Investors representing over $3 trillion of assets under management from across North America, the Gulf, Asia and Australia will participate in InvestConnect, a new UK investment fund. Aimed at connecting the UK’s nations and regions to trillions of pounds of global capital, the new platform was developed in consultation with professional investors, government partners and the UK's nations and regions.
Touted as “... a trusted, AI-enabled platform”, somehow the technology will help “... package opportunities, standardise information and connect global capital with credible UK investment opportunities”.
Launched at the Chancellor’s annual Mansion House dinner, the new digital investor-led platform is being developed by InvestConnect Global Limited in partnership with the City of London Corporation. Cornwall Council, the Scottish Government and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority have become the platform's first Founding Opportunity Partners.
The argument is that while there is a global appetite to invest in the UK, opportunities have been seen as fragmented and inconsistently presented, making them difficult for investors to access and compare.
The new investment platform is expected to launch in Autumn 2026 and will initially focus on large-scale infrastructure and real asset opportunities, typically representing transactions of £100 million or more.
HMRC have updated guidance on UK VAT refunds for non-UK businesses in a VAT group. Revenue & Customs Brief 10 (2026) explains changes to how non-UK businesses in a VAT group should make future UK VAT refund claims and the transitional arrangements. It also explains how to ask HMRC to reconsider claims made since 1 January 2021 that have been refused.
Mayors across England are to be given the power to charge a tourist tax on overnight stays which would apply to British and foreign visitors alike.