Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit secures licences ahead of first British satellite launch December 21, 2022 Richard Branson’s rocket company Virgin Orbit has finally been issued its licences ahead of the first satellite launch from British soil. The long-awaited launch is still expected to happen before the end of the year, although a new official date is yet to be announced. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) granted the licences within 15 [...]
Government borrows record amount in November as debt bill swells December 21, 2022 Growing public sector expenditure in November prompted a £22.0 billion borrowing frenzy.
Elon Musk vows to step down as Twitter CEO if someone ‘foolish enough’ accepts role December 21, 2022 Elon Musk has vowed to officially step down as the CEO of Twitter, once he finds someone “foolish enough” to accept the top role. The eccentric billionaire, who bought Twitter for $44bn (£36bn) in a protracted deal which was finalised in October, has helmed the social media giant after his controversial firing spree. But a [...]
Ambulance workers strike TODAY as Health Sec says unions ‘inflicting harm on patients’ December 21, 2022 Ambulance workers across a number of unions are walking out today over pay and conditions, as health secretary Steve Barclay condemned the strike as “inflicting harm on patients”. The emergency workers in the Unison, Unite and GMB unions will down tools across the country, with the government calling in the Army to ensure the country doesn’t [...]
UK will be scrambling for gas when the wind doesn’t blow, warns expert December 21, 2022 The UK will be scrambling for highly expensive gas imports to meet its energy needs this winter to stave off blackouts, warns expert.
This Christmas, let’s all reconsider how we think about innovation, jobs and wages December 21, 2022 There is still time to have a last minute Christmas present delivered. No, of course not by Royal Mail; but one of its enthusiastic competitors will do the job. Given the impact which technology in general and the internet in particular has had on postal service, it is hard to imagine a more pointless strike [...]
A muddled India trade deal will show how this government is negotiating our future without public scrutiny December 21, 2022 Earlier this month, trade secretary Kemi Badenoch flew to India for the latest round of talks on a new trade deal. A few days previously, a leaked chapter of the deal made it into the press, showing the British government pushing India to apply harder patent standards. Various groups, including the British Medical Association, expressed [...]
Hopes of Christmas spending splurge nudges UK business confidence higher December 21, 2022 UK businesses are hoping the Christmas spending splurge will give them a welcome boost before a long recession sets in, a new survey out today shows. According to Lloyds Bank’s business barometer index, every UK region notched a positive business confidence reading for the first time since July. Eight out of the 11 areas recorded [...]
Car premiums increase 17.4 per cent after FCA price walking ban December 20, 2022 The average car premium has soared 17.4 per cent in the past year, according to recent research. Data published today by market researcher Consumer Intelligence shows that average premiums now cost £877, surpassing by 6.7 per cent current inflation rates. According to senior insight analyst Georgia Day, the unsurprising surge has been driven by the [...]
Exclusive: Top fintechs slam regulators for slow progress on open banking December 20, 2022 A group of top fintech firms including Monzo and Wise have slammed UK regulators for a lack of progress on open banking today, claiming the “integrity and potential” of the regime in the UK is at risk.
