Data centre builders could face new demands for priority grid access Tech The UK government is considering forcing data centre developers to invest in local communities and meet sustainability targets in exchange for priority access to the grid, as ministers miss their own deadline for introducing new planning rules. Under proposals being examined ahead of Wednesday’s Budget, developers could be required to make financial contributions to local [...]
UK fintech Wise in tie-up with Oaknorth as it beefs up infrastructure division Fintech UK fintech Wise is set to reveal a partnership with small business lender Oaknorth as the group looks to make its infrastructure arm a driving force. The cross-border finance firm’s tie-up with Oaknorth will see the latter adopt Wise’s international payments engine directly into its own banking platform for small businesses. Fintechs and challengers have [...]
Technology, data and infrastructure the new frontier for sport investment Sport Business Technology, data and infrastructure are going to be at the forefront of sports investment as money moves beyond simply buying teams, according to new analysis. It could help the global sports market grow by nearly 45 per cent at the end of the decade, according to Investec, from $417bn last year to upwards of $600bn [...]
London-listed builder exits ‘challenging’ housing sector after property market slowdown September 15, 2026 A top listed construction firm has pulled out of the UK’s “challenging” housing sector after a slump in demand for new homes across the country. FTSE 250 firm Kier told shareholders on Tuesday that it is pulling all capital out of the residential property sector in a bid to “de-risk” its portfolio. The group’s pre-tax [...]
UK at risk of £290bn finance industry ‘being governed overseas’ September 8, 2026 The UK is at risk of its booming financial services industry being governed overseas after lagging behind international rivals in digital asset innovation, a new report has warned. Banking industry body UK Finance has issued a rallying call to policymakers to move at pace in developing the infrastructure to power tokenisation, or see the country [...]
Hammersmith Bridge is a test for Burnham’s place-based growth August 21, 2026 Putting forward funds to reopen Hammersmith Bridge is not special pleading for the capital, it is common sense, writes Tolga Inanc.
Balfour Beatty ups profit forecasts as it defies construction gloom August 12, 2026 Balfour Beatty has boosted its earnings and cash flow targets, as the construction firm’s “real momentum” defies wider gloom facing the sector. The group, which works with the government on major infrastructure projects, has seen the value of its order book jump by 17 per cent to £22.9bn in the six months to June, as [...]
‘Social value’ procurement rules are an absurd waste of time and money August 6, 2026 Procurement is not a sexy topic, but stay with me here. The public sector spends around £400bn a year buying goods and services from the private sector. You can imagine the scale: NHS equipment and Ministry of Defence gear, police cars and IT infrastructure, immigration processing centres, security guards, construction projects and fax machines. It’s [...]
Ordnance Survey revenue jumps as map maker goes digital August 4, 2026 Ordnance Survey has posted record revenue growth as the mapping agency takes the fight to Apple and Google with the “most detailed digital map of Britain to date”. The firm, which is Great Britain’s official mapping service, posted a 2.1 per cent jump in revenue to £199m in the year to March, driven by its [...]
Andy Burnham must shake Britain out of ‘analysis paralysis’ and get building July 28, 2026 To address the UK’s broken infrastructure delivery model, Arup advocates for a new approach that prioritizes locally-led, outcome-focused projects and creative financing to better connect communities and drive economic growth, says Andrew Nothstine Andy Burnham has already set out his governing philosophy and guiding aims. His ‘north stars’ are economic growth in every postcode through [...]