HS2 contracts may be twice as costly as first thought, says new boss July 9, 2025 The contracts for HS2 may run to more than double their initial projected cost, the troubled project’s new chief executive has warned ahead of crunch talks this autumn. Mark Wild, who was brought in to reset the high-speed line last year, told MPs the contracts would finish “considerably over budget,” with a likely overspend of [...]
Meta launches UK hub for AI-powered Ray-Ban smart glasses July 9, 2025 Meta has opened a new £12m audio research lab in Cambridge, aimed at improving the sound capabilities of its AR and AI glasses, including the Ray-Ban Meta and the newly announced Oakley Meta. The move strengthens Meta’s focus on wearable technology that responds intelligently to users’ surroundings. The lab is built to simulate a wide [...]
Digital illusion: How the UK’s paper-based processes fuel cyber attacks July 9, 2025 Thousands of UK SMEs are operating with outdated, paper-based verification processes that expose them to cyber attacks, fraud, hinder growth, and erode confidence. A new report from regtech firm Umazi called for an urgent overhaul of the UK’s corporate identity infrastructure, warning that legacy verification systems have become a weak link in Britain’s digital economy. [...]
Boardroom Uncovered: Why the UK is great for investing and entrepreneurship July 9, 2025 The chief executive of Omaze revealed what he thinks the Labour government could do to support businesses more.
Google joins UK’s AI skills push July 9, 2025 The UK government has signed a sweeping partnership with Google Cloud to modernise public services, replace outdated tech systems, and upskill 100,000 civil servants in digital and AI tools by 2030 – a move ministers say could save billions and rescue Whitehall from decades of ‘ball and chain’ IT contracts. Announced at the Google Summit [...]
Omaze boss: Why I’m positive about investing in the UK July 9, 2025 The chief executive of Omaze has set out the reasons why he believes the UK is the right place for his growing business to invest.
London firms turn to hiring part time workers July 9, 2025 Businesses across London have turned to hiring more part-time workers ahead of a hot summer, with higher employment taxes prompting owners to offer more flexible work. A new survey by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has found that the capital city’s economy was in recovery mode, with sales rising and cash flows [...]
Red Bull sack Christian Horner in major Formula 1 shock July 9, 2025 Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has been sacked by the reigning Formula 1 championship winning team after 20 years in the role. Horner has held his post since the team’s formation in 2005, and oversaw dominant periods for drivers Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel in a tenure that saw six Constructors‘ and eight Drivers’ [...]
Reeves warned ‘undermining cash ISAs a serious mistake’ July 9, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been warned that “undermining” cash ISAs would be a “serious mistake” and could hike the cost of mortgages and make them harder to access. Skipton Building Society has joined the chorus of institutions voicing their concerns ahead of the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech next week where she is expected to announce a [...]
Trump tariffs: FTSE 100 holds steady as pharma and metals brace for levies July 9, 2025 The FTSE 100 opened 22 points up this morning, despite threats of pharma and metals tariffs with stark implications for major stocks on the blue chip index. President Trump has said that an announcement is coming “very soon” on pharmaceutical tariffs – with a possible 200 per cent rate landing in “about a year”. Major [...]