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Mid-market companies remained the growth engine of the UK private sector economy in September, according to the latest NatWest UK Business Growth Tracker data. The Tracker – which surveyed mid-market businesses operating in the manufacturing and services sectors – fell from August’s 13-month high of 56.4 to 51.6 in September. A modest upturn in mid-market business activity contrasted with stalling output across the UK private sector as a whole (50.1). While some mid-market firms mentioned that a tentative pick-up in market conditions and new customer wins had supported growth, others noted subdued business investment and soft consumer demand as limiting factors. Mid-market growth continued to be centred on the services economy (index: 52.6), although the expansion here was the weakest in four months and only modest overall. Manufacturing output meanwhile fell at a solid pace that was the quickest in ten months (index: 46.4). Although small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) continued to face a challenging business environment in September, the decline in new orders was the least marked seen across 2025 so far. The NatWest SME Business Activity Index – which surveyed SMEs in the construction, manufacturing and service sectors – fell slightly from 47.1 in August to 46.9 in September. SMEs in the construction and manufacturing sectors indicated the sharpest declines in output volumes during September, while service providers signalled only a moderate pace of contraction. Sebastian Burnside, NatWest’s Chief Economist, said: “UK business confidence has been on a rollercoaster ride over the last three months, but mid-market firms rounded out the quarter in a solid position." "With so much changing on both domestic and international fronts, it’s no surprise to see activity vary substantially from month to month. But it’s encouraging to see businesses reporting signs of cost pressures starting to ease, hopefully setting the scene for stronger growth into 2026.” Andy Gray, Managing Director of Commercial Mid-Market at NatWest said: “The resilience and adaptability of the UK’s mid-market firms is clearly demonstrated, as they continue to drive growth even as broader market conditions remain mixed." “While challenges persist, particularly for SMEs, it’s encouraging to see that mid-market businesses are showing elevated growth expectations and responding positively to easing cost pressures. At NatWest, we remain committed to supporting businesses as they navigate the evolving economic landscape and seize new opportunities for expansion.” Mid-market companies record marginal drop in new business Total new business placed at small and medium-size firms decreased for the tenth successive month in September, but to the least marked extent since December 2024. Across the mid-market, the overall volume of new work fell in September, marking the second reduction in three months. The contraction was only slight and a reversal on August's solid upturn.   Employment falls more prominently across the mid-market than at SMEs Employment numbers at SMEs decreased for the twelfth consecutive month in September. However, the degree of job losses remained less marked than across the UK private sector as a whole. The level of employment across the mid-market economy was solid and marked the sixth reduction in successive months in September.   Cost pressures soften for businesses of all sizes Cost burdens faced by mid-market businesses continued to rise sharply at the end of the third quarter. That said, the overall rate of cost inflation fell to its lowest since November 2024 and was below the post-pandemic average. At SMEs, overall cost inflation was the second-lowest since December 2024, with construction, manufacturing and service providers all recording slower rates of cost inflation than in the first half of the year.   Optimism fades, but remains firmly in positive territory SMEs remained confident about their own business prospects for the year ahead, although optimism levels slipped from August's 10-month high. All three sub-sectors saw confidence weaken in September. Mid-market companies were also generally upbeat in September. Although down from August's recent high, the Future Activity Index recovered back above its long-run average.

