A lot can change in just one month — and May was no exception. New businesses started, others closed, and key trends began to take shape across the UK. See Data Gardener’s report in full.
Reaction: Rachel Reeves has announced an extra £29bn per year for the NHS in England, funding boosts for defence and housing, as she set out spending plans until the end of the decade.
The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) is the UK’s largest and longest-running independent survey of business sentiment.
The Dorchester Chamber for Business is delighted to hear that the former Marks and Spencer building will get a new lease as a Premier Inn
The UK’s economy grew by more than expected in the first three months of 2025 according to the latest official figures
Economic developments are moving at a rapid pace. The annual British Chambers of Commerce Workforce Survey is one of our most influential pieces of research on labour market issues.
Thousands more people are choosing to file their tax returns during the first week of the new tax year (6 to 12 April), with an extra 28,503 filing in 2025, compared to 270,916 people in 2020.
Dorchester Town Council has announced the date for this year’s Informal Annual Town Meeting being held at the Corn Exchange on Friday 9 May from 11am-1pm.
Dorset Council has announced that Dr Catherine Howe has been unanimously recommended by the cross-party Staffing Committee as Dorset Council’s new Chief Executive.
The government is focused on securing Britain’s future through its Plan for Change – driving economic growth, building an NHS fit for the future and keeping the country safe.
HMRC launches Help for Hustles campaign to help people earning extra income understand their tax obligations. Anyone generating more than £1,000 from their side hustle should check their tax obligations.
Act now: New business grants from Dorset Council. To be eligible, projects must be completed by 28 March 2025. This round will close for applications at 11:59pm on 24 February 2025.
The Wessex area has not been included within the Devolution Priority Programme announced by the Government Wednesday 5 Feb. Council leaders say the announcement is “Extremely disappointing”.
Small businesses across the country will be helped to boost their productivity and efficiency through AI tools set to be trialled – from tech that predicts potholes before they form, to AI models that help farmers make their dairy cows produce greater yields.
Optimism in the FS sector fell at the quickest pace since September 2022, according to the latest CBI Financial Services Survey. That is despite business volumes growing at a faster pace in the quarter to December.
A survey by the British Chambers of Commerce has revealed business confidence has declined significantly with 49% of responding companies expecting their turnover to increase over the next twelve months.
