Amazon has stunned the tech world with a last-minute bid to acquire TikTok, the hugely popular video-sharing platform currently facing a US ban over national security concerns linked to its Chinese ownership. The move comes just days ahead of a critical enforcement deadline. Under legislation signed into law in April 2024 by then-President Joe Biden,…
Ten of the world’s leading car manufacturers – along with two major automotive trade associations – have been fined over £77 million by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) after admitting to illegal collusion on green advertising practices. The watchdog found that BMW, Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, Peugeot Citroën, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Renault, Toyota, Vauxhall,…
Britain is bracing for a major economic hit after President Donald Trump refused to exempt the UK from a wave of new global trade tariffs, with Downing Street now expecting duties of up to 20 per cent to take effect on Wednesday — what Trump has branded “Liberation Day”. Despite weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations, the…
Campaigners are urging UK police forces to take a far tougher stance on fraudsters, warning that scams have become a “penalty-free crime” amid a surge in reported fraud and high-profile global investigations. The call to action comes just days after the government announced it is working on an expanded fraud strategy in response to a…
Technology entrepreneur Tom Adeyoola has been named as the government’s preferred candidate to head Innovate UK, the country’s £1.1 billion-a-year innovation agency, at a pivotal moment for the organisation. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology confirmed that Adeyoola, 47, is in line to replace Indro Mukerjee in the £195,000-a-year role. The appointment comes as…
President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs on car imports could reshape global trade routes — and push the UK into pole position as the most important export market for Germany’s automotive industry. That’s the opinion of leading audit, tax and business advisory firm Blick Rothenberg. With a 25 per cent tariff on all German car…
In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, it’s easy to spend most of our time indoors -whether at work, home, or commuting between the two. However, spending time outdoors is essential for both our physical and mental wellbeing. Engaging in outdoor activities can boost health, enhance mood, improve productivity, and even contribute to better sleep quality. We…
The government’s 2025 spring statement has come under fire from the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, which warns that the Chancellor’s plans risk undermining business productivity and job creation by failing to address the real workplace challenges faced by employers. While the Chancellor announced increased funding for defence and infrastructure, CIPD…
Gender pay gap reporting for large employers was introduced in 2017. The Government’s view is that this has improved transparency and provided employers with important information about how to address inequalities. It intends to introduce mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting and is now consulting on how to do this. The consultation period ends…
Genetic testing giant 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy protection in the US as it seeks to sell off its business — placing the personal genetic data of millions of customers in a precarious position. The San Francisco-based company, which rose to prominence with its consumer DNA testing kits, announced on Sunday that it had initiated…
Uber has announced the nationwide expansion of its pioneering childcare support scheme, offering more than 100,000 drivers across the UK access to free, flexible childcare through a partnership with on-demand childcare platform Bubble. The move follows a successful pilot launched in 2023, which provided 1,000 drivers with a total of 10,000 hours of fully funded…
The UK is on course to deliver full-fibre broadband to nearly every household by 2027, according to Ofcom, marking a major milestone in Britain’s digital infrastructure ambitions. In its latest telecoms access review, which will shape broadband regulation from 2026 through to 2031, the communications regulator said that 96% of homes and businesses could be…
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed that inheritance tax (IHT) receipts reached £7 billion between April 2024 and January 2025—£700 million more than during the same period last year—putting the government on track for another record-breaking year for IHT revenue. With £7.499 billion collected in the 2023–24 tax year, the latest figures suggest this…
A growing consumer backlash against Amazon’s perceived political affiliations could see UK shoppers joining their US counterparts in boycotting the retail giant, potentially costing it up to £47 million in lost sales, according to delivery expert Parcelhero. In the US, consumer activism is on the rise, with 9% of Amazon shoppers last week planning to…
Rachel Reeves is under pressure to ramp up government spending on research and development (R&D) to £30 billion by the end of the decade, as business leaders warn that the UK risks falling behind global innovation powerhouses. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is calling on the chancellor to set an “ambitious and world-leading goal”…
