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NHS staff in the North East are set to benefit. Serve and Protect Credit Union has awarded a £2,478 grant to Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) to create new wellbeing spaces that support employees facing financial stress and mental health challenges.
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UK ranks lowest in G7 for investment despite government plans. Total investment is 18.6% of GDP, trailing other G7 nations. Labour aims to boost public spending, but private investment may not follow, citing weak business confidence.
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December reshaped UK dealmaking, from energy divestments to takeovers worldwide. BP’s Castrol carve-out set the tone, while Smiths, Petrofac, SolGold, and International Personal Finance highlighted continued appetite for UK assets. The month revealed how capital is being deployed — selectively, strategically, and with little tolerance for ambiguity.
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Octopus Energy will spin off Kraken tech platform Kraken at $8.65bn valuation. The demerger reflects growing investor appetite for utility software, with the platform set to become an independent company backed by global institutions. The move marks a new chapter in UK energy tech.
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Older millennials are seeking more mental health support than ever. Between 2023 and 2025, Onebright saw a steady rise in referrals from 35–46-year-olds as middle management pressures, childcare, and financial stress converge — marking a growing crisis in workplace wellbeing among senior professionals.
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SSEN Transmission secures £1bn loan for Scottish grid upgrades. The £1bn green loan, backed by an £800m UK National Wealth Fund guarantee, will finance four major transmission projects in northern Scotland, supporting 3,400 jobs and enhancing energy security.
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Demand for IT professionals rises despite UK labour market concerns. Over half of UK businesses plan to expand their IT teams, highlighting digital skills’ importance as unemployment rises. Cybersecurity roles face critical shortages, stressing the need for skilled professionals.
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Business confidence rose slightly at the end of 2025. Lloyds Banking Group’s survey indicated a modest increase in business confidence after the Autumn Budget, despite earlier concerns over potential tax hikes. Optimism reached a four-month high.
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Automation is racing ahead of security controls. As AI agents join corporate networks, experts warn that 2026 will test enterprise resilience. ExtraHop’s Jamie Moles says governance, visibility, and culture will define whether businesses stay ahead or get blindsided.
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AI has become accessible to small businesses almost overnight. Yet as Kelly Salter, Commercial Director at names.co.uk (part of team.blue), explains, many still struggle with skills gaps, confidence, and trust. Bridging this divide requires practical guidance and mindset change — helping small businesses see AI as a partner, not a threat.