Lloyds Banking Group to shut major office impacting 500 staff January 15, 2025 Lloyds Banking Group will shut its office in Liverpool later this year, in a move set to impact the site’s 500 staff. The group said its decision to close its Speke location is part of broader plans to run “fewer, better-equipped” offices amid efforts to cut costs. In a statement, Lloyds said it has not [...]
Microsoft and FTSE firm Pearson tie up AI deal after UK action plan January 15, 2025 Microsoft and London-listed education giant Pearson have announced a multiyear partnership to address the global skills gap in artificial intelligence, as the UK prioritises AI. This collaboration will combine Microsoft’s cloud and AI technologies with Pearson’s learning and assessment expertise to provide AI tools. It will also offer tailored learning and certifications for workers and [...]
Taiwan: The technology of freedom January 15, 2025 This week, Tom Tudgendhat spoke at the Taiwan Institute for National Defence and Security Research. Here he makes an impassioned case for the island’s outward-facing, innovative economic model – and argues it is an essential partner for the West Visiting Taipei, a city striving at the forefront of innovation, even as it upholds Chinese traditions and [...]
Labour is squandering Britain’s lead on the AI revolution January 14, 2025 The UK is well positioned to lead the coming AI revolution, but the Labour government is doing everything it can to undermine this country’s strength in tech, says Alan Mak The UK is on the cusp of a technological revolution. AI offers a wealth of growth opportunities and Britain can be a world leader in [...]
Starmer declines to confirm Reeves will be Chancellor at next election January 13, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer has declined to confirm that Rachel Reeves will be Chancellor at the next general election. The Prime Minister was asked about Reeves’ role following a speech in London on artificial intelligence (AI) and insisted he was “completely confident” in her. However, he declined to guarantee she would still be in post at [...]
Transform Your Finances With These 8 Habits [2024] January 13, 2025 It’s 2024, and the financial landscape is becoming ever more volatile, leaving many wondering how to navigate the turbulence and come out unscathed. With rising inflation, unpredictable markets, and a wealth of new financial innovations, having your finances in order has never been more important. But for many people, addressing these challenges can be overwhelming, [...]
How to get workers back to the office in 2025? Let them open the windows! January 10, 2025 Five years on from the pandemic, it's time to bin the office gimmicks and get back to basics, writes real estate expert Philipp Ueberschaer.
MOD urged to learn from Ukraine’s war with Russia and ’embrace AI’ January 10, 2025 The ministry of defence (MOD) has been urged to swiftly adapt to artificial intelligence (AI)’s potential in defence to avoid falling behind its global adversaries. According to the Defence Committee’s recent report, the MOD should learn from Ukraine’s use of AI on the battlefield, embracing it as a core part of its operations and strive [...]
UK hotel sector warns on inflation despite pre-Christmas boost January 8, 2025 Occupancy rates at UK hotels rose last November in a pre-Christmas boost, but higher prices have again raised fears about inflation. The average occupancy rate of UK hotels rose from 76.6 per cent to 79.1 per cent in November year-on-year, while London also saw an increase from 79.6 per cent to 82.8 per cent in [...]
DC Thomson: Stylist and The Beano publisher recovers from £161m loss January 6, 2025 DC Thomson, the publishing group behind the likes of Stylist, Press & Journal and The Beano, has surged back into profit and recovered from a £161m loss. The Dundee-headquartered business has jumped to a pre-tax profit of £93.8m for the year to 31 March, 2024, according to newly-filed accounts with Companies House. The results also [...]