Untrained managers are stalling Britain’s AI returns Tech British businesses are pouring copious amounts of capital into AI, but meaningful returns are by no means guaranteed. New research from the Chartered Institute of Management found that only one in 20 managers report real, transformational productivity gains from AI investment. Meanwhile, one in four say they have seen no benefit at all. The CMI’s [...]
Almost half UK firms cite AI skills shortage as barrier to growth Tech Nearly half of UK businesses say a shortage of AI and digital skills is now the single biggest barrier to scaling AI, according to a new report, despite rapid growth in adoption across the economy. The Amazon Web Services (AWS) research found 49 per cent of UK organisations cite a lack of AI and digital [...]
From Net Zero to Nuclear: the skills gap that could stall UK growth Partner The UK has no shortage of ambition when it comes to infrastructure. From Net Zero commitments and energy security to rail modernisation, water resilience and nuclear new build, the pipeline of nationally significant projects is substantial. Yet beneath the headlines lies a constraint that threatens to undermine delivery across all of them: a critical shortage [...]
UK firms eye AI spending in 2026, but skills gap threatens rollout December 30, 2025 A third of British businesses plan to invest in AI in 2026, yet new data suggests the bigger challenge may be readying staff for the technology, rather than rolling it out at speed. Research from Lloyds Bank’s recent business barometer revealed that 33 per cent of firms intend to invest in AI tools next year, [...]
Imperial College and Thomson Reuters bring AI lab to London December 2, 2025 London is staking its claim as a world-leading hub for AI research with the announcement of a new Frontier AI Lab, a partnership between Imperial College London and Thomson Reuters. The lab promises to bring cutting-edge AI development, until now largely the preserve of a handful of tech giants, to the heart of Britain’s capital. [...]
Reeves hands small businesses sour cocktail in Autumn Budget November 26, 2025 Small and mudiec-sized businesses (SMEs) now face a sour cocktail of higher taxes, rising costs, and tighter margins following Rachel Reeves’ second Budget as Chancellor. Dividend taxes are up, income tax and National Insurance thresholds remain frozen until 2030-31, and salary-sacrifice pension reliefs are being curtailed. For many small business owners, the Budget will feel [...]
Reeves urged to back AI in Autumn Budget to drive growth November 25, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves is under pressure to deliver a decisive push for AI in tomorrow’s highly anticipated Autumn Budget, with industry leaders calling for billions in investment, thousands of jobs, and a clear roadmap for UK growth. The government has already attracted more than £78bn of private investment in AI, with a further £24.25bn committed [...]
Reeves’ Budget tax rumours threaten UK tech November 18, 2025 The UK’s tech sector is facing a critical moment ahead of the Autumn Budget. Rumoured caps on salary sacrifice pensions, alongside potential property and wealth taxes, threaten to hit the very talent and investment needed to drive growth in the sector. At the same time, the country faces a widening tech skills gap, leaving businesses [...]
Cyber roles demand soars as UK firms scramble to plug skills gap November 13, 2025 Demand for cybersecurity training across UK businesses has surged following a wave of cyberattacks on major firms and public bodies, as employers scramble to strengthen defences ahead of new government rules. The rise in attacks, including one that crippled Jaguar Land Rover’s operations earlier this year, has coincided with a sharp rise in firms seeking [...]
MPs urge Whitehall to prioritise AI training as digital gap widens October 22, 2025 The government must urgently upskill civil servants to make effective use of AI, MPs have warned. In a new report published on Wednesday, Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said that gaps in digital advancements among government departments are leading to service backlogs, inefficiencies, and poorer outcomes for citizens. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, PAC chair, argued: [...]