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Cryptocurrency ownership in the UK has reached unprecedented levels, with seven million adults now holding digital assets—up from five million in 2022.

This surge comes as bitcoin experiences a remarkable rally, soaring to $95,000 following significant global events such as the election of Donald Trump in the United States.

The latest report from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) highlights a sharp increase in individuals owning cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ethereum. Ownership has risen to approximately 12% of UK adults by August, up from 10% in June last year. Notably, there’s a significant uptick in those investing substantial sums: the proportion of people holding between £1,000 and £10,000 in crypto assets has jumped from 20% to 36%. The average holding value now stands at £1,842, up from £1,595 in 2022.

However, the FCA warns of growing misconceptions about investor protection. One in five crypto owners now believe they would be eligible for compensation if something goes wrong—a figure that has doubled from one in ten in 2022. The regulator reiterates that crypto remains largely unregulated, and investors should be prepared to lose all their money.

The report also notes a concerning rise in borrowing to finance crypto purchases. While most buyers use readily available cash, 14% have turned to credit cards or other forms of borrowing, up from 6% in 2022. Additionally, more crypto owners are engaging in “staking”—temporarily allocating their tokens to support blockchain networks in exchange for rewards.

Demographically, crypto ownership skews towards males, younger adults, higher socioeconomic groups, and higher earners. The FCA found that 18 to 34-year-olds, women, and those with holdings of at least £1,000 are more likely to mistakenly believe they have protection against losses.

The debate over crypto’s future intensifies as enthusiasts predict digital currencies will integrate into mainstream finance, while critics argue they facilitate illicit activities and represent a speculative bubble. President Trump’s pledge to make the US “the crypto capital of the planet” has raised expectations of a more favourable regulatory environment, contributing to bitcoin’s recent surge.

The UK’s seven million crypto owners now compare with the estimated 11.3 million adults who directly own shares, according to the FCA’s Financial Lives Study of 2022.

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Seven million Britons embrace crypto as Bitcoin soars to $95,000

Shoppers are expected to face higher prices as retailers grapple with increased costs resulting from recent budget measures, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned.

Additional expenses from national insurance contributions, a rise in the minimum wage, and a new packaging levy are set to drive up inflation, according to industry leaders.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, stated: “With significant price pressures on the horizon, November’s figures may signal the end of falling inflation. The industry faces £7 billion of additional costs next year because of changes to employers’ national insurance contributions, business rates, an increase to the minimum wage, and a new packaging levy.”

Dickinson called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to reform the business rates system and reconsider the current timelines for the packaging levy to alleviate the financial burden on retailers.

Data from the BRC and research consultancy NielsenIQ showed that over the year to November, shop prices decreased by 0.6%, a slight slowdown from the 0.8% reduction in the previous 12 months to October. On a monthly basis, shop prices edged up by 0.2% after a 0.1% increase in October. Food inflation fell to 1.8% annually—the lowest rate since November 2021—down from 1.9% in October. Non-food prices declined by 1.8% over the year, a smaller drop compared to the 2.1% contraction in the prior month.

The BRC’s shop price index, released ahead of the official inflation figures, is a key indicator used by analysts. The official inflation rate rose to 2.3% in October from 1.7% in September.

Last week, over 70 of the UK’s largest retailers—including Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Next—wrote to the Chancellor warning that tax increases from the budget could lead to store closures, job losses, and higher prices for consumers.

Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury’s, highlighted that the increase in national insurance is expected to cost the supermarket an additional £140 million in the next financial year. He noted that while the company aims to mitigate the impact, the industry’s thin margins make it challenging to absorb such significant cost increases.

Marks & Spencer, which employs around 65,000 people, anticipates a £60 million impact from the national insurance hike and an additional £60 million due to the minimum wage increase. Leeds-based Asda expects approximately £100 million in extra costs from higher employers’ national insurance contributions and warned that these measures would likely contribute to inflation.

A survey from Asda’s monthly income tracker, produced with the Centre for Economics and Business Research, found that British households’ disposable income declined by £1.98 in October, leaving the average household with £247 per week.

