Author: Scott Dylan

The University of Manchester has launched Unit M, an initiative aimed at boosting the region’s innovation economy. Led by new President Duncan Ivison, it seeks to unite campus resources to accelerate growth.Unit M aspires to position Manchester as a key player on the global stage by connecting entrepreneurs and leaders to foster inclusive growth. This effort addresses challenges like low productivity and start-up activity to revitalise the region.Unit M: A Catalyst for Regional InnovationThe launch of Unit M by the University of Manchester marks a pivotal moment for the region’s innovation landscape. The initiative, led by the university’s new President…

The University of Manchester unveils Unit M, a transformative initiative aimed at bolstering the region’s innovation economy. Positioned to engage a variety of stakeholders, Unit M seeks to unite campus-wide capabilities to invigorate growth across Manchester and beyond. Under the leadership of President Duncan Ivison, this initiative promises to place Manchester at the forefront of global innovation.Unit M emerges as a flagship project from the University of Manchester, designed to unite diverse strengths within the academic institution to fuel growth. This initiative is the brainchild of Duncan Ivison, the new President and Vice Chancellor, who views it as a catalyst…

Business activity in the North West continues to grow, marking nine months of consistent improvement.The latest NatWest report indicates that, despite a slight dip, the region’s economy is resilient and expanding.Economic Growth in the North WestThe latest NatWest Growth Tracker report has shown a consistent positive trend in business activity across the North West private sector, marking a ninth consecutive month of growth in September. Yet, the Business Activity Index did experience a slight decrease, registering at 52.6 compared to August’s 54.0. This decline signals a moderation in expansion speed, though growth remains solid overall.Future Business ExpectationsDespite the ongoing growth,…

Strategic appointments in various firms are shaping the North West’s business landscape.These changes not only reflect the inherent growth potential but also underline a commitment to excellence and innovation.Leadership Expansion at Beyond CorporateThe appointment of Elizabeth Wilkinson and Alison Rocca as partners marks a significant step forward for Beyond Corporate. Wilkinson, who now spearheads the dispute resolution team, brings a wealth of experience in handling commercial contract disputes and professional negligence actions. Rocca joins her with expertise in property disputes and contentious probate, aligning with the firm’s growth strategy.Over the past year, Beyond Corporate has strategically tripled its dispute resolution…

eBay is implementing a new policy prohibiting private sales of e-bikes on its platform in the United Kingdom, effective from 31 October. This decision arises from increasing concerns over battery safety and resultant fire incidents.The company aims to mitigate risks associated with e-bike battery fires, which have seen a sharp increase, prompting action from safety regulators. The shift will restrict listings to verified business sellers only, a move supported by safety advocacy groups.The surge in e-bike popularity has unfortunately been paired with a rise in fire incidents linked to their batteries. In 2023, the London Fire Brigade reported 155 e-bike…

China has initiated a tariff on European brandy imports, specifically targeting France’s major producers.This is a direct counteraction to the European Union’s decision to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.In a strategic move, China has imposed tariffs on European brandy imports as an act of retaliation against the European Union’s earlier tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. This new trade barrier has been labelled by the Chinese commerce ministry as an “anti-dumping” measure. The intent, ostensibly, is to shield domestic producers from the potential harm posed by the influx of European imports.The European Union has not remained silent in the face…

Three private Christian schools in the UK, along with concerned parents, are planning to sue the government. Their legal challenge is a response to the planned VAT implementation on school fees.The schools argue that this tax violates human rights and unfairly discriminates against faith-based educational institutions.The Emmanuel School in Derby, the Branch Christian School in Yorkshire, and the King’s School in Hampshire, joined by parents, assert that the new VAT policy will make Christian education prohibitively expensive. This move, they claim, threatens the existence of many faith-based schools. The claimants have voiced their opposition through a formal letter, arguing that…

The recent findings from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales reveal a downturn in business confidence amid fears of higher taxes.Businesses are voicing concerns over the potential impact of increased tax burdens in the forthcoming budget, reflecting a mood of uncertainty in the economic landscape.Current Business Sentiment and ConcernsThe business climate in the UK is witnessing a notable shift in sentiment, primarily due to apprehensions regarding impending tax hikes. According to a recent report by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), business confidence has dipped from 16.7 to 14.4 within a single quarter.…

In a strategic move to enhance rail infrastructure cost-effectively, the UK government is evaluating the development of a ‘HS2-light’ line extending beyond Birmingham.This initiative, which could result in a cost reduction of up to 40%, addresses the anticipated capacity challenges on the West Coast mainline.Faced with impending rail capacity issues, ministers are considering a groundbreaking proposal to extend a ‘HS2-light’ line beyond Birmingham. This development aims to create a rail corridor allowing trains to operate faster than conventional routes but slower than the high-speed HS2. By potentially cutting costs significantly, this initiative addresses both economic constraints and passenger demands.The National…

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has taken action against six of the UK’s most significant broadband companies. These firms failed to adequately inform customers about potential price increases within their contracts.BT, EE, Plusnet, TalkTalk, O2, and Virgin Media have come under scrutiny for not highlighting critical price information. The ASA mandates that all promotional materials must now clearly disclose potential price changes to protect consumers.The ASA has recently ruled that BT, EE, Plusnet, TalkTalk, O2, and Virgin Media Broadband must revise their advertising strategies. These companies were found to provide insufficient prominence to critical information regarding mid-contract price hikes. This…