Month: June 2025

Lotus has insisted it has “no plans” to shut down any of its UK manufacturing sites following reports it was weighing a potential production shift to the United States.
The carmaker, best known for its lightweight sports cars and deep-rooted British heritage, was reported by the Financial Times to be reviewing whether to move some production overseas—putting as many as 1,300 jobs at risk at its Hethel headquarters in Norfolk.
In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), the company confirmed that it is “actively exploring” new global market opportunities but stressed that “Lotus Cars is continuing normal operations. There are no plans to close any factory.”
Sources at Lotus told the BBC the situation remains under review as the firm evaluates its international production footprint. A key factor driving discussions is the imposition of 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and car parts by the US, a significant market for Lotus. The tariff hike has temporarily disrupted production in Hethel and complicated transatlantic sales.
The Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, is expected to hold talks with Lotus’s owners in a bid to reassure both the company and local stakeholders.
“Lotus remains committed to the UK, to our customers, employees, dealers, suppliers, as well as our proud British heritage,” the company said in a follow-up statement, emphasising the importance of its Norfolk roots.
The uncertainty has prompted local political intervention. Ben Goldsborough, Labour MP for South Norfolk, said he was “deeply concerned” by the rumours surrounding a potential closure of the Hethel plant.
Posting on Facebook, he said he had held “telephone conversations” with Lotus and government officials and vowed to fight to keep the facility open. “I want to be absolutely clear: I will do everything in my power to ensure that the Hethel facility remains operational and that Lotus continues to thrive in Norfolk,” he said.
Lotus’s Hethel site has been its manufacturing base since 1966 and recently underwent major investment as part of the company’s transition to electric vehicles. The firm, now majority-owned by China’s Geely, has been expanding its global ambitions, with a growing focus on North America.
While speculation about a US facility has reignited concerns about Britain’s competitiveness as an EV manufacturing hub, Lotus’s messaging remains consistent: the brand may be going global, but it is not abandoning its UK foundations—for now.
Read more:
Lotus denies plans to close Hethel factory amid US expansion talks

Supermarkets and food manufacturers in England will be expected to help tackle rising obesity rates by making it easier for customers to choose healthier food, under a new government initiative announced today.
Ministers have confirmed a partnership with major food retailers to improve the health of the nation through measures that could include promotions on healthy items, changes to shop layouts, tweaks to loyalty schemes, and product reformulation. While the precise steps will be left to individual retailers, the aim is to make healthy eating more accessible and affordable, particularly for families in lower-income areas.
Under the new strategy, large retailers will be required to report on the proportion of their sales that come from healthy food, with targets agreed in collaboration with the government. The move is designed to boost transparency and accountability across the sector.
The policy will form part of the NHS’s forthcoming 10-year plan for England, due to be published next week, and is seen as a key measure to reduce pressure on the health service.
“Unless we curb the rising tide of cost and demand, the NHS risks becoming unsustainable,” said Health Secretary Wes Streeting. “This government’s ambition for kids today is for them to be part of the healthiest generation of children ever. That is within our grasp.”
The intervention comes as new figures reveal that over one in five children in England are living with obesity by the time they leave primary school—rising to nearly one in three in the most deprived communities.
While health campaigners have welcomed the renewed focus, they have warned that success depends on action across the entire food industry. Andrew Opie, Director of Food and Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said the government’s flexible approach is “really positive” but stressed that “all food businesses” must be engaged.
“We consume around a quarter of our calories outside the home,” Opie said. “Unless we get supermarkets, food retailers, and restaurants on board, we won’t move the dial on obesity.”
He added that retailers are well placed to take action, given their detailed insights into consumer behaviour and preferences.
Katharine Jenner, Director of the Obesity Health Alliance, said it was right that the government was focusing on structural change rather than placing the burden on individuals. “The government has rightly identified the root cause of obesity-related ill health: a food system that makes healthy eating difficult,” she said.
The new strategy also includes:

Shopping incentives via a new app offering vouchers for healthy eating and physical activity

Expanded NHS support, with a doubling of spaces on the Digital Weight Management Programme

