Archive: Industry

Car crash: The Brexit clear-out of UK manufacturing has already begun

Jaguar Land Rover, Ford and Nissan are voting with their feet. Project Fear is now Project Reality.

The UK investment management industry is thriving

Growth of the UK asset management industry has been extremely strong in recent years; particularly among authorised funds, which have trebled in a decade.
CPA: Pessimism Grips Construction Industry

The latest Construction Trade Survey published today shows that construction activity fell sharply in Q3, despite a return to growth for the UK economy as a whole. Of greater concern, however, the forward looking indicators of orders and enquiries, were also negative, reinforcing concerns that the sector is unlikely to experience growth until at least 2014.
CPA: Construction Industry Urged to Unite As One Voice

Speaking to an audience of more than 500 guests at the Construction Products Association’s Autumn Lunch, the Association’s Chairman, Bill Bolsover laid out his vision of the future and for all parts of the construction industry to pull together to create a single effective voice, as this was, he said, the only way to ensure the industry would maximise its influence and speed the UK economic recovery.
Outlook for UK chemical industry remains strong

In the latest survey of business prospects carried out for chemical businesses by the industry trade body the Chemical Industries Association, optimism remains high.

British steel workers were abandoned by the government

A new report reveals the government's failings over the steel crisis
Miliband 'patriotism' speech in full

Read Ed Miliband's speech calling for "patriotism not protectionism" in full on politics.co.uk.

Miliband wants 'patriotic' manufacturing approach

Politicians should patriotically support British manufacturing even if it means backing companies based overseas, Ed Miliband will say later.
Coalition downplays regional growth cuts

The government has unveiled the first round of its three-year funding to help struggling businesses, but Labour has accused ministers of refusing to invest in growth.

Peers demand Big Four probe

The Office of Fair Trading should investigate the Big Four auditing firms, a committee of peers has concluded.
Ministers mull autumn bank holiday

The May Day bank holiday could be shifted to the autumn, under government plans published today.

Number of women on boards 'should double'

The number of women in the boardroom should double by 2015, an independent review has concluded.
Ofcom 'failing to tackle silent calling'

Ofcom should do more to combat silent calling, according to an influential parliamentary committee.

Opposition parties unite to protest Royal Mail reforms

A rally today by the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) against the privatisation of Royal Mail was attended by a host of opposition politicians.
Forgemasters loan 'could have been funded'

The government's arguments justifying its controversial decision to cancel an £80 million to Sheffield Forgemasters have been questioned by MPs.

Local enterprise 'will need govt support'

New organisations designed to spur on local growth will need continued funding from Whitehall, MPs have warned.
The ambassadorship of Jimmy Choo

David Cameron will today appoint a number of unconventional ambassadors for British trade - including Tamara Mellon, founder of Jimmy Choo.

Silicon East End? Cameron announces 'entrepeneur visa'

David Cameron has made an exception on the government's immigration cap for foreign businessmen, as he promises to turn the East End of London into a new Silicon Valley.
Google escapes fines over Street View

Google has come under scrutiny after being found in breach of data protection laws over its controversial Street View function - but has avoided heavy penalties.

Comment: The burden on small businesses needs action now

Lord Young's appointment as enterprise tsar is to be welcomed, but cuts in regulation and red tape cannot come soon enough for small businesses.
Thatcher minister handed SME review

David Cameron has tasked a former Thatcher minister with reassessing the government's relationship with small and medium-sized businesses, acknowledging "there is so much more we need to do".

Feature: What the business world is thinking

David Cameron and Ed Miliband's struggle for the hearts of business figures at the CBI conference in London proved something of a one-sided affair.
Audio: CBI's Richard Lambert on his final conference

The CBI's Richard Lambert comments as his organisation's annual conference draws to a close:

CBI chief questions 'corny' Cable

Vince Cable's concerns about short-termism in corporate governance are "corny", the director-general of the CBI has told politics.co.uk.
Analysis: Optimism and pessimism at the CBI

The political climate is not well-suited for either David Cameron or Ed Miliband to win over British businesses. Yet one's willingness to lay out and defend his economic plans may have trumped the warnings of the other.

Spending review: Science backed amid cuts

Funding for Britain's science sector has avoided cuts in the comprehensive spending review.
Health and safety: Report calls for reform as Tate closes art exhibit

In a fitting piece of timing, a new review into Britain's health and safety laws has been published just as the Tate Modern closed off its recent sunflower seed exhibit due to health concerns.

Health and safety review in full

Read Lord Young's review into Britain's health and safety regulations in full
Cable: 90% of Royal Mail up for sale

Vince Cable has outlined plans for the privatisation of Royal Mail amid anger from unions.