Leading glass packaging supplier Croxsons has received B Corporation (B Corp) certification, a globally recognised standard that measures social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. The certification recognises Croxsons as part of a select group of innovative organisations that meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Certified by B Lab, the non-profit organisation behind the B Corp movement, this achievement proves that Croxsons has legally embedded its commitment to purpose beyond profit into its operations. B Corp certification evaluates a business across five key areas: governance, workers, community, environment and customers. The thorough process took about a year to complete, with Croxsons’ longstanding values and established practices providing a solid foundation for the assessment. Tim Croxson, CEO of Croxsons, said: “We have a long history of wanting to make a difference, to our customers, our team and our local and global communities. B Corp gives us the accountability and transparency to demonstrate that we don’t just talk the talk, but we walk it too. It also provides a framework for how we can be even better. As a business, we can’t do everything, but we must do something.” Giving back is fundamental to Croxsons’ culture, with the company’s charitable foundation - The Milk & Honey Trust - playing a vital role in its ethos. This dedication to social impact was a prominent aspect of the assessment and reflects the company’s belief in supporting both people and the environment. The certification also reinforces Croxsons’ core values of integrity, responsibility and long-term partnership. The company sees its achievement not as a milestone, but as a natural evolution of its longstanding approach to business, one that already prioritises stakeholders, communities and sustainability in every decision. Tim Croxson added: “Achieving B Corp status felt like a validation of who we are. It wasn’t about redesigning our business, but recognising the way we already work and the values we’ve always held. For us, this is not a moment in time, but an ongoing journey to improve; to be a better employer, a better partner and a positive influence within our industry.” Croxsons now joins over 10,000 B Corps worldwide, including Gu Puds, Tony’s Chocolonely, Patagonia and Sipsmith Gin. The company announced the news on the first day of London Packaging Week, held on 15 and 16 October at Excel, London. Learn more about Croxsons here .

The NFU is calling on the government to renew its relationship with farmers and growers at the Budget by introducing measures that will ignite investment and growth in the industry, as rock-bottom confidence leaves investment as bone-dry as the fields this summer. That confidence has been knocked most severely by the changes to inheritance tax, announced at last year’s Budget. At kitchen tables across the country, farmers and growers have been making choices about where to cut investment on farm to try to save capital to pay for possible tax liabilities that they'd been promised this Labour government wouldn't introduce. From the farmer in Yorkshire who can no longer invest in a new grain store to hold the wheat needed for your weekly loaf of bread, to the grower in Lincolnshire who has put off investing in a temperature controlled storage unit to keep the potatoes for your fish and chips fresh, farmers and growers across the country are holding back. NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “Farmers and growers either choosing not to or being unable to invest in their businesses should worry us all. These are the businesses that produce the nation’s food, underpin the UK’s largest manufacturing sector – which is worth £153 billion to the economy and supports 4.2 million jobs – and manage and protect our iconic countryside." “This is the same farmed countryside that the Prime Minister and his Cabinet stood in front of on stage at the Labour Party conference with the slogan ‘Renew Britain’ emblazoned on top of sunny rural landscapes. The reality is far from sunny in those communities, with confidence levels at an all-time low. This matters because without investment in farming today, we risk food supplies for tomorrow." “During the Labour Party conference, the Defra Secretary said she wanted to ‘make sure the government renews our relationship with the NFU and the farming community’. Even at this late stage, there is still time for the government to do that. That’s why ahead of the Budget, I have urged the Chancellor again to take the handbrake off of Britain’s farmers, look at the alternatives on offer to the family farm tax and work with us to unlock the investment British food production so desperately needs."

