UK firms

Brazilian digital bank Nubank is reportedly in early-stage talks with British challenger bank Monzo over a full takeover, while private equity firm Advent International has been named as one of several buyout firms interested in acquiring a minority stake. If a deal proceeds, it would mark one of the largest acquisitions in the UK fintech sector and a major expansion for Nubank into the British market.

A corporate filing reportedly reveals that ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, gained access to more than 2,000 Nvidia B200 chips through Nscale's data center in Norway, with a Singaporean subsidiary called Spring contributing 73 percent of the UK neocloud company's 2025 revenue. The arrangement raises fresh questions over how Chinese firms reach restricted Nvidia hardware despite US export controls.

A new UK government scheme aimed at helping first-time buyers has boosted share prices of housebuilders, according to Reuters. Analysts caution, however, that the scheme's long-term impact will depend heavily on the design of the homes and programme details, with questions over affordability, quality and delivery still to be resolved.

The chief executive of UK jewellery retailer Beaverbrooks has called on the government to ease the burden on businesses, saying firms need "a bit of a break". The appeal comes amid ongoing pressure on British retailers from rising costs and is being discussed as part of a wider debate over business taxation and support ahead of the budget.

The UK Environment Agency has launched a consultation on changes to how environmental rules are enforced, according to a legal analysis by law firm Clyde & Co. The piece examines what the proposals could mean for businesses, particularly those in regulated sectors such as energy, construction and waste, that must comply with environmental permitting and enforcement regimes. Details of the proposed measures and their implications for compliance obligations remain to be set out in full.