Business

Let’s face it: “Regulatory Update” is a phrase that usually sends marketers sprinting for the nearest espresso machine. We like the creative stuff. The “big ideas.” The high-octane campaigns that turn prospects into advocates. But here is the hard truth for every Channel Partner Marketing Manager (CPMM): In 2026, compliance is no longer a “legal thing”—it is a brand thing. If your partner in Munich mishandles customer data, or your reseller in Paris uses a...

Online communities and digital services now play a key role in the global gaming industry. While games still require specific hardware to run smoothly, technological innovations promise a future where that may no longer be necessary. They make it possible to play high-quality games without owning expensive devices, and developers are increasingly optimising gaming apps to run smoothly on smartphones. Technology is redefining the foundation of gaming through advancements in cloud infrastructure, widespread use of...

Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider Starlink has begun undercutting traditional broadband providers in the UK after rolling out aggressive price cuts, intensifying competition in Britain’s fixed-line market. Starlink is now offering high-speed broadband for as little as £35 a month in selected parts of the UK, down from a previous entry-level price of £55. The move places the satellite service below comparable packages from BT, which charges around £40 a month, and Virgin Media O2,...

Octopus Energy has been named Britain’s Most Admired Company 2025, becoming the youngest business ever to win the prestigious accolade. The UK’s largest energy supplier took the top prize at a ceremony held at the London Stock Exchange, beating long-established corporate heavyweights that in some cases have been operating for more than a century. In addition to the overall title, Octopus collected six gold sector awards and two silver sector awards, underlining the scale of...

Canada is actively reshaping its global trade and investment strategy in response to continued US trade tariffs, with investors and policymakers increasingly turning their attention towards Europe and China rather than waiting for a reversal in Washington. According to leading audit, tax and business advisory firm Blick Rothenberg, uncertainty created by US trade policy is accelerating a strategic shift in Canadian capital flows and diplomatic priorities. Melissa Thomas, a director at the firm, said Canadian...

Britain’s heavy reliance on China for net zero technologies such as batteries could put as many as 90,000 manufacturing jobs at risk in the event of a major supply chain shock, according to a new report. Analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) warns that a severe disruption to battery component supplies, lasting as little as a year, could cripple the UK’s automotive industry, sharply reducing electric vehicle production and threatening factory jobs...

A pair of former Dyson engineers have raised millions of pounds to bring a battery-powered electric boiler to market, positioning it as a lower-cost, lower-disruption alternative to heat pumps for millions of UK homes. Wiltshire-based Luthmore was founded in 2022 by Craig Wilkinson and Martin Gutkowski, both ex-Dyson engineers who previously worked together on projects including the vacuum maker’s abandoned electric car programme. Their ambition is to replace gas combi boilers in small and medium-sized...

The government is to roll out a new £1bn-a-year support scheme designed to give people on low incomes direct access to emergency cash when they face sudden financial shocks. The Crisis and Resilience Fund, which launches in April, will run for an initial three years and replace the temporary Household Support Fund that has been extended repeatedly since its introduction during the pandemic in 2021. Under the new scheme, individuals will be able to apply...

Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to back legislation that would ban under-16s from social media platforms, signalling a decisive shift in the government’s approach to online child protection. The Prime Minister, who had previously voiced doubts about adopting Australia-style age restrictions, has now dropped his opposition and confirmed that all options are being considered, including a mandatory ban for under-16s. Speaking on Thursday, Starmer said the government needed to “better protect children from social media”,...

The BBC is close to agreeing a landmark partnership with YouTube, signalling a significant strategic shift as the public broadcaster looks to reach younger audiences on the platforms they increasingly favour. Under the proposed arrangement, the BBC would create original, bespoke programmes designed specifically for YouTube, with the option for successful formats to later migrate to its own platforms, including BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds. The move is intended to ensure the corporation remains relevant...