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UK banks are backing a new domestic payments infrastructure company. The Payments Delivery Company has opened an equity raise reported to target around £50m from banks and other eligible industry participants.
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Co-op’s Southern deal faces deeper scrutiny from competition regulators now. The CMA says the completed transaction may reduce competition and will require remedies or an in-depth Phase 2 investigation.
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Ministers have left open further rules for advanced artificial intelligence. Existing UK regulation remains in force, but government says the framework may not always be sufficient as capabilities develop.
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UK inflation rose above 3% as transport costs accelerated sharply. Manufacturing input prices are also climbing, but unchanged core and services inflation and a softer labour market suggest the latest pressure remains concentrated around energy and goods.
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KPMG is proposing 200 more UK advisory job cuts nationwide. The consultation includes data, technology, AI, and cybersecurity teams as the Big Four group adjusts capacity to softer demand.
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UK Finance wants corporate reporting simplified as disclosure burdens grow. FTSE 100 annual reports have expanded 27% since 2019, prompting proposals to remove duplication and move static information online.
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Digital proof of age is now valid for alcohol sales. Licensed businesses in England and Wales can optionally accept certified smartphone-based verification alongside established physical identity checks.
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Employers warn Britain’s labour market remains weak as vacancies fall. Employment specialists are calling attention to lower hiring, SME cost pressures, and persistently high youth unemployment after the latest ONS figures.
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UK and US fusion laboratories are linking powerful AI supercomputers. The proposed federation will combine experimental data and computing capacity as both countries pursue faster fusion development and commercialisation.
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The FCA is testing how tokenised gold could reshape markets. Its work examines trading, transfers, collateral, custody, and regulation as the UK develops a broader framework for tokenised wholesale finance.