At least 8,000 illegal waste sites in UK, research suggests

The upmarket bakery chain Gail's has announced plans to open 40 additional outlets following a significant sales increase of 20% last year, bringing total sales to £278 million. Despite the growth, the company reported a widening pre-tax loss of £7.8 million, attributed to rising staff and energy costs as well as expenses related to the expansion of new locations.

Domino's Pizza Group has announced the immediate resignation of its chief executive, following comments suggesting that the UK may be nearing 'peak pizza' amid rising competition from other food trends, particularly among Generation Z who favor fried chicken.

Utah has become the first state in the US to pass legislation allowing the purchase and installation of small, portable solar panels that can be plugged into standard wall sockets, making solar energy more accessible to residents. This change is expected to enable millions of Americans to benefit from balcony solar technology, which is simpler and less expensive than traditional solar panel systems.

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has asserted that she did not mislead the public regarding the budget, amidst criticism from the Conservatives who claim her outlook was overly pessimistic. This statement comes in the wake of her recent budget announcement, which included significant tax increases aimed at stabilizing the economy.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has denied accusations of misleading the public regarding tax increases ahead of the recent budget announcement. She stated that the £26 billion tax rise was necessary to ensure economic stability and to protect public spending, amidst growing scrutiny from opposition MPs demanding her resignation.

Research in England indicates that water shortages could significantly hinder the UK's plans to achieve net zero emissions, particularly affecting carbon capture and hydrogen projects. The Environment Agency has raised concerns about potential widespread drought conditions in the coming year, intensifying tensions among government, water suppliers, and regulators.

The UK government has announced that it will implement mandatory e-invoicing starting in April 2029, aligning with a global trend towards digital tax and invoicing systems. This initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize the tax collection process and improve efficiency in business transactions.

Small business owners in the U.S. are expressing concern over the impact of Donald Trump's tariffs on holiday sales, which have raised prices on popular goods and led to a significant number of businesses closing. Despite hopes for strong holiday sales, many owners remain skeptical about alleviating the financial strain experienced throughout the year.