The BRC’s warning coincides with research by accountancy firm Price Bailey, indicating that more than one in ten restaurants are at “imminent risk” of closure. The hospitality sector has been struggling with rising costs in recent years, and the latest budget measures have added further pressure through increased labour costs.

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Retailers warn of inevitable price rises due to budget measures

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So you’re crushing it at work, but your love life’s on life support. Balancing a booming career with dating feels like juggling flaming chainsaws.

Tough, but not impossible. The effort doesn’t have to kill your social interactions. With a bit of strategy, you can make room for both board meetings and romantic meetups. Let’s explore how you can make it happen without losing your mind.

Believe it or not, you can have both a killer career and a decent dating life. It just takes a little planning and the right tools. With the help of platforms like LovoFinder, you can meet someone without tanking your professional game. Stick around, and we’ll show you how.

Prioritize and Schedule Your Time

Time is your most valuable asset. You plan meetings and deadlines, so why not date nights? Block out specific times in your calendar for socializing. Treat it like any other important appointment—because it is.

Use time management techniques like time blocking to make sure dating doesn’t fall through the cracks. Maybe set aside one or two evenings a week to meet new people or encourage budding relationships. That way, you’re not leaving your love life to chance.

Its streamlined features help you connect with potential partners effectively so yeah, LovoFinder makes this easier. No endless swiping, only quality dating when you have the time. It’s like speed dating on your terms. Plus, the app’s smart matching algorithms do a lot of the legwork for you, so you can focus on making real relationships.

Set Realistic Expectations

Be real with yourself about how much time and energy you can spare. You’re not a superhero—you can’t be everywhere at once. Focus on quality over quantity. Serious connections are always better than half-hearted conversations. Know what you’re looking for and stick to it.

Being upfront with your matches about your busy schedule can save a lot of hassle. Honesty here sets the right expectations and filters out those who might not be compatible with your lifestyle. After all, the last thing you need is added stress from mismatched expectations.

Invest time in truly getting to know you and your potential partner. Instead of simple chats, build deeper conversations. LovoFinder encourages special interactions, helping you connect with people who appreciate your ambition. By focusing on getting to know each other, you create a foundation that withstands the demands of a busy career.

Be Open About Your Career Priorities

Transparency is your friend here. Don’t shy away from sharing your career ambitions with potential partners. If you’re gunning for that promotion or launching a startup, let them know. Being open about your professional goals isn’t bragging – it’s showing who you are.

Sharing your ambitions can actually attract like-minded individuals who find drive and passion attractive. You’ll draw in people who not only understand your hustle but might even be inspired by it. Also, it’s better to hang out with someone who understands that your late nights aren’t a sign of disinterest.

When discussing your career commitments, frame them in a positive light. Instead of saying, “I’m too busy for anything serious,” try, “I’m passionate about my work, and I’m looking for someone who appreciates that.” The main thing is communication that does not disturb the atmosphere.

Maximize Quality Interactions

Let’s face it, you don’t have hours to waste on small talk. Ask provocative questions and be genuinely interested in the answers. Quality over quantity, remember?

Being selective isn’t being picky – it’s being smart with your limited time. Focus on matches who share your values and way of life. If someone’s profile screams incompatibility, don’t force it. Put your energy where it matters.

Use LovoFinder’s tools to your advantage. Features like interest tags and compatibility quizzes can help you find matches that are worth your time. These tools simplify the process so you’re not sifting through a sea of unsuitable options.

When you do meet up, make it memorable. Choose activities that you both enjoy and that allow for real conversation. This way, even if time is short, the connection isn’t.

Conclusion

Combining a fast-paced career and an active personal life is not an easy task, but it is not impossible. By prioritizing and planning your time, setting realistic expectations, being open about your career priorities, and maximizing the quality of your interactions, you can succeed.

It’s all about strategy and using the right tools, like LovoFinder to meet someone who gets you. Don’t settle for a monotonous life when you can build a successful career and meaningful relationships. So go ahead, take these tips for a spin, and get back in the dating game without skipping a beat at work.

Life’s too short to wait for the “right time.” Make the time, and you’ll find that striking a balance is not just achievable—it’s downright rewarding.

