Businesses face billions of extra costs as wages and tax to rise March 30, 2025 UK businesses are set to face a multibillion-pound wave of higher costs this week as higher wages and tax increases come into force. Retail and hospitality bosses have warned that higher labour costs and taxes are set to push up prices for customers across the UK. A raft of measures linked to the Labour government’s [...]
Elon Musk sells X to his own xAI for £25.5bn in all-stock deal March 29, 2025 Elon Musk has sold social media site X to his own xAI artificial intelligence company in a $33bn (£25.5bn) all-stock deal, the billionaire announced. Both companies are privately held, which means they are not required to disclose their finances to the public. Mr Musk said in a post on X that the move will “unlock immense potential by blending [...]
Welby failed to act on child abuse allegations as scale was ‘overwhelming’ March 29, 2025 Former archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said he was “overwhelmed” by the number of child sex abuse allegations he was informed of. Dr Welby resigned in November after a report revealed he did not adequately follow up on reports about serial abuser John Smyth, who was heavily involved with the Church of England. The report [...]
Union highlights claims of staff shortages at railway ticket offices March 29, 2025 A rail union is to hold a series of protests highlighting claims of staff shortages at ticket offices. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT ) said there was understaffing at a number of stations on the West Coast mainline served by Avanti. The RMT said plans to close ticket offices across the country were [...]
Thames Water’s finance chief quits as firm continues trying to find a buyer March 28, 2025 Thames Water’s finance boss has quit midway through a key restructuring of the heavily indebted utility giant. Chief financial officer Alastair Cochran told the firm that he was stepping down on Friday morning. His sudden departure comes as Thames Water continues to try to find a buyer for the company to help steady its finances. Thames Water is England’s biggest water firm, with about [...]
Investec expand rugby portfolio with SOHK kids tournaments March 28, 2025 Investec has strengthened its rugby portfolio, backing education inclusion charity School of Hard Knocks’ (SOHK) girls’ and boys’ spring rugby tournaments. The FTSE 250 bank, whose London office sits on Gresham Street in the Square Mile, featured at the tournament’s on 27 and 28 March at east London’s Eton Manor RFC. It added to their [...]
Firms must innovate to attract Gen Z March 25, 2025 RE: Why top law firms are betting big on virtual reality training, 4 Mar Technology is changing workplace training, but many businesses find it daunting, especially when it comes to innovations like virtual reality. Yet embracing it is key to engaging the workforce – especially Gen Z, who have high expectations when it comes to [...]
Average price of pint to surge above £5 due to April cost hikes, say beer bosses March 24, 2025 The average price of a pint of beer is set to surge past £5 for the first time due to cost hikes hitting the sector next month, according to industry bosses. Pub sector chiefs have warned that prices for customers will have to increase in order to help keep venues running in the face of [...]
Davey warns against scrapping tax on tech companies to ‘appease’ Trump March 23, 2025 Sir Ed Davey has warned against “appeasement” of Donald Trump amid reports Labour could change or ditch a tax on tech companies to avoid US tariffs. Chancellor Rachel Reeves did not deny the option was on the table after reports the UK is talking to the US about the digital services tax to seek a [...]
Rachel Reeves urged to prioritise public spending in UK spring statement March 23, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves is being urged to prioritise “vital” funding for public services and reject the “failed approach of austerity” as she prepares to give a key statement on the economy. Reeves will deliver her spring statement on Wednesday, updating the Commons on the Government’s plans for the economy. But amid concerns that public spending [...]
