Tariffs: Starmer ‘disappointed’ by Trump move and ‘all options on table’ March 12, 2025 The Prime Minister has said he is “disappointed” by US President Donald Trump’s move to bring in 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, including from the UK. Sir Keir Starmer has indicated the UK would keep open the option of retaliatory measures, emphasising that “we will keep all options on the table”. [...]
PMQs: Starmer accused of ‘trash’ talking and ‘job-killing’ by Badenoch March 12, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer was accused of talking “trash” and leading a “job-killing” government by Kemi Badenoch at a fiery Prime Minister’s Questions session. The Conservative Party leader hit out at the Prime Minister amid clashes over the state of the UK’s economy, councils and Labour’s Budget in the House of Commons on Wednesday. Badenoch responded [...]
‘A good first step’: Construction industry largely in support of the planning bill March 12, 2025 The government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill entered Parliament yesterday, March 11, and has already provoked strong responses from the construction industry. So far, these responses have been largely positive, with praise for the government’s efforts to streamline the UK’s overstretched and over-regulated planning system. Stuart Evans, partner and head of planning at Anthony Collins, said there [...]
Quango crackdown as Starmer reportedly set to slash civil service jobs March 12, 2025 The Prime Minister is reportedly planning to slash thousands of civil service jobs amid a crackdown on quangos, as he aims to radically overhaul the British state. Sir Keir Starmer will deliver a speech on Thursday, in which he will set out plans to cut thousands more Whitehall jobs than expected, according to the Guardian. [...]
Grangemouth: Green projects at oil refinery site could cost £13bn March 12, 2025 Plans for new green projects at the Grangemouth oil refinery site in Scotland could reportedly cost up to £13bn. A feasibility study of possible options for the site – dubbed Project Willow – has listed nine opportunities including recycling plastics and producing biomethane, to create a “flourishing low carbon hub” over the next two decades, [...]
Drax secures capacity agreements in £43m deal March 12, 2025 Drax has secured agreements to provide 434 megawatts of capacity primarily from its pumped storage and hydro assets. The UK power firm said on Wednesday the deal had a value of around £24m and covers the period October 2028 to September 2029. It has also secured a provisional agreement to provide 24 megawatts of capacity [...]
Swedish battery maker Northvolt files for bankruptcy March 12, 2025 Swedish battery maker Northvolt has filed for bankruptcy after failing to secure funding amid ongoing financial struggles. The company had experienced a series of mounting challenges in recent months as it struggled to hit production targets despite liquidity support from lenders including Goldman Sachs and Blackrock. It had previously sought US Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection [...]
4imprint reports uptick in profit but warns on ‘challenging near-term environment’ March 12, 2025 Promotional products manufacturer 4imprint has reported a 10 per cent jump in profit for 2024, outperforming the broader market and expanding its market share. The company told markets this morning that revenue rose three per cent year on year to £1.36bn, up from £1.32bn last year. The London-based firm said it received 2.12m orders in 2024, [...]
Balfour Beatty: Investors cash in as orders swell March 12, 2025 Balfour Beatty has hiked its dividend after the construction giant reported a bumper year. On Wednesday, the London-listed firm recommended a final dividend per share of 12.5p, up nine per cent from last year’s 11.5p. Basic earnings per share also rose from 34.2p to 43.6p. Balfour Beatty is also in the process of a multi-year [...]
The Gym Group: Revenue shoots up as growth plan gathers steam March 12, 2025 The Gym Group has reported a boost in revenue and profit as its ‘Next Chapter’ growth plan, launched in 2023, continues to pay off. The London-listed firm, which has more than 250 locations across Britain, reported a pre-tax profit of £3.6m in the year ended December 31, 2024, up from a pre-tax loss of £5.5m in [...]
