Build it better: A game-changing new approach to construction procurement June 5, 2020 For many years — decades, in fact — reviews of the construction sector have cried out for reform. Architects, engineers, clients and contractors have been tied into procurement models that are too adversarial and do not always have the best interest of the project at heart. Some reforms did happen — but none so significant [...]
HS2 construction work set to begin despite coronavirus lockdown April 15, 2020 Construction work on controversial rail project HS2 has been given the green light to begin despite the current coronavirus lockdown restrictions. The high speed rail link was approved by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in February after uncertainty about whether it would go ahead at all. Work on the four work packages, which involve many of [...]
SSE remains on track for £250m coronavirus hit September 30, 2020 Energy giant SSE today confirmed that it was on course for a £120m to £130m hit for the first six months of the year due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Back in July, when it unveiled its full year results, the firm warned that the pandemic, which has caused power demand to drop, [...]
Manchester United lose £23m as coronavirus cuts revenue by £120m October 21, 2020 Manchester United suffered a £23m loss as revenue plunged by almost 20 per cent for the year ending 30 June. Annual income fell to £509m, from £627m the previous year, as the coronavirus outbreak saw football suspended. All three of Manchester United’s main revenue streams were hit during the fourth quarter, when most games were [...]
Government enters funding talks with EDF over Sizewell C nuclear plant December 14, 2020 The government has today confirmed that it has entered talks with EDF over funding options for the Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk. The announcement, which came as ministers unveiled the long-awaited energy white paper, could see the government take a financial stake in the project. It comes after months of uncertainty regarding the [...]
How strong might the UK’s post-Covid economic recovery be? April 30, 2021 It has been a tough start to the year for the UK. As lockdown restrictions continue to slowly ease, we examine the progress made in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, and whether hopes for a strong economic recovery are well founded. Vaccines offered hope, speedy inoculation will solidify the recovery A year on from the start [...]
Sadiq Khan calls for emergency business support as London restrictions loom September 22, 2020 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has called on the Prime Minister to introduce emergency financial support for businesses affected by the new 10pm curfew and warned that extra restrictions lay on the horizon for the capital. Khan said he has had “constructive” conversations with Boris Johnson today about the new 10pm curfew for hospitality and [...]
Germany recommends blocking Astrazeneca vaccine for over-65s January 28, 2021 German health authorities have issued a draft recommendation that the Astrazeneca coronavirus vaccine should not be used in over-65s. A statement by the Standing Vaccine Commission at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) — Germany’s main public health body — said there was “insufficient data currently available to ascertain how effective the vaccination is above 65 [...]
Budget 2021: Big business to pay off UK’s Covid debt burden with £45bn corporation tax rises March 3, 2021 Rishi Sunak will make the UK’s big businesses pay off the country’s Covid spending, with £45bn of corporation tax rises to hit companies with profits over £250,000 the hardest. Corporation tax will rise from 19 per cent to 25 per cent by 2023 for UK companies with annual profits of £250,000 or higher, however a [...]
How sustainability can make a product stand out November 20, 2020 The growing awareness of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors among customers and investors poses a quandary for companies: how should they react? Predictably, the response has been a mixed one, with the pace and magnitude of action dependent on the extent to which companies view this change as an opportunity as opposed to an [...]