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The UK risks losing its leadership position in artificial intelligence (AI) without a clear national strategy for data centres, a key player in the sector has warned.

Data centres, essential for powering cloud computing and AI applications, have become central to the digital economy. However, without a cohesive plan, the UK could fall behind in the global AI race, according to industry experts.

The UK is currently Europe’s largest data hub, with more than 500 data centres, the majority concentrated in the South East. These facilities are critical to everything from personal device browsing to AI learning, providing the power, connections, and security required for massive data processing.

Despite this status, high land prices, competition for grid connections, and local resistance have created barriers to further expansion in the South East. This has led some companies to explore opportunities beyond the industry’s traditional base, with Kao Data breaking ground on a £350 million development in Stockport, Greater Manchester.

Paul Lamb, Kao Data’s CEO, highlighted the importance of a broader strategy: “If we want to be part of the global AI opportunity, we need to deploy these resources in locations that are suitable, sustainable, and have the opportunity for growth.” He noted that the UK lacked a plan a decade ago when cloud computing took off, resulting in a concentration of power usage around west London. Lamb called for a UK-wide data centre strategy to distribute these facilities across the country.

The challenge of further expansion in the South East is evident in places like Abbotts Langley, Hertfordshire, where a proposed data centre development has sparked a local debate over green belt land. The planning application was initially rejected by the local council, but Housing Minister Angela Rayner called in the decision on her first day in office, indicating the government’s commitment to growth.

However, the push for more data centres has also raised concerns. Local residents and council leaders argue that development on green belt land should only be allowed if there is significant community benefit. Stephen Giles-Medhurst, leader of Three Rivers Council, said, “We will make the best case possible to say no to this development because it is an inappropriate site, which causes very high harm to the green belt.”

Kao Data’s expansion in Greater Manchester reflects a potential solution to the challenges faced in the South East. By repurposing an industrial site and leveraging existing grid connections, the new facility aims to support the growing demand for AI-driven data processing. Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, supports the project, recognising data centres as critical infrastructure for regional economic growth.

The UK government recently designated data centres as “critical national infrastructure,” putting them on a par with power stations and railways. However, industry experts argue that a more comprehensive strategy is needed to ensure the country remains competitive in AI development.

As AI becomes increasingly central to global economic growth, the UK must navigate the challenges of expanding its data centre capacity while balancing environmental concerns and local opposition. Without decisive action, experts warn that the UK could miss out on a key opportunity to lead in the AI revolution.

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Perlego, an education technology platform known as the “Spotify for textbooks,” has secured a $20m fundraising round led by Sir Terry Leahy, the former CEO of Tesco.

The digital library service, which offers unlimited access to academic titles via subscription, is expected to announce the capital injection this week.

The new funding round also includes investment from ITHAKA, the organisation behind JSTOR, a prominent digital library for academic journals and books. Perlego’s growing list of shareholders already includes notable names such as Mediahuis, the Belgian publisher that recently bid for The Daily Telegraph, and KPN Ventures.

Founded in 2017, Perlego partners with thousands of international publishers and provides access to academic, professional, and non-fiction content from publishers like Cambridge University Press, Elsevier, and Harvard University Press. The platform’s catalogue is available in six languages and is used by over 250 educational institutions worldwide.

Sir Terry Leahy, who has made a number of technology investments since stepping down from Tesco over a decade ago, expressed enthusiasm for Perlego’s innovative approach to education. “Perlego is addressing one of the most pressing challenges in modern education—access to essential learning materials,” Leahy said. “This investment is a vote of confidence in Perlego’s potential to reshape the educational landscape.”

The new funding will be used to expand Perlego’s international footprint and to enhance its offerings by incorporating artificial intelligence. One key development will be Dialogo, an AI-powered research assistant aimed at improving access to academic content.

Gauthier Van Malderen, Perlego’s founder and CEO, commented on the impact of the investment, saying: “This investment represents a vital opportunity to drive meaningful change in education and AI more broadly. We’re passionate about providing accessible yet game-changing solutions to education.”

