THE DAILY BRIEFING
BUDGET DAY The next Budget will be on Wednesday, November 22, the Chancellor has announced.
Philip Hammond confirmed on Twitter the date he will set out his tax and spending plans.
The Chancellor said the Budget was an opportunity for the government to ‘set out our thinking on how to keep the economy strong and resilient and fair – an economy that works for everyone’.
He will come under pressure to offer policies aimed at winning back voters who deserted the Tories in June’s general election.
DIGITAL CALL Ministers will today be urged by Vodafone to create ‘digital enterprise zones’ across the UK in a bid to boost technology companies.
Research carried out by the British telecoms giant said the zones could be used for testing new technologies such as 5g mobile internet and provide tax incentives to those who installed fibre broadband to their premises or invested in other infrastructure.
DISEASE DEVICE Respiratory disease specialist Circassia Pharmaceuticals has launched a device called Niox Vero, which can detect a chronic infection called primary ciliary dyskinesia, across Europe.
Around 50,000 Europeans are estimated to have the disease, which causes constant nasal congestion and a chronic cough.
SPRINKLER DEAL Niche services provider Premier Technical
Services Group has bought a Burybased building sprinkler installation and maintenance firm for up to £2.5m. Premier Technical will pay an initial £1.3m for UK sprinklers, with the rest of the cash being paid as profit milestones are reached.
SHIP SHAPE Engineer RollsRoyce has revealed plans for an autonomous ship that can travel 3,500 nautical miles – roughly the distance from the United states to France. The vessel will be able to travel at speeds above 25 knots and can be used for missions such as detecting mines.
SLICK SALES Newly Londonlisted oil and gas services company
Ades International has announced a 46pc increase in revenues for the first half of the year, to £66m.
Profits were down 6pc to £12.8m, partly due to the impact of listing costs. Bosses said higher revenues were driven by growing operations in saudi Arabia and new projects in Algeria.
STRIKING GOLD Russia-focused gold miner Petropavlovsk, which has recently ousted its founder Peter Hambro, said revenues are up 20pc to £229m, with a 19pc increase in production and 5pc increase in average gold price. Profit for the half-year is up 30pc from £66m to £86m.
PLANE PLANT American aircraft maker Boeing has started building its first European manufacturing facility in the sheffield Business Park.
The 6,200 square foot building, due to open in late 2018, will make parts that help move the flaps on the wings of Boeing’s aeroplanes.