Tighter advertising restrictions on alcohol, bringing them in line with rules on junk food promotion

The government cited research showing that reducing calorie consumption by just 50 calories a day could prevent obesity in two million adults and 340,000 children. Cutting just 216 calories a day—the equivalent of a bottle of fizzy drink—could halve the UK’s obesity rate.
However, past attempts at voluntary reformulation have yielded mixed results. A 2015 target to reduce sugar in food by 20% by 2020 fell significantly short.
Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive of The King’s Fund think tank, welcomed the initiative but warned its impact could be limited without broader changes. “A lot of less healthy food and drink is purchased from local convenience stores and takeaways,” she said. “Unless this is part of a wider, comprehensive strategy, it will not be enough.”
Anna Taylor, Executive Director of The Food Foundation, called the introduction of mandatory sales reporting for large food companies “a game changer”.
“This simple act of transparency delivers the opportunity for systemic change—informing better policy design and triggering boardroom conversations,” she said. “It will also clearly reveal to consumers which businesses are on their side and which are making it harder to eat well. The faster this is introduced, the better.”
The full details of the food industry partnership and the broader NHS 10-year plan are expected to be unveiled in the coming days.
Read more:
Government urges supermarkets to make healthy food more appealing in bid to tackle obesity crisis

Elite academic credentials are losing their dominance in graduate recruitment, as UK tech employers place growing emphasis on practical and interpersonal skills when hiring for entry-level roles.
According to new research from tech talent specialist mthree, 39% of hiring leaders now view graduates from all universities equally — a sharp increase from just 23% last year. The findings point to a significant shift away from traditional prestige-based hiring models, as companies focus on sourcing candidates who can contribute from day one.
The Diversity in Tech report, based on a survey of senior IT decision-makers across medium and large enterprises, highlights a widening disconnect between academic backgrounds and workplace readiness. While a degree is still widely seen as valuable, the specific institution attended is no longer the differentiating factor it once was — particularly in a sector grappling with rapid innovation and a growing digital skills gap.
The report reveals a dual concern among employers: nearly two-thirds (61%) say they face a significant shortage of specific technical skills, up from 41% a year ago, while 31% cite a lack of soft skills, including communication and problem-solving, as a barrier to effective onboarding — up from 25%.
These gaps are being exacerbated by the rise of generative AI and the fast-changing tech landscape, prompting firms to look beyond academic pedigree and prioritise attributes like adaptability, curiosity, and collaboration.
Alex Headley, CEO of mthree, said: “Employers are increasingly focused on what graduates can deliver from day one. As technological change accelerates across every major industry, the ability to source and develop adaptable, job-ready talent is critical.”
“This research reinforces the need for businesses to adopt skills-first hiring models that help close the gap between education and employment.”
mthree’s hire-train-deploy model is designed to address exactly this issue. The firm identifies high-potential graduates from diverse degree backgrounds, provides them with intensive training in both technical and workplace skills, and places them into roles at global companies.
The model ensures new hires are not only equipped to hit the ground running, but also reflect a broader talent pool — helping companies build more inclusive and resilient teams at a time of growing demand.
As the pressure to modernise recruitment intensifies, the findings suggest that the age of hiring by academic brand alone is giving way to a more inclusive, skills-led approach.
Read the full Diversity in Tech report and find out more at mthree.com/diversity-in-tech-report-2024.
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Top university degrees lose sway as tech employers prioritise job-ready skills