Consumer card spending declined -0.7 per cent year-on-year in September, down from 0.5 per cent growth in August and lower than the latest CPIH inflation rate of 4.1 per cent. Essential spending fell -2.6 per cent, while growth in discretionary spending slowed to 0.2 per cent. Clothing, furniture and beauty all had strong months, however, as affordable, ‘pick-me-up’ purchases were prioritised amid wider cutbacks. Following an uplift in August, consumer confidence in the strength of the UK, European and global economy all fell in September, to 25 per cent, 29 per cent and 26 per cent respectively (down from 28 per cent, 31 per cent and 28 per cent). Consumers’ confidence in their ability to live within their means, however, reached its highest level in over four years, at 78 per cent, while confidence in household finances climbed to 74 per cent – a seven-month high. This comes as almost half of UK adults (44 per cent) say they are making changes to their personal finances in anticipation of November’s Autumn Budget, with a third (35 per cent) of this group building a savings buffer. Balancing budgets while finding room for treats Essential spending declined (-2.6 per cent) for the fifth consecutive month in September, while two in three (64 per cent) say they are trying to spend less on groceries. Growth in discretionary spending reached a 15-month low, up just 0.2 per cent year-on-year. This trend looks likely to continue, as almost half (46 per cent) of consumers say they are planning to reduce non-essential costs. Despite broader cutbacks, multiple non-essential categories benefited from ‘pick-me-up’ purchases. Furniture enjoyed its tenth consecutive month of growth, up 7.5 per cent, while pharmacy, health & beauty saw a strong performance once again (up 9.0 per cent). Clothing stores, up 2.1 per cent, marked eight months of year-on-year growth, as 20 per cent of shoppers reported spending more on clothes, shoes and accessories in September. Ahead of retail’s ‘golden quarter’, one in four (23 per cent) have already made a start on their festive shopping, buying gifts early to spread out costs, while three in 10 (27 per cent) put aside money in September to spend in the seasonal sales. Amid the rise of ‘kidulting’, which sees adults increasingly embracing hobbies and products once designed for children, one in ten (11 per cent) have purchased a game, video game, toy or collectible for themselves or another adult in the last year. One in five (17 per cent) believe playing with toys and games is good for stress relief and escapism, and 16 per cent see it as a positive alternative to screen time. In terms of these adults’ most purchased toys, 53 per cent bought a video game, followed by board games and jigsaws (24 per cent), Lego (22 per cent) and arts and crafts (21 per cent). Public transport slows amid London strikes Spending on public transport saw its greatest decline since March 2021 in September, down -2.6 per cent, following widespread transport strikes. Over one in three (36 per cent) Londoners said strike action reduced their monthly outgoings, with the biggest savings made on office food or lunches (£29 less), eating out (£29 less) and non-food retail (£26 less). Overall, face-to-face spending decreased -1.6 per cent across the UK – its greatest fall since June 2024. The travel category saw marginal annual growth of 0.8 per cent in September, below August’s 3.1 per cent. Within this, travel agents saw the strongest performance, up 4.2 per cent, however hotel spending (-2.2 per cent) dipped for the first time since July 2024 and airlines (-4.3 per cent) declined for the first time in over four years. Looking ahead, 38 per cent of those planning to cut non-essential spending say they will spend less on holidays abroad. Streaming excels once again Spending on ‘insperiences’ (at-home experiences) rose 2.7 per cent in September, while digital content and subscriptions grew 3.9 per cent year-on-year, helped by popular series such as The Summer I Turned Pretty, House of Guinness and The Girlfriend. Takeaways, however, dipped -0.6 per cent in September, as 53 per cent of those looking to reduce discretionary outgoings intend to spend less ordering meals “on-demand”. Of those treating themselves even when on a budget, a quarter (24 per cent) are opting to buy ingredients to make home-made treats, which likely contributed to the 1.5 per cent growth in food and drink specialist stores. Karen Johnson, Head of Retail at Barclays, said: “It is encouraging to see that UK consumers feel confident in their ability to manage their budgets, amid ongoing cost of living concerns. We’re continuing to see cautious spending, and shoppers are consistently seeking out areas they can cut back on. However, multiple retail categories have proven to be resilient in recent months, with furniture, clothing, and beauty all remaining in growth since February of this year.” Julien Lafargue, Chief Market Strategist, Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management, said: “Although spending habits keep evolving, the UK consumer remains resilient in the face of an uncertain macroeconomic backdrop. With wage growth continuing to outpace inflation, there is room for spending to accelerate again when visibility improves.”

