Garden centres and nurseries across the UK are engaged in a frantic race to stockpile plants before the implementation of Brexit border checks later this month. Concerns abound regarding the readiness of border posts to handle the influx of deliveries, prompting businesses to take preemptive measures to safeguard their supplies. The Horticultural Trade Association (HTA), […]
Five years after HMRC appealed an IR35 case defeat carrying £243,324 in tax liability, judges have instructed this long-running saga to be reheard despite the work having taken place 14 years ago. IR35 specialist, Qdos, said the situation “smacks of unfairness” and highlights the “nuances and complexities of the IR35 legislation”. In 2019, IT contractor, […]
As interest rates soar, homeowners facing the end of their mortgage deals are seeking relief through extended loan terms. The trade association UK Finance reports that 24 per cent of remortgages, approximately 5,400 loans, were structured with terms of 30 years or more in December, a significant increase from 11 per cent in December 2021. […]
Luxury automaker Aston Martin has solidified its dedication to Formula One, extending its sponsorship of its Grand Prix team until at least 2030. In a strategic move, Aston Martin has also opted to invest in the equity of the team, reaffirming its commitment to the sport and its performance on and off the track. The […]
Amid escalating cybercrime threats British-based cybersecurity firm Darktrace have reported a robust quarter with revenues surging by over a 25 per cent, driven by heightened demand from concerned companies. In the three months ending March, Darktrace witnessed a significant 26.5 per cent increase in revenue, soaring to $176.1 million compared to $139.2 million in the […]
The artificial intelligence (AI) skills gap is holding back public sector projects with 60 per cent labelling the shortage as their top implementation challenge. Although all industries are facing a shortage, the public sector gap is by far the widest. According to Salesforce research only 28 per cent of public sector IT professionals claim to […]
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has voiced significant concerns regarding the formidable grip of major technology corporations, including Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft, in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), warning of potential harm to consumers. The CMA is closely scrutinising AI foundation models, the potent digital engines propelling advancements in AI, which include […]
The cyber defences of UK businesses are faltering as 50 per cent of businesses reported a cyber attack or breach over the past 12 months, according to the government’s latest Cyber security breaches survey 2024. The figure rose substantially among medium businesses (70 per cent) and large businesses (74 per cent), while 32 per cent […]
Recent revelations from internal meetings at Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, have shed light on discussions among managers, lawyers, and engineers regarding the potential acquisition of Simon & Schuster to procure books for training the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The recordings, shared with the New York Times by an employee of […]
According to recent findings from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), more than 7.4 million individuals across the UK encountered challenges in meeting bill payments or credit repayments in January, underscoring ongoing financial strain among a significant portion of the population. Although this figure represents a decrease from previous years, it remains substantially higher than pre-crisis […]