The Sunday Times has unveiled its much-anticipated list of the UK’s 100 fastest-growing private companies of 2025, with activewear label Dfyne topping the rankings after recording extraordinary growth of 517 per cent a year.
Founded by Glasgow entrepreneur Oscar Ryndziewicz, the company posted revenues of £66.8 million this year, having been started on a credit card loan from his then-girlfriend, now wife, Eilidh.
The list highlights the entrepreneurs and small firms defying economic uncertainty with bold ideas, digital savvy and a strong sense of mission. Collectively, the top 100 businesses have added £2.8 billion in sales over the past three years, creating 10,500 jobs, and plan to hire 5,300 more people in the year ahead.
Among the high-flyers are Nala’s Baby, the skincare brand founded by rapper Krept and inspired by his daughter, and Hawkstone, Jeremy Clarkson’s brewery, which has tripled its sales to over £21 million, buoyed by the popularity of his TV show Clarkson’s Farm.
The diversity of sectors is striking — spanning fashion, health and wellness, tech consultancy, food delivery, and consumer products — but common traits run throughout: innovation, resilience, and a willingness to take risks. “If you don’t try, you’ll never get lucky,” said Dfyne’s founder Ryndziewicz, who credits luck and hustle in equal measure.
Female entrepreneurs feature prominently in the top 100, with 28 businesses led or co-founded by women. These include Odd Muse, a fashion brand started in lockdown by Aimee Smale, and Purdy & Figg, the eco-cleaning brand created by an NHS nurse and a horticulturist.
There’s also a noticeable geographical shift. This year’s list includes 10 companies from Scotland and Wales, up from zero last year, while London’s representation has dropped slightly to 36 companies. The North West — home to 18 firms — has emerged as a powerhouse of growth.
The youngest entrepreneurs on the list include the Simmer Eats brothers, Simmy and Jhai Dhillon, who built a £36 million food delivery service from a £10 start in a university kitchen, and the school friends behind Montirex, a Liverpool-based clothing brand with revenues of nearly £77 million.
Meanwhile, Two Circles, the data-driven sports marketing agency, made history as the only firm to appear on the list for a fourth consecutive year.
Top 10 Fastest-Growing Companies in the UK – Sunday Times 100, 2025

Dfyne – ▲ 517% growth
Activewear brand founded by Oscar Ryndziewicz, with sales of £66.8m.

Healf – ▲ 434%
Wellness products retailer founded by Lestat McCree and Max Clarke; £40m in sales.

Purdy & Figg – ▲ 325%
Natural cleaning products by NHS nurse Purdy Rubin and horticulturist Charlotte Figg.

Odd Muse – ▲ 268%
Luxury fashion label started during lockdown; £25m in sales.

Simmer Eats – ▲ 205%
Meal subscription business co-founded by brothers Simmy and Jhai Dhillon.

Pace – ▲ 197%
IT consultancy and innovation firm led by former Royal Marine Tim Bretman.

Capo – ▲ 192%
Menswear brand started by two non-league footballers in Accrington.

de Novo Solutions – ▲ 187%
Tech consultancy founded by Welsh entrepreneurs Mark Sweeny and Tim Warner.

D Louise – ▲ 183%
Jewellery brand founded in memory of Deborah Louise; £6.6m in sales.

Nala’s Baby – ▲ 175%
Natural skincare brand for children, founded by rapper Krept and inspired by his daughter.

The list provides an optimistic snapshot of British entrepreneurialism at a time when many large employers are slowing down hiring. Despite rising taxes and ongoing economic headwinds, these businesses show that the UK’s SME sector remains a vital engine of growth and innovation.
Read more:
Britain’s fastest-growing firms revealed for 2025: Dfyne, Nala’s Baby and Hawkstone lead the charge

