The UK has been ranked the third most distressed market in Europe, according to the latest Weil European Distress Index which measures companies’ profits, investment levels and cash flow. Only Germany and France score worse. No prizes for guessing why…
Shops are struggling more than they were during the financial crash, with trouble among retailers and consumer goods companies rising to its highest level in Q4 last year since 2009. The report blames Reeves’ two budgets:
“The impact of the Budget continues to affect business and consumer confidence. April’s rise in National Insurance thresholds and increases in National Living Wage will continue to squeeze profit margins for many businesses, while the announcement to freeze income tax thresholds in November 2025, which could remain in effect until April 2031, will erode spending power in future years.”
Meanwhile, UK business confidence dropped to a 3-year low at the end of 2025, according to the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Reeves is keen to get the wealthy and ambitious excited about the UK economy at Davos. Does she realise you can’t just say you’re pro-growth…
