Business

Former Deputy Prime Minister Sir Nick Clegg has warned that the current wave of valuations across the artificial intelligence sector is “crackers”, arguing that many AI businesses have yet to demonstrate viable paths to profitability despite the billions pouring into machine learning. Speaking at The Times Tech Summit, Clegg said that even the world’s leading AI firms — including so-called “hyperscalers” developing large-scale models — are struggling to show how their capital expenditure will translate...

Supermarket giant Morrisons will close 103 outlets across the UK this year — including cafés, florists, pharmacies and convenience stores — in its latest effort to streamline operations and refocus investment on core areas of growth. The closures form part of a broad restructuring strategy to “accelerate growth” and “optimise operations”, following mounting cost pressures and what chief executive Rami Baitiéh called “significant cost headwinds” since last year’s Autumn Budget. The company has confirmed that...

It was one of those small domestic moments that tells you everything you need to know about the modern British service industry. I was visiting my parents, both octogenarians, both long past the stage of bothering to shop around for anything,  when an envelope from the AA thudded onto the doormat. My mother opened it with the slight suspicion that all letters now require, only to find the annual renewal notice for their breakdown cover....

Digital certificates play a major role in enterprise security as they protect everything from websites and applications to IoT devices and cloud workloads. But large organizations are now juggling with thousands of certificates across hybrid and multi-cloud environments and managing them has never been more challenging. To make it even harder, certificate lifespans are reduced to 398 days and are expected to shrink even more in the coming years. At this pace, spreadsheets and manual...

Futures trading involves entering into contracts to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined future date and price. This financial instrument offers traders the ability to hedge against risks or speculate on price movements of various assets, including commodities, indices, and currencies. Recently, futures trading has gained significant traction among traders seeking flexibility, leverage, and diversification in their investment strategies. This article explores five key reasons why more traders are turning to futures trading....

High-earning professionals earning just over £100,000 — often dubbed “Henrys” (High Earners, Not Rich Yet) — could be among the hardest hit in next month’s Budget, with analysts warning their effective tax rate could rise beyond the already punitive 60% threshold. Typically consisting of mid-career professionals and dual-income households with limited accumulated wealth or assets, Henrys are often caught in what experts call the UK’s “stealth tax trap”. This group is already disproportionately affected by...

Employees returning to work after cancer treatment must be actively involved in how their reintegration is managed, according to new research that warns current HR support structures are too rigid and often fail to reflect the lived reality of survivors. A study from NEOMA Business School, conducted in collaboration with IAE Lyon, found that traditional mechanisms such as recognised disability status (RQTH in France), reduced working hours and remote working only address surface-level needs, overlooking...

Government borrowing rose sharply to more than £20bn in September – the highest level in five years – piling further pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves as she prepares a tax-raising Budget next month. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), monthly borrowing increased by £1.6bn from August, contributing to a six-month total of £99.8bn, the second-highest level ever recorded for the first half of a financial year. The current budget deficit now stands at...

Rumoured increases to employer pension contributions in next month’s Budget are sparking panic among UK businesses, with nearly one in five firms warning they could face insolvency if contribution rates rise. A survey of 500 businesses by consultancy Barnett Waddingham found that 19% of employers believe a mandatory hike in workplace pension contributions could push them over the edge financially. More than 30% say they would respond by freezing recruitment or cutting headcount, further tightening...

Labour is facing calls to rethink its manifesto pledge to abolish lower minimum wage rates for young workers amid warnings that nearly one million 16- to 24-year-olds are now out of education, employment or training. A new report from the Resolution Foundation shows that the number of so-called “Neets” has surged by 195,000 in the past two years, reaching 940,000 — the highest level in more than a decade and on track to exceed 1...