The British Business Bank research also shows a sharp fall in the value of reported equity deals in Wales

The number of equity deals and their value have fallen sharply in Wales, shows new research from the British Business Bank. According to its latest Small Business Finance Markets report, in the first three-quarters of 2025 there were 26 reported equity deals, a fall of 53% on the same period in 2024 when 55 deals were confirmed.

The fall in percentage terms was the highest of any UK nation or region. The only nations or regions to experience a year-on-year rise were Northern Ireland, up 35%, west Midlands, up 6% and Yorkshire and the Humber, up 4%. For the UK as whole there was a fall of 23% to 1,238 deals. While down 27% year-on-year, London accounted for 46% of total UK deals, followed by Scotland 11% and the south east of England, 9%.

The number of deal in Wales, based on research by Beauhurst, made up 2% of total UK deal, compared to 3% in 2024.

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The 26 equity investments had a combined value of £23m, compared to £62m a year earlier – a fall of 63%. The Welsh deals on value made up just 0.3% of the UK total of £7bn. In 2024 the contribution was higher at 0.7% of the total UK value of deals of £8bn.

For the UK as whole the value of deal was down 20% of the first three-quarters of 2025. London dominated on with 60% of the UK total(£4.1bn), followed by Scotland with 11% (£757m).

The report also shows that at the start of 2025, there were 194,200 businesses in Wales – compared to 220,200 at the start of 2024, accounting for 3% of the UK total of 5.69 million. The fall of 12% in the Welsh business population, contrasted with modest growth across much of the UK. The decline was largely driven by a reduction in unregistered businesses without employees, differing from the UK-wide trend where growth in the business population was supported by increases in this segment.

In 2025, there was 10,245 business births in Wales, representing 3% of the UK total of 314,000). Welsh business creation levels remained among the lowest in the UK. Its recorded enterprise rate of 742 businesses per 10,000 adults was around half the level seen in London (1,436) and below most UK nations and regions. Across the UK overall, start-up activity showed modest improvement overall, with 314,000 new businesses created in 2025, up 1% year-on-year.

The five-year survival rate for Welsh businesses founded in 2019 stood at 38%, matching the UK average, but ranking joint third lowest among UK nations and regions. Survival outcomes varied widely across the UK, with the highest rates recorded in the South West (44%) and Northern Ireland (43%).

Smaller businesses continue to play a significant role in Wales’s economy, accounting for 74% of total private sector employment – the second highest proportion among UK nations and regions, behind Northern Ireland (77%).

Employment in Wales is spread across a wide range of firm sizes, with the largest share concentrated in businesses employing fewer than 50 people, highlighting the importance of smaller firms to job creation and economic activity across the country.

Overall UK lending markets showed signs of gradual improvement, with gross SME bank lending increasing by 9% to £68bn in 2025. Across the UK, challenger and specialist banks continued to expand their role in smaller business lending, accounting for 60% of gross SME bank lending in 2025.

Susan Nightingale, director, UK network, devolved nations at the British Business Bank – the economic development bank of the UK Government – said: “Smaller businesses remain fundamental to Wales’s economy, particularly as employers across communities and sectors. The findings in this year’s report highlight the pressures many businesses continue to face in a challenging economic environment including reduced investment activity and slower business creation.

”The British Business Bank is committed to improving access to finance and supporting innovation-led growth across Wales. Through initiatives such as the Investment Fund for Wales, we are helping ambitious businesses access the funding they need to scale and build resilience for the future.

“The fund recently completed its largest investment to date – a £3.5m equity investment into industrial services firm Advantiv – marking an important milestone and supporting the company’s expansion, new UK locations and operational innovation.”

Rap legend Lil Wayne is returning to central Iowa this summer as part of his “20 Years of Carter Classics” tour, celebrating two decades of his influential Tha Carter album series. The New Orleans native will perform at the Casey’s Center in downtown Des Moines on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., bringing high-energy hits and fan favorites to the venue.

The announcement, part of an expanded North American leg revealed in mid-March 2026, follows Lil Wayne’s recent additions to his touring schedule. Variety, Pitchfork, Consequence and JamBase reported the new dates, highlighting the tour’s focus on classics from Tha Carter, Tha Carter II and beyond. The Des Moines stop slots between other Midwest shows, including Chicago on July 17 at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island and Shakopee, Minnesota, on July 18 at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel.

