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Leonardo warns of potential UK helicopter factory closure. The Italian defence group may shut its Yeovil site if it fails to secure a £1 billion Ministry of Defence contract, jeopardising the future of Britain’s last remaining helicopter manufacturing facility.
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UK GDP rose by just 0.1% in the third quarter. Growth was marginal and unchanged from earlier estimates, underscoring a slowing economy as the year closes. Services and construction made small gains, but production fell and household spending remained weak across most regions.
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Artificial intelligence has moved from potential to practice in recruitment. Two-thirds of UK recruitment companies are now using or testing AI tools, according to APSCo UK, with automation saving up to 17 hours a week and redefining how recruiters deliver value.
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Royal Assent has been granted to the Employment Rights Act 2025. The new law introduces phased reforms to dismissal, union access, and family-friendly rights, with several provisions effective immediately. The CIPD has urged employers to begin preparing now for implementation over the next two years.
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Only one in ten UK employees prioritise the office party. New research from Moonpig for Business finds that most employees would prefer time off or thoughtful gifts over festive celebrations, with one in five admitting that workplace gift swaps often lead to awkward or inappropriate moments.
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Consumer confidence rose to −17 in December, matching August’s peak. The latest GfK data shows small but broad-based gains in household sentiment, with every measure improving as inflation continues to ease. But the overall reading remains negative, reflecting a cautious outlook into early 2026.
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Lomond completes strategic sale with Womble Bond Dickinson. The transaction follows Lomond’s landmark acquisition of Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward earlier this year, underscoring the company’s expanding national property footprint and the continued legal partnership between Lomond and Womble Bond Dickinson.
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Mason Infotech projects 50% revenue growth this year. The Nottingham-based IT managed service provider credits its expansion to surging client demand for cybersecurity and AI-driven support, as it strengthens its leadership team and extends its reach into new sectors and regions.
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The Bank of England is expected to lower interest rates to 3.75 per cent on Thursday. The move, likely backed by a narrow majority, follows a sharper-than-forecast fall in inflation and mounting evidence of a cooling UK economy. Markets are watching closely for signs of further easing into 2026.
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George Osborne joins OpenAI to lead global AI strategies. Osborne, former UK chancellor, assumes his new role in January, leading OpenAI’s international efforts to collaborate with governments on AI infrastructure and policies, promoting democratic principles in technology deployment.
