• UK government trials AI tool to streamline public consultations

    The UK government is piloting an AI tool named ‘Consult’ to automate the analysis of public consultation responses, aiming to reduce administrative workloads and enhance efficiency across departments.


  • Aviva chief warns ministers not to force pension funds to buy British

    British pension funds should not be forced to invest in UK assets, the boss of one of London’s biggest insurance firms has said, in a rebuke of the government’s pension reforms plans. The Treasury this week helped seal a voluntary, non-binding agreement by pension funds, dubbed the Mansion House Accord, will see increased investment into…


  • FIFA cheered by ECJ backing in agent fees dispute – but ‘far from a unilateral win’

    Fifa has welcomed the qualified backing of its plan to cap football agents’ fees from a top judge at the European Court of Justice following legal challenges.  The opinion issued by AG Nicholas Emiliou is not binding but offers an indication of the verdict that the ECJ may ultimately reach in a case with profound…


  • Triodos and STOXX launch new impact investing index

    Triodos Investment Management, a specialist in sustainable investment, has partnered with global index provider STOXX to launch a new impact-focused benchmark aimed at institutional investors. The newly introduced iSTOXX Triodos Developed Markets Impact Index is designed to help professional investors align their portfolios with measurable social and environmental outcomes, while also excluding companies that fall…


  • Datamaran launches networking and resources platform for sustainability professionals

    Datamaran, the ESG-focused software analytics firm based in London, has launched a new platform aimed at supporting sustainability professionals as they navigate an increasingly complex operating environment. The platform, named Harbor, is designed to foster peer-to-peer engagement, provide expert resources, and offer tools to help users stay abreast of swiftly evolving global sustainability regulations. The…


  • MP launches bill to make polluters pay for climate damage and resilience efforts

    A new climate finance bill aims to tax fossil fuel firms, superyachts, and private jets to fund flood defences and home insulation.


  • Microsoft to source 18 million tonnes of nature-based carbon removal credits in new agreement with Rubicon Carbon

    Microsoft has signed a major new agreement with carbon markets platform Rubicon Carbon to acquire 18 million tonnes of high-quality carbon removal credits, a deal regarded as one of the largest commitments ever made by a single corporate buyer within the voluntary carbon market. The agreement marks a significant escalation in Microsoft’s efforts to achieve…


  • HMRC issues first individual tax avoidance stop notices to former solicitor Paul Baxendale-Walker

    HMRC has issued its first-ever tax avoidance Stop Notices to an individual, targeting Paul Baxendale-Walker for promoting schemes using offshore trusts to avoid tax. Read more: HMRC issues first individual tax avoidance Stop Notices to former solicitor Paul Baxendale-Walker


  • Analysts say ‘buy’ Vanquis shares after payday loan turnaround

    Vanquis shares could finally be about to turn a corner, according to one group of City analysts. The shares peaked at more than 2,600p in 2015, and have since fallen by more than 96 per cent as Vanquis has endured soaring complaints and regulatory backlash thanks to its sub-prime lending and payday loan market exposure.…


  • Number of Living Wage employers rises 19% as more businesses commit to higher pay

    Despite a cooling labour market, the number of UK employers voluntarily paying the higher Living Wage rose 19% to 16,040, according to the Living Wage Foundation. Read more: Living Wage employers rise 19% as more businesses commit to higher pay