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Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin The EU has introduced two new significant pieces of legislation that are intended to increase cybersecurity resilience in the European economy and the overall resilience of critical infrastructure providers to incidents that have the potential to significantly disrupt their services. These new laws represent a massive leap-forward for the EU while casting a shadow over the UK which is now lagging behind the pace of its former economic and social partner. Welcome NIS2 and CER The first piece of legislation is 'NIS2' (or the 'Second Cybersecurity Directive', as some are calling it). The second piece of legislation is the Directive on Resilience of Critical Entities (or 'CER', for short). In comparison to its predecessor, NIS1 (which came into effect in May 2018), NIS2 significantly increases the range of services providers that are subject to cybersecurity legislation. They break down into two categories: The … [Read more...] about Europe Beefs-Up Cybersecurity Law, Trumping The UK

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, London, on Wednesday. The UK government’s controversial plan to remove asylum seekers to Rwanda has won the approval of the London High Court. On Monday (19 December), Lord Justice Lewis and Justice Swift ruled that the scheme did not breach UN Refugee Convention or human rights laws. This means that the UK government can relocate some asylum seekers to Rwanda while their cases are processed. The government’s rationale has been that this would discourage people-smuggling in the long run. Rishi Sunak, Suella Braverman and other leaders have welcomed the verdict. The victory in the high court, however, does not mean that a flight to Rwanda will be leaving anytime soon. That is because the court also ruled that the cases of eight asylum seekers to be deported to Rwanda had not been “properly considered” and would need to be reconsidered. So the government has won on the principle of … [Read more...] about UK student visa: Controversial Rwanda plan win raises fear of drastic changes

After her graduation, Faridabad-based Anika Singh is exploring a master’s degree in liberal arts or clean technology from either the UK or the US. Singh was waiting for the COVID-19-related restrictions to end before embarking on her journey to study abroad. And 2022 seems to be the year to try out her options. While shortlisting choices, she has four clear points in mind – course focus, a good institution or university, not very high cost of living, and post-study work opportunities. “What I am looking at is a good course that will make my professional life future ready and contemporary. I am looking for a full-fledged on-campus course than a hybrid one. UK is a possible good option for me. Else, there are three other countries — the US, Ireland and Germany,” said Singh. Post COVID-19, there is a perceptive shift in how students are searching for study abroad destinations and their choice of courses. “While the traditional approach of undertaking a course in, let’s say, pure … [Read more...] about Indian students’ hunger for foreign education: What is driving it, and has it changed post-pandemic?

Senior and key members of the UK department for international trade, Mike Short (left) and Chris Moore. (Photo: Danish Khan) Two key officials from the UK Department of International Trade (DIT) attended the inaugural "Tech Tuesdays" meeting in London that aims to bring together various stakeholders in conversation with key officials from the UK government in the backdrop of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. Mike Short, chief scientific adviser, and Chris Moore, technology specialist, at DIT, spoke freely and at length on the opportunities, challenges and the way forward for co-operation between India and the UK in technology and allied sectors. Considering that Indian IT companies have become global giants and have spawned a whole generation of software engineers and tech innovators, the UK is keen to attract and retain them. Mike Short, key and senior member at the UK department of international trade. (Photo: Danish Khan) Short played a key role … [Read more...] about ‘There’s a need to exchange knowledge on 5G between the UK and India’: Mike Short, of the UK department of international trade

UK economy Britain's economy unexpectedly grew in November, official data showed Friday, but it is widely tipped to enter recession this year as the country faces a cost-of-living crisis. Gross domestic product added just 0.1 percent in the month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement, aided by the services sector and despite widespread strikes. That followed expansion of 0.5 percent in October. However, GDP shrank 0.3 percent in the three months to November compared with the three months to August. "While the economy performed better than expected in November, the data can't mask the underlining problems in the UK economy," said economist Alpesh Paleja at the CBI business lobby. Read More "High inflation is severely impacting household budgets and businesses are facing intense cost pressures. As a result, consumer spending and investment plans are weakening. "The question for the government now is not whether we will fall into … [Read more...] about UK economy posts surprise growth in November

