Move expected to help reduce waits of up to 15 years to connect solar power installationsBritain’s electricity system operator is to tell energy developers to get on with their projects or get out of the queue for a grid connection as it struggles to manage the growing backlog of delayed green energy projects.The move comes after MPs revealed that businesses in Great Britain are facing waits of up to 15 years to secure a connection to solar power installations. Continue reading...

Many of Britain’s poorest towns are in areas with greatest potential for renewable energy, says reportA network of underground geothermal plants is being touted as a way to help level up the UK after a report discovered many areas with the greatest geothermal potential lie beneath the towns and cities most in need of investment.Areas that have been earmarked by the government as part of its levelling up agenda are about three times as likely to be rich in untapped energy from the earth, according to an academic study commissioned by No 10. Continue reading...

From a pink Grade II-listed ‘gingerbread’ cottage to a sky-blue city terrace Continue reading...

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Nationwide reports that UK annual house price growth fell to -3.4%, from -2.7% in AprilBut despite the pressures on the housing market, Nationwide remains hopeful that the UK will avoid a housing crash.Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s chief economist, says “a relatively soft landing remains the most likely outcome”.“While activity is likely to remain subdued in the near term, healthy rates of nominal income growth, together with modestly lower house prices, should help to improve housing affordability over time, especially if...

Twitter's head of trust and safety, Ella Irwin, has resigned from her position at the social media company.Read more: Twitter’s Head of Trust and Safety, Ella Irwin, Resigns Amid Controversy and Turmoil

The price of diesel fell to £1.47 in May but the RAC argues the price should be cut further.

Employers in the US add 339,000 jobs, defying predictions of a slowdown.

Ella Irwin is the second person to leave the role since Mr Musk bought Twitter in October 2022.

For the second year running, the top business opportunity for SMEs is the return of clients as the economy stabilises, according to a new report.Read more: The Road to Recovery: New Poll Shows One in Five SMEs Welcoming Back Clients and Contributing to Economic Stability

Policymakers have a golden opportunity to help small firms make the most of tourism season this summer as the holiday season kicks off, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB.)Read more: FSB launches ‘Sunshine List’ of ideas to empower hospitality firms as tourism season kicks off

Food prices in the UK have soared at their fastest rate for almost 45 years, with grocery prices rising by 19.1% in the year to April.Read more: Breaking Down UK Inflation: The Impact of Rising Food Prices on Farmers

Uncertainty about whether the UK economy will tip into a recession caused by sky high inflation and the Bank of England hiking interest rates aggressively to tame it is keeping businesses grounded, a new survey out today shows.Read more: Recession uncertainty tames UK business confidence upward movement

The UK’s most prominent business lobby group, the Confederation of British Industry, is to lay off a swathe of its workers as it fights for survival amid a crisis prompted by multiple sexual misconduct allegations.Read more: Job Crisis Looms: CBI Announces Layoffs to Reduce Wage Bill by 33%

Britain's major retailers and food manufacturers are increasing their lobbying efforts to postpone significant environmental reforms that will require them to pay for the collection and recycling of household packaging waste from next year.Read more: Food industry lobbying threatens UK household recycling reforms

As AI continues to advance, SMEs in the UK are increasingly seeking ways to harness its power to drive business growth and remain competitive in today's fast-paced market.Read more: UK SMEs harnessing AI to empower business growth

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has urged the UK to become a global leader in developing international regulations and guidelines around artificial intelligence, ahead of a meeting with US President Joe Biden next week.Read more: Prime Minister calls for UK to act as global leader in AI regulations amidst rising fears

UK house prices fell at their fastest annual pace for nearly 14 years in May, the Nationwide has said.Read more: House prices fall at fastest pace in nearly 14 years, says Nationwide

Independent restaurant owners across London can apply for a share of almost £70,000 to help grow their business through an American Express-supported grant programme, run by the International Downtown Association (IDA) Foundation in partnership with the Association of Town & City Management (ATCM).Read more: American Express Restaurant grant programme returns to help London’s small, independent operators with funding at critical time for sector

Amazon’s main UK division has paid no corporation tax for the second year in a row after benefiting from tax credits on a chunk of its £1.6bn of investment in infrastructure, including robotic equipment at its warehouses.Read more: Amazon’s main UK division pays no corporation tax for second year in a row

Senior Tory MPs including former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and Jacob Rees-Mogg are calling for inheritance tax to be abolished.Read more: Nadhim Zahawi and Rees-Mogg lead calls to abolish ‘morally wrong’ inheritance tax

Toys ‘R’ Us will make its return to the high street after five years, revealing plans to open nine concession stands in WH Smith. Read more: Toys ‘R’ Us returns to high street with new WH Smith partnership

Over £1 million of unused apprenticeship levy has now been secured in levy transfers across Oxfordshire to open the door to new apprenticeship opportunities and talent.Read more: Milestone achievement reached as £1 million worth of unused apprenticeship levy funding unlocked in Oxfordshire

The IoD Directors’ Economic Confidence Index, which measures business leader optimism in prospects for the UK economy, stabilised at -6 in May 2023, little changed from the previous month’s value of -5 and ending a five-month climb from a low of -64 in November 2022.Read more: UK businesses vulnerable due to skills shortage, says IOD survey

IWG, the world's largest provider of hybrid working solutions, has announced it is opening its doors to office workers who choose to cycle to work, in celebration of UK Bike Week.Read more: Hybrid workspace operator IWG offers cyclists free access to hundreds of workplace locations

The building society said house prices fell by 3.4% and mortgage rates remain under pressure.