‘Madness’ to Increase Welfare Spending in Budget, Says AO World Boss

‘Madness’ to increase welfare spending in Budget, says boss of Bolton's AO World

The boss of electricals retailer AO World has called on the Chancellor to focus on cutting welfare spending instead of hitting businesses with more…

Scrapping two-child benefit cap would be "madness" slams AO boss after tax-raid

AO WORLD'S boss has urged the Chancellor to rein in welfare spending rather than clobber firms with more tax. John Roberts, founder and chief...

UK business boss slams Reeves' Budget 'madness' and begs Labour to 'man up'

The business guru said the Labour party needed to "man up" and "make some difficult decisions" in Wednesday's Budget.

Revenues & profits up at AO World despite ‘headwinds’

AO World PLC has reported strong growth in revenues & profits despite inflationary ‘headwinds’. The Bolton-headquartered electricals retailer said total revenue for the six months ended 30th September 2025 was £586 million, up 14% year-on-year. Both operating profit and profit before tax were at £18m for the period, up 7% and 10% respectively. AO said the national minimum wage and National Insurance cost increases had cost it £4m in the period. …