UK Export Finance (UKEF) has announced new measures to support small businesses across the UK in expanding their global trade operations, delivering on key commitments set out in the government’s new Trade Strategy.
As the government’s export credit agency, UKEF is enhancing its suite of trade finance and insurance products to make international trade more accessible, efficient and secure – particularly for smaller businesses.
Among the key announcements today:
• The Small Exporter Builder: A new export insurance option designed specifically to help smaller firms manage risk when trading overseas, offering financial protection and confidence in uncertain markets.
• Repeat Order Guarantee: This streamlined product allows international buyers to place repeat orders with trusted UK suppliers without needing to go through the full application process each time. By cutting red tape and providing greater certainty, the move aims to improve cash flow, boost supplier planning, and strengthen UK-based supply chains.
The initiatives come as part of a wider push by the Department for Business and Trade to simplify trade for UK companies, particularly in the high-growth sectors identified in the government’s Plan for Change.
Trade Minister Douglas Alexander said: “This new, hard-headed, data-driven and agile trade approach reflects our pragmatic patriotism. In a changed and challenging world, we must promote what we can and protect what we must to secure Britain’s national interest.
Through our new Trade Strategy, we are giving businesses more tools to expand, export and thrive – with UKEF playing a central role in helping exporters win orders, create jobs and secure payment.”
UKEF CEO Tim Reid added: “We’re focused on delivering measurable impact for UK businesses, putting their needs at the core of what we do.
Our updated insurance product and the new Repeat Order Guarantee will give more exporters the confidence and capacity to grow globally. We are simplifying access to vital support and backing long-term export growth.”
UKEF’s expanded product portfolio is underpinned by a wider remit, with the agency now authorised to provide up to £80 billion of support to UK exporters. The upcoming 2024/25 Annual Report and Accounts, expected shortly, will showcase further results of UKEF’s efforts.
In 2023/24, UKEF provided over £8.8 billion in support to 650 businesses, safeguarding up to 41,000 jobs across the UK and contributing up to £3.3 billion to the national economy.
With the new export tools, UKEF aims to unlock even more opportunities for UK firms to grow their presence in overseas markets, ensuring the UK remains globally competitive in sectors such as clean energy, life sciences, defence, digital and advanced manufacturing.
Read more:
UK Export Finance unveils new tools to boost SME global trade

Four standout teams have been crowned winners of the Isle of Man Innovation Challenge 2025, following a global competition showcasing cutting-edge solutions in cleantech, data and AI, fintech, and sustainability.
Now in its third year, the Innovation Challenge attracted over 100 entrants from more than 20 countries, with 14 finalists selected to take part in an intensive 12-week programme. During the process, participants received hands-on support from Isle of Man regulators, government agencies, investors and mentors, using the Island as a live testbed to refine and trial their solutions.
Finalists pitched their innovations at a live showcase on 26 June in front of an expert judging panel and more than 200 attendees. The winners were:

Cleantech: Lnk Technologies (UK) – for their carbon emissions reduction platform, CarbonLnk, which helps businesses optimise energy usage and cut emissions and costs.

Data and AI: Early Ideas by IOM (Isle of Man) – whose AI-powered tool Tandem supports early childhood development with expert-guided, personalised parenting resources.

Fintech: Binderr (Malta) – creators of the world’s first professional and financial services marketplace, designed to streamline compliance, onboarding, and risk management.

Biosphere Award: Big Bower (Isle of Man) – recognised for their AI-powered marketplace that connects brands with sustainable manufacturers and promotes greener supply chains.

The Biosphere Award, presented in partnership with the UK National Commission for UNESCO, highlights solutions that best align with the Isle of Man’s unique UNESCO Biosphere status. Finalists were assessed not only on innovation and feasibility, but also on how well they embraced sustainability and community values.
Winners will now benefit from six months of dedicated support from the Isle of Man’s innovation ecosystem, including mentorship, investor connections, regulatory guidance, and international publicity.
Focus turns to health tech in 2026
Looking ahead, the 2026 Innovation Challenge will turn its focus to Health and Social Care, developed in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care in the Isle of Man. The new theme will target tech-driven solutions that improve patient outcomes, boost service efficiency, and support frontline healthcare professionals.
Lyle Wraxall, Chief Executive of Digital Isle of Man, said: “Health and Social Care is a natural and exciting evolution for the Innovation Challenge. With a proven model of innovation and cross-government collaboration, we have an opportunity to bring real impact to the areas of public life that need it most.”
Applications for the 2026 challenge will open in November 2025 via innovationiom.com, with global tech innovators encouraged to apply.
The Isle of Man Innovation Challenge is delivered by the Department for Enterprise’s executive agencies – Digital Isle of Man, Finance Isle of Man, and Business Isle of Man – as part of a national strategy to accelerate next-generation technology through real-world trials and public-private collaboration.
Read more:
Winners announced at Isle of Man Innovation Challenge 2025

