The latest national Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) shows that business sentiment slipped deeper into negative territory amid uncertainty about the Budget and rising concern about both the tax burden and regulations. However, companies are optimistic that domestic sales and exports growth will improve over the next 12 months.

Why Robust Digital Defences Are More Crucial Than Ever for Yorkshire’s Financial Professionals

Leeds is now firmly established as the UK’s Northern Powerhouse of financial services, with the city and the wider West Yorkshire region recognised as a national engine for growth, innovation, and opportunity. The latest figures show that West Yorkshire is home to over 18,000 business, financial, and professional services (BFPS) firms, employing 192,000 people and generating £15 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2023, accounting for a fifth of the region’s economy.

As the latest intake of freshers start their first year at university, in the north gaps remain between aspiration and opportunity.