Author: Sam Allcock

New research has revealed that UK businesses are sitting on £155 billion in dormant funds, missing out on an estimated £124 billion in potential returns over five years. Analysis from investment platform InvestEngine highlights that a significant portion of the £560 billion held in UK business bank accounts is accruing no interest or investment returns, despite opportunities for companies to grow their savings through investing. The data, based on the latest Bank of England figures, shows that over a quarter of the total amount, £155 billion, is in accounts that yield no returns. This issue is particularly notable among SMEs,…

Safe Life, a Stockholm-based provider of life-saving solutions, has announced the acquisition of Defib Store Ltd, a UK-based manufacturer of Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) cabinets. The acquisition marks Safe Life’s third purchase in the UK, bringing the company’s total number of acquisitions to 25 since its inception in 2019. The move strengthens Safe Life’s position as a leading supplier of AEDs and life-saving equipment across Europe and North America. The acquisition reflects Safe Life’s commitment to increasing its presence in the UK, a market that Safe Life CEO Jimmy Eriksson describes as “critical to our mission.” Speaking on the acquisition,…

Martin Hewitt, CBE QPM, has been appointed as the UK’s new Border Security Commander, tasked with leading the fight against illegal migration and organised smuggling gangs. Hewitt, the former Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), brings more than 30 years of experience in tackling serious crime and national security threats. His new role marks a significant shift in the UK’s border security strategy. The Border Security Command will coordinate the work of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, both domestically and with European counterparts, to lead joint investigations into organised immigration crime. With enhanced powers, the Command is seen…

Swiss-based ten23 health, a contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) known for its human-centric and sustainable approach, has officially been certified as a B Corporation (B Corp). This milestone makes ten23 health the first biotech and sterile drug product CDMO in the pharmaceutical sector to achieve such recognition, highlighting its commitment to meeting rigorous standards of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. B Corp certification is regarded as one of the highest standards for companies demonstrating social and environmental responsibility. To earn the certification, ten23 health underwent an extensive assessment that measured its impact on governance, workers, the community, the…

Universities worldwide are gearing up for the annual Fix Your Content Day, a 24-hour global competition that encourages institutions to enhance the accessibility of their digital learning materials. Organised by educational technology firm Anthology, the fifth edition of the event is set to take place on Thursday, 3 October. The event, which promotes the inclusive design of online educational resources, urges educators to ensure that digital course content is accessible to all students, particularly those with disabilities. Fix Your Content Day uses Anthology’s Ally tool to assist institutions in identifying and addressing barriers in digital materials. The aim is to…

Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals has unveiled encouraging results from two Phase I clinical trials of its novel once-weekly insulin analog, GZR4. The findings, presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD 2024), highlight GZR4’s safety, tolerability, and efficacy in both healthy subjects and patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Phase Ia Study Results The Phase Ia trial was a placebo-controlled, single-center study assessing GZR4’s safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) in healthy male volunteers. The trial, which employed a dose-escalation design, involved participants receiving either GZR4 at varying doses (1,…

ASICS has released the findings of its second Global State of Mind Study, which highlights a strong connection between physical activity in teenage years and improved mental wellbeing in adulthood. The study, which surveyed over 26,000 people across 22 countries, reveals that maintaining an active lifestyle during adolescence significantly enhances mental health later in life. The research underscores that individuals who engage in regular exercise during their teenage years tend to have better mental health outcomes as adults. The study found that those who remained active between the ages of 15 and 17 report higher State of Mind scores—an index…

A new study has revealed that Wakefield has become one of the UK’s top hotspots for tanning, boasting more than twice the national average number of tanning salons. According to research by beauty and wellness marketplace Fresha, the West Yorkshire city ranks third in the country, behind Blackpool and Sunderland. Wakefield has 22 tanning studios per 100,000 residents, putting it 124% above the national average of 9.8 salons per 100,000 people. In total, the city hosts 23 tanning salons, a surprising number given its relatively modest population. Blackpool, known for its coastal charm and holiday appeal, topped the list with…

Despite the latest trailer for Wicked omitting any singing scenes, fans of the musical appear more enthusiastic than ever. Streaming data reveals that the soundtrack’s iconic song, Defying Gravity, has generated a staggering 153,816,845 streams on Spotify, resulting in an estimated revenue of £430,687.17. The numbers suggest that while the film’s marketing plays down its musical elements, listeners are eagerly revisiting the soundtrack in anticipation of the cinematic adaptation. The highly anticipated Wicked film, scheduled for release on 22 November, features powerhouse performers Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. The film adapts the hit Broadway musical, which…

TV personality Holly Hagan-Blyth has spoken out about her personal struggle with hearing loss at a London event aimed at challenging stigmas surrounding the use of hearing aids. Hagan-Blyth, who believes years of exposure to loud environments, particularly nightclubs, caused her hearing issues, shared her experience at the launch of Boots Hearingcare’s latest Infinio hearing aid range on Wednesday evening. The 31-year-old reality star revealed that for eight years, she had been too embarrassed to address her hearing difficulties, often asking people to repeat themselves in conversations. “I used to think it was normal,” said Hagan-Blyth. “But now, after being…

A new analysis of Premier League wages has revealed significant pay disparities between players and non-playing staff, with Manchester City topping the list with a player-to-staff pay ratio of 237:1. The findings highlight the stark contrast between the multimillion-pound salaries of top footballers and the comparatively modest wages of support staff at the clubs. The research, conducted by online casino comparison service KingCasinoBonus, examined wages across Premier League clubs for the 2024/25 season, using data from Glassdoor and Spotrac. The study focused on the average salaries of players versus non-playing staff, which includes roles in customer service, social media, and…

The government has announced a nationwide rollout of a new specialist training programme for neighbourhood police officers, as part of its commitment to revitalise local policing across the UK. This initiative aims to address increasing concerns over crime such as shoplifting, snatch theft, and anti-social behaviour that have plagued communities. In a speech at the Police Superintendents’ Conference, Crime and Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson outlined the initiative, which involves the Neighbourhood Policing Pathway programme developed by the College of Policing. The programme, which is currently being trialled, is designed to enhance the skills and effectiveness of officers by focusing…