BGF’s £3bn pledge offers hope amid concerns over UK competitiveness May 28, 2025 The Business Growth Fund (BGF) has unveiled a £3bn commitment to back British businesses over the next five years which includes £500m earmarked for early stage start-ups in deep tech and life sciences. The organisation, which is one of the UK’s most prominent equity investors, has made the announcement at a pivotal time for the [...]
Adidas hit in yet another UK retail data breach May 27, 2025 Adidas has confirmed a cyber attack that exposed the personal data of customers who contacted its help desk, adding the German sportswear giant to a growing list of major retailers hit by recent cybersecurity incidents. The breach, disclosed on 23rd May, involved unauthorised access to a third party customer service provider, through which attackers were [...]
UK-EU deal triggers strategic AI partnership May 27, 2025 A new initiative has been launched to enhance AI collaboration across Europe, building on the recent agreement between the UK and the EU. This partnership invites leading UK public research organisations to apply to become the UK’s gateway to Europe’s most advanced super-computing facilities, which are crucial for accelerating AI breakthroughs. Strengthening ties through AI [...]
UK nightlife economy under pressure as venues struggle May 27, 2025 The UK’s nightlife industry, once a powerful driver of urban business, faces mounting pressures as shifting consumer habits, economic headwinds and regulatory challenges tighten the squeeze on late-night operators. Phil Urban, chief executive of one of the UK’s largest pub and bar chains, Mitchells & Butlers, has warned that the late-night segment is “the toughest [...]
Nvidia’s new chip aims to soften tariff blow ahead of key earnings May 26, 2025 Nvidia is moving quickly to protect its position in China with the launch of a new AI chip – a stripped down, cheaper product aimed at dodging tightening US export restrictions and softening the blow of escalating trade tensions. Set to begin mass production as early as next month, the chip will be based on [...]
Are ministers ignoring the AI copyright crisis? May 26, 2025 The UK government recently rejected a House of Lords-backed amendment to the data bill for the second time, intensifying a stand-off between policy makers and the creative industries over the role of copyright in AI development. At the centre of this dispute is a provision, introduced by Baroness Beeban Kidron, that would require AI firms [...]
BYD: Chinese EV stocks tumble despite spike in UK demand May 26, 2025 Shares in Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers slumped on Monday despite surging interest from UK buyers, as industry titan BY introduced a round of new price cuts in an already bruising market battle. Hong-Kong listed BYD dropped as much as 8.25 per cent from a record high set last week, after an announcement over the [...]
City Police sack two over social media misuse amid rising distrust May 26, 2025 The City of London Police has dismissed two employees for social media misuse, following internal investigations into inappropriate online conduct over the past two years. From 2024 onwards, four staff members of the police covering the Square Mile were investigated for inappropriate online conduct, City AM understands. This resulted in dismissals and formal warnings in [...]
Trump threatens Apple with 25 per cent tariff on iPhones May 23, 2025 President Donald Trump issued a warning to Apple on Friday, threatening a 25 per cent tariff on iPhone sales made outside the US. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote: “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the US… be manufactured and built [...]
Energy bills to fall as Ofgem cuts UK price cap by seven per cent May 23, 2025 UK households are set to see a modest drop in their energy bills this summer, after regulator Ofgem revealed a seven per cent cut to its quarterly price cap – the first reduction in a year. The announcement will bring the average annual bill for a typical household in the UK down from £1,849 to [...]