FSB calls for a ‘risk-taking’ attitude from government to boost small businesses August 31, 2023 British business organisations are calling for a tech revolution and pushing the government to supercharge economic growth. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has sounded the clarion call for the government to foster a “risk-taking” attitude and give small enterprises a leg up as they stumble over the high cost of adopting new technologies. The [...]
Rishi Sunak won’t offer further support to motorists hit by ULEZ charges August 31, 2023 Rishi Sunak has ruled out offering further support to motorists hit by the expanded ULEZ charges across London. The Prime Minister told GB News the policy was the “sole responsibility” of Labour and criticised the scheme as not “the right priority”. His comments come the day after the ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) charging scheme [...]
To win back business, Sunak should tear up his current playbook August 31, 2023 Business and politics, politics and business. Dance partners, perhaps, but all too often to different tunes: whilst the private sector rips off a salsa the public sector can feel a lot more comfortable with a more staid two-step. Right now, however, it’s hard to get the two on the same floor, let alone dancing in [...]
Ebike rental firm looks to capitalise on ULEZ with discount deal August 31, 2023 Drivers of polluting cars may have a new, two-wheeled option to get around the new £12.50 ULEZ charge after one of the city’s growing army of rental bike firms began offering a discount rate on its ebikes. Swapfiets – Dutch for swap bikes – has dropped the cost of monthly rental of its high-end ebikes [...]
Pret A Manger fined £800,000 after employee became stuck in freezer August 31, 2023 Pret A Manger has been fined £800,000 after one of its workers was left fearing for her life while stuck in one of its freezers. Westminster City Council said the employee became trapped in the walk-in commercial freezer, which typically has its temperature set at -18C, for two and a half hours while working at the [...]
Even on their favourite battlegrounds, the Conservatives have no new ideas August 31, 2023 The Conservatives have no new solutions or ideas for migration, crime, and pretty much everything else. They can't even turn old ideas into good policies, writes Will Cooling
Our angst over migration means we’re still ignoring skilled staff for UK firms August 31, 2023 The UK has offered jobs to refugees from Ukraine and Hong Kong. But many skilled refugees from Afghanistan or Syria are still treated differently, and struggle to find work, writes Elena Siniscalco
Stop blaming the artists for the gentrification of British hipsters’ favourite hotspots August 31, 2023 Arts and creatives are not a synonym for gentrification; other factors, like the quality of schools and transport, have a bigger impact in turning neighbourhoods into hipsters' corners, writes Tasos Kitsos
UK creative industries under threat as AI won’t be subject to copyright rules August 30, 2023 The UK government is under mounting pressure to scrap plans that would grant artificial intelligence (AI) developers free access to use copyrighted artistic materials in training their AI algorithms. Last June, the government’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) proposed a copyright exemption for the AI industry that would allow the unrestricted use of existing music, literature [...]
Lego profits tumble as pandemic playday comes to an end August 30, 2023 The Lego Group has suffered a steep fall in profits, figures from its half year results show, as demand for the plastic bricks maker showed signs of dwindling amid a tough economic climate. Operating profit at the children’s toy brand reached DKK 6.4bn (£740m) during the first half of the year, down considerably from DKK [...]
