Author: Scott Dylan

Ogi, a leading alternative telecoms provider, has secured a £45m loan from Cardiff Capital Region, supporting its growth strategy.The funding will expand Ogi’s full fibre network across ten local authority areas in the region.This marks the Cardiff Capital Region’s largest loan, leveraging its £1.2bn City Deal investments.Ogi aims to provide extensive connectivity to underserved communities, enhancing economic prospects in the area.Strategic partnerships and additional investments are set to drive substantial regional development.Ogi, a prominent name in alternative telecoms, has successfully secured a £45 million funding deal from the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR). This significant investment is intended to bolster Ogi’s…

Leveraging advanced graphene technology, Haydale is piloting an underfloor heating solution with Jersey Energy Technologies.The technology promises up to 30% reduced operating costs compared to traditional systems.Aimed at improving energy efficiency in social housing, the trial takes place this winter.The partnership showcases potential for wider application across the Channel Islands.Success could lead to phased rollouts in various homes and buildings.Haydale, a leader in advanced materials and nanotechnology innovation, is entering a pilot trial in Jersey deploying its latest underfloor heating technology. This initiative is a collaboration with Jersey Energy Technologies, a start-up committed to energy efficiency. The underfloor heating system…

Billionaire Mark Cuban’s social media poll reveals unexpected results with Donald Trump as the preferred role model over Kamala Harris for children.Mark Cuban, known for his criticism of Trump, conducted a poll asking which persona parents prefer as a role model for their children.The poll offered a choice between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, leading figures in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.A significant 68.9% of over 800,000 responses favoured Trump, while only 31.1% selected Harris, sparking widespread commentary.The poll highlighted ongoing debates and controversies surrounding both figures’ public personas and political careers.In a recent social media engagement, billionaire Mark Cuban…

The RAC calls for the cessation of the 5p fuel duty cut, originally introduced in 2022 to lessen the cost of living crisis.Introduced to help motorists save on fuel costs, the duty cut is costing the government £2 billion annually.Despite the cut, savings have not materialised for drivers due to high retail margins.High profit margins among retailers have led to minimal consumer benefits, with record margins of 13p on unleaded fuel.Calls have been made for the re-evaluation of the duty cut, amidst concerns that drivers are overpaying.The 5p fuel duty cut, introduced in 2022 to mitigate the cost of living…

UK retailer New Look has committed to protecting transport workers’ rights in its supply chain.Partnering with the International Transport Workers Union (ITF), New Look aims to enhance the safety and sustainability of its transport operations.A new memorandum of understanding (MoU) will guide New Look in human rights due diligence across its supply chain.The agreement includes commitments to advance freedom of association and provide training for workers.New Look emphasises vigilance against modern slavery and human trafficking in all aspects of their operations.UK clothing retailer New Look has taken significant steps to ensure the protection of transport workers’ rights in its supply…

In an effort to strengthen UK-EU relations, Keir Starmer is pursuing a significant economic deal with Germany.Starmer met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to discuss easing business barriers for UK enterprises in Germany.Negotiations aim for preferential market access without compromising balanced negotiations.A proposed youth mobility scheme has emerged as a point of contention.Additional discussions include a veterinary agreement and strategies against illegal migration.Keir Starmer aims to enhance UK-EU relations by negotiating a critical economic deal with Germany. Recognising this as a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity,’ he underscores the necessity of moving past Brexit to foster closer economic and security ties throughout Europe.During…

HMRC intensifies scrutiny on nearly 800 large UK firms over suspected tax underpayments.The investigation spans key sectors such as banking, telecoms, and retail, highlighting HMRC’s focus on tax compliance.The banking sector alone faces potential underpayments totalling £9.3 billion.Retail and oil & gas industries are also under the spotlight with underpayments of £5.5 billion and £3.9 billion, respectively.HMRC’s actions reflect a broader trend towards aggressive tax collection amid slow global economic growth.HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has expanded its investigative reach to 791 of the United Kingdom’s largest companies, scrutinising tax underpayments that span multiple critical sectors. This strategic move highlights…

Discover how iOS 18’s AI-driven features will transform iPhone interaction, offering enhanced personalisation and privacy safeguards.Apple collaborates with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into Siri, signalling a significant leap in AI capabilities for iPhones.iOS 18, launching with the iPhone 16, introduces cutting-edge tools like improved writing assistance and email summarisation.Apple prioritises privacy with on-device data processing, but some cloud requests may risk data exposure.Participation in Apple Intelligence is optional, ensuring users control the integration of these AI features.At the forefront of Apple’s latest advancements is an enhanced version of Siri, powered by a collaboration with OpenAI, the developers behind ChatGPT. This…

A call for a 1% wealth tax is being made by Unite to support public sector pay and NHS recruitment.This proposal seeks to implement a significant 10% pay increase for public sector employees.The motion will be discussed at the TUC conference, revealing potential tensions with Labour leadership.Unite estimates a generation of £25 billion annually from the proposed tax on assets over £4 million.The suggested tax reflects rising demands from various unions for substantial investments in public services.Unite has proposed a notable 1% tax aimed at individuals whose fortunes exceed £4 million to fund essential public services. The initiative seeks to…

British Steel announces plans to cut 2,500 jobs, sparking significant concern.The company aims to close Scunthorpe blast furnaces despite receiving £600 million in taxpayer support.British Steel may replace Scunthorpe steel production with imports from China, potentially ending large-scale UK steel production.Union leaders express outrage over the job cuts, emphasising the lack of consultation with workers.Government decisions on British Steel’s future plans remain pending, leaving the industry in uncertainty.British Steel has announced a plan to eliminate 2,500 jobs, leading to significant concern among stakeholders. This decision comes despite the company receiving £600 million in support from taxpayers aimed at facilitating a…