A Manchester entrepreneur has been cleared of computer hacking after a private prosecution brought by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Craig Cornick, who runs several companies in the legal and financial services sectors, was found not guilty by a unanimous jury at Bolton Crown Court of conspiring to access computer systems without authority.
The allegations related to historic incidents said to have taken place between 2014 and 2017 at a previous business, and centred on claims that customers’ contact data had been accessed without their consent. The case faced repeated delays before concluding this week.
In a statement, Mr Cornick said: “I am relieved to have been cleared of some serious and damaging accusations. The claims of computer hacking were shown to be completely unfounded, with no evidence of criminal intent or harm.”
While expressing respect for the role of the ICO in protecting personal data, he strongly rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing. “I was never subject to any searches of my personal or business properties, I was never interviewed, and my companies have never failed an audit,” he added. “They are built on professionalism and trust, and this result changes none of that.”
Despite the hacking acquittal, Mr Cornick was found guilty on a lesser charge of unlawfully obtaining personal data, with a 10-person jury returning a majority verdict. His legal team have confirmed that an appeal is being prepared. The offence carries a maximum penalty of a fine.
Richard Wormald KC, part of Mr Cornick’s legal team, described the prosecution as “unusual,” noting the passage of time since the alleged offences and the absence of any evidence that Mr Cornick or his businesses gained any benefit.
Laura Smith, Head of Corporate and Financial Crime at Cartwright King Solicitors, welcomed the not guilty verdict on the more serious charge and noted that no evidence was presented showing that Mr Cornick or his companies had received or used stolen data.
Cornick stated: “I have managed all my business ventures with integrity, and this was made clear throughout the case. I plan to clear my name and protect the reputation of my companies and our hard-working staff.”
His companies, which continue to partner with major law firms and insurers, have consistently passed regulatory audits with no compliance issues or sanctions reported.
Cornick concluded: “We’re proud of our record and will continue building ethical, compliant businesses that deliver measurable success.”
Read more:
Manchester businessman cleared of hacking charges in ICO case

The High Court trial between PPE Medpro and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) resumed on day eight with a forensic focus on the statistical credibility of the government’s gown sterility tests — tests that underpin its £122 million claim that PPE Medpro breached contract by supplying non-sterile surgical gowns.
In a day that further undermined the DHSC’s central argument, cross-examination of the government’s statistics expert Professor Anne Hutton revealed significant flaws in the design and reliability of the gown testing programme — including the startling admission that no formal sampling approach was used and that critical questions about the storage of the gowns remained unanswered.
The government’s testing, conducted by Swann-Morton in 2022, was based on a sample of just 60 gowns out of a total delivery of 25 million — all of which had been sterilised by just one of seven facilities. Furthermore, only two shipping containers were sampled from an estimated 544. The testing took place 18 months after the gowns were handed over to the government’s logistics agents in China, with no detailed record of how the sampled gowns were stored or handled in the interim.
‘No formal sampling approach’
Under questioning from PPE Medpro’s lead counsel Charles Samek KC, Professor Hutton admitted that the government’s sampling method failed to follow recognised statistical protocols.
Samek KC: “You’re very clear: ‘the sample of gowns did not use a formal approach…’ Do you stand by those words?”
Professor Hutton: “Yes, they did not use a formal approach.”
Pressed further, she acknowledged that the sample selection appeared to be little more than a manual grab from a warehouse shelf.
Samek KC: “Someone went into the Bis Bardon warehouse and took down boxes of different sizes of the gowns, isn’t it?”
Professor Hutton: “That’s roughly what I remember being told.”
No knowledge of how gowns were stored
Crucially, Professor Hutton admitted she had no knowledge of how the sampled gowns had been transported or stored — a central issue in the case. PPE Medpro maintains that any contamination likely occurred after the gowns were delivered to DHSC’s agents, and that the testing was therefore not reflective of their condition at the point of delivery.
Samek KC: “You have no knowledge whether the containers may have been kept in a container park or in an open field?”
Professor Hutton: “I have no knowledge of that.”
She further admitted that her analysis was conducted on the assumption of normal storage conditions, and had not accounted for the chaotic handling and undocumented storage environments previously described in court.
“I should have asked further questions,” she said, echoing admissions made by the DHSC’s sterility expert Dr Richards earlier in the trial.
‘Probative of nothing’
Samek KC summarised PPE Medpro’s argument that the test results were ultimately meaningless without any assurance of how the gowns were handled over the previous 18 months.
“Unless one can properly exclude anything that happens to the gowns after delivery and prior to testing, the value of the testing after the event… is nil and probative of nothing,” he said.
Professor Hutton agreed that the tests had limited value under such circumstances, and acknowledged in her report that “not normal conditions” would require a completely different set of questions and controls.
PPE Medpro’s expert: testing process ‘entirely flawed’
Later in the day, DHSC counsel Paul Stanley KC cross-examined Dr Chris Williams, PPE Medpro’s expert on statistics, who gave his assessment of the government’s sampling method.
Dr Williams described the testing process as “entirely flawed”, pointing out that testing 60 gowns from such a vast and complex delivery — involving 544 shipping containers and 14 separate UK storage sites — could not reliably represent the condition of the entire batch.
“Clearly there has been time that has passed,” he said. “Across that time these gowns have come from being delivered in China, to being stored in China, to being pushed across the sea… then they were stored in 14 different storage facilities. All of this creates uncertainty… or a risk.”
Williams added that such uncertainty fundamentally undermined the integrity of the testing and made it unsuitable to support DHSC’s claim.
Day 8 adds to the growing list of challenges facing the government’s case. From questionable gown storage in open-air container parks to flawed sterility testing protocols and inconsistent timelines, PPE Medpro continues to argue that DHSC’s rejection of the gowns is not grounded in reliable evidence — but rather in a post-hoc attempt to recover public funds.
The trial continues, with further expert evidence expected.
Read more:
Sterility test sample flawed, admits DHSC statistics expert in ppe medpro trial