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How to Date on LovoFinder While Building a Successful Career

The influencer marketing industry was priced at 21 billion in 2024 and is projected to rise to 25 billion pounds by the close of 2024.

Consumers commonly invest in the product recommendations of their chosen influencer; others are turned away by what they deem inauthentic content. In the run-up to Christmas and in the digital age of the investigative consumer, Somebody Digital reveals how brands and consumers alike can cut through the noise to uncover genuine, impactful influence.

Recent studies discovered that while 70% of consumers trust influencers as much as personal endorsements, over 50% state that they feel overwhelmed and sceptical due to the high volume of paid posts on their newsfeeds. This paradox signals a growing trend: influencers can entice and deter consumers.

“In a market saturated with #AD, authenticity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the key to success,” says Cristiano Winckler at Somebody Digital.

When Influencers Backfire: The Pitfalls of Inauthenticity

With more influencers entering the market daily, a significant portion of content can feel repetitive, shallow, or overly promotional. 45% of consumers have hit the unfollow button on influencers who regularly promote paid ads or brand deals that their audience feels don’t align with their values. The consequence for brands? A decline in engagement, reputation, and inauthenticity, even towards future campaigns.

Influencer Red Flags For The Consumer:

Beware of ‘Over-Sponsored’ content. When every post is an ad, consumer trust takes a hit. Consumers should be wary of influencers who promote products in rapid succession, often with little relevance to their usual content. Similarly, brands should collaborate selectively to avoid over-commercialisation.

Note To Brands:

Adopting an influencer based on who they have worked with can be easy. However, there must be a balance between sponsored posts and organic, all relating to your target consumer.

Authenticity vs. Product Fatigue

While influencers portray how a product can sit in their followers’ lifestyles, overexposure to a single brand or message can fatigue audiences. It has been proven that consumers skip over content they believe is repetitive or forced.

Engagement That Goes Beyond Data

High engagement doesn’t automatically equal high trust. Look beyond likes and comments to ensure authentic interactions, meaningful discussions, and critical comments; metrics such as comments and audience interaction often speak louder than follower count. In other words, influencers with fewer followers but ones who meaningfully engage and hold the potential to become brand ambassadors will be more beneficial than influencers who have millions of followers.

Tips for Finding Genuine Influencers

How Consumers Can Navigate Their Interactions with Influencers:

Check for Consistency: Observe whether influencers consistently support certain causes, values, or lifestyles across their content. Genuine influencers tend to have a recognizable mission or theme.

Engage with Content: Read the comments and replies to an influencer’s posts. Influencers who actively engage with their followers demonstrate a two-way conversation, often signaling authentic connections.

Look for Disclosure: Transparent influencers clearly disclose their partnerships, using language that’s easy to understand (e.g., #Ad or #Sponsored). Their willingness to be honest builds trust.

Assess Quality, Not Quantity: A high follower count doesn’t always indicate influence. Check how engaged their audience is — do they have thoughtful comments, meaningful interactions, or just generic likes?

Follow Diverse Influencers: To avoid echo chambers and broaden your perspective, consider engaging with influencers from different cultural backgrounds, regions, and viewpoints.

The Evolving Role of Influencers in Modern Society

Influencers are shaping the future of advertising, creating powerful narratives that resonate deeply with followers. This guide recognizes this influence’s positive and negative aspects and aims to spark meaningful conversations around transparency, ethics, and consumer responsibility.

“Many influencers use their platforms to bring light to critical social issues, support small businesses, and drive positive change. At the same time, their power means they must operate with care, ethical consideration, and responsibility to their audiences,” adds Winckler.

Empowering Consumers to Ask Questions

Beyond identifying genuine influencers, question what you see online to make informed decisions, before acting on any recommendations. Questions to ask yourself include:

Is the influencer’s endorsement backed by evidence, or are they promoting a product?
Have they received compensation to speak about a particular topic or service, and how does it impact their narrative?
Is the influencer transparent about their successes and failures, especially regarding lifestyle, fitness, or wellness goals?

Collaboration with Influencers: What Consumers Should Know

Brands and influencers should collaborate to deliver content that aligns with consumer expectations; authenticity audits, long-term brand partnerships, and ethical influencer marketing are important to build trust between influencers, brands, and consumers.

