Business

Free artificial intelligence training is being made available to everyone in the UK as the government steps up efforts to prepare the workforce for rapid technological change. However, ministers acknowledge the programme will only succeed if businesses and workers choose to adopt it. From today, adults can access short, practical courses through the government’s upgraded…

Two major broadband altnets are close to finalising a merger that will propel them into the ranks of the sector’s largest players amid growing financial pressure to consolidate. Sky News understands that Truespeed and Freedom Fibre are in advanced talks about a tie-up. One industry source cautioned that the negotiations could yet fall apart, but…

Almost 1,600 jobs have been saved and a further 600 lost after the owner of Revolution bars went into administration. The Revel Collective, which revealed on Monday that it had filed notice of an intention to appoint administrators, said it had since formally appointed FTI Consulting. Money latest: BBC to use iPlayer to catch licence…

A consumer tech rental service which has struck partnerships with Apple, Dyson and Sony’s PlayStation brand has landed £30m in new financial backing and an alliance with LG, the Korean electronics giant. Sky News has learnt that Raylo, which was founded in 2018, will announce on Tuesday that the American financial services giant Citibank has…

The British operations of Claire’s, the accessories retailer, have collapsed into administration just four months after their last brush with insolvency, putting more than 1,000 high street jobs at risk. Sky News understands that insolvency practitioners from Kroll were formally appointed as administrators to Claire’s UK and Ireland earlier on Monday. It comes three weeks…

A community action group in Tunbridge Wells is demanding the “immediate” sacking of South East Water’s chief executive after weeks of outages which have left tens of thousands of customers without water. Sky News has seen a letter from Dry Wells Action, which was formed by residents and businesses in the Kent town, to Chris…

The London-listed trading and investing platform IG Group has broken ranks with industry rivals by backing Rachel Reeves’s plans to overhaul Britain’s most popular savings product. Sky News has seen a letter from Michael Healy, the UK managing director of IG Group, in which he argues that cash ISAs “have become too popular relative to…

One of Britain’s most prominent online beauty retailers is exploring options to raise new funding through a process that could lead to an outright sale. Sky News has learnt that Beauty Bay, which is based in Manchester, has appointed advisers to undertake a strategic review. Sources said a process to seek new investment was likely…

A wealthy US-Saudi investor who expressed an interest in buying Chelsea Football Club four years ago has been in talks with one of the founding members of the English Football League about a potential investment. Sky News has learnt that Amr Zedan, who has business interests spanning sectors from energy to horseracing, has held a…

The sports vehicle backed by CVC Capital Partners, the former owner of Formula One motor racing, is close to striking a $300m deal to buy a majority stake in Equine Network, a US-based equestrian sports league. Sky News has learnt that Global Sport Group (GSG), which owns stakes in assets such as women’s professional tennis…