COP out: Big businesses swerve climate conference November 18, 2025 COP 26 in Glasgow represented a high-water mark for companies flouting their ambitious transition plans and lofty climate credentials. This year’s summit could not be more different, writes Ali Lyon. Reclining on stage at the 26th COP summit in his native Glasgow, Alan Jope was at home both literally and spiritually. The Unilever chief executive [...]
Councils face exodus of planners in threat to housebuilding goals November 18, 2025 One in five UK planners intends to leave the field or retire by 2028, in another significant threat to the government’s housebuilding target, according to new data. Nearly two-thirds of planners said their teams lacked the capacity to meet demand, according to the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). The RTPI has warned that the exodus [...]
Firstgroup doubles down on open access expansion despite DfT concerns November 18, 2025 Firstgroup has doubled down on its open access expansion plans as the transport business defied government concerns over the scheme. The FTSE 250 firm said it was “focused on growing” its operations in open access, an arrangement under which private rail operators will continue to run services after the nationalisation of all major routes as [...]
Reform and Tories battle over the Budget with spending cuts calls November 18, 2025 Opposition parties Reform UK and the Conservatives are intensifying pressure on Labour ahead of the Budget with calls for dramatic spending cuts to fix public finances. In separate press conferences on Tuesday, leaders Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch called for deep cuts to government expenditure to balance the books. Their renewed attacks on the government [...]
ShipStation® Improves Fulfilment Efficiency for UK Businesses With Enhanced Platform Capabilities November 18, 2025 UK merchants can now seamlessly manage shipping operations with new inventory and analytics solutions, flexible plans including a free option, and product advancements
Productivity growth twitchy in wake-up call for OBR and Reeves November 13, 2025 Productivity levels stuttered in the third quarter of the year, an initial estimate has shown, subverting the Chancellor’s hopes of boosting output in the UK economy. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said on Thursday morning that quarterly growth in output per hour rates was 0.7 per cent, the highest level since the end of [...]
KBRA Releases Research – 2026 European Structured Finance Sector Outlook: Resilient Foundations Supporting Continued Growth November 13, 2025 KBRA releases its 2026 European Structured Finance Sector Outlook. The report highlights how the European structured finance market is entering 2026 from a position of relative strength, underpinned by sound credit fundamentals across most sectors. Although geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainties continue to pose risks, the overall outlook remains one of cautious optimism, supported by [...]
London Councils urge e-bike firms to stick to borough contracts November 13, 2025 The group London Councils has called on e-bike operators to respect local contracts and act “responsibly”, as friction deepens between boroughs and rental bike companies over parking and safety standards across the capital. The organisation, which represents London’s 32 boroughs and the City of London, warned that some firms continue to operate in areas without [...]
How money laundering took over our high streets November 13, 2025 American candy stores and vape shops are the new face of financial crime, hiding in plain sight, says Marit Rodevand Walk down almost any British high street today and you’ll see them: neon-lit candy stores selling purportedly “American” sweets, vape shops and barbers with a faded poster of Cristiano Ronaldo taped to the window. Superficially, these [...]
Ardian Set to Mobilize Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) With European Investment Bank (EIB), Proparco and British International Investment (BII) for a €100m Commitment for Its Nature-Based Solutions Strategy November 12, 2025 Ardian’s Nature-Based Solutions strategy is dedicated to investing in projects in reforestation, wetlands and mangrove restoration intended to protect biodiversity. The strategy aims at providing carbon credit to corporates in their decarbonisation strategy. It will enable the sequestration of 85 million tons of carbon from the atmosphere over a 40 year’ period. European Investment Bank commits €50m and Proparco €20m and British International Investment intend to commit €10m, reflecting increasing DFIs appetite in the sector.