2017’s a record year for Silicon Valley investor cash going into UK tech startups October 30, 2017 It’s already a record year when it comes to the amount of cash being invested in the UK’s technology startups from Silicon Valley. More than $1bn has been raised so far in 2017, double the amount raised in both the two years prior. Read more: London tech startups head on Brexit trade mission to France [...]
Making British industry digital could boost the economy by billions and create thousands of new jobs – Siemens boss Juergen Maier’s review October 30, 2017 New plans for making the UK a global leader in high-tech manufacturing have been put forward in a bid to boost the economy by more than £450bn and create nearly 200,000 jobs over the next decade. And the proposals could even form the basis for a sector deal after Brexit. A dozen digital innovation hubs [...]
Train companies team up for £85bn plan to boost Britain’s railway post-Brexit in public and private partnership October 30, 2017 Rail companies, their suppliers, and Network Rail, have today set out plans to work more closely together, in order to drive £85bn of additional economic benefits to the UK economy. Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train firms and Network Rail, said the plan “will deliver the railway that the [...]
Cyber attacks are on the rise – don’t let your business be a hacker’s paradise October 30, 2017 Headlines have been dominated by news of cyber attacks over recent months. But to date, no hack rivals the WannaCry virus, which temporarily crippled the NHS and other organisations around the world. Will Twiss, information security manager at business finance group LDF, warns that the threat posed by cyber criminals is constantly evolving, with new [...]
Let’s scrap stamp duty and stop exacerbating the housing crisis October 30, 2017 Often when we talk about taxes, we just weigh out how much they raise and who pays, and assume any change is about handing out cash to a favoured group. But this is misguided. Some taxes distort the economy far more than others for every pound they raise for the Treasury. By this measure, stamp [...]
DEBATE: Are Open Banking and PSD2 a real threat to banks? October 30, 2017 Are Open Banking and PSD2 a real threat to banks? Mike Gordon is chief executive of Callcredit, says YES. Banks make most of their money from a few products, which they package along with current accounts. Open Banking and PSD2 will change this model, as shown by our recent research with Ctrl-Shift. Open Banking requires [...]
Flexible working plans for Britain’s armed forces draw step closer to 2019 rollout with House of Commons hearing October 30, 2017 Plans to shake up the armed forces by rolling out flexible working options move a step closer, as proposed legislation to make the changes will be heard in the House of Commons today. The measures, set out as part of the Queen’s speech in June, will allow armed forces personnel to work part-time for short [...]
Restaurant sector faces risk of thousands of insolvencies as Brexit bites October 30, 2017 A fifth of Britain’s restaurants are showing signs they could go bust, according to research released today. Almost 15,000 eateries are facing a real insolvency threat as rising staff costs and the fall out of Brexit put a strain on the sector. Over half of all food is imported, with three-quarters coming from the EU. [...]
UK aerospace industry flies away from Brexit blues as aircraft production soars to third quarter record October 30, 2017 The UK aerospace sector is batting away Brexit blues, after the industry globally soared to a bumper third quarter for commercial aircraft deliveries, according to trade body Aerospace Defence Security (ADS). The total value to UK industry from the deliveries was estimated at up to £7bn, taking the total value so far for the year [...]
Housing crisis on Budget agenda as groups call for government borrowing to build in London and stamp duty abolition October 30, 2017 The government is being urged to consider major changes to its housing policy ahead of the Budget, ranging from abolishing stamp duty to allowing local authorities to build more homes. In its Budget submission to the Treasury the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) backed a call from chancellor Philip Hammond’s own colleagues to [...]