Business & Technology
UK firms boost cyber & AI spending, Barclays survey
UK businesses are increasing spending on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, with cyber, cloud, and AI accounting for 44% of planned technology budgets over the next year, according to Barclays’ latest survey.
The findings suggest a shift in priorities as companies weigh efficiency gains from new tools against rising operational and security risks. Some 68% of UK business leaders expect to increase cybersecurity investment over the next 12 months, while 46% believe that adopting new technologies is increasing their exposure to cyber threats.
Confidence in cyber preparedness remains uneven. Fewer than three in 10 businesses (29%) said they were confident in their ability to respond to a major cyber incident, despite 82% saying their cybersecurity measures are keeping pace with technology adoption.
Spending patterns differ sharply by size. Average cybersecurity spending so far this year stands at £505,000, rising to £1.3 million for large businesses and falling to £134,000 for small businesses and £15,000 for micro businesses.
Large companies have also moved faster to raise cyber budgets. More than a third of large firms (36%) have increased cybersecurity investment since the start of the year, compared with 26% of smaller businesses and 4% of micro businesses.
Risk and response
Among businesses concerned about the impact of a serious cyber incident, the most common worry was damage to customer trust and confidence, cited by 28%. That was followed by operational disruption or downtime at 27% and revenue loss at 26%. Among large businesses, the leading concern was the loss of sensitive data or intellectual property, mentioned by 33%.
The survey suggests businesses are trying to balance investment in new digital tools with tighter risk controls. While many respondents said they were pressing ahead with AI and automation, concerns about reliability, data security and cost remain widespread.
More than half of businesses (52%) said AI and automation had improved productivity. Respondents reported spending less time on administrative tasks (38%), making decisions faster (34%), and spending more time on higher-value work (31%).
Use of agentic AI has also spread, with 61% of businesses now proactively using it in their operations, suggesting adoption has moved beyond limited trials in many organisations.
AI priorities
Planned AI use over the next two years spans a broad range of business functions. Data analysis and forecasting topped the list at 38%, followed by the automation of administrative work to improve employee productivity at 31%. Enhancing customer experience and strengthening cybersecurity were each cited by 29%.
Smaller companies showed a different set of priorities. More than a third of small businesses, or 34%, said they planned to use AI to reduce operational costs, while nearly half of micro businesses, or 46%, said they had no plans to use the technology.
Reservations about AI remain notable even as adoption grows. More than a quarter of respondents (26%) cited concerns about the accuracy and reliability of AI outputs. Data security, cybersecurity risks and implementation costs were each mentioned by 24%.
Matt Hammerstein, Chief Executive of Barclays UK Corporate Bank, linked the investment trend to a tougher trading environment for companies.
“UK businesses are now operating in an environment where uncertainty has become the norm. Geopolitical instability and persistently high costs are feeding directly into cash flows, borrowing decisions and investment plans,” said Hammerstein.
“What’s striking, however, is how businesses are responding. Rather than pulling back entirely, many are adapting to this new reality by tightening financial discipline, managing cash carefully and prioritising investment where it strengthens resilience, productivity and long-term competitiveness,” he added.
Barclays said the data also reflected differing pressures across the business landscape, with larger companies more willing to commit to longer-term borrowing while smaller companies focus on liquidity and day-to-day financial management.
“SMEs are navigating higher costs and ongoing uncertainty, which continues to weigh on day-to-day decisions. While larger firms push ahead with longer-term borrowing, many smaller businesses are focused on building cash buffers and closely managing their financial position. At the same time, AI is starting to present tangible opportunities for SMEs, particularly where it can help improve productivity and make everyday tasks more efficient,” Abdul Qureshi, Head of Barclays Business Banking, said.
The survey was based on research among 1,000 senior business decision-makers across micro, small, medium and large UK businesses, alongside separate research among 500 business-to-business leaders. One of its clearest findings was that investment in cyber resilience is no longer treated separately from digital transformation but as part of the same spending decision, with cloud, cyber, and AI accounting for almost half of planned technology budgets.
Business & Technology
Rosa’s Thai is giving away 4000 free Pad Thais to students
Celebrating both GCSE and A-Level Results Days, the chain will offer the popular dish to students who buy one of its bubble teas.
