What business can learn from military drone tactics — and what to avoid November 11, 2024 Drone technology could transform how we do business, but brings practical and ethical difficulties with it, says Paul Armstrong For businesses, the military’s use of AI-enabled drones offers a potent model of efficiency: remote inspection, logistics, and hazard mitigation. Imagine swarming AI drones optimising supply chains or inspecting dangerous infrastructure. The capabilities honed in combat [...]
Labour’s ‘growth’ agenda already looks like a bad joke November 7, 2024 Well, that didn’t take long to unravel: the first Labour Budget for nearly 15 years, and the first ever by a female chancellor, saw the parallels with Kwasi Kwarteng’s infamous 2022 mini-Budget emerging within hours. The comparison was misguided, although the jittery reaction of financial investors and rise in government funding costs told its own [...]
FTSE 100 falls back as traders digest Trump presidency November 6, 2024 The FTSE 100 pared its gains and sterling tumbled on Wednesday as traders digested how Donald Trump's presidency will impact the global economy and the UK.
Weir Group equipment orders surge as cost-cutting continues November 5, 2024 Mining specialist Weir Group saw group original equipment orders rise 15 per cent in the quarter, with the first positive original equipment orders growth since the first quarter of last year. The FTSE 100 firm’s cost-cutting programme is progressing at pace, with £19m of cumulative savings brought in so far, it said in a quarterly trading [...]
Nimbees: Rare bees foil Meta’s position in data centre arms race November 5, 2024 Plans for Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta to establish a nuclear-powered AI centre in the US have been disrupted due to a discovery of a rare bee species on the land targeted for the project. Meta aimed to partner with an existing nuclear power plant to secure carbon-free power for a new data centre, essential for advancing [...]
Retail sales growth slumps in October as consumers remain cautious November 5, 2024 Retail sales growth dipped in October due to pre-election anxiety, the latest figures have shown. According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-KPMG sales monitor, retail sales in the UK increased by 0.6 per cent year over year in October, compared to 2.6 per cent growth in October 2023. Food sales nudged up 2.9 per cent [...]
Did Rachel Reeves deliver a net zero Budget? November 4, 2024 The UK’s recent Budget included a series of measures which have prompted debate over its impact on achieving net zero. While Rachel Reeves announced significant investments in green energy, hydrogen projects and electric vehicle incentives, a number of her decisions have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the UK’s environmental sector. While Wednesday’s Budget announced [...]
Bank of England set to lower interest rates as Budget dampens bets for 2025 November 3, 2024 The Bank of England is expected to lower interest rates this week, while markets are betting on fewer cuts next year after forecasts suggested the new government's first Budget will push up inflation.
Halloween Budget could still give businesses a fright in the night October 31, 2024 The Budget was not as shocking as some were expecting, but a few things could still go bump in the night, says Tim Sarson Today saw the delivery of one of the most hotly anticipated Budgets in living memory. After 14 years in opposition and an election manifesto with relatively muted tax rises, it must [...]
A radical, redistributive Budget putting Britain on the right track October 30, 2024 Rachel Reeves has delivered one of the best Budgets in 14 years that will make people better off, says Sam Fowles Rachel Reeves just delivered one of the best, and most radical, Budgets in 14 years. She’s not a natural public speaker. But, after 14 years of smarmy PR men at the despatch box, she [...]