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Payment data creates hidden risks in fragmented digital systems. Large organisations are increasingly exposed as customer and supplier payment details spread across spreadsheets, shared folders, and manual processes. Mark Bish, Principal Product Manager at Bottomline, explains how tokenisation can reduce vulnerabilities, strengthen compliance, and streamline operations without disrupting payment workflows.
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UK banks close over a third of branches in five years. Traditional banks have significantly reduced their physical presence, citing increased digital banking adoption. This trend is driven by changing customer preferences, though it has raised concerns about access to cash services.
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Rachel Reeves may extend the freeze on income tax thresholds. Such a move could increase the tax burden on high earners and draw more individuals into higher tax brackets. Analysts predict potential tax rises to address fiscal challenges.
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Europe is losing climate ground, warns the bloc’s first commissioner. Former EU climate chief Connie Hedegaard has warned that political and corporate complacency is eroding the European Union’s environmental leadership. Her remarks follow a series of policy rollbacks and investor concerns over the credibility of Europe’s net zero transition.
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Insurance generates data at an extraordinary scale every day. But for all its analytical muscle, most insurers remain constrained by legacy systems and siloed data environments. Rory Yates, Global Head of Strategy at EIS, argues that industry growth requires reimagining how data is managed, shared, and operationalised.
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Bank of England cuts rates, but inflation remains a threat. The narrow vote and latest projections signal a longer period of above-target inflation, with the Bank’s policymakers split and business leaders now facing a more uncertain path to normalisation.
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Labour faces calls to impose VAT on private healthcare. Former Labour leader Lord Kinnock suggests this could generate over £2 billion annually in funding for the NHS, amid growing pressure on the government to address fiscal shortfalls.
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A fifth rate cut looks likely despite persistent inflation signals. With the labour market cooling and GDP contracting, the Bank appears ready to resume easing. Our read: a divided MPC will vote for a 25bps cut, with caution in its tone but confidence in direction.
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The UK government revives the Pensions Commission to address retirement poverty. Ministers are concerned that future retirees may face greater financial challenges than current pensioners. The commission will explore solutions to improve savings and retirement conditions for today’s workforce.
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LSEG is considering a 24-hour stock-trading model for London. The exchange has begun early-stage talks on extending SETS and dark-pool equities trading far beyond its current 08:00–16:30 window. Brokers say a discussion paper could emerge by late 2025 — potentially reshaping UK share trading for the first time in over 50 years.