The free offer is available at all 42 Rosa’s Thai restaurants across England and Wales.
To avail of the free noodles, students need to register on Rosa’s Thai website for a unique code, which they should present at the restaurant together with a copy of their results.
Rosa’s Thai has a new range of bubble tea flavours, including Ube-Taro, Matcha-Coconut, Mango Sticky Rice, and Milo Chocolate Milk, as well as favourites like Home-brewed Thai Tea with Tapioca, and Lychee Mango with mango boba.
Students can sign up for their free Pad Thai at rosasthai.com/result-day-free-pad-thai and find their nearest restaurant at rosasthai.com/locations.
Business & Technology
Historic coin company enters administration after 20 years
The London Mint Office, which distributes commemorative coins and medals, appointed administrators on July 31 after 20 years in business.
The company’s website now displays a message confirming the appointment of Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP as joint administrators.
A spokesman for Alvarez and Marsal said: “On July 31 2026, Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators of The London Mint Office Limited in administration (the “Company”).
“Regrettably, the Company’s liquidity challenges have led to a number of immediate redundancies. We are supporting the affected employees through the redundancy process.
What Happens When a Company Goes Into Administration?
“The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators who act as agents of the Company and without personal liability.”
The announcement confirms that it is no longer possible to purchase coins or medals through the company’s website.
The London Mint Office operates a distribution centre in Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where it employs a significant number of people.
Administration is a formal insolvency process triggered when a business cannot meet its financial obligations.
An insolvency practitioner is appointed to manage the company’s affairs and may attempt to restructure the business or sell off assets to repay creditors.
What happens when a company goes into Liquidation?
Founded in 2006, The London Mint Office describes itself as “one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers of historic, commemorative, and collector coins.”
It is part of Samlerhuset AS, a Norwegian company based near Oslo and one of Europe’s largest distributors of commemorative coins and medals.
Samlerhuset’s website states that it offers “provide a wide range of coins from ancient to modern, originating from virtually every country in the world.”
The London Mint Office has advised anyone with an interest in the company’s assets to contact the administrators at INS_THLMOL@alvarezandmarsal.com.
Business & Technology
Warning of new rules for Aldi and Lidl after watchdog review
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally decided that both discounters should be added to the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010, which currently applies to Asda, Co-op, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose.
This order is designed to prevent large grocery retailers from using land agreements to block competitors from opening nearby stores, often through restrictive covenants or exclusivity terms.
Juliette Enser, executive director of competition enforcement and markets at the CMA, said: “We want everyone to have the best choice of supermarket and range of prices when buying their groceries.
“To ensure this happens, we put rules in place to prevent big supermarket chains blocking rival stores from opening nearby – and now we propose applying those rules to Aldi and Lidl too.
“This is about allowing shoppers to choose where they spend their money and levelling the playing field for all major supermarkets.
“Today’s proposals are provisional and we welcome views before deciding the best way forward.”
The CMA’s review found that Aldi, Lidl GB, and Lidl NI now meet the criteria of ‘Large Grocery Retailers’ (LGRs) due to their store footprint, nationwide presence, procurement model, and the breadth of their grocery range.
Aldi and Lidl were originally excluded from the 2010 order as ‘limited assortment discounters’, offering a smaller selection of products compared to traditional supermarkets.
However, the CMA’s provisional findings indicate that this is no longer the case.
All three now operate large grocery stores, each with more than 1,000 square metres of shop floor space, and offer a full range of products, though with less category choice than some competitors.
They also purchase goods directly from suppliers through integrated wholesaling.
With the UK grocery market estimated to be worth £215 billion, Aldi and Lidl are now ranked among the top five retailers by market share.
The CMA is seeking feedback from stakeholders before reaching a final decision.
Aldi and Lidl could join the other supermarket chains later this year.
The CMA is inviting views until 5pm on Monday, September 7, 2026, and will issue its final decision in the autumn after reviewing responses.
If the discounters are included under the order, they will be prevented from using land agreements to limit competition from other supermarket chains.
The CMA aims to ensure competition across the grocery sector to give shoppers more choice and competitive pricing by removing obstacles to new store openings.
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