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Major grid investment promises jobs and economic security. A £34bn programme to modernise the UK’s electricity grid could unlock £194bn in economic value by 2040 and support an additional 92,000 jobs annually, according to new modelling by Arup and Cambridge Econometrics.
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Barclays aims for £2 billion cost savings using AI. The bank plans to enhance productivity and customer experience by investing in technology while returning over £15 billion to shareholders by 2028 as part of its restructuring strategy.
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UK Budget forecasts were accessed 25,000 times before release. An investigation revealed a major security breach at the Office for Budget Responsibility, with documents downloaded thousands of times before the official Budget speech, prompting the resignation of its chairman.
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SLR acquires sustainability advisory firm SB&CO to expand sustainability solutions. Founded in 2020, SB&CO specialises in strategy, ESG, and decarbonisation planning, aiming to serve global clients’ needs effectively.
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BNP Paribas surpasses low-carbon financing goals in 2025 results. The bank directed over 80% of its energy financing to low-carbon sources by the end of 2025, exceeding its target to facilitate €200 billion in low-carbon and transition financing from 2022 to 2025.
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UK employers now see recruitment delays as a critical business risk. New research shows hiring speed has overtaken economic instability as the leading concern for UK organisations entering 2026, driven by persistent shortages across specialist professional roles.
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SMEs back apprenticeships, but bureaucracy threatens youth hiring across Britain. New research shows strong employer appetite following the Autumn Budget, alongside growing concern that complex Government systems could limit uptake and slow job creation.
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Honda has reported a steep year-on-year drop in quarterly operating profit. The Japanese automaker said tariffs and weaker electric vehicle demand weighed on results, extending a run of declining earnings across successive reporting periods.
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UK retailers began 2026 with stronger sales momentum following January discounting. New industry data shows improved year-on-year growth, led by food and selective non-food categories, as shoppers delayed spending into the new year amid fragile confidence.
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Strong ESG performance supports international R&D expansion and innovation outcomes. New academic research suggests companies with credible environmental, social, and governance records are better positioned to build overseas research operations, attract partners, and access global innovation ecosystems.