Microsoft 365 Copilot: the productivity boost just got smarter
By Victoria Bowcock, Cloud & More
Last updated: 6 September 2025
Microsoft has just dropped a big set of Copilot updates — and this time it’s more than tweaks. With GPT-5 at the core, simpler pricing, and practical fixes, September 2025 is a turning point for UK businesses wondering if Copilot is really worth it.
Quick answer
Microsoft 365 Copilot now runs on GPT-5, meaning sharper results and less admin hassle. Pricing is simplified at £30 per user per month, and new features make it easier to draft emails, pull reports, and fix Teams glitches. For UK SMEs, that’s time back and smoother workflows.
GPT-5 takes centre stage
- Fewer “that’s not what I asked” moments.
- Drafting emails that actually sound like you.
- Smarter meeting notes and summaries.
- Reports pulled together in minutes, not hours.
Even Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella says he uses GPT-5 every day. If it’s helping him keep up with meetings and launches, it’s safe to say it’ll work for your team too.
Simpler pricing
The days of juggling confusing add-ons are over. Copilot now costs:
£23.10 per user per month.
That’s it. No extras. No calculations. For SMEs across Milton Keynes IT support and Bristol IT support,
it means easier budgeting and a clearer case for adoption.
Copilot goes mainstream
- Enterprise: Grant Thornton is rolling Copilot out to 13,500+ employees across 60 offices.
- Public sector: US government forecasts show savings of £3bn+ in the first year. Imagine what even a fraction of that could mean for the NHS or UK councils.
- Education: Microsoft is expanding access for students, meaning the next generation of UK workers will expect Copilot at their desks.
Fixes for the annoying stuff
If Copilot in Teams has ever glitched, Microsoft now gives you a diagnostics tool. It checks licences, client settings, and connectivity — saving your IT team from the guessing game.
For hybrid teams spread across cities like Bristol or Milton Keynes, that kind of fix makes a real difference.
Everyday updates that matter
- Word: Formatting stays neat when drafting.
- Excel: One-step formula generation.
- Outlook: Copilot Chat now works in classic Windows.
- PowerPoint: Import Excel data directly into slides.
- Mobile: Works in PDFs, plus new Agent Store integration.
- Transparency: Copilot now shows you the exact web queries it runs.
- Memory: It can remember past chats — but you choose what’s saved.
And starting 15 September, you can preview Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files directly in the Copilot app on iOS and iPad. Microsoft Lens? Retired. Its scanning features are now inside Copilot.
Why this matters for UK businesses
- Save time: One tool, one price, faster workflows.
- More control: Transparency on memory and queries.
- Fewer headaches: Built-in diagnostics.
- Future-ready: Your clients will expect you to work this way.
- Real savings: A 50-person business reclaiming 30 minutes a week per person equals 1,200+ hours a year.
Example in action:
In Bristol, a law firm was losing hours every week drafting first-cut contracts. Junior solicitors were bogged down in admin that rarely reached a client. With Copilot, those drafts now appear in minutes. The lawyers still shape and approve them, but the heavy lifting is gone — leaving more time for client strategy and fewer late nights stuck in Word.
In Milton Keynes, a construction company faced the usual month-end chaos: chasing site managers for updates, piecing together spreadsheets, and hoping nothing was missed. Now, Copilot pulls everything into a clean report in minutes. No chasing, no missing numbers, just clarity — and the directors finally feel they have visibility without sacrificing their weekends.
And in the financial services sector, a regional accountancy firm was buried in repetitive reporting. Staff were cutting and pasting the same figures into board packs and compliance documents every month. Copilot now pulls the data directly from Excel and produces first drafts of the reports. The accountants still review every number, but the hours saved each month are now spent advising clients instead of formatting tables.
That’s time back, stress down, and money saved. Pair it with secure Microsoft 365 backup and business continuity planning, and you’ve got the foundations of a more resilient business.
What’s next
Microsoft is already teasing Agent 365 — AI “co-workers” that automate tasks across your business. For SMEs, that could mean even fewer admin bottlenecks and more capacity to grow.
FAQs about Microsoft 365 Copilot
Is Microsoft 365 Copilot worth it for UK small businesses?
Yes. With GPT-5 and simpler pricing, it’s designed to save you time and cut admin.
How much does Microsoft 365 Copilot cost now in the UK?
£23.10 per user per month, all in.
Can Copilot work offline?
No. It needs cloud access to connect with Microsoft Graph.
Does Copilot store my data?
Yes, securely within Microsoft 365. You control what it remembers.
Which apps does Copilot support?
Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, and mobile apps all have Copilot features.
Key facts
- Microsoft 365 Copilot now runs on GPT-5 (Microsoft, 2025).
- UK SMEs could save 1,200+ hours a year if each employee reclaims 30 minutes a week (Cloud & More, 2025).
- Copilot costs £23.10 per user per month as of September 2025 (Microsoft, 2025).
Ready to see what Copilot could do for your team?
At Cloud & More, we don’t just sell licences — we help you make the most of them. From
cyber security services to Microsoft Teams Phone, our team makes sure your tech actually works for you.
Ready to see how these Microsoft updates can transform your business?
With Microsoft 365 Copilot, your team gains a powerful ally for tackling tasks and unlocking creativity. If you’re ready to explore how Copilot can transform your business, Cloud & More is here to help. Let’s make work smarter, not harder one prompt at a time.