The platform’s mission to democratise access to academic resources has garnered attention from major industry players, and the recent funding will further bolster its efforts to advance educational technology on a global scale.

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Almost a third of the world’s population has engaged in sports betting at some point in their lives. The number of players is constantly growing, which is due to the popularity and accessibility of bookmaker websites around the world.

If we list the regions where the population has a special passion for sports betting, then a fairly large number fall into this category.

TGM Research conducted a unique survey of betting engagement in 44 countries in 2022. For 12 months, 56% of respondents had placed any bets, while 35% had bets on sports. They also reported Sports betting  incidence by region:

• EU – 31%
• APAC – 32%
• MENA – 35%
• Africa – 48%
• North America – 23%
• LATAM – 40%

“Bookmakers who are planning to open their business internationally need to know about market trends to navigate the needs of players and the market as a whole,” notes the BetB2B expert.

General global trends

According to statistics in 2023, the global sports betting market was valued at $160 billion. It is projected to grow to 325 billion US dollars by 2031.

Betting in USA

“The legalization of betting in the United States is a recent and progressive development. There are many sports you can bet on here, but the most popular are still bets on hockey and the NFL. At the same time, forecasts for NHL, NBA, MLB”, analysts of  BetB2B notes.

CRG Global for the Variety Intelligence platform provided statistics as of 2023, which indicate that 81% of bettors over 18 years old place bets on the NFL. 54% of bettors placed bets on basketball events (NBA).

70-75% of all revenue betting companies make from NFL betting.

When looking at betting on European football, it is the 5th most popular sports betting option in the US. Although all over the world it is one of the most popular sports in bookmaker ratings. Football bets accounted for 70% of the global market. In most countries, it is the main sport for sports betting.

Betting in India

There are only a few states that allow sports betting:

Different states have different lists of sporting events for legal betting. The number of active bettors in India in 2024 will be 1% of the total population, about 14 million users. This is expected to grow to 19 million active bettors by 2029.

For example, in Sikkim, players only forecast for:

Global Online sports betting market revenues are expected to grow in 2024 and could reach nearly USD 50 billion. India’s share will be nearly $2 billion. Such low numbers only prove how poorly regulated sports betting is in India, despite having one of the highest populations in the country.

Interestingly, according to statistics, the main income from betting came from cricket – 80-90% of the entire volume. India adopted their love for cricket from Great Britain.

During the peak of the coronavirus epidemic, the growth in interest rates did not stop. On average, 140 million people in India have bet on sports at some point. A significant increase in betting was seen in the IPL (Indian Premier League), which attracted an audience of 340 million Indians. The largest number of bets was recorded on these matches.

Forecasts for 2024, promise online betting revenue of approximately  1.97 billion rupees. The betting market is expected to grow at a growth rate of 6.98%, generating 2.58 billion by 2028.

Betting in the United Kingdom

The country has one of the largest markets in the betting industry, according to experts from BetB2B. The bookmaker industry has operated in England for decades. More than 49% of the population uses the services of betting companies. In 2021 the UK accounted for 23% of the  European betting market.

The online sports betting market in the UK will have a revenue of $4.56 billion in 2024.

Betting capitalization rating by sport:

• Football is the most popular sport, with 45% of players betting on it. The second place in terms of bets is occupied by horse racing, which accounts for 37%.
• Golf follows at 9%.
• Tennis and boxing are at the same level – 8%.
• Rugby union, cricket, and darts – 6%.
• Greyhound racing, NFL, and motorsports – 5%.
• Snooker/Pool – 4%.
• Rugby League, MMA, NBA – 3%.
• Major League Baseball – 2%.

Following analytics, around 25 million UK residents support the gambling and betting industry, which is one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the country. 45% of residents visit gambling and betting establishments monthly. The dominant age of players varies from 44 to 64 years.

Betting in France

The country demonstrates positive dynamics in the growth of gambling and betting revenues. Total revenue for the first part of 2023 increased by 10.1% (€1.18 billion).

For 2024, profit is projected to grow to $1.91 billion. An average growth rate of 6.75% is expected for the period 2024-2028. As a result, an increase in market profits is expected at 2.48 billion euros.

