Author: Scott Dylan

Ahead of the Labour Party Conference, there is a pressing call for politicians across all parties to support and promote British manufacturers. The organisation’s senior management team, including the newly-elected Chairman Camilla Hadcock, will attend key political conferences to highlight the importance of the Made in Britain Trademark and its extensive national community.Politicians are being urged to discover, collaborate with, and promote manufacturers within their constituencies, recognising the significant role these companies play in driving local innovation, economic growth, and job creation. The organisation will facilitate this engagement by providing MPs with a contact list of manufacturers within a 20-mile…

Laboratory technology firm BioGrad has inaugurated a new lab in Yorkshire as part of an ambitious £3 million investment, continuing its national expansion strategy.Liverpool-based BioGrad has unveiled its latest research and teaching site in York, a move anticipated to place the company at the forefront of science, healthcare, regenerative medicine, and clinical research over the next three years. The firm’s strategic plans include announcing a nationwide clinical trial led by the York team in early 2025.Since 2022, BioGrad has progressively established labs in Birmingham, Newcastle, and London. Additionally, the company has developed its headquarters and purpose-built clinical research centre at…

British Esports, in conjunction with Sunderland Software City, has unveiled the 14 startups chosen for a new esports accelerator programme, designed to advance the sector and generate new employment opportunities in Sunderland.The programme, which is supported by Sunderland City Council, will provide the startups access to leading industry experts over an eight-week period. This initiative is hosted at the National Esports Performance Campus in Sunderland and will focus on crucial areas such as financial management, international expansion, digital marketing, intellectual property protection, and investment preparation.Set to conclude on November 1, the programme will culminate with the founders pitching to potential…

AI-Sight, a university spin-out from Liverpool, has successfully completed a significant seven-figure equity funding round. The funding was secured from respected individuals within the healthcare industry.The investors backing AI-Sight include notable figures such as Sir Michael Bibby, Chairman of the Bibby Line Group, Phil Kirby, former Managing Director of InHealth Intelligence, Pitalia Capital, the family office of Anil Pitalia, founder of SpaMedica, and Deepbridge Capital. This funding round follows the Class 1 medical device certification of AI-Sight’s first commercial product, an AI software designed to assist human graders in diagnosing diabetic retinopathy from retinal scans.Building on this achievement, AI-Sight has…

The UK’s fourth-largest energy supplier, OVO, has conceded to a £2.37 million settlement following an inquiry by the energy regulator, Ofgem.The regulator identified considerable delays in addressing customer complaints, with some left unresolved for up to 18 months. OVO also failed to implement several rulings issued by the Energy Ombudsman in certain cases.As part of the settlement, OVO will compensate 1,395 affected customers with £378,512. An additional £2 million will go to the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme, reflecting the significant consumer harm caused by the mishandled complaints.Recent years have seen several major UK energy suppliers ordered to compensate customers…

Labour’s proposed expat exit tax has sparked significant concerns among financial experts, who warn that this policy could deter foreign investment in the UK.Vanesha Kistoo, Head of Blick Rothenberg’s French Desk, criticised the proposed tax as ‘deeply flawed’ and fiscally counterproductive, suggesting that it would encourage wealthy expats to leave the UK or avoid moving there altogether. Kistoo noted that while the proposed tax aims to address the financial ‘black hole’ identified by Labour, it could achieve the opposite effect. ‘Wealthy expats will likely try to leave the UK before they have to pay the exit tax or simply not…

The unfolding drama within the Murdoch family reads like a script from the TV series ‘Succession’. Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul, has coined his plan to distribute control of his empire as ‘Project Harmony’. Yet, as his children head to court, it is evident that harmony is far from being achieved.With six children and billions at stake, the battle for succession has become a public spectacle. As Rupert attempts to consolidate control by placing his favoured son Lachlan at the helm, the familial bonds are stretched to their limits.A Turbulent Family DynamicsThe latest drama within the Murdoch family is evocative…

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has proposed significant changes to the capital gains tax structure, which could have profound implications for property owners across the United Kingdom.Under the new proposal, capital gains tax rates would be aligned with income tax rates. This adjustment would substantially increase the tax liabilities of many property owners. Currently, the average capital gains tax bill for a property sold after 20 years of ownership stands at £54,000. However, if these changes are implemented, this figure could rise by 67%, reaching up to £90,000 for properties purchased before 2005, according to data from Hamptons estate agents. Rachel Reeves…

Restaurant chain TGI Fridays is facing significant financial difficulties and has put all of its UK restaurants up for sale. The company’s owner, Hostmore, experienced a near-total collapse in its share price, prompting the decision to sell the 87 restaurant sites across the country.The decision to sell comes after Hostmore’s share price plummeted following the abandonment of plans to acquire additional outlets in the United States. Shares in the company fell drastically from 96p at the beginning of the month to just 22p, raising concerns about the survival of the TGI Fridays brand in the UK.Originally launched in New York…

Pembrokeshire-based mechanical engineering firm Ledwood Mechanical Engineering is set to create up to 40 new roles to support major projects across the UK. The company is forecasting a significant increase in revenue, expecting to reach £50m in the 2024/25 financial year.Ledwood Mechanical Engineering’s current and upcoming projects include work for the new Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset and investments in the Milford Haven Waterway, involving the LNG terminal at South Hook and energy company Valero. These projects necessitate the addition of skilled personnel, leading to the recruitment of welders, mechanical fitters, pipe fitters, riggers, and platers.Managing director…