The head of Stellantis UK, Maria Grazia Davino, has issued a stark warning that the automotive giant may cease production at its Luton and Ellesmere Port factories unless the UK government provides financial and tax incentives to boost demand for electric vehicles. Davino also called for a reduction in the stringent zero-emission vehicle quotas currently […]
HSBC has announced reductions in its mortgage rates, joining Barclays and NatWest in a move that comes on the heels of hints from the Bank of England about a potential summer base rate cut. Barclays lowered its fixed-rate home loan costs for new deals on Tuesday, with HSBC’s cuts set to take effect on Wednesday. […]
Evri, the prominent parcel delivery company, is set to significantly enhance its sustainability initiatives by embracing “pedal power.” Over the next year, Evri plans to expand its fleet from 33 to 99 e-cargo bikes and from 168 to 270 electric vehicles, as part of a £19m investment in eco-friendly delivery methods. The company’s ambitious target […]
In a bold move to rejuvenate the UK’s beleaguered hospitality sector, the Conservative Party has vowed to launch a comprehensive review of licensing laws and planning regulations within the first 100 days if elected. This initiative aims to support pubs, restaurants, and music venues, which have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent […]
Britain’s celebrated pottery designer, Emma Bridgewater, has reported a near £1.4 million loss for her homewares brand, attributed to heavy discounting and increased competition online. This downturn follows a £1.1 million profit the previous year. The Stoke-on-Trent-based company, founded by Bridgewater herself, experienced a 9% rise in sales to £36.2 million in the year ending […]
Apple has announced a delay in the launch of three new artificial intelligence (AI) features in Europe due to regulatory challenges posed by the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The features, which will be available in the US this autumn, are now scheduled to launch in Europe in 2025. The affected features include Phone […]
Rishi Sunak’s Covid start-up fund, the Future Fund, has moved to liquidate dozens of companies in a bid to recover taxpayer loans. According to court records, the fund has issued winding-up petitions to 32 businesses it supported during the pandemic, resulting in many being ordered to cease trading without recouping the investments. The Future Fund, […]
In a historic move, approximately 1,500 Tata Steel workers will commence an indefinite strike next month in response to the company’s plans to cut thousands of jobs. This will be the first strike action by UK steel workers in over 40 years, according to the trade union Unite. The strike, set to begin on 8 […]
Unison, the UK’s largest union, is urging the next government to enshrine the right to a four-day work week for all workers, following a vote of support from its members. Representing public service workers, including NHS staff and police, Unison delegates passed a motion demanding legislative action to encourage employers to adopt this new work […]
Octopus Energy has announced it will repay almost the entire cost of the government support provided for its takeover of the failed energy provider Bulb. This move ensures that taxpayers will recover nearly the full amount of the bailout. Bulb, which collapsed in 2021 due to unsustainable losses from rising wholesale gas prices against the […]