People earning more than £60,000 a year have a new way to manage their child benefit repayments following a change in HMRC’s process, according to a senior payroll professional. Julie Gunnell, Associate Director of Payroll Growth at international accountancy and business advisory group Azets, said those who were eligible could now manage their High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) repayments monthly. “Previously, people who had to repay HICBC had to do so via a self-assessment tax return, but that changed at the end of September when HMRC announced that it could be done through PAYE,” she said. “Now, staff can have their HICBC repayments automatically collected every month through their PAYE code if they don’t have any other reason to complete a self-assessment tax return. HMRC will update the code so the repayment is spread evenly throughout the year – much like income tax or student loan repayments." “However, it’s worth being aware that if you opt in part-way through a tax year you will have less time to repay and will find there’s a larger deduction made via your tax code – but this will only be temporary. If you’re eligible and register for this, it will save you time and reduce the risk of an unexpected bill at the end of the tax year.” The High Income Child Benefit Charge applies where a parent or partner earns more than £60,000 per year and receives Child Benefit. To pay via PAYE for the 2024–25 tax year, eligible employees must register with HMRC by 31 January 2026 and you only need to register once. HMRC will issue the appropriate tax code adjustments to employers so the HICBC can be automatically collected via payroll from the month after you register. Julie Gunnell added: “This is a great opportunity for people to manage their child benefit repayments through their PAYE and remove the need to complete an annual self-assessment, but the clock is ticking when it comes to registration." “My advice to those who are eligible for this option is to register as soon as possible via the Government website or the HMRC app.”

Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce they have beaten off competition from a leading Super League club to secure the signing of Andy Ackers on a two-year deal from Leeds Rhinos. The 31-year-old made his professional debut for Swinton in 2014 before spells at London Broncos and Toronto Wolfpack. His impressive performances for the Canadian outfit earned him a move to Salford Red Devils, where he earned the reputation of one of Super League’s top nines. Ackers earned his first England call up for the 2022 Rugby League World Cup where he featured twice, scoring in the 94-4 victory over Greece. Ahead of the 2024 campaign, the Wigan Academy product made the switch to AMT Headingley Stadium in a high-profile move and has now made over 100 appearances in the sport’s top-flight. Andy Ackers said: “I am really excited, when my agent told me my time at Leeds was coming to an end and with Kurt getting the job at Bradford, it was a no brainer really. I worked with him at Toronto and Salford, he knows me as a bloke and vice versa. I trust him and he trusts me, Bradford is a massive club with a rich history and I cannot wait to get going again and get my love back for playing.” “Kurt knows me as a person and as a player and that’s massive in Rugby League, we go back nearly 10 years when he started coaching me at Toronto, he knows what makes me tick and he’s a very smart coach and I am excited to work under him again. I believe he’ll get the best out of me and the team.” “I still haven’t played my best rugby yet, the last couple of years have been a bit hit and miss but knowing Kurt and the relationship I have with him I really do think he’ll get the best out of me. I won’t just be relying on Kurt but also my mentality to come in and lead the squad, I just have a good feeling about this move." “It’s a very exciting move for myself and my family. Kurt was a big influence but knowing everything the club have got planned behind the scenes and the team they are recruiting, it sounds the right fit for me. Bradford have re-established themselves now, it is a fresh challenge for me and something I am proud to be a part of." “I’m a bit of an older head now, I am 31 with a lot of experience playing in Super League and for my country so that’s the kind of player and person I’ll be coming in to be. I know there’ll be young lads stepping up into a full-time environment so if I can add my part and my experience it will be good for the club and myself." “I’ll be really proud to run out as a Bradford player for the first time with my wife and three kids being able to witness their husband and dad walking out on the pitch. My family have grown up having seen Bradford be the biggest team in Super League for many years. The fans have always been amazing, they had one of the biggest followings in Super League now it is about getting them back behind the club with the big plans they have behind the scenes.” Bradford Bulls Head Coach Kurt Haggerty has hailed the recruitment of Ackers as a “statement signing”. “I am delighted to get the signing of Andy over the line. This is a statement signing for the club,” said Haggerty. He is a fantastic person and plays his best rugby when he is happy and is constantly being pushed to maximise his full potential." “Andy was playing international rugby for England at the last World Cup, which shows the pedigree of player we have managed to acquire here at the Bulls.”

