New figures reveal a steep year-on-year decline in the number of businesses registered by women across the UK’s largest cities. Despite overall growth in new company registrations nationwide, female entrepreneurship has markedly contracted, signalling potential structural issues in access, support, and funding.

According to the latest analysis from Instant Offices, the number of women-led companies registered in 2024 dropped significantly in eight of the UK’s ten largest cities compared to the previous year. Bristol saw the most dramatic fall, down 57%, followed closely by Leicester (–56%), Glasgow (–54%), Leeds (–52%), Birmingham, and Liverpool (both –51%). Even London, the country’s economic engine, recorded a 48% reduction.

This trend comes despite the government’s goals to increase the number of female entrepreneurs by 600,000 by 2030. The reversal suggests that existing initiatives may not translate into results on the ground.

The study highlights key inhibitors, including limited access to funding, underrepresentation in investment decision-making, and the enduring gender pay gap. Only 2p of every £1 in UK equity investment currently goes to all-female founding teams, a figure that has not improved over the past decade.

Although total company registrations in some cities grew in 2024, the disproportionate drop in women-led firms underscores systemic hurdles rather than a broader economic slowdown. The data suggests a need for tailored investment vehicles, expanded mentoring networks, and more inclusive funding structures if the UK intends to meet its long-term targets for entrepreneurial diversity.

Parcel delivery firm Evri has merged with DHL’s UK ecommerce division in a move set to reshape the UK logistics market. The combined operation, now known as Evri Group, brings together over 42,000 workers, including 30,000 couriers and van drivers, positioning the firm as one of the largest players in the country.

Under the agreement, DHL Group takes a significant minority stake in Evri, while private equity firm Apollo remains the majority shareholder following its £2.7 billion acquisition of Evri in 2023.

The newly formed entity will handle over one billion parcels and letters annually. It also marks Evri’s entry into the UK business letter market, heightening competition with Royal Mail and potentially introducing more cost-competitive alternatives for enterprise-scale clients.

The combined group aims to improve service levels by integrating Evri’s high-volume infrastructure with DHL’s premium van network. This promises increased efficiency and scalability for UK retailers and e-commerce platforms.

Rotherham Council has announced a new five-year strategy focused on local economic development, infrastructure upgrades, and community investment. The strategy clearly emphasises supporting businesses and enhancing the region’s competitiveness.

The strategy, known as “Forging Ahead,” will be presented to the Cabinet on 19 May 2025. If approved, it will guide council actions through 2030. Key priorities include boosting the borough’s business infrastructure, improving transport connectivity, and driving local procurement.

Among the highlights is an £8.4 million investment in the Templeborough Business Zone, designed to create new commercial spaces and jobs. The Council is also progressing plans for a mainline rail station at Parkgate to enhance regional and national connectivity—an initiative expected to benefit freight logistics and commuter access.

The plan includes initiatives to support local enterprises, such as strengthening supply chains, encouraging local spending, and delivering targeted business support programmes like “Go for Growth.”

Investment in public spaces is also central. A £4 million “Our Places” programme will focus on improving town and village gateways. In contrast, upgrades to public parks and the creation of 400 homes in the town centre aim to make Rotherham more attractive to residents and businesses.

From a workforce and community development perspective, the plan includes support for new families, facilities for young people, and expanded housing options for adults with complex needs, measures intended to boost workforce participation and community wellbeing.

A new Street Safe team will be introduced to address antisocial behaviour and improve perceptions of public safety, which often affects high-street businesses.

The Council sees the plan as a continuation of progress made since 2021, including road improvements and significant cost-of-living support. If adopted, “Forging Ahead” will serve as a roadmap for aligning public investment with private sector growth.

Uber is extending its UberX Share ride-sharing option to all major UK cities except London by the end of June 2025. The service, piloted in Bristol since November 2024, allows passengers travelling in the same direction to share rides at a discount of up to 20%. UberX Share aims to keep detours under eight minutes on average.

This expansion is part of Uber’s efforts to reduce urban congestion and vehicle emissions by decreasing the number of cars on the road. London is excluded from the initial rollout due to differing local regulations; Uber’s previous shared-ride service there, UberPool, was suspended in March 2020 amid the pandemic. The company plans to introduce UberX Share in London later this year.

A £10 million employment support programme has launched in York and North Yorkshire. The programme is focused on helping individuals with long-term health conditions either re-enter or remain in the workforce. Backed by the central government as part of the Get Britain Working Inactivity Trailblazer initiative, the scheme positions the region as one of eight areas trialling new approaches to tackling economic inactivity.

Over the next year, the programme will assist 1,500 job seekers with health-related barriers, 500 individuals currently employed but needing extra support, and 150 local employers. The initiative responds to a 72% rise in health-related economic inactivity in the region since 2019, well above national trends.

The pilot will offer tailored employment interventions and test innovative delivery methods, including a Work, Health and Skills Interchange hub and a dedicated online platform. Community grants will also be issued to organisations developing grassroots employment solutions.

Better Connect, a not-for-profit based in Knaresborough, is leading delivery. The first to go live is Better Connect’s Rise2Thrive service. The programme will prioritise underserved groups, including 16–24-year-olds, over-50s, and people in rural and coastal areas.

Referrals will be channelled through local health and wellbeing hubs to embed employment support into existing community infrastructure. Outcomes from the pilot are expected to inform future UK-wide employment policy.