This marks Lil Wayne’s second major appearance in Des Moines in recent years. He previously headlined what was then Wells Fargo Arena — now rebranded as part of the Iowa Events Center complex — on April 11, 2024, delivering a dynamic set that included shoutouts to local star Caitlin Clark and drew enthusiastic crowds. Fans praised the performance for its intensity and Lil Wayne’s rapid-fire delivery.

The Casey’s Center, a premier venue within the Iowa Events Center, has hosted major acts like Paul McCartney, Eric Church and Elton John. Capacity varies by configuration but typically accommodates large concerts with strong sightlines and acoustics.

Tickets for the July 16 show go on sale Friday, March 20, 2026, at 10 a.m. local time. Primary sales will occur through Hy-VeeTix.com, the official ticketing partner for the Iowa Events Center, and at the Casey’s Center box office when open. Citi cardmembers may access a presale starting earlier — details are listed as “coming soon” on the Hy-VeeTix event page.

For those seeking tickets, start at Hy-VeeTix.com by searching for “Lil Wayne” or navigating to the Casey’s Center events calendar. The site offers interactive seating charts, allowing fans to select specific sections and view prices in real time. General admission or reserved seating options are expected, with prices varying based on demand and location.

Secondary marketplaces like Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, Vivid Seats and Gametime also list or will soon feature inventory for the Des Moines date. These platforms often provide last-minute options or resale tickets, though prices may exceed face value due to fees and demand. SeatGeek and Vivid Seats emphasize buyer guarantees and price comparisons, with some Lil Wayne tickets across his 2026 tour starting around $123 on secondary sites, though Des Moines-specific pricing remains to be seen.

To maximize chances of securing tickets:

– Create accounts in advance on Hy-VeeTix and any preferred resale sites to speed up checkout.
– Join Lil Wayne’s official fan club or mailing list via his website or social media for potential presale codes.
– Monitor Ticketmaster.com, where Lil Wayne’s broader tour is listed, as some dates route through the platform.
– Arrive early for online sales, as popular shows can sell out quickly during onsale rushes.
– Consider VIP packages if offered, which may include premium seating, exclusive merchandise or meet-and-greet opportunities — past Lil Wayne tours featured VIP merch bundles with front-row access.

Lil Wayne, born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., remains one of hip-hop’s most prolific artists, with 15 studio albums, multiple Grammys and a catalog spanning trap anthems, introspective tracks and collaborations. The “20 Years of Carter Classics” tour spotlights material from his breakthrough Tha Carter era, which revolutionized Southern rap and influenced generations. Recent shows have included special guests on select dates, though openers for Des Moines have not been announced.

Fans in Des Moines can expect a set heavy on classics like “Go D.J.,” “Fireman,” “Lollipop,” “A Milli” and “6 Foot 7 Foot,” alongside deeper cuts from the Carter series. Lil Wayne’s live performances are known for high energy, rapid flows and crowd interaction, often extending beyond scheduled times.

The tour extension reflects strong demand following initial 2025-2026 announcements. Lil Wayne has maintained a busy schedule with festival appearances, including BottleRock Napa Valley in May 2026, and continues to release music and collaborate.

For those unable to attend in person, check local radio stations or streaming platforms for potential live broadcasts or post-show coverage. Iowa Events Center officials recommend arriving early for parking and entry, with clear bag policies and standard venue rules in place.

As excitement builds for Lil Wayne’s return, Des Moines rap fans have a prime opportunity to experience one of hip-hop’s icons celebrating his legacy live. Secure tickets promptly through official channels to avoid missing out on what promises to be a memorable night.

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Its ability to accelerate passenger numbers will hinge on the outcome of legal challenge by Bristol Airport over Welsh Government £205m subsidy support plans

Cardiff Airport achieved a near 10% rise in passengers last year, but still remains well below its pre-pandemic level.

The Rhoose-based airport, which is wholly-owned by the Welsh Government, welcomed 963,000 passengers in 2025, up 9% on 2024, with a 4% rise in air traffic movements. The airport said the increase was supported by significant growth from Ryanair and TUI. Cargo volumes, supported by a new base from European Cargo, experienced a 7% increase .

