UK must adapt to automation or firms will suffer, MPs warn September 18, 2019 MPs have warned that British businesses could lose out to foreign competitors if the country fails to quickly adopt new technologies such as automation, and have called on the government to take action. Read more: Robot rollout: Number of businesses using automation doubles in 2019 Parliament’s Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee said the [...]
Brits curious about cryptocurrencies but still keen on cash, survey finds September 18, 2019 Members of the public are curious about the possibilities offered by cryptocurrencies, but cash is likely to remain king for the foreseeable future with the vast majority consumers wanting it to remain in use, a new study has found. Just 20 per cent of British people would prefer it if cash no longer existed, according [...]
Bill Gates says ditching fossil fuel stocks has ‘zero’ impact on climate change September 17, 2019 Bill Gates has poured cold water on climate activists’ attempts to lobby investors to abandon fossil fuel stocks. The billionaire tech tycoon-turned-philanthropist said it would be more worthwhile to urge investors to back emerging technology that helps cut carbon emissions. Read more: Does fast fashion stand up to ethical scrutiny? Speaking to the Financial Times, [...]
Do Not Pay founder launches anti-subscription app in the UK September 17, 2019 An app that automatically cancels subscriptions when the free trial period comes to an end has launched in the UK, with thousands of Brits signing up each day. Free Trial Surfing is not linked to customers’ bank accounts or credit cards but uses Visa cards in partnership with a major bank to stop people getting [...]
Wework bond tumbles on delay to stock market float September 17, 2019 Wework’s bond price has fallen sharply following the company’s decision to push back its troubled initial public offering (IPO). The coworking company last night said it had postponed its float until the end of the year after a cold response from investors forced the firm to slash its valuation target in half. Read more: Wework: [...]
Apple tells EU court €13bn Irish tax bill ‘defies reality and common sense’ September 17, 2019 An order by the European Commission for Apple to pay a €13bn (£11.5bn) Irish tax bill “defies reality and common sense”, the tech giant said today as it launched a challenge against the ruling. Apple accused the Commission of using its powers to fight state aid to “retrofit changes to national law” at a hearing [...]
Wework IPO: Is the coworking giant still working for investors? September 17, 2019 Wework today revealed it will push back plans for its closely-watched initial public offering (IPO) after more and more investors gave the coworking giant the cold shoulder. Parent group We Company has been hampered by cooling investor appetite and has even reportedly slashed its planned valuation in half to $20bn (£16bn) in a bid to [...]
Elon Musk claims ‘pedo guy’ insult was not accusation September 17, 2019 Tech billionaire Elon Musk said he did not intend to accuse a British diver of paedophilia by calling him a “pedo guy” on Twitter. The Tesla founder last night sought to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by diver Vernon Unsworth, saying the phrase was a “common insult used in South Africa when I was growing [...]
Ranked: The most popular employers for UK tech talent September 17, 2019 Monzo, Skyscanner and the BBC are the most desirable companies to work for among UK tech talent, according to a survey published today. The survey, compiled by recruitment firm Hired, revealed fintech firms remain among the most attractive employers for techies, with Transferwise, Starling Bank and Revolut all making it into the top 10. Read [...]
Digital battlegrounds: The war between big tech and regulators September 17, 2019 We now live in the age of the internet of things, where voice-sniffing devices abound, and consumers have the convenience of tailored search suggestions. Perhaps it is Amazon’s Alexa – revealed earlier this year to be forever listening to its users’ conversations – that provides the emblem of the age. However, while such devices can [...]