Marks & Spencer will spend £340 million on a giant automated warehouse in Northamptonshire as it accelerates efforts to double the size of its food business. The 1.3 million sq ft facility, to be built at Daventry’s international rail freight terminal, represents the retailer’s biggest supply chain investment in its history. It will create 2,000 jobs during construction and a further 1,000 permanent roles once fully operational in 2029. Products moving through the warehouse will...
Airbus is facing the prospect of a global production slowdown after workers at its flagship UK site voted overwhelmingly to strike in a dispute over pay. More than 3,000 members of the Unite union at the Broughton plant in North Wales – which builds wings for all Airbus commercial jets – will stage a 10-day walkout next month unless agreement is reached. The site is a crucial cog in Airbus’s global supply chain, supplying components...
British manufacturers face hundreds of millions of pounds in additional costs each year after the United States sharply increased tariffs on exports containing steel and aluminium. President Trump has extended so-called Section 232 measures, imposing a 25 per cent duty on a wide range of finished goods including construction machinery, automotive components, pumps, compressors and even furniture. The move, which follows lobbying by the American steel industry, comes despite an assumption that UK exporters were...
Government borrowing came in well below expectations in July, offering some short-term relief to chancellor Rachel Reeves as she prepares her autumn budget. Public sector net borrowing totalled £1.1 billion last month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said – less than half the £2.6 billion forecast by economists and below the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) £2.1 billion projection. The undershoot was driven by stronger self-assessment receipts and lower debt costs. July is a...
Two in five UK crypto investors have had payments blocked or delayed by their bank when trying to buy digital assets, according to new research by IG. The study highlights growing tensions between retail investors and high street lenders, with 40% of crypto users saying they had faced restrictions when attempting to purchase tokens. Banks typically justify such interventions on the grounds of fraud prevention. However, the UK public appears unconvinced by that reasoning. When...
As cryptocurrency ETF applications surge, the chances of approval are rising quickly. Yet seasoned investors recognize that while ETFs can boost market confidence, they cannot eliminate price volatility or uncertain returns. In response, Topnotch Crypto has launched a new XRP cloud mining contract that allows users to turn their XRP into stable daily income—without the need for equipment or technical skills. Investors can earn up to $3,100 per day, creating a form of passive income...
Moving into a first home is a milestone for many graduates. Between rent deposits, furniture and everyday bills, the costs quickly add up. In this context, smart technology is increasingly being seen not as an extravagance but as a way to manage expenses, improve comfort and adapt to new patterns of working life. Smart home devices have developed far beyond their early reputation as luxury add-ons. A decade ago, automation was the preserve of high-end...
Businesses of all sizes must invest time and resources into strategic planning. While ideas can flourish on whiteboards, they are more straightforward and insightful to track within specially designed programs. Companies often have multiple metrics and objectives to hit simultaneously to achieve the most significant growth possible. So, what is the best software for tracking progress on multiple initiatives? 1. AchieveIt — Best Overall for Organizations With Multiple Initiatives AchieveIt was founded in 2012 and...
Extreme weather events and rising electricity rates have made energy resilience a must-have for houses all around the world. In the US, families now spend more than $2,000 a year on power, and rates have gone up more than 14% in the last two years. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) says that these rates will keep going up since the grid is getting older and more people want power. Even more worrying is how...
After weathering a decade-long financial crisis, Greece has re-emerged as a magnet for global wealth and investment and is now a Continent-defying pioneer of economic growth. Central to this transformation is the country’s ability to attract high-net-worth individuals – particularly through the Golden Visa program – which has positioned Greece as a top destination for millionaire migration. Introduced in 2013, Greece’s Golden Visa scheme offers residency to non-EU nationals who invest at least €250,000 in...
