The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has found that Topps Tiles’ £9 million purchase of 30 CTD Tiles stores raises competition concerns in 4 areas of the United Kingdom. Topps Tiles is the biggest specialist tile retailer in the UK. Before entering administration in August 2024, CTD was the second largest specialist tile retailer in the UK. As part of the deal Topps Tiles acquired 30 stores, as well as supporting infrastructure such as stock and all related intellectual property for CTD Tiles, CTD Architectural, and CTD Housebuilders . Following completion of the deal the CMA received several complaints, which…
Author: HM Government
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British steelmakers are being backed today by the Government as the Business Secretary launches the Plan for Steel Consultation. This will look at the long-term issues facing the industry like high electricity costs, unfair trading practices, and scrap metal recycling – to protect jobs and living standards in the UK’s industrial heartlands. Up to £2.5 billion will be put towards supporting the steel industry, as per the manifesto commitment, including via the National Wealth Fund. This could benefit regions across the UK – like Scunthorpe, Rotherham, Redcar, Yorkshire, and Scotland – which have a strong history of steel production. It…
Box-office boost for film studios as 40% relief on business rates roll out begins, lasting until 2034. Creative sector, which includes film, is a vital industry of the future, worth over £120 billion to the UK economy, employing over 2.4 million people. Film studios are to receive business rates relief over the next nine years as the government rolls out a 40% reduction in business rates bills – to help drive growth and deliver the Plan for Change. From tomorrow (17 February), Local Authorities can begin implementing local schemes and awarding the tax relief to help filmmakers kickstart their journeys…
What is Ambassador for A Day Have you ever wondered what it’s like to represent your country on the international stage? The Diplomacy plays a key role in shaping global decisions and women’s voices are truly crucial in this field. This competition gives you a rare chance to step into the shoes of an Ambassador for a day, learn about diplomacy in action and the work of the British Embassy team. Why you should enter this competition Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and, therefore, half of its potential. Yet they are not fully represented in diplomacy,…
Innovation is defined by its ability to surprise. Only a few years ago, GPT-2 meant nothing to the public. For many of us, AI felt like a distant possibility at best. Something that would never – could never – live up to the hype. And yet, overnight, ChatGPT became a household name. It unleashed an unprecedented wave of technological change. And the pace of progress shows no signs of slowing down. With DeepSeek, we’ve just seen once again just how sudden, how unpredictable, innovation can be. The AI revolution is happening. Ignoring it is simply not an option. In the…
The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this morning. The Prime Minister began by reiterating the UK’s concrete support for Ukraine, for as long as it’s needed. He was unequivocal that there could be no talks about Ukraine, without Ukraine. Ukraine needed strong security guarantees, further lethal aid and a sovereign future, and it could count on the UK to step up, he added. The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s commitment to Ukraine being on an irreversible path to NATO, as agreed by Allies at the Washington Summit last year. Discussing the upcoming third anniversary of…
Thousands more people will be able to benefit from the security and safety of a high-quality home thanks to a £350 million injection to get Britain building, alongside plans to drive up standards and tackle rogue landlords in supported housing. Up to 2,800 extra homes will be built through a £300 million boost to the Affordable Homes Programme, with half of these homes for social rent, and over 250 more council homes through a £50 million boost to the Local Authority Housing Fund to provide homes for those in need of better-quality temporary accommodation. This supports plans to get Britain…
Scottish small and medium enterprises (SMEs) contributed to the government’s Defence Industrial Strategy today as the Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP, visited the home of Royal Navy Type 31 frigate production. Local Scottish SMEs took part in a roundtable discussion at manufacturer Babcock’s site at Rosyth about the upcoming Strategy, emphasising the government’s commitment to fostering growth in the defence sector. The event, hosted by Minister Eagle, provided a platform for SMEs to explore challenges and opportunities within the shipbuilding industry, reinforcing the Strategy’s goal of ensuring defence investment supports UK-wide prosperity. With the consultation running…
Up to 10,000 more apprentices will be able to qualify per year as the government cuts red tape to boost economic growth by giving employers more flexibility over maths and English requirements. Rules slowing down the training of workers in key industries like construction will also be changed as the government reveals plans to turbocharge growth industries with reduced bureaucracy for apprenticeships and new leadership also appointed for Skills England. Leading employers have been calling for these changes. Businesses will now be able to decide whether adult learners over the age of 19 when they start their apprenticeship course will…
A Embaixada do Reino Unido no Brasil se prepara para lançar a edição 2025 do concurso cultural “Embaixadora Por um Dia”, uma iniciativa que celebra o Dia Internacional da Mulher e incentiva a participação feminina na política e nas relações internacionais. O concurso busca identificar jovens líderes mulheres (cis e trans) pretas, pardas ou indígenas, com idade entre 18 e 25 anos, que tenham interesse em diplomacia e engajamento político. A vencedora terá a oportunidade de vivenciar de perto a rotina diplomática, participando de reuniões, eventos e experiências imersivas na Embaixada do Reino Unido e em Brasília. Como participar As…