
Rachel Reeves urges business leaders to promote economic optimism. Pressure mounts on businesses to support a positive economic narrative amid concerns about Reform UK’s rising voter share and potential impact on government stability.

Base Power raises $1 billion to expand U.S. energy storage. The Austin-based company aims to strengthen the grid and promote electrification through home-based battery systems. The funding will support national expansion and the construction of a new manufacturing facility….

This week’s UK M&A activity spanned engineering, wealth, insurance, and technology. From WSP’s £363 million purchase of Ricardo to Lloyds’s move for Schroders Personal Wealth, dealmaking reflected global appetite for regulated and technical sectors, where scale, integration, and specialist expertise continue to shape the direction of corporate consolidation.

Morgan Stanley leads $60 million funding for Corvus Energy. The investment supports Corvus Energy’s growth in low-carbon solutions for the maritime sector, aiming to enhance production and innovation to meet global zero-emission demands….

The UK government announces £50 million for mental health research. The funding aims to accelerate the development of treatments by involving those with lived experience in the innovation process, ultimately enhancing mental health outcomes across the NHS.

Zilch CEO promises innovation in fintech as IPO scene heats. Philip Belamant, CEO of Zilch, has expressed excitement over the burgeoning fintech IPO market, highlighting Klarna’s successful debut as a positive indicator. Zilch plans to introduce unique offerings to public markets amid product expansions.
UK job market struggles amid rising job seekers and minimal salary growth. The latest survey data indicates an increase in job seekers, attributed to redundancies and non-replacement of staff, while starting salary growth remains negligible, reflecting ongoing economic challenges.

EU Parliament agrees on Omnibus I initiative sustainability regulation cuts. The agreement reduces companies covered by the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, focusing on larger businesses. It introduces a risk-based approach and higher employee and revenue thresholds for compliance….

MHFA England launches consultation on workplace standards. Mental Health First Aid England has opened a public consultation on new standards to guide best practice for embedding mental health support in the workplace — aiming to reduce economic inactivity and improve wellbeing across UK businesses.

Private estimates show jobless claims increased this week amid disruption. Economists at major banks say contractor layoffs and delayed data reporting are distorting the picture, though early signs point to a modest softening in labour conditions.