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Spectris has accepted a £4.2 billion takeover by KKR. The agreement follows months of public bidding and multiple revised offers, marking the conclusion of a high-stakes battle between two major private equity groups and signalling renewed global interest in UK mid-cap industrials.
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A U.S. judge allows antitrust lawsuit against asset managers. The case accuses BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street of conspiring to manipulate coal markets through sustainable investment initiatives, with claims that they pressured coal companies to reduce production to meet climate goals….
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Mars launches initiative to protect peanut crops from climate change. The Mars Protect the Peanut Plan is a new agri-science initiative aimed at safeguarding peanut crops against climate change impacts, including droughts, flooding, pests, and disease, to ensure the reliability of global supply….
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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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The European Commission launches a consultation on Circular Economy Act. The initiative aims to reduce resource dependence, enhance competitiveness, and address environmental impacts, focusing on creating a single market for secondary raw materials by 2026….
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UK green energy tariffs decline sharply amid cost of living crisis. Green energy deals have dropped from 85% to 18% of the market due to rising costs, with consumers prioritising affordability over sustainability. Suppliers now focus on balancing green credentials with consumer expectations.
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New powers for the Small Business Commissioner aim to tackle late payments. The average UK SME is owed more than £20,000, according to FSB data. Chronic late payment is now a defining risk, amplifying the impact of high costs, inflation, and energy prices for small businesses.
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Metlen Energy & Metals makes its City debut in London today. The €6.7 billion group, previously Mytilineos, is now trading on the London Stock Exchange after a rare high‑value listing. The move delivers a morale boost for the City as new floats and capital raises remain at multi‑decade lows.
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Helion begins construction of its first fusion power plant. The plant, located in Malaga, Washington, aims to supply Microsoft with carbon-free energy by 2028, marking a significant step toward commercial fusion power and supporting Microsoft’s sustainability goals….
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EFRAG revises sustainability reporting standards, simplifying requirements significantly. The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) has released revised drafts of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards, cutting reporting datapoints by 68% to reduce the burden on companies under the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive….