The Government has today launched the Research Ventures Catalyst fund, injecting £50 million to bolster cutting-edge research in tech and science. The fund, based on partnerships with private and philanthropic investors, is set to unlock tens of millions of GBP and drive new discoveries across the health, tech and science sectors. The launch of the…
The majority of the UK’s hospitality businesses believe the industry is overlooked by the Government, new research has found. Europe’s largest virtual food brand operator commissioned an independent survey of 250 decision-makers in senior management positions within UK hospitality businesses (restaurants, takeaways, cafés and bars). It found that over three-fifths (62%) of UK hospitality businesses…
Ofgem has imposed a hefty £9.78m penalty on SSE Generation for securing excessive payments from the UK’s electricity system operator, which was in breach of its licence and raised costs for customers. The watchdog confirmed the penalty will be paid into its voluntary redress fund, a support kitty for vulnerable households, after first proposing the…
The Metropolitan Police have spent £7.7m policing 13 weeks of Just Stop Oil protests, the force has said. Protestors mounted 515 protests since April and the cost of handling the disruption amounted to the equivalent of 23,500 officer shifts. Actions included slow marches in busy London roads and disrupting major sporting events, and more than…
THE BBC’s chief executive is expected to contact Nigel Farage in writing today over the inaccurate story about him being de-banked by NatWest subsidiary Coutts. Mr Farage told GB News: “First things first, the BBC: I have actually received this morning an acknowledgment from Tim Davie, the director general, and he says that Deborah Turness, who…
Mounting Employment Tribunal backlogs are causing major delays in dealing with ongoing claims, leading to additional pressures for businesses and claimants, according to a leading employment lawyer. Tim Jones, Head of Employment Law at Higgs LLP, said the Employment Tribunal continued to suffer severe delays due to the amount of claims being issued and insufficient…
Social media has become an indispensable tool for businesses seeking to reach and engage their target audiences. However, creating compelling content is only one part of the equation; knowing when to post that content is equally crucial. Welcome to the world of perfect timing—where strategic scheduling of your social media campaigns can maximize their impact…
The Treasury Committee is challenging the lack of diversity in the venture capital industry as only 2 per cent of funding goes toward female founded and ethnic minority businesses, according to new report. The Committee also found that 80 per cent of investments went to the “Golden Triangle” of London, Oxford and Cambridge, with the…
New research finds that women SME owners are more likely than men to suffer cashflow challenges, undermining their growth and ambitions. Only half of women business owners report that their cashflow is stable and meets their needs, compared to a significantly higher two thirds of male respondents. In addition, four in ten female business leaders…
Parliament has launched a new inquiry into British film and high-end TV, examining issues around skills and retention as well as challenges posed from the rise of artificial intelligence. MPs on the culture, media and sport committee will investigate what needs to be done to maintain and enhance the UK as a global destination for…
Strikes by London Underground staff that were due to take place next week have been called off, the RMT and Aslef union has announced. The unions said a breakthrough had been achieved after “intense” negotiations with Transport for London (TfL) bosses in the days leading up to the walk outs. Both the drivers union, Aslef,…
Employers are still struggling with labour shortages and would need the entire population of Birmingham twice over to fill every vacancy, according to the latest snapshot of Britain’s labour market. Employers ran active job advertisements for 2.25 million jobs in the week to July 9 — 53 per cent more than in the equivalent period…
Business confidence in the HMRC’s competence has fallen markedly as accountants raise “significant concerns” about the accuracy of the information it provides. Official annual surveys of SME-sized businesses released by HMRC has revealed that those with fewer than 20 staff are least confident, with confidence levels down from 63 per cent in 2021 to 54…
Over 50s who are out of work should be given support to start their own businesses, MPs have said. A report by the Work and Pensions Select Committee has suggested a self-employment support programme could help reduce the level of economic inactivity in people over 50, as well as disabled people. The scheme, if implemented,…
Cheaper mortgages could be available within weeks on the back of better than expected inflation figures that suggest interest rates are close to peaking. In the first piece of good economic news for the government in months, the Office for National Statistics said that consumer price inflation had fallen from 8.7 per cent in May…
