World of Business

More in World of Business

Women in Northern Ireland Engineering: Progress and Persistent Gaps

Female engineering students in Northern Ireland have surged 40% at Queen's University over a decade, yet women hold only 11% of engineering roles. Women in the sector share their experiences and call for greater representation.

7 min read

A woman with longish blond hair, gold earrings and a protective glasses and a high vis jacket smiles at the camera.

Brewdog workers and creditors face total loss as administration finds insufficient funds

Brewdog's former workers and creditors will receive no compensation from administration, as AlixPartners reports insufficient funds. The Scottish brewer carried over £500m in debts when sold to Tilray for £33m in March 2026.

4 min read

Japan raises rates to 31-year high as central banks tighten grip on inflation

Japan's central bank raised interest rates to 1.25%, the highest since 1995, joining the Federal Reserve and ECB in tightening monetary policy. Two board members dissented. Meanwhile, retail sales in Great Britain rose 0.9% over summer, beating expectations.

8 min read

The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo.

Healey pushes EU to include UK in 'Made in Europe' industry protection scheme

Chancellor John Healey will urge EU finance ministers to design the "Made in Europe" industrial protection scheme to strengthen UK ties rather than exclude British firms. The scheme aims to shield EU manufacturing from unfair competition while raising manufacturing's share of EU GDP to 20% by 2035.

5 min read

John Healey smiles while wearing a suit and red tie.

Cross-party MPs demand government abandon hedge fund talks and seize Thames Water

Cross-party MPs urge the government to abandon negotiations with US hedge funds controlling Thames Water and pursue emergency legislation for public takeover. The Efra committee calls for special administration as the fastest route to stabilise the company.

7 min read

Thames Water’s Coppermills water treatment works, east London: a view across pools of water and industrial buildings on a grey day with the outlines of skyscrapers in the background.

Bank of Japan Raises Rate to 31-Year High Amid Global Inflation Pressures

Japan's central bank raised its main interest rate to 1.25%, a 31-year high, as it continues normalizing monetary policy amid global inflation pressures and economic challenges including a weak yen and shrinking workforce.

5 min read

The interior of a retail store known for its dense 'jungle-like' displays and competitive pricing on items like luggage and shoes, seen in central Osaka, Japan, on 1 April, 2026.

Ministers pressed to outline British Steel future as daily costs hit £1.3m

The government spending watchdog warns of "startling" costs keeping British Steel running, with no clear plan for the company's future. Daily expenses hit £1.3m, with potential total costs reaching £1.5bn by 2028.

4 min read

A worker at one of the blast furnaces at British Steel’s site in Scunthorpe

First-time buyers embrace 100% mortgages despite negative equity risks

Two couples share how they bought homes with minimal deposits using 100% mortgages, accepting higher rates and negative equity risks. Lenders say modern affordability checks prevent 2008-style crises, but experts urge caution.

6 min read

Conroy and his partner Amber dressed elegantly. He is wearing a suit with a bow tie, she is wearing a bright yellow dress.

Ferguson Marine to Build Tugs as Interim Work While Awaiting Government Contracts

Ferguson Marine will build tugs as interim work while awaiting Scottish government approval for four promised vessels. The tug programme aims to maintain workforce skills during a prolonged due-diligence process, but opposition parties criticise it as falling short of pre-election pledges.

4 min read

A worker wearing a red hard hat, high-visibility orange clothing and a navy jacket walks along a dockside in front of the vessel Glen Rosa. The words "GLEN ROSA" and "GLASGOW" are visible on the ship's hull in the background.

Former MI6 Officer's Firm Pursues Trump in Scottish Court Over £800,000 Legal Bill

A former MI6 officer's company is pursuing Donald Trump at a Scottish court for over £800,000 in unpaid legal costs from a dismissed 2024 data protection case. The dispute centres on Trump's ownership of the Turnberry golf resort and his refusal to pay court-ordered fees.

5 min read

Donald Trump standing on a golf course. He has his hands raised towards his mouth, with a golf ball in one of them and a white glove on the other. He is wearing a white USA hat, and is wearing otherwise dark clothing.

Over-50s Face Steep Job Hunt Barriers: 'I Feel Invisible'

Workers over 50 describe the emotional and financial toll of prolonged joblessness, with some submitting hundreds of applications for just a handful of interviews. Recent research shows recruiters view applicants as less desirable at age 55, while employment among over-55s at UK SMEs has fallen s...

7 min read

Burnham's 'breathing space' pledge faces test as inflation and rates threaten relief

Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces mounting pressure as the Bank of England signals potential rate rises ahead, threatening to undermine his cost-of-living relief measures amid persistent inflation driven by Middle East tensions.

4 min read

Ad (970x250)

Ad (425x293)