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has awarded Birse Community Trust grant funding to conserve and reopen The Souter’s Shop in Birse, a purpose-built shoemaker’s shop left largely untouched for over half a century and the only surviving example of its kind. Opened in 1897, the Souter’s Shop was run by local shoemaker James Merchant and his son until the 1940s. After business ceased, the shop lay completely undisturbed for 60 years, its tools, ledgers and fittings frozen in time. When it was rediscovered in 1999, it provided a rare window to another time, a piece of built heritage telling the story of a rural craftsperson and how small-scale industries operated at the time. Birse Community Trust has been awarded £74,500 from Historic Environment Scotland (HES) through the Historic Environment Grants (HEG) Programme to repair and conserve the fabric of the shop. Repairs are needed on the roof, timber, chimney and the joinery glazing, and the interior will also be opened to visitors on site and across the globe with a virtual exhibition and online tour. Funding will also support traditional skills training, ensuring that the shop’s features are restored using techniques similar to those employed when originally built. Listed as a category A building in 2000, the Souter’s Shop is recognised as nationally significant and the only known example of its kind in Scotland. The building and its contents show a world before commercial, mass-produced shoemaking became prevalent, and the Birse Community Trust plan to use the building to explain the historic shoemaking tradition and its place in rural industry. Remarkably, even the shop’s business ledgers have survived, giving insight into the role of the shop as well as the surrounding communities. Dr Susan O’Connor, Head of Grants at HES, said: “The Souter’s Shop in Birse is a fascinating building with an important story to tell. We are excited to support the Trust's efforts to unlock this story with the community and the wider public." "Our historic environment is one of Scotland’s greatest assets, but it needs care, investment and collaboration to thrive. Our grants programmes are available to help communities unlock the history, knowledge and progress that is embodied in the built heritage around them.” Toni Watt, Manager at Birse Community Trust, said: “BCT are absolutely delighted to receive such generous funding from Historic Environment Scotland. This grant together with support from other funders and from many individuals means that we are able to start work to save the Souter’s Workshop and Shop. It is such a special place." "To enter the Souter’s feels like you are stepping back in time. It is a window into a now disappeared way of life, showcasing the life of a souter and his role in rural society." “At one time every settlement would have had a Souter; our visitors tell us about grandparents who were souters, but in a few more generations this tradition will be lost from memory. History, oral history and saving the rural architecture where this history takes place matters so much.” Work is now starting to train volunteers to pack and decant the collection of artefacts in the Souter’s Shop, as well as basic conservation work. Repair works on the building will begin in spring 2026.

Business exit strategies were the focus of a seminar given by three Hampshire-based professional services firms. Experts from HWB Chartered Accountants, Hybrid Legal and Asset Management Financial Advisers (AMFA) shared essential insight with owners and senior decision-makers representing more than 20 companies. The interactive event, featuring presentations and roundtable discussions, touched on many aspects of preparing for and structuring a business exit, sale or transfer. On the agenda were the pros and cons of management buyouts, employee ownership trusts (EOTs), company purchases of own shares, sales to third parties and gifts to future generations. The expert panel comprised HWB’s Tax Director Gemma Hedges and Senior Tax Manager Alan Rolfe, Hybrid Legal’s Director and Head of Corporate Mike Duggan, and AMFA’s Head of Advice Adam Keith. Alan, who has 25 years’ experience of providing tax advice, said: “We ran it as an informal roundtable discussion, inviting questions. We tried to make it not too technical in terms of the detail of tax and financial planning, but were keen to emphasise the importance of preparing in advance and being realistic and clear about what to expect from a business exit strategy." “We discussed the need to get everything ready as regards tax compliance and legal contracts and we also touched on the ‘human aspects’ of business exit planning such as communicating well with family and staff.” Alan added: “Participants said they found the format