Government must learn the right lessons from PFI Opinion A new Public Accounts Committee report warns that the UK’s infrastructure ambitions risk failure unless government provides reliable, consistent investment signals and learns from past mistakes in private finance, writes Geoffrey Clifton-Brown The government’s ambitions for infrastructure – the new schools, hospitals, energy, road and rail projects to drive economic growth and serve future generations [...]
Financial advisers sound alarm on lack of support for SMEs Business Financial advisers have raised concern about the lack of support for small businesses in government policy as firms feel the pinch of economic pressures. Over half of advisers surveyed by alternative lender Thincats branded government policy as unsupportive of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) whilst just six per cent said it was supportive. Small businesses [...]
Lord Darzi: Tech and global collaboration could save the NHS’s ‘critical condition’ healthcare The NHS is in ‘critical condition’ and in urgent need of reform, but technology and international partnerships, particularly with India, could hold the key to its recovery, said Lord Ara Darzi. “We have a lot to learn from our colleagues in India”, Darzi announced on Thursday at the India Global Forum. “They’ve done some really [...]
Reeves to lay out 10-year infrastructure plan worth £725bn June 15, 2025 Chancellor Reeves is set to deliver a 10-year infrastructure strategy plan which will lay out efforts to boost growth and upgrade services across the UK. The new blueprint for UK infrastructure will come around a week after Reeves delivered the Spending Review, which marked out £190bn in extra government spending commitments for the years between [...]
British businesses celebrated in third year of The King’s Awards for Enterprise: June 5, 2025 The recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise have now been announced, celebrating the achievements of leading businesses from across the UK and Channel Islands and recognising their vital role in growing our economy to improve lives. This year, 197 businesses representing a diverse range of sectors, have been recognised by His Majesty The King [...]
Marston’s: Pub chain swings back into the black May 13, 2025 British pub chain Marstons has reported a significant uptick in profit amid higher demand and cost savings. The hospitality giant told markets this morning that underlying profit before tax increased to £19m in the first half of the year, up from a loss of £0.2m last year. Operating profit increased by 20.1 per cent to [...]
Bionow Awards honour our greatest Innovators April 9, 2025 The Bionow Awards are given to honour those most deserving for their ingenuity and dedication, distinguishing them from their competitors and proving them worthy of recognition. With a prestigious history of more than 20 years, the awards have become the leading life sciences accolades in the UK; highlighting the achievements of the sector, shining a [...]
Deliveroo exec: London restaurants can’t take more tax hikes April 8, 2025 London's restaurants can't take more punishing tax hikes, writes Deliveroo's chief business officer Carlo Mocci in today's Notebook.
Mid-sized firms ‘considering leaving UK’ as pressure on Reeves heats up March 26, 2025 Around a third of mid-sized businesses are considering leaving the UK in the next two years, a new survey has suggested, as Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces intense pressure to make business-friendly announcements at the Spring Statement. The Treasury is set to unlock fresh funding for the construction sector with up to £600m to be spent [...]
Colliers label business rates bill ‘poorly thought out’ and ‘growth strangling’ March 24, 2025 Commercial real estate agents Colliers has said the Government’s business rates bill will strangle growth rather than succeeding in saving the high street. The Non-Domestic Rates Bill is currently on its third reading in the House of Lords before being sent back to the Commons. “The Government is rushing through Parliament new business rates legislation [...]