Category : Sky news

Category : Sky news - Business

Thousands of small businesses face 'tough decisions' after change to energy scheme

Hundreds of thousands of small businesses could face "tough decisions" following changes to the energy support scheme, according to the Federation of Small Businesses.The Energy Bills Discount scheme has been introduced to provide UK bu...

Daisy founder Riley swoops on listed cybersecurity provider ECSC

The entrepreneur behind one of Britain's biggest privately-held IT services groups is close to sealing its first cybersecurity acquisition with a recommended offer to buy London-listed ECSC.Sky News understands that Daisy Group, which w...

Virgin Orbit sacks most of workforce and ceases operations 'for foreseeable future'

Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit has said it is laying off 85% of its staff and will cease operations for the foreseeable future.The satellite launch company, which is 75%-owned by the British billionaire's Virgin Group, was unable to...

Redbus Ventures eyes swoop on struggling Planet Organic chain

An investment vehicle set up by one of the founders of Lovefilm is plotting a rescue bid for Planet Organic, the struggling grocer.Sky News has learnt that Redbus Ventures, which has assembled a large portfolio of stakes in early-stage...

Women still paid 89p for every £1 a man earns - but the gender pay gap is narrowing

The gender pay gap has narrowed - but women are still paid 89p for every £1 a man earns on average, Sky News analysis suggests.Employers with more than 250 staff have been required by law to publish their pay gap since 2018. The latest...

Energy suppliers lose court case over government handling of Bulb sale

Three energy suppliers have lost a High Court challenge over the government's handling of the sale of rival Bulb.Bulb was placed in special administration in November 2021 and, almost a year later, Octopus Energy announced it had reache...

Troubled banknote printer De La Rue faces new campaign to oust chairman

The chairman of De La Rue, the struggling London-listed banknote printer, is facing a third vote on his tenure in less than a year after a major investor renewed its efforts to unseat him.Sky News has learnt that Crystal Amber Funds, wh...

Planet Organic puts administrators on standby in race for survival

The grocery chain Planet Organic has put insolvency practitioners on standby as it races to find new backers in a bid to secure its future.Sky News has learnt that the company filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators on Thu...

UK economy grew slightly and avoided recession, revised official figures confirm

Revised figures have confirmed that the UK economy avoided recession in the second half of last year, posting 0.1% growth in the fourth quarter.The original estimate for gross domestic product (GDP) between October and November, release...

Sticky inflation confirms there is more for the European Central Bank to do

Last week's surprise rise in the headline rate of inflation in the UK brought a reminder, if one were needed, of how hard it is, once the inflation genie is out of the bottle, to put it back in.Thursday brought a further reminder with n...

UK energy sector plans, start-ups and a music takeover

Ian King is joined by Steve Scrimshaw, vice president of Siemens Energy UK & Ireland, to discuss the government's plans to drive what it hopes will be a revolution in the UK's energy sector.The chief executive and co-founder of Brew...

Toys 'R' Us and Ben Sherman owners weigh bids to try on Hunter Boot

The companies behind Toys 'R' Us and Ben Sherman are among the rival suitors weighing up offers for Hunter Boot, the royal warrant-holding footwear brand.Sky News understands that WHP Global, which owns the toy retailer, and Marquee Bra...

Visitors to Wales could pay extra fee as tourism tax plans proceed

Visitors to Wales could be paying an additional fee for staying overnight amid plans to introduce a tourism tax in the country.The Welsh government says it is moving ahead with plans to introduce a "visitor levy" in Wales. Local authori...

What's new, what's old and what's missing from the government's energy announcements?

There was a lot riding on the flurry of government energy and climate announcements on what was billed as "Green Day" today.Ministers were obliged to respond to a court ruling last year that the UK's plans to reach net zero were inadequ...

M&C Saatchi looks to Future as Byng-Thorne arrives as chair

M&C Saatchi, the London-listed advertising agency group, has lured one of Britain's top media executives as its next chair.Sky News has learnt that Zillah Byng-Thorne, the outgoing boss of The Week's publisher, Future, has agreed to...