Electric carmaker struggles as consumers turn to cheaper rivals amid a backlash against Elon Musk
Tesla sales in Europe fell for the fifth consecutive month in May even as demand for electric cars continued to increase.
The electric carmaker sold 8,729 vehicles across the European Union last month, figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association showed, 40.5 per cent down from the 14,682 cars sold in the same month last year.
The decline meant that the carmaker’s EU market share dropped from 1.6 per cent to just 0.9 per cent.
The company has been relying on the updated Model Y to regain ground in Europe, but buyers are opting for cheaper Chinese electric cars, while controversy around the political views of Elon Musk, the chief executive, continues to weigh on consumer sentiment.
The data highlights the problems facing Musk, who has cut back his work for President Trump’s administration to focus on Tesla, one of the world’s most valuable carmakers.
Battery-electric vehicle registrations in the EU rose 25 per cent year on year to 142,776, while plug-in hybrid sales surged 46.9 per cent to 87,301 units.
Germany remained the largest adopter of battery-electric vehicles on the Continent, with 43,060 registered, up 44.9 per cent on the previous year. In France there was a decline, with registrations falling to 19,414 from 23,892.
As buyers increasingly turn to cheaper alternatives, China’s SAIC Motor enjoyed 18,716 sales in May — up from 13,562 last year — lifting its market share to 2 per cent.
In the UK, Tesla sold 2,016 units last month. Another Chinese rival, BYD, outperformed it for the second month in a row, selling 3,025 units, according to separate figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
However, the Chinese carmaker, which sold 4.27 million cars last year, is said to have been adjusting its strategy. It scaled back some of its production and delayed plans for expansion as it works through rising inventory levels in its home market despite price cuts. It has cancelled night shifts and reduced output by at least a third of the capacity at some of its factories, according to Reuters.
The figures also showed that in the five months to May hybrid-electric cars remained the most popular choice of buyers in the European Union, taking 35.1 per cent of the market share, while petrol dropped to 28.6 per cent from 35.6 per cent last year.
Read more:
Tesla’s European sales fall for a fifth month in a row