When Stability Becomes Strain: The Hidden Costs of Britain's Business Squeeze
The optimism that surrounded last year’s general election is fading fast. Many of the business leaders who publicly backed Labour’s call for “change” are now grappling with the harsher reality of their decisions - rising costs, shrinking margins, and a fragile consumer base. According to the ONS (Office of National Statistics) , business insolvencies continue to climb, while new business formation has slowed sharply. Supermarkets are reporting profit margins as low as 3–4%, and even large service companies are cutting back investment to protect cash flow. The hope was that political stability would unlock growth. Instead, a disasterous fiscal policy, high borrowing costs, and wage inflation have combined to create a squeeze at every level of the economy. For business owners, this translates to higher operating expenses. For employees, it means fewer hours, frozen pay, and increasing job insecurity. With another budget on the horizon, few expect relief. The reality i...