The airport is also continuing to invest in route development, with further new services planned for this year and 2027.

Ryanair is set to operate its busiest ever summer, marking 12 years of operations at the airport. Extra frequency has been added across its five routes, For the summer season TUI will base a fourth aircraft at Cardiff, bringing increased frequencies to Antalya, Enfidha, Gran Canaria, Palma and Tenerife and new routes to Faro and Hurghada.

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Further TUI growth is planned for the 2026-27 winter season, with new services to Kittilä (Finland) and the Dominican Republic.

Canadian low cost carrier WestJet, from May 23, will launch a new four-times-weekly service from the airport to Toronto Pearson – the largest and busiest airport in Canada. It connects to all major Canadian cities, as well as the US cities of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and Dallas. For its inaugural 2026 summer season the route has released 21,320 seats for sale. Both Cardiff Airport and WestJet said they are “pleased with the sales performance to date.”

KLM continues to operate twice-daily services to Amsterdam, providing global hub connectivity. Moreover, Vueling continues services to Malaga and Alicante.

The airport said that PandO Cruises has expanded its fly-cruise programme with additional flights to Barbados and a new destination. The airport wouldn’t be drawn on providing a projected passenger figure for 2026.

Last month a legal challenge brought by Bristol Airport against Welsh Government plans to provide further subsidy support to the airport over a ten year period of £205m was heard by the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

Around £100m of the subsidy has been earmarked for route development. Long-term the airport is aiming to get back to two million passengers. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, the airport attracted 1.6 million passengers. Its subsidy support is expected to be framed at attracting routes, including more longhaul alongside WestJet, currently not served by Bristol.

As well as being deployed to attract new routes, the subsidy support will also be used to diversify away from passenger-related revenues. The airport is targeting areas such as aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and freight.

Bristol Airport, which in 2025 saw its passenger numbers dwarf Cardiff’s – at 10.8 million, of which around two million are drawn from South Wales – argues that the proposed funding breaches the post-EU state aid regime under the Subsidy Control Act 2022. It says the funding represents unprecedented state support for a UK airport and will put it at a commercial disadvantage relative to its nearest rival.

The Welsh Government’s position is that the airport is not a failing enterprise and that it plays a vital role in supporting the wider Welsh economy. An economic assessment by Grant Thornton estimates it generates a £220m gross value added positive impact on the Welsh economy through the airport’s direct, indirect and induced impacts.

Its subsidy support is expected to be framed at attracting routes, including more longhaul alongside WestJet, currently not served by Bristol.

A judgment from the Competition Appeal Tribunal, which would be subject to appeal, is not expected this side of the Senedd Election in May.

With the £52m acquisition cost of acquiring the airport from Spanish firm Abertis back in 2013, it has invested nearly £200m, with a significant element of repayable loans converted into equity.

The airport, in its last financial year to the end of March 2025, show its revenues improve from £19.33m a year earlier to £19.8m, while on a pre-Ebitda basis (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation) and exceptional items it posted a positive £5.7m. However, when factoring in the receipt of an £11.8m Welsh Government grant linked to a five-year post-Covid recovery plan, the Ebitda figure slipped into the red at £5.57m.

Since being acquired by the Welsh Government the airport has accumulated losses of around £60m.

In March last year former airport chief executive Spencer Birns quit his role. The accounts show he received a £151,088 payment, approved by the airport’s remuneration committee, in lieu of notice. No reason for his departure from what was a £131,000 role was given.

The airport’s current chief executive is Jon Bridge, having taken up his role last November. He is a former chief executive of SA Brain and Co.

Lidl US is recalling its Favorina Chocolate Ladybugs due to an undeclared hazelnut allergen, the company said. 

Consumers with hazelnut allergies risk serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if the product is consumed.

The recall applies to Favorina Chocolate Ladybugs – German-Style Nougat 3.52 oz boxes with UPC 20304492.