“Brands are beginning to prioritise genuine, long-term relationships over quick, transactional partnerships with influencers. This shift allows for more credible endorsements and fosters trust,” Winckler explains.

Read more:
Influencer Overload? How to Navigate the World of Influencers in a £21 Billion Industry

Online advertising can be costly and scalable, but ensuring that ad spending is protected and effective is a major challenge, with significant resources lost to malicious third parties.

With the vast amount of money spent on digital ads, brands face the challenge of protecting their ad budgets from being wasted on incorrect placements or fraudulent activities.

On a bright note, digital advertising offers incredible opportunities for businesses of all sizes, especially smaller ones looking to make a name for themselves. With precise targeting and analytics, even small companies can reach their target audience with technical proficiency. This level playing field allows emerging brands to compete with bigger players, building their reputation and expanding their customer base effectively.

To welcome the benefits and sidestep the drawbacks, this article explores the importance of ad verification and how data collection methods like data scraping can help verify ad display while helping avoid fraudulent publishers, ensuring that your advertising dollars are well spent. Information collection is vital for battling ad fraudsters, as it helps verify ad placements, ensure that ads reach the intended audience, and detect any suspicious activity. Automatable data scraping processes make these tasks more efficient by quickly gathering and analyzing large volumes of data, allowing businesses to respond swiftly to potential threats and optimize their ad strategies. So, without further delay, let’s take a closer look at how companies protect their ad spending with clever ad placement and verification.

What is Ad Verification

Ad verification is a process used in digital advertising to ensure that ads occupy the desired digital real estate and meet specific standards. Making sure ads show up in the right places and follow compliance standards is really important. If ads end up in the wrong spots or don’t meet the necessary guidelines, it can hurt a brand’s reputation and lead to wasted resources. Ad verification tools track where ads are shown and confirm they meet industry regulations. They detect fraudulent activities and provide real-time reporting to help advertisers make informed decisions. Here are the most common ad fraud techniques monitored by ad verification tools:

Click Fraud: This is when fake clicks are generated on ads, often using automated bots or groups of people, to make it look like an ad is getting lots of attention. This drains advertisers’ budgets without actually reaching real customers.
Domain Spoofing: Domain spoofing masks low-quality or fake websites as high-quality sites worthy to be publishers. Mislead advertisers might invest more resources to get more exposure while getting nothing in return.
Ad Stacking: This happens when multiple ads are layered on top of each other in a single ad placement, with only the top ad being visible. Advertisers are charged for impressions on all the ads, even though only one is seen by users.

By leveraging ad verification technologies, businesses can maintain the integrity of their advertising campaigns and protect their investments. The most common issues to look out for include ads being shown on inappropriate websites or not being visible to the intended audience. Fortunately, preventive measures protect brand safety and maximize return on investment (ROI) by ensuring that ads reach the desired customer base in the right context.

Utilizing Web Data for Ad Verification

To make sure their ads are shown in the right places, brands use different methods to track where and how their ads appear. They often rely on tools like tracking pixels and verification software to keep an eye on ad placements and ensure everything is running smoothly.

A tracking pixel is a small piece of code embedded in a webpage or email that collects data about user interactions, helping advertisers understand how their ads are performing. Verification software provides real-time insights into ad placements, allowing brands to quickly identify and address any issues. Real-time data is essential for spotting discrepancies and ensuring that ads are displayed as intended.

Meanwhile, data scraping tools and verification software monitor ad performance metrics, such as click-through rates (CTR), conversion rates, and bounce rates. A high CTR combined with a strong conversion rate suggests that real users are engaging with the ads and taking desired actions. Meanwhile, a low bounce rate indicates that users are finding the content relevant and are staying on the site longer, which is a good sign of genuine interest.

Ensuring Ad Accuracy and Brand Safety

One of the main goals of ad verification is to make sure ads appear in the right places and contexts. These processes can involve data scraping with proxy server connections to test all locales and spot any discrepancies, like ads showing up on irrelevant or inappropriate websites.

