Business

One of the world’s largest real estate investors is cooling on the prospect of a multibillion-pound takeover bid for Big Yellow Group, the London-listed operator of self-storage facilities. Sky News has learnt that Blackstone is seriously contemplating abandoning its interest in a deal ahead of a December 8 deadline – imposed by the Takeover Panel

Rachel Reeves has been accused of failing to “support the great British pub” as she promised in the budget, with owners facing skyrocketing business rates bills. In her speech in the House of Commons on Wednesday, the chancellor said she was backing small businesses by introducing “permanently lower tax rates for over 750,000 retail, hospitality

The investment firm which has become this year’s most prolific buyer of high street chains in Britain is targeting a takeover of a privately owned footwear retailer. Sky News has learnt that Modella Capital is in advanced talks to buy Wynsors World of Shoes, which trades from approximately 50 standalone shops across the north of

A senior executive at Netflix is among the contenders vying to become the next boss of Channel 4, the state-owned broadcaster. Sky News has learnt that Emma Lloyd, the streaming giant’s vice-president, partnerships, in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, is one of a handful of media executives shortlisted to replace Alex Mahon as Channel

The government is lining up bankers to conduct a review of options for Britain’s embattled steel industry amid calls for ministers to orchestrate mergers between some of the sector’s biggest players. Sky News has learnt that Evercore, the independent investment bank which now employs George Osborne, the former chancellor, was expected to be appointed in

The brewery group behind brands such as Black Sheep, Hofmeister and Fourpure is on the brink of collapse as it grapples with a lethal cocktail of surging costs and waning consumer confidence in the run-up to this week’s budget. Sky News has learnt that Keystone Brewing Group, which also owns Purity Brewing Company and distributes

The pensions giant WTW is in talks to buy the workplace retirement schemes platform owned by NatWest Group, the FTSE-100 lender. Sky News has learnt that WTW – formerly known as Willis Towers Watson – has emerged as the frontrunner to buy Cushon from NatWest following an auction which attracted several leading industry names. The

The future of TGI Fridays’ British operations has been thrown into fresh doubt just a month after the well-known casual dining chain was bought by the manager of most of the brand’s global operations. Sky News has learnt that the financial advisory firm Interpath has been appointed to explore strategic options for TGI Fridays’ UK

Day two after a budget is always an important moment. This is when the nerds and boffins of Britain’s fiscal thinktanks assemble to deliver their snap verdict on the chancellor’s decisions. The moment is more important than ever when, as was certainly the case this time, the budget is a big one. So what did

Rachel Reeves will face further questions this morning after being accused of presiding over a manifesto-busting budget that rose taxes by £26bn. The chancellor has acknowledged she is “asking ordinary people to pay a little bit more” following her series of announcements yesterday, including extending the freeze on income tax bands. But when challenged by

Rachel Reeves has announced £26bn worth of tax rises in her budget, including extending the freeze on personal income thresholds. The package also contains a new “mansion tax” on properties worth over £2m, while people paying into their pension pot under salary sacrifice schemes will face national insurance on contributions above £2,000. Politics Live: Budget

The chancellor is vowing to “take the fair and necessary choices” in today’s budget, as she seeks to grow the economy while keeping the public finances under control. Rachel Reeves said she will not take Britain “back to austerity” – and promised to “take action to help families with the cost of living”. She said

Most Black Friday deals at some of the country’s biggest retailers are cheaper or the same price at other times of year, according to a Which? study. In its study of last year’s Black Friday season, the consumer champion found eight out of 10 products were not at their best price. It tracked 175 items

A defiant Rachel Reeves has urged Labour MPs to unite behind this week’s budget – but appeared to admit they might not like all of her policies. Addressing the Parliamentary Labour Party last night, the chancellor described politics as a “team sport” and insisted that tomorrow’s announcements will be “fair”. Backbenchers are said to have

Shares in Novo Nordisk, the Danish firm best known for its Wegovy and Ozempic weight loss drugs, have plunged after it called a halt to closely-watched trials on a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. The company had been testing whether a key ingredient in the drugs could slow progression of the brain disorder. Novo Nordisk, which

In the upstairs bar of a slick new brewery, the cheese-lovers of Halifax are paying “homage to fromage”. It is one of the first events in the historic West Yorkshire town’s further monthly cheese club and there is a decent turn-out. Image: Sky News visited Halifax’s clubs, bars and restaurants to get an insight into