It is also expected that by 2028 the number of players will grow to 6.1 million people. At the beginning of 2023, the total number of active players was 3.86 million. This figure increased by 3.3% compared to the previous year.

The most profitable types of sports betting in France:

• Football is a favorite of the French, so it is from this sport that providers make the most profit. Brings 58.2% of revenues, 436.8 million euros.
• Second place goes to tennis, as its income is 175.4 million euros, 23.4% of the total.
• Basketball – 10.3%, 76.9 million euros.
• Rugby – 1.2%, 9.2 million euros.

France has a high growth potential for betting companies. “By 2025 French betting companies will be able to begin their activities after the 5-year moratorium ends. There is time to prepare and purchase decent software to gain a foothold in the market and offer the audience a quality product,” note BetB2B experts

The platform for betting site: where to start launching a project in 2024? – BetB2B

Starting a betting project entails significant initial investment, yet the potential profitability is promising, given the anticipated progress in this sector over the next 5 years. Market growth should be at least 9%. The digital revolution has made its changes and they will affect the gambling and betting market. BetB2B experts note that every project in the betting industry must be technically advanced to provide quality services for players.

How to create a betting site from scratch:

• Decide on a niche for betting – here you need to focus on the country’s market, target audience, and the popularity of a particular discipline in a particular country.
• Choose a way to develop a website – do everything from scratch, and buy software.
• Select a jurisdiction and obtain a license for bookmaking activities.
• Develop site infrastructure.
• Come up with a design, and create functionality.
• Take care of payment services.
• Make your resource a safe platform for clients.
• Launch a marketing campaign.

Painstaking work to create a high-quality product will require a lot of effort, money, and skills.

How to simplify the task?

Leveraging modern solutions from BetB2B can streamline the process of creating a betting site and save resources. The platform offers targeted software for those planning to do business in the field of sports betting.

The BetB2B platform will help you quickly launch a website and provide a CRM system that will help track and analyze players’ activity. Information about players’ requests will be available here. Using a CRM system, you can determine the effectiveness of advertising and promotions.

By choosing this path, the client receives the following options for project development:

• Turnkey solution is a comprehensive solution that includes content for sports betting, online casinos, and Esports. Suitable for creating a betting site from scratch.
• Sportsbook API – integrated betting on more than 182 sports. It will help expand the options of an already working website.
• Retail Solution is a comprehensive solution for betshops.

Operating principles of BetB2B:

• Access to an efficient platform.
• High-quality services for efficient work with the finished site.
• Wide package of modern solutions.
• Speed ​​of application processing.

The company operates all over the world. The completion of numerous projects underscores the professionalism and quality of work delivered by the company.

Trade unions and campaign groups have criticised what they call a “witch hunt” against flexible working, as Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner prepares to launch a major overhaul of employment law designed to give workers greater control over their work arrangements.

The proposed reforms are part of the Employment Rights Bill, expected to be tabled this week, and will empower workers to request flexible hours and work from home.

In a joint statement released on Monday, organisations including the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Age UK, and gender equality charity The Fawcett Society hit back at what they described as “relentless scaremongering” over the new rules. The statement comes as some business leaders and politicians express concern that the legislation could harm productivity and increase business costs.

The Employment Rights Bill is expected to extend rights such as sick pay, maternity pay, and protection against unfair dismissal from the first day of employment. It will also introduce measures to make flexible working more accessible, allowing employees to condense their workweek into four days or request to work from home.

However, the reforms have faced criticism from figures such as former business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, who labelled the Bill an “idlers’ charter” that would reduce opportunities for workers. Shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake has similarly warned that the legislation could lead to business closures, describing it as a “work from home charter.”

Business groups including the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the Institute of Directors have raised concerns about the impact of both the flexible working reforms and potential tax changes in the upcoming Budget. According to these organisations, collapsing business confidence may be a sign of looming economic challenges.