By meticulously tracking ad placements, brands can ensure their advertisements reach the intended audience and convey the desired message. This involves using advanced ad verification tools to analyze ad delivery data and confirm that ads are displayed on appropriate websites that align with the brand’s values and target demographics.

For instance, these tools can detect and prevent ads from appearing on sites that do not meet brand safety standards, ensuring that the brand’s reputation is protected. Many brands have successfully used ad verification along with data scraping to ensure their ads are displayed correctly, leading to better ad performance and enhanced brand safety.

Summary

Digital advertising offers great opportunities for businesses, but it also comes with challenges like ad fraud and wasted ad spending. Ad verification, using tools like tracking pixels and data scraping, helps ensure ads appear in the right places and meet industry standards, protecting brand reputation and investment. By analyzing performance metrics, brands can confirm their ads reach the right audience, maximizing ROI and enhancing brand safety.

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How to Protect Marketing Spend with Ad Verification

Tourists visiting the UK may soon be asked to pay local visitor levies as councils consider introducing overnight stay charges to support services strained by over-tourism.

The move follows similar measures in European destinations like Berlin and Barcelona and aims to address the challenges posed by record visitor numbers in popular areas.

Nearly half of Scotland’s local councils, including Highland, Orkney, and the Western Isles, are exploring a tourist tax. Highland council has begun consultations on a 5% overnight stay levy, potentially raising £10 million annually to improve infrastructure and facilities. Edinburgh is set to lead the UK by implementing a mandatory levy in July 2026, projected to generate £50 million per year.

In Wales, the government plans to unveil proposals for a visitor levy to fund tourism and local amenities, focusing on hotspots such as Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire, and Cardiff.

Highland council’s economy chair, Ken Gowans, emphasised the need for sustainable tourism, saying, “The wear and tear isn’t caused by locals, but they’re paying for it through council tax. If we have this money, we can maintain and improve services for visitors and residents alike.”

Over-tourism has strained destinations such as Skye’s fairy pools, the North Coast 500 route, and Orkney’s Neolithic sites. The travel guide Fodor’s recently placed the North Coast 500 on its “No list” due to its popularity creating tensions, with clogged roads, overwhelmed campsites, and environmental concerns.

In the Lake District, a study suggested introducing charges for overnight stays or car use to mitigate the environmental burden on the national park, which hosts 18 million visitors annually but has just 40,000 residents.

While some industry leaders, including VisitScotland, back the levy as a way to invest in sustainable tourism, others warn it could deter visitors. Critics, including hoteliers in Inveraray, have labelled the tax as “financial suicide,” arguing it may reduce spending and add administrative burdens.

However, Michael Hill, CEO of Friends of the Lake District, said similar levies in Europe have improved destinations. “We’re not anti-tourist. In many cases, visitor numbers actually increase after a levy is introduced because the place becomes better,” he noted.

As councils across the UK move closer to implementing visitor levies, they aim to balance the needs of local communities with those of visitors. By reinvesting revenue into infrastructure, the levies could support sustainable tourism while ensuring long-term benefits for popular destinations.

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Millions of UK tourists could face new visitor levies as councils seek to fund services

A growing number of workers are leaving companies imposing rigid office attendance requirements, according to new research. Recruiters report a significant surge in job applications from employees at firms mandating full-time office attendance, with two-thirds of recruiters surveyed noticing this trend.

The findings, from a study commissioned by flexible workspace provider IWG, reveal that stricter office policies are increasingly unpopular in the job market. Three-quarters of recruiters said candidates now routinely turn down roles lacking hybrid working options, while 72% believe businesses without flexible work policies are becoming less competitive in attracting top talent.

The shift follows a wave of stricter remote working mandates from major employers, including Amazon, Asda, PwC, and Santander. Notably, Amazon has instructed employees to return to the office full-time from January, while Starling Bank’s hybrid staff have been ordered to spend a minimum of 10 days per month in the office – sparking resignations from frustrated employees.

Employees in roles requiring five-day office attendance have voiced their discontent. Separate research from IWG found that 36% of these workers believe their employers risk losing top talent, while nearly half (46%) are actively seeking jobs offering flexibility to avoid long commutes.