both engaging and helpful. We’ve had good feedback with people saying they welcomed the opportunity of an in-person rather than online event.” Questions covered topic areas such as the complexities of EOTs, the reduction of Business Asset Disposal Relief applied to the first £1 million of capital gains involved in a business sale, and options around what to do with sale proceeds in retirement. Among the attendees at the breakfast-time event were owner-managers and entrepreneurs from a range of business sectors. The Best Business Exit strategy seminar took place at the Chilworth Manor Hotel at Chilworth, near Eastleigh. Gemma Hedges, who joined HWB in 2020, advises on a range of tax issues, particularly owner-managed businesses, tax enquiries, Inheritance Tax and Trusts & Estates. Mike Duggan is an experienced corporate lawyer and business advisor whose CV includes 27 years as a senior partner at a Tier 1 international law firm. Adam Keith manages a team of 10 financial advisers at AMFA which he joined in 2016, after seven years at NatWest in both financial advice and compliance roles. HWB Chartered Accountants, founded in 1985 and based at Chandlers Ford, near Southampton, provides business and tax advice. Hybrid Legal, founded in 2013 and based in Winchester, is an innovative, modern, fixed-fee law firm specialising purely in business law. AMFA, established for 40 years and based in Southampton, Winchester and Bishop’s Waltham, has more than £500 million in assets under management. Photo: BUSINESS ADVICE. At the Chilworth Manor Hotel, Hampshire, are Business Exit Strategy seminar presenters, from left: HWB Chartered Accountants’ Tax Director Gemma Hedges; Hybrid Legal Director and Head of Corporate Mike Duggan; Asset Management Financial Advisers’ Head of Advice Adam Keith; and HWB Chartered Accountants’ Senior Tax Manager Alan Rolfe.

St Austell Brewery has announced the launch of Extra Special Tribute (EST) in over 250 Waitrose stores nationwide. Available from today (13th October 2025) it is the first time this limited-edition beer has been available in supermarkets.   A supercharged 7.4% ABV strong ale, EST is a bold reinterpretation of the independent, family-owned brewery’s flagship pale ale, Tribute (4.2% ABV). First brewed in 2023 to mark the coronation of King Charles III, EST has since become a special annual release, crafted in small batches and individually numbered.   Each edition of EST is brewed to a unique recipe, bottle-conditioned and matured. The 2025 release celebrates English hops and honours two other longstanding St Austell Brewery beers celebrating milestone anniversaries this year - Hicks Special Draught (5% ABV) and Gem amber ale (4.8% ABV).   Georgina Young, Brewing Director at St Austell Brewery, said: “The idea for Extra Special Tribute came from wanting to brew something unique to mark the return to ‘normality’ after the Covid lockdown, which also coincided with the coronation of the King. It felt like the perfect moment to craft a beer that was both celebratory and rooted in our brewing heritage."  “EST 2025 is a rich, moreish brew. It pours a deep gold, almost amber, hinting at the richness within. It delivers sweet notes of caramel and toffee, gentle spice, and subtle hedgerow fruit from the British hops. The flavours pay homage to two of our other much-loved beers, Hicks - which turns 50 this year - and Gem, to mark its 30th anniversary."   “Whether enjoyed now or stored for future tasting, EST 2025 is a celebration of craftsmanship – distinctive, indulgent and memorable.”   A limited run of 13,000 individually numbered and boxed bottles will be available in Waitrose across the UK from today (13th October), with an additional 7,400 bottles sold via St Austell Brewery’s online shop, available from next week. As the beer conditions in its bottle, drinkers can expect emerging notes of orange and sherry to enhance its complexity - just in time for the festive season.   Ryan Crisp, National Account Manager - Off Trade at St Austell Brewery, said: “We’re incredibly proud to see Extra Special Tribute land on shelves in Waitrose for the first time. This listing brings one of our most characterful and premium brews to a wider audience. Waitrose customers value quality and provenance, and EST delivers both in abundance.” Jourdan Gabbini, Waitrose Beer & Cider Buyer, added: "I’m excited to add the 2025 vintage Extra Special Tribute from St Austell Brewery to the premium ale range at Waitrose."  "We know that our customers are always looking for new ales to try, with sales up in this segment since a year ago. This 2025 edition is robust and malty - a moreishly drinkable experience, pairing well with rich foods. It’s perfect for the upcoming winter season."   Price:  RRP £6.50, 500ml bottle.