Despite the backlash, the TUC and other campaign groups argue that flexible working will benefit both workers and businesses. They pointed out that one of the biggest challenges employers face is recruiting and retaining skilled staff, with 800,000 fewer people in the workforce since the pandemic. Flexible working, they say, can help bring more people back into the labour market and improve retention.

“Many businesses already recognise the benefits flexible working can bring to their workforces and companies,” the statement said. “Whether it’s through increasing staff productivity or higher retention, flexible working is key to unlocking growth.”

Jonathan Reynolds, Business Secretary, has echoed these sentiments, stating that flexible home working policies can increase productivity and reduce regional inequality. He criticised former business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg’s stance against remote work, calling it “bizarre” in light of the economic challenges facing the UK.

Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the TUC, accused critics of misrepresenting flexible working in order to undermine the Government’s broader agenda to improve working conditions. “It’s time we called it out,” Nowak said. “Improving access to flexible working will benefit workers and businesses.”

The joint statement cited research from the Chartered Institute of Professional Development (Cipd), which found that around four million people had changed careers due to a lack of flexibility at work.

Jemima Olchawski, CEO of The Fawcett Society, dismissed claims that flexible working harms businesses as “nonsense,” adding, “What really holds growth back is rigid, outdated work practices that exclude women, older workers, and those managing health conditions.”

As Rayner’s Employment Rights Bill heads to Parliament, the debate over flexible working is set to continue, with unions and campaigners advocating for policies that reflect modern working practices and support both employees and businesses.

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Up to 10% of UK farmers may abandon the industry this month as concerns over rising Capital Gains Tax and reduced subsidies mount ahead of the new government’s Autumn Budget, according to Mark Chatterton, Head of Agriculture at Duncan & Toplis accountancy and business advisers.

The looming financial pressures have left British agriculture at a critical crossroads, with many farmers contemplating selling their land or stepping back from active farming altogether.

Chatterton reports that a significant portion of his East Midlands client base is now considering drastic measures such as selling land, passing it on to the next generation, or contracting out to larger farming businesses. The sector, already grappling with poor harvests and shrinking financial support, is now facing the additional uncertainty of potential tax hikes.

“The future of British farming is at a critical crossroads,” Chatterton warns. “This Autumn’s Budget could deliver a devastating blow if Capital Gains Tax is hiked as expected. Farmers are already struggling after poor harvests and diminishing subsidies—another financial hit may push many out of the industry for good.”

Confidence within the agricultural sector is at an all-time low. According to DEFRA figures, nearly half of farmers fear for the future, and the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) reports that confidence is at its lowest level since records began. The Sustainable Farming Incentive, a key support program, is set to expire in three years, leaving many farmers without a clear financial safety net.

The fear of a significant rise in Capital Gains Tax, potentially up to 45%, and changes to Inheritance Tax could further drive farmers to exit the industry, particularly those without clear succession plans. High land prices have provided an opportunity for some farmers to sell, but the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming Budget has accelerated decisions to leave before potential tax changes reduce financial prospects further.

Chatterton emphasizes the need for immediate government intervention to protect the sector. “The new government has vocally affirmed the UK’s agricultural sector as a matter of the utmost national security—and I couldn’t agree more. I’d urge the government to apply firm and consistent support for the sector when it needs it most.”

With speculation growing that the Autumn Budget will include significant tax reforms, the future of the UK’s agricultural sector remains uncertain. Farmers hope the government will turn its promises of support into actionable plans with clear timelines and deliverables. Without decisive action, Chatterton warns, the consequences could be devastating for both farmers and consumers, threatening the stability of the nation’s food production.

As the agricultural industry braces for potential tax hikes and reduced financial support, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether the sector can survive or whether an exodus of farmers will leave a lasting impact on British farming.

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The Conservative Party of the UK is searching for the next potential successor as the 2025 UK election gets a date of May 01, 2025.