Mark Dixon, chief executive of IWG, emphasised the business benefits of hybrid working: “The hybrid model boosts workforce productivity and job satisfaction while also cutting costs significantly. Flexible working is proven to enhance employee retention and competitiveness in the job market.”

The backlash against enforced office mandates comes as economists, including Stanford University’s Nicholas Bloom, predict that such policies may ultimately backfire. Bloom has warned that a talent exodus could force companies to abandon strict return-to-office rules in the coming year.

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Enforced office mandates drive workers to seek flexible roles

The UK faces an imminent threat of crippling cyber attacks from Russia, capable of “turning out the lights for millions,” a senior minister will warn at a NATO cyber defence conference in London.

Pat McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, is expected to highlight Russia’s readiness to wage cyber warfare targeting critical infrastructure and businesses, urging firms to bolster their defences.

Mr McFadden will describe Russia as “exceptionally aggressive and reckless” in the cyber domain, seeking to destabilise nations that support Ukraine. He will caution that Russian attacks could shut down power grids and disrupt the UK economy, emphasising that both the state and independent cybercriminals aligned with the Kremlin are actively widening their targets to NATO members.

“Russia’s cyber capabilities can be as destabilising and debilitating as military action,” Mr McFadden will state, adding that hackers have already targeted the UK’s energy networks, telecoms, and democratic institutions. Recent NHS hospital hacks, thought to involve Russian groups, postponed over 800 operations, including critical cancer treatments.

Mr McFadden will also underline the growing sophistication of “hacktivist” groups acting independently of the Kremlin but with tacit approval. He will cite attacks on local councils and NATO allies as examples of how these actors are expanding their reach and wreaking havoc.

“These groups are unpredictable and capable of inflicting significant damage with a single miscalculation,” he will say. “Putin is happy to exploit any gaps in our defences, targeting British businesses and infrastructure.”

The government is preparing the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill to strengthen the UK’s cyber defences. The proposed legislation will empower regulators, compel businesses to report attacks, and require essential infrastructure providers to secure their supply chains. Ministers are also engaging with business leaders to improve cyber defences amid estimates that cybercrime costs the UK £27 billion annually.

The warning comes as tensions escalate following Russia’s threats to target nations supplying Ukraine with weaponry, including the UK’s Storm Shadow missiles. Last month, Russia tested an intermediate-range missile and hinted it could retaliate against Western nations, adding further urgency to the need for robust cyber protections.

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Putin poised to unleash cyber attacks on UK, minister warns

Belstaff, the luxury leather jacket brand owned by billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has reported a further £18.3m loss, raising fresh concerns over its financial sustainability. Auditors have warned the business remains reliant on ongoing support from its parent company, Ineos, to survive.

Despite selling jackets priced up to £2,125, the brand’s sales declined by 4% to £57.6m in 2023, marking its sixth consecutive year of losses since its acquisition by Ineos in 2017. To date, Belstaff has yet to report an annual profit under Sir Jim’s ownership.

In their report, auditors from Grant Thornton flagged significant risks to the brand’s viability, citing the absence of a formal financial commitment from Ineos as a “material uncertainty” regarding Belstaff’s ability to operate as a going concern.

Belstaff’s directors, however, indicated that Ineos had informally assured ongoing financial support, including not demanding repayment of previous loans. At the close of 2023, Belstaff owed Ineos a £140m loan due within the year, alongside £179m in other outstanding loans.

Founded in 1909 in Staffordshire, Belstaff initially produced waterproof clothing and rubber goods before evolving into a luxury brand known for its waxed motorcycle jackets. Ineos acquired the business in 2017 after JAB Holdings shifted focus to food and beverage brands like Pret a Manger and Krispy Kreme.

At the time, the acquisition was seen as a potential complement to Sir Jim’s Ineos Automotive venture, leveraging Belstaff’s heritage in motorcycle apparel. However, both Belstaff and Ineos Automotive have faced challenges. Last month, production at Ineos’s car factory stalled due to financial troubles at a key supplier.

Belstaff has yet to comment on the latest figures or the warnings from its auditors.

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Belstaff racks up £18m loss as auditors warn of uncertain future