(Image Courtesy: Reuters) United Kingdom's Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) has extended its timeline for the investigation of Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The CMA said that it would now publish its findings from phase two of the investigation on April 26, 2023. The previous deadline was March 1, 2023. According to GamesIndustry.biz, the watchdog said that despite the new date, it aims to complete its report, "as soon as possible and in advance of this date." The reason given for the delay was the complexity of the investigation which would require parsing through a, "large volume of evidence, as well as main party and third party submissions." In December of last year, The CMA held hearings with the companies involved, as well as going through requests and submissions from both parties. This process is expected to continue in January. The CMA plans to wrap up the hearings by the middle of February, and the final deadline for … [Read more...] about UK’s CMA extends investigation on Microsoft and Activision Blizzard deal

Virgin Orbit ( VORB ) shares slumped 12% Monday after the California company spun off by Richard Branson's Virgin Group aborted its first space launch from U.K. soil, citing a booster rocket malfunction. Key Takeaways The first space launch from U.K. soil failed late Sunday when Virgin Orbit's rocket malfunctioned. The California company's shares plunged 12% in Monday's trading. Virgin Orbit had already flagged doubts it can remain a going concern amid heavy financial losses. The mission's failure was also a setback for the U.K., which invested $24 billion to turn a Cornwall airport into a base for the Boeing jet used by Virgin Orbit to launch its rockets. Virgin Orbit began as a project within Branson's Virgin Galactic ( SPCE ) and, like the space tourism company, launches its space vehicle from a carrier jet plane flying at a high altitude. Virgin Orbit's 'Cosmic Girl' Boeing 747, adapted from passenger service for Virgin Atlantic, took off from Cornwall … [Read more...] about Virgin Orbit Shares Slide as First UK Space Launch Fails

PHOTO: Flickr/Erica Fischer The British government has amended its advice to avoid non-essential travel to 32 countries. The Bangkok Post reports that the move comes as countries around the world continue to make progress in fighting the pandemic. However, according to the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Thailand remains on the red list, along with South Africa, Brazil, and Mexico. “The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advise against all but essential travel to the whole of Thailand based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks.” In addition, the British government continues to advise its citizens to avoid travel to areas in the south of the country, including Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and southern parts of Songkhla, due to the risk of insurgent attacks. Meanwhile, the Bangkok Post reports that the UK has dropped its advice to avoid non-essential travel to Malaysia, Algeria, and Senegal among others. The move will make it easier for … [Read more...] about UK ditches “non-essential travel” alert for 32 countries, Thailand remains on red list

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin ‘Permacrisis’ was declared the word of 2022, so what might 2023 bring? There are reasons for cautious optimism here in the UK, but first retailers are going to have to buckle up and brace for more turbulence. Spending More to Buy Less Let’s briefly recap on retail’s Golden Quarter. Christmas was not the wipe-out that many of us had expected. After a bumpy few years with Covid cancelling Christmas, consumers were determined not to let illness, inflationary pressures or industrial action hamper their celebrations. There are some caveats here: soft comparatives (remember Omicron?); supermarket success came at the expense of the hospitality sector; and, perhaps most importantly, much of the growth we saw was fueled by inflation. In December, retail sales grew in value terms but volumes continued to decline. In other words, consumers are spending more to buy less. Inflation might be starting to ease, but … [Read more...] about 2023 Predictions: A UK Retail Rollercoaster

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin In his first speech of 2023, the UK’s Prime Minister announced a new plan to better equip young people to enter the workforce: get them to study mathematics up until the age of 18. Rishi Sunak said: “In a world where data is everywhere and statistics underpin every job, our children’s jobs will require more analytical skills than ever before. “And letting our children out into the world without those skills is letting our children down.” The workplace does have a skills problem. Only a fifth of UK employers believe graduates enter into the world of work equipped with the right skills, one survey by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) found. And graduates are inclined to agree: a 2022 report by Cengage Group found that, among traditional degree graduates, just 41% believe a college degree signals they have, or will have, the skills needed by their employers. Sunak’s solution, then, sounds sensible. … [Read more...] about Study Mathematics Until Aged 18? Let’s Start With Soft Skills