When's broker commission a secret?

Are Glasgow’s LEZ restrictions on vehicles or Scottish business? 

Nutrient neutrality: what problems will developers face and how can they overcome them?

The EU is pressing ahead with its AI Act, despite warnings from US President Donald Trump about potential retaliation. Trump's presidency is also expected to affect the prices of Mattel’s Barbie dolls as the threat of tariffs on imports looms. Elsewhere, Walt Disney makes significant profit following the success of Moana 2; and in the UK, a new dog treat made from lab-grown meat marks a significant step in sustainable pet food.

Was the ECJ correct in its decision to prevent insurers from charging different premiums on the basis of gender?

The government has announced an increase in the minimum wage and WH Smith faces an inquiry following an accounting error. Meanwhile, Heathrow’s plan for a third runway has been chosen over a rival proposal from Arora Group, and Warner Music Group is set to collaborate with AI music company Suno, a firm it sued just a year ago.

Have you been staying up to date with the commercial news this week? Black Friday has seen a slowdown in shop price rises and several adverts have been banned over greenwashing. Meanwhile, UK farmers are facing poor harvests due to climate change and Gails Bakery is set to expand after a good year for sales.

The UK is set to co-host an AI safety summit to discuss regulation of the technology. The country is also experiencing a simultaneous rise in unemployment and wages. Plus, authors join forces in a boycott against fossil fuels and the Israel-Gaza war, and Marks & Spencer partners with a recycling technology company to trace the disposal of single-use plastic packaging. Read this week’s commercial news round-up to find out more.

In this post, I will talk about some of the ways that I address my own unhealthy coping mechanisms to improve my performance. 

With so much happening in Birmingham over the next few years, it’s an exciting time to be working and training in the second city.

The pound fell as the UK reached its highest 10-year borrowing costs since 2008 and Meta is stopping the use of independent fact checkers in the US. Three new battery energy storage systems are set to be completed by 2028 in Scotland and retail brands have stopped using gig economy apps to hire freelance workers after criticism from unions. Read on to find out more!

What could Brexit mean for the UK energy sector, including Hinkley Point C, the oil and gas industries, and skilled EU workers in Britain? 

How will the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 reshape subscription contracts?

So, you’ve been lucky enough to secure a training contract (well done!). But what’s next? And what are ‘seats’?

The US and Ukraine have finalised a significant agreement to share profits from Ukraine's mineral and energy reserves, while Barclays will prohibit transgender women from using female bathrooms in its buildings following the recent UK Supreme Court ruling. Meanwhile, Microsoft has surpassed Wall Street predictions for a fourth quarter in a row and the Co-op has shut down parts of its IT systems due to a hacking attempt. Read on to find out more!

Meta is close to resolving a major social media blackout that affected thousands of users and the UK rental market continues to see soaring prices. Meanwhile, in Scotland, First Minister John Swinney has been lobbying President-elect Donald Trump to exclude Scottish whisky from proposed US tariffs, while Elon Musk's electric car company Tesla has been pushing the UK government to increase costs for petrol car drivers. Read on for details of this week’s highlights.

This week’s commercial news round-up looks at the latest news from the business and legal world, as the government begins to ease UK lockdown measures and plans to reopen society begin to take form.

What is the metaverse? Who can access it? Does it have anything to do with Doctor Strange? What impact will it have on the commercial world? These are all questions you should be considering as companies and sectors around the world start to reveal their visions for the metaverse. 

What steps will businesses need to take to prepare for the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)?

Who’s in the spotlight this week? Your favourite smoothie company, known for their on-point marketing, is in trouble, new partnerships are being signed in various industries, Brexit continues to wreak havoc and Warner Music Group enters the world of P2E gaming (are you as clueless as us?!).