Doug Richard, a former “Dragon†from the BBC TV show Dragons’ Den and founder of School For Startups that teaches people how to launch a company, calls the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme “potentially one of the most extraordinary incentives ever createdâ€.
Business News- Middle East war creating ‘largest supply disruption in the history of oil markets’, and driving UK mortgage rates higher – business live 12/03/2026Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsOil price tops $100 again as Iran strikes economic targets across Middle EastEuropean gas prices are also rising today.The month-ahead UK gas contract is up 4.2% at 132.6p per them, while the continental European equivalent is 3.2% higher at €51.6 per Megawatt hour. Continue reading...
- I challenged ChatGPT to a writing competition. Could it actually replace me? 12/03/2026In week two of Rhik Samadder’s diary, our resident AI skeptic put his reputation on the lineEvery writer I know is in despair at the prospect being replaced by AI. Many of them say they never use it on principle; I know all of them do.So this week, as part of my AI diary, I’m […]
- Shell CEO’s pay jumps 60% despite slump in oil firm’s profits 12/03/2026Campaigners say people unlikely to ‘look favourably’ on package for Wael Sawan, which rose to £13.8m in 2025The chief executive of Shell saw his pay jump more than 60% to almost £14m in 2025 despite a slump in profits at the oil company and prospects of rising pump prices related to war in the Middle […]
- Welsh Water apologises as Ofwat sets out £44.7m enforcement plan 12/03/2026Proposed package comes after regulator finds ‘serious and unacceptable breaches’ in how company operatesWelsh Water is to pay a proposed £44.7m after the industry regulator found “serious and unacceptable” breaches in the supplier’s sewage and network services.Ofwat said Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water failed to properly operate, maintain and upgrade its wastewater network to ensure it […]
- Estée Lauder sues Jo Malone over use of her name on Zara fragrance 12/03/2026Cosmetics firm takes legal action against London-born perfumer who sold brand and rights to her name in 1999Estée Lauder is taking legal action against the British perfumer Jo Malone after she used her name on a fragrance for the fashion chain Zara.Malone sold her perfume brand to Estée Lauder Companies in 1999 in a deal […]
- Middle East war creating ‘largest supply disruption in the history of oil markets’, and driving UK mortgage rates higher – business live 12/03/2026