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Greggs proposes four factory closures, putting 740 jobs at risk
Greggs, the UK’s largest bakery chain, has announced plans to close four manufacturing sites and cut 740 jobs over the next two-and-a-half years as part of a restructuring of its production network. The company expects the closures to cost approximately £60 million in redundancy payments and disruption costs, but projects savings of around £20 million…
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UK economy ‘slightly larger’ than previously estimated after April-June growth revised up – business live
UK economic growth in April to June was revised up from 0.4% to 0.5%, suggesting the economy was more resilient to higher energy prices than earlier estimates indicated. Analysts said the stronger figures could provide a political boost for Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office after the period covered. Growth in the second quarter…
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January price cap forecast to lift typical annual bills to £1,999
The UK government’s energy price cap is forecast to rise by 16% in January 2026, pushing typical household bills to £1,999 per year—an increase of £276 and the largest quarterly jump since January 2023. The sharp upward revision from an earlier 9% prediction reflects recent surges in gas prices, which have reached three-year highs due…
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Anton Studios Joins The Creatives as Partner and Investor as Producer-Led European Company Enters Jointly Owned Holding Structure (EXCLUSIVE)
European production studio Anton Studios is taking a minority stake in The Creatives, a consortium that is formalising from an informal strategic partnership into a jointly owned holding company. This marks a significant development as The Creatives becomes the first European-rooted producer-owned group of its scale in film and television, consolidating production power whilst maintaining…
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AI threatens freelance writing jobs, leaving workers facing financial uncertainty
Joe Minihane, a freelance travel writer and copywriter with a 25-year career, has lost his livelihood after companies replaced his work with artificial intelligence. His experience exemplifies a broader threat facing millions globally, with technology leaders warning of significant employment disruption as AI capabilities expand across multiple sectors. An estimated eight million UK jobs could…
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A-League opener overshadowed by Manchester City verdict as APL reviews findings
The Premier League’s decision to find Manchester City guilty of 115 breaches of financial rules is overshadowing the start of Australia’s A-League season. Because Manchester City has ownership links to Melbourne City (an A-League club) and board member Simon Pearce connects both organisations to the Australian Professional Leagues, the scandal threatens to damage the reputation…
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England plans 1,000 family hubs offering early years support by 2028
The government plans to expand family hubs across England, offering parents support with infant feeding, mental health and bonding with their babies. The Healthy Babies programme is intended to give children a better start in life by bringing services such as midwives, health visitors and other family support together in one place. Health Secretary Yvette…
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Nandy says planned social media limits are just an initial step
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy says the planned restrictions on children’s social media use are only an initial step, and that the government intends to regulate online spaces more actively. She argues that children should be able to use safer platforms rather than being excluded from social media altogether, and says the state must help shape…
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Manchester City guilty of financial breaches; Oura scraps listing; OpenAI protests erupt
Manchester City faces sanctions after a decade of financial rule violations. Finnish smart ring maker Oura abandons its $15 billion US stock listing, whilst activist groups protest OpenAI’s government contracts and environmental impact.
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Benin’s growth under Talon came with shrinking democratic freedoms
President Patrice Talon oversaw rapid economic and infrastructure development in Benin during his decade in office, helping raise annual GDP growth from 3% to 6%. But the gains have coincided with a sharp erosion of democratic freedoms, leaving Benin’s development under Talon a story of economic progress alongside increasingly authoritarian rule. Known as the “cotton…