Autumn Budget 2024: Labour backs UK’s tech and creative sectors October 30, 2024 The UK’s technology and creative industries received a boost in Rachel Reeves’s Autumn Budget on Wednesday, as the Chancellor laid out capital investment plans that she said will “drive growth across the country.” Reeves confirmed plans to “capitalise” the National Wealth Fund to back industries set for future growth, including gigafactories, ports, and green hydrogen. [...]
Tech boss warns UK to avoid own goal in Autumn Budget October 29, 2024 The founder and chief executive of a British artificial intelligence (AI) unicorn has urged the government to prioritise innovation in this week’s Budget, warning against policies that could hinder growth for UK tech firms. “I will be watching with huge focus when the Budget is delivered,” Vishal Marria told City AM, adding that “we must [...]
Computacenter issues profit warning as troubles persist October 28, 2024 London-listed tech company Computacenter has slashed its full year guidance after prudent corporate spending and slow completion of orders damaged its third quarter performance. Although it expects to deliver a second half that is comfortably ahead of last year, Computacenter now expects its adjusted profit before tax for 2024 to be “modestly behind last year”, [...]
Bytes Technology: NHS and HMRC contracts help lift profit as dividend hiked October 15, 2024 IT provider Bytes Technology has posted an uptick in income and operating profit as new and existing clients invest in their software. In its half year results for the six months ended 31 August, Bytes said gross invoiced income jumped by 13.7 per cent to £1.2bn, largely driven by software and from public sector contract [...]
Servicenow pledges £1.2bn investment into UK business at summit October 14, 2024 American software firm Servicenow has committed to investing $1.5bn (£1.15bn) into its UK business over the next five years, the New York-listed company announced today at the international investment summit. Servicenow, a platform that automates and manages business processes, such as customer service and HR, also plans to expand with new office space and grow [...]
Scrap AIM to save London’s capital markets, think tanks say October 13, 2024 London's junior stock exchange should be ditched, according to a new report, as part of a "radical surgery" to save the UK's ailing capital markets.
Blackstone: Private equity giant backs £10bn AI data centre deal in UK September 26, 2024 Private equity giant Blackstone has injected £10bn into the UK to build one of the largest artificial intelligence data centres in Europe. The investment will build a data centre in Blyth, in the north east of England, creating more than 4,000 jobs. Construction of the site is expected to begin next year. It comes after [...]
Regulation in the UK a ‘web of complexity’ and harming innovation says think tank September 25, 2024 A leading think tank has called for the government to create a ‘call-in’ power to overrule regulators’ decisions, warning that Britain’s approach to tech regulation is harming innovation and investment in the sector. In a new report, right-leaning think tank Onward described the UK’s patchwork of “under-resourced” and “overstretched” regulators as spinning a “web of [...]
Databricks opens first European HQ in London in bet on UK September 20, 2024 Data and AI giant Databricks is set to open its first official European headquarters in London, as it looks to cement the UK as a key market for growth. The company’s UK staff are set to move into the new Fitzrovia-based office on Monday, ahead of an official launch event on 3 October. While Databricks [...]
UK tech faces talent exodus if founders are penalised by tax hikes September 17, 2024 Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised that Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first Budget will prioritise economic growth and wealth creation. But moves to hike taxes that will hurt Britain’s entrepreneurs are putting that pledge in doubt. As British businessman Sir Martin Sorrell warned in City A.M.: “Increasing capital gains tax, especially without index-linking or time apportionment, [...]