London Gatwick has seen a significant rise in rail travel among younger passengers, with more than half of the airport’s Gen Z passengers catching a train to their plane. New data reveals that 53% of 16 to 24-year-olds chose to reach London Gatwick by rail in the first three months of 2025 - up from 47% in 2024. This compares to 44% of all passengers in 2025, underscoring Gen Z’s growing commitment to sustainable and efficient transport. The figures also show that Gen Z passengers – the demographic born between 1997 and 2012 - were more likely to travel more than two hours to reach London Gatwick, with 17% doing so in 2024 compared to 14% of all passengers. London Gatwick is the best-connected UK airport by rail, with direct services to more than 120 stations and hundreds more within just one change. Up to 19 trains per hour leave Gatwick’s dedicated on-site station to London – an average of every four minutes, as frequent as the London Underground. As well as services connecting to central London in just 30 minutes, passengers can also directly reach places including Brighton, Cambridge and Reading. Nick Williams, Head of Passenger Operations, London Gatwick said: “It’s inspiring to see younger passengers embracing rail travel in such strong numbers. Gen Z is leading the shift toward more sustainable airport access and we’re proud to support that with excellent rail connectivity and frequent services to meet their needs.” Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director, Govia Thameslink Railway said: "Our Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink trains are a swift and sustainable way to reach London Gatwick, so it's refreshing to see so many younger people choosing us." "Many will also be attracted by the multi-million-pound redeveloped station, opened at Gatwick less than two years ago. This has wider platforms, a brand-new concourse, new lifts and escalators to make it bigger, better and more accessible than ever before." London Gatwick is continuing to invest in improving passenger experience and accessibility, making train travel an increasingly attractive option. Through its Sustainable Transport Fund (STF), the airport has supported improved frequencies, longer timetables and new direct connections, including funding the doubling of the Great Western Railway service from Gatwick to Reading to two trains per hour. The airport also helping fund its redeveloped train station, which offers double the available concourse space, wider platforms, new lifts, stairs and escalators. Alongside its excellent rail connectivity, London Gatwick is also served by an extensive local bus network – with up to 40 buses stopping at the airport each hour during peak times – while both National Express and Flixbus help connect London Gatwick with more than 50 destinations across the UK by coach.

Aylesford Electrical Contractors (AEC), part of the Metcor Group, has been shortlisted in two categories at the Electrical Industry Awards 2025: Renewable Installation of the Year and Contractor of the Year (turnover of over £5m). The double recognition reflects AEC’s rapid growth, technical excellence and leadership in delivering large-scale, future-proof electrical projects across the UK. The renewable nomination recognises AEC’s multi-site fleet EV charging installations delivered in partnership with BP Pulse, including strategic sites for Royal Mail (Coventry, Sittingbourne) and Currys (Tilbury). The programme combined rapid and AC charging, civil works, power upgrades, smart load management and scalable ducting for future expansion—delivered to tight deadlines without disrupting operations. Chris Porte, Head of EV Charging at AEC, said: “Fleet electrification succeeds when design, civils and electrical delivery work as one. Our team has built a playbook for complex EV rollouts that is safe, scalable and cost-smart—and we’re proud to see that recognised again by the industry.” Shortlisting for Contractor of the Year highlights AEC’s breadth beyond EV: complex emergency-lighting programmes across 40+ sites for global clients, resilience upgrades for data-critical environments (including UPS and generator integration), EICR testing, external lighting and LED retrofits, and control-panel and containment works—delivered with a strong safety culture and on-time performance. Philip Friend, Managing Director at AEC, added: “This recognition reflects the craft, care and pace our teams bring to every project. Whether we’re delivering power resilience, fleet EV charging solutions or installing thousands of emergency lights, our promise is the same: first-time right, safely, and tailored to the client’s needs.”

