KKR offer commended by Assura June 19, 2025 The heated battle for Assura’s takeover has finally reached a conclusion, with KKR’s bid to take over the healthcare property giant, securing EU approval for the bid if it goes ahead. Assura accepted private equity giant KKR’s £1.7bn bid, which was made via acquisition vehicle Sana Bidco, last week. The merger has now received clearance [...]
Bupa acquires first UK hospital since 2008 June 19, 2025 Private healthcare giant Bupa has agreed to acquire its first UK hospital since 2008 as it looks to expand its access to the London market. The independent private hospital is called New Victoria and located in Kingston-upon-Thames. General manager for Bupa Health Services, Sarah Melia, said: “[It] enables us to provide more Bupa services directly [...]
Spending Review: IFS chief suggests Treasury ‘making up numbers’ over DOGE-style Whitehall cuts June 12, 2025 The Ministry of Defence and Department for Health and Social Care are slated to see billions cut in Whitehall budgets in what a DOGE-style body within the Treasury described as “efficiency gains” – despite both departments set to see a real terms increase in spending between 2026 and 2029. A new government document has revealed [...]
UK economy shrinks more than expected in blow to Reeves June 12, 2025 The UK economy shrank more than expected in April, official data has shown, suggesting momentum built up in the beginning of this year has already worn away. New figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showing a 0.3 per cent contraction come off the back of a strong 0.7 per cent growth in [...]
London Tech Week day 3: Let’s use that NHS budget on tech June 11, 2025 From NHS waiting lists to global warming, if we get it right we can use technology to address our biggest challenges, writes Russ Shaw.
Private equity giant KKR returns with final bid for Assura June 11, 2025 UK healthcare property firm Assura has received its “best and final offer” from KKR, which is set to trigger another delisting blow for the London Stock Exchange. Assura has recommended a cash offer from Sana Bidco, a vehicle owned by KKR and Stonepeak, which values the firm at 52.1p per share. Shares in Assura closed [...]
Wait, treat, repeat: The NHS healthcare hold-up hurting UK workplaces June 10, 2025 Trying to get a doctor's appointment is like trying to win the lottery these days, and as a result, it has a knock-on effect on businesses
Government told migrant partners are a drag on UK finances June 10, 2025 UK government ministers have been warned that migrants who arrive on partner and family visas are likelier to have a negative impact on public finances and essential services, including the NHS. The independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has told the government that the vast majority of people on partner visas will be “fiscally negative” over [...]
Reeves to unveil £86bn science and technology funding in spending review June 8, 2025 Research into drug treatments and longer-lasting batteries will receive new funding as part of an Chancellor Reeves’ £86bn package for science and technology set to be announced in next week’s spending review. Regions will be handed up to £500m with local leaders given powers to decide how investment is targeted in their communities, the Department [...]
NHS patient data at risk in major cyber attack May 28, 2025 A newly uncovered cyber attack has exposed sensitive information at two major NHS trusts, raising fears that patient records could be at risk. Experts have warned that the hack, linked to a vulnerability in widely used mobile management software, marks a growing threat to critical UK infrastructure. University College London hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, and [...]