Business·29.04.2026ملخص الذكاء الاصطناعي UK Business Distress Rises 36.9% as Hospitality Hit by Tax Hikes, Middle East Conflict
The number of UK businesses in critical financial distress rose by 36.9% in Q1 2026 compared to Q1 2025, reaching 62,193 companies, according to insolvency firm Begbies Traynor. Hospitality, leisure, and sports sectors were worst hit, with hotel firms seeing a 69.3% increase in critical distress. The firm blamed tax rises imposed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves and economic fallout from the Middle East conflict, warning that zombie businesses could fail this year.