The next UK elections are scheduled to happen on May 01, 2025. Conservative leadership has been asked to get a reality check or learn valuable lessons from their last defeat. Former Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has tons of experience in coming closer to fixing the UK and losing it all quickly. He said during the 4-day meeting of the party that there was a need to introspect, further reminding the members that it was the first-ever conference in opposition since 2009.A transition in leadership is key to the future of the UK majorly because the region is not precisely operating at the best of its capabilities. Reports coming to the surface highlight that the optimism in the UK economy has sunk since the fallout of Liz Truss. She is now one of the shortest-serving PMs of the country having sat on the chair for only 50 days which ended on October 25, 2022.Factors that could affect leadership changes in the Conservative Party are their mission statements plus how their supporters take the news, for the party needs a strong leader to reclaim the throne.

Top Contenders for the Conservative Leadership

Some of the top contenders for Conservative Leadership are Rishi Sunak, Olly Robbins, and Melaine Dawes.

Rishi Sunak

The opposition leader, Rishi Sunak, was previously the Prime Minister of the UK from 2022 to 2024. He took over the chair after serving as the Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2020 to 2022. His work background further goes back to serving as the Chief Secretary to the Treasury of the UK from 2019 to 2020, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State from 2018 to 2019, and Member of the Parliament from 2015 to 2024.He made bold commitments to control immigration but at the same time saw the economy drain. It can be accredited to the Covid-19 pandemic but it comes down to his shoulders for not efficiently pulling the country out from the pit.

Ollie Robbins

Ollie Robbins is a former Treasury and an official hailing from national security. His name majorly pops up for being charged with the duty of negotiating the Brexit deal of the UK. Whether the deal and the entire exit were worth every effort or not remains to be seen. What is certain is the fact that Brexit did eventually happen.He remains the choice of Sue Gray to become the next head of the UK civil service where, if elected, he will be tasked with leading 500,000 civil servants.

Melaine Dawes

Dawes has the added advantage of running a larger department of housing and local government. Melaine is preferred for her communication skills and popularity among colleagues. She is known for taking a stand on diversity issues.Her current position is the head of the media watchdog Ofcom. Melaine has a core contestant in the name of Ollie Robbins – Sunak, having already served as a PM, stays ahead in the race based on experience.

Crypto’s Influence on Conservative Leadership Odds

The cryptocurrency market’s revenue is estimated to reach $1,660 million in 2024 with a projected CAGR of approximately -3.55%. It means that the revenue for 2025 could probably be around $1,601 million. The UK must keep up with the trend as the global adoption of digital currencies rises. There is also a growth in the acceptance of crypto-linked ETFs. The US, for instance, has already approved Bitcoin and Ether ETFs. It is next expected to give a green light to SOL or XRP ETFs in 2025.Investors are flocking to risky assets as the global economy pushes for a lower borrowing rate. The US Federal Reserve is leading the race at a time when the inflation rate seems to be coming under control. Rishi Sunak did push for cryptos in his tenure in the form of the Digital Pound, Government commitments, and the Financial Services & Markets Bill. Many say that he was involved even before he took over the PM’s post.For now, a larger part of the influence is in the hands of the crypto industry. As we can see the US election odds are varying due to the influence of major betting platforms and crypto stance. It stems from the belief that they are looking to conveniently navigate their way around the complexities. Crypto traders, influencers, communities, etc play an important role in shaping the dynamics of UK leadership as they promote their favorable candidates. The same factor is likely to affect crypto political betting and odds of Conservative Party leadership. As they navigate leadership changes, if they aligned with crypto interests that would significantly affect the market speculation and their chance of winning. 

What to Expect Leading Up to the 2025 UK Election

Key factors that will shape the election for the Conservative Party are crypto regulations, public opinion, and economic policies, to mention a few. The leadership takeover will impact upcoming elections as it will put forward a face that people vote for. Rishi Sunak does come closer to being that person; however, the party might look into someone new for a change, expecting Sunak to back the party with his experience and a passive driver for the country.

Conclusion

Likely successors are Rishi Sunak, Olly Robbins, and Melaine Dawes differ from each other being varied strengths and this leadership choice will significantly affect the party’s direction and success. A lot depends on their ideas for crypto regulations and economic reforms. For the crypto market, it would be a decision to see what is in store for them in the times to come.