E. COLI OUTBREAK LINKED TO RAW CHEDDAR CHEESE ALLEGEDLY SICKENS 7 PEOPLE ACROSS MULTIPLE STATES

Favorina Chocolate Ladybugs – German-style Nougat 3.52 oz boxes, sold at Lidl US stores, have been recalled due to an undeclared hazelnut allergen. (FDA)

The products were distributed between Jan. 28, 2026, and March 11, 2026, at Lidl store locations in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.

The recalled chocolate products were distributed across multiple states between late January and mid-March 2026, according to Lidl US. (FDA)

The recall was initiated after the company discovered the chocolate products, which contain tree nuts, were sold in packaging that did not disclose the presence of hazelnuts.

A Lidl Food Market branch stands on December 27, 2022, in Arlington, Virginia. Lidl, a German discount supermarket chain, has expanded rapidly across 10 states in the eastern USA in recent years. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Customers are advised not to consume the product and to return it to any Lidl store for a full refund. A receipt is not required. Customers with questions can contact Lidl US by phone.

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No illnesses have been reported to date. FOX Business reached out to Lidl US for additional comment.

Artificial intelligence is transforming how organisations deliver services, driving measurable changes in speed, efficiency, and client satisfaction in the business services sector.

For firms managing link-building, digital PR, and SEO operations, innovation in service delivery is a strategic imperative. Leaders are adapting to new challenges and opportunities as technological capabilities evolve, especially where service quality, campaign efficiency, and workflow automation intersect.

In recent years, artificial intelligence has become pivotal to how businesses, from small agencies to large service providers, approach service delivery in areas like link building, campaign fulfilment, publisher vetting, and scalable client operations. Embracing new technologies such as AI has become essential to remain competitive and meet evolving client requirements. Bazoom.com is an example of a platform at the centre of these industry shifts, helping businesses manage workflows that involve publisher qualification, brief handling, turnaround scheduling, compliance checks, and performance reporting. Integrating these solutions can increase value and effectiveness while providing more control over budgets, risk factors, and the integrity of digital PR and SEO services.

Adoption of artificial intelligence in core operations

Business service providers increasingly leverage artificial intelligence to automate and optimise tasks once handled entirely by staff. Within link-building marketplaces and digital PR delivery, AI-driven systems can help match briefs to qualified publishers, check for compliance, and monitor deadlines in real time. This optimises campaign execution and supports higher service consistency, although results may depend on data quality and oversight. In related areas, document management bots can extract, summarise, and validate information from contracts, briefs, and correspondence with faster turnaround than manual review, though process accuracy is influenced by how well systems are configured and monitored.

Marketing operations, especially those linked to SEO and digital PR campaigns, benefit from AI that streamlines content workflows and analyses outreach performance, enabling precise adjustments to targeting and reporting. Automated analysis helps organisations optimise budgets and forecast campaign impact, while anomaly detection reduces errors and flags potential risks early. Financially, automated processing of invoices and service orders supports scalability and frees teams to focus on strategic improvements in service fulfilment. Across these business services, the priority is to aid staff while reducing repetitive manual work in executing and monitoring link-building and PR campaigns.

Operational benefits and changes in expectations

As artificial intelligence matures within the link-building marketplace context, it delivers measurable benefits in speed, quality assurance, and cost control across service lines. Service consistency can improve because AI helps enforce compliance checks and maintain process standards at scale. Businesses expand service availability and responsiveness, allowing clients to expect faster turnarounds and continuous reporting on campaign KPIs, even outside standard office hours. These AI-enabled gains reshape not only client communications, but also internal workflows, enhancing publisher outreach, report generation, and fraud prevention measures important for digital PR and SEO fulfilment.

Intelligent automation also drives rethinking of pricing and service models. Service providers can now offer clear deliverable-based packages, volume discounts, and outcome-oriented retainers, reflecting efficiencies gained from AI-driven campaign workflows. Clients benefit from transparent quality control, budget tracking, and on-demand reporting. As the bar for link-building marketplace performance rises, expectations on turnaround times and fulfilment reliability increase. Businesses that leverage platforms such as bazoom.com illustrate how workflow automation, compliance management, and quality assurance are now central to effective, scalable business service delivery in this space.