The nomination paper signed by Margaret Thatcher that led to her becoming leader of the Conservative Party is among a cache of historic material recently discovered in a cardboard box in Somerset. It belonged to colourful Tory grandee Sir Edward du Cann KBE who was chairman of the party’s influential 1922 Committee during the leadership race in 1975. The former party chairman had been encouraged to stand himself but his stepping aside led to the election of Thatcher and ultimately to Britain’s first female Prime Minister. Also among the cache is the historic document that changed the course of British history, confirming Thatcher as party leader. It is simply headed: ‘Election of a leader of the Conservative Party’ and is dated 11th February 1975. It carries the signatures of the scrutineers and that of Margaret Thatcher. She won emphatically with 146 votes. William Whitelaw came second with just 79 votes. The nomination of Thatcher was proposed by Keith Joseph – who had also stood aside – and his note confirming the nomination was seconded by Airey Neave, who was later murdered by the IRA. Thatcher wrote underneath ‘I consent to be nominated’ and she signed it ‘Margaret H [Hilda] Thatcher’ on January 27, 1975. This piece of House of Commons notepaper is of significant historic importance but there are other treasures. One is a letter to du Cann the month before Thatcher agreed to be nominated, imploring him to stand. Signed by some of the party’s big beasts, it stated: “For some time it has been increasingly obvious to a number of us that you have the qualities which are required in a new Leader: your warmth, your ability to present our case forcefully and sympathetically, your skill as Chairman, and, above all, the affection in which you are held by your colleagues, make it essential, as we see it, that you should offer yourself for the Leadership of our Party. Indeed, we consider it is your duty to do so.” But du Cann would not change his mind and within weeks the 49-year-old Thatcher headed to the first round of voting. The documents, found recently, are to be offered for sale at Duke’s of Dorchester on January 29th 2026. Other treasures from the archive include notes and records from du Cann, as well as correspondence relating to the leadership election with people including the former Prime Minister Edward Heath and the Prime Minister of the day, Harold Wilson. Also included is the nomination paper for the second round of voting and a folio of Thatcher’s signed nomination papers for Conservative party leadership ballots from later years. Guy Schwinge of art consultants Hanover Forbes said: “This cache of papers is of great historical importance. Margaret Thatcher was a trailblazer in every sense. Her philosophy - Thatcherism - changed the United Kingdom forever and the great personal ‘chemistry’ she enjoyed with Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev contributed to the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War." “Interest in the papers is expected from collectors and institutions in the UK and globally. It is 100 years since her birth and 50 since she became leader of the Conservative party. The cache contains the signed nominations of all candidates in both ballots for the party leadership." “Leading American institutions, such as the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, are expected to keep a close eye on the sale but will need an export licence to take the archive out of the country. The files and documents were discovered in a garage in Somerset.” Edward du Cann, who died in 2017, was an MP from 1956 to 1987, served as party chairman from 1965 to 1967 and chaired the 1922 committee from 1972 to 1984. After losing the second General Election of 1974, in October, the Conservatives had their knives out for leader Edward Heath. Because he was chairman of the 1922 Committee du Cann played a pivotal role in the machinations that led to a leadership contest. One meeting of the 1922’s executive committee took place in Milk Street and the plotters were dubbed the ‘Milk Street Mafia’. This period of huge importance is all covered with the documents that detail the beginning of Thatcher’s rise to party leader and from there Prime Minister, an office she held for more than eleven years, winning three general elections. The French President Francois Mitterrand famously described Thatcher - popularly dubbed as Mrs T - as having ‘the eyes of Caligula and the lips of Marilyn Monroe’. Another expert described the discovery as ‘utterly sensational’ and ‘without precedent’. Auction watchers expect the archive could significantly outstrip the pre-sale auction estimate of £100,000. She died in 2013.