught in the AI transition

AI is reshaping the Philippines' outsourcing industry, raising questions over the future of the industry.

How the dry weather affects your supermarket shop

Tomos Morgan visits farm in Vale of Glamorgan to explain how the hot and dry spell affects crops.

Why Trump Media's sale of fast access to market-moving social posts is controversial

Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) has set up a paid service to give Wall Street firms access to Truth Social's most influential accounts.

BP's $5.7bn profit highest since 2022 as Iran war pushes up oil price

Higher oil prices boost the energy giant's results while environmental groups accuse it of profiteering.

Assignment

How amid the tents and the rubble Gaza is developing once again as an unlikely tech hub

Zinc dresses and ice creams - how to survive a heatwave wedding

The wedding industry is facing last-minute costs to cope with the heat and October bookings are up.

Derelict former BHS site a 'continuing nightmare'

The former department store closed in 2016.

Almost £200,000 of fuel stolen from UK forecourts every day since Iran war began

Incidents of fuel being taken without payment have risen by a fifth in five months, according to industry analysis.

Xbox Series X price hiked by £170 due to rising memory chip costs

Xbox consoles now cost significantly more in the UK, with one model increasing in price by 43%.

It may be easier to get your first mortgage than you think - here's why

More relaxed mortgage regulation opens the door for some first-time buyers, but it comes with risk.

US and Japan take action to prop up yen in rare joint move