Challenges of accuracy, compliance, and human oversight

Despite the advantages of artificial intelligence in managing link-building marketplace operations, implementation requires proactive oversight to mitigate risks. Automated models can yield incorrect matches, misinterpret publisher data, or miss nuanced compliance signals in briefs and campaign rules without appropriate human review. Protecting sensitive information throughout publisher interactions, campaign set-up, and reporting chains remains a critical challenge as data transits between clients, platforms, and internal staff. Ongoing monitoring of AI-driven processes is necessary to prevent the introduction or amplification of bias and to maintain high standards in campaign outcomes and reporting.

For organisations relying on AI in digital PR and SEO services, transparency, traceability, and explainability are vital. Human-in-the-loop systems allow for review and escalation of flagged issues before delivery to clients. Professional training can focus on developing skills to supervise, audit, and refine campaign workflows using artificial intelligence. When selecting between off-the-shelf automation and custom platform developments, teams consider the ability to integrate with core systems, manage workflow compliance, and ensure operational security. Balancing efficiency with transparency and accountability remains fundamental in service delivery across the link-building and digital marketplace sector.

Measuring performance and preparing for future trends

Calculating the return on investment for artificial intelligence in business services requires systematic performance measurement. Organisations in the link-building and PR space now track metrics such as cycle time for campaign fulfilment, issue resolution rates, publisher engagement, and client reporting accuracy. Phased rollouts and testing of AItools help identify process improvements and reduce operational risk before scaling new workflows. This data-driven approach enables teams to document gains and adjust strategies based on objective results rather than anecdotal observations.

Looking forward, the expanded use of autonomous AI agents and smart workflow automation is expected to further shape link-building marketplace operations. Enhanced compliance protocols, real-time audit trails, and proactive fraud prevention are becoming the norm, allowing service providers to meet increasing client and regulatory demands. Early adoption of transparent and robust artificial intelligence practices enhances competitive positioning, while organisations that delay adaptation may face greater pressure to modernise. As standards evolve within the business service delivery environment, transparency, reliability, and measurable quality will remain central to successful link-building and digital PR execution.

Miami has officially been crowned the most at-risk housing market in the world, surpassing notoriously expensive hubs like Los Angeles and New York.

While Florida’s tax-friendly climate continues to lure billionaires fleeing high-tax states like California, local homeowners are facing a perfect storm of record-low affordability, massive condo repair bills and surging insurance premiums, according to a new report.

UBS’ Global Real Estate Bubble Index for 2025 puts Miami in the No. 1 spot for the real estate market with the highest bubble risk, with a score of 1.73, well above the 1.5 threshold for “high risk.” That figure exceeds the peak of the 2006 housing bubble.

“Over the past 15 years, Miami has posted the strongest inflation-adjusted housing appreciation among all cities in the study,” the report says.

MARK ZUCKERBERG AND SERGEY BRIN CLOSE ON MASSIVE MIAMI ESTATES WORTH OVER $220M COMBINED

“Cities with elevated or high bubble risk continued to decouple from fundamentals: over the last five years, inflation-adjusted home prices increased nearly 25% on average, while rents rose about 10% and incomes about 5%,” it continues.

An aerial view of high-rise residential towers and single-family homes in Miami Beach, Florida. (Getty Images)

“By contrast, prices in cities with moderate or low risk fell roughly 5%, while rents and incomes were broadly flat. Historically, worsening affordability and widening gaps between prices and rents have served as forerunners of housing crises.”

Although Florida remains attractive for its zero-income tax and a potential zero-property tax, the report notes a regulatory squeeze is hitting the state’s middle class as owners of older condominium units are getting hit with rising maintenance and reserve costs.

“While price growth is expected to turn negative in the coming quarters, a sharp correction appears unlikely at this stage,” says the report.

The Magic City has been a fiscal sanctuary for names like Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, venture capitalist Peter Thiel, Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg – some of whom recently moved out of California ahead of a proposed wealth tax.

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“Miami’s coastal appeal and favorable tax environment continue to attract newcomers from the U.S. West and Northeast, with real estate prices still well below those in New York and Los Angeles,” UBS notes.

Miami and Los Angeles are leading the U.S. in bubble risk, as “law and order” or “quality of life” issues in cities like San Francisco are impacting their housing trajectories, the report adds.

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