Business News Round Up (03/11/2026)
UK and EU agree draft deal to scrap Brexit red tape over food exports
The UK and EU have agreed a draft deal on removing post-Brexit checks from food and agriculture exports, ahead of the UK-EU summit later this month. The BBC understands the 200-page draft text for this so called “SPS” [sanitary and phytosanitary] agreement has been circulated to EU nations in Brussels for consideration at a meeting on Wednesday. Similar texts for deals on emissions trading and a youth travel and work scheme have also been circulated alongside a 15-page draft joint statement for UK and EU top leaders. The food deal is the most significant part of the so-called Brexit reset agreed so far, removing checks and red tape that hit exporters after the UK exited the EU’s single market. As a result of the agreement, the government claims the UK economy will eventually see £5.1bn worth of annual benefits.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmp3grwre9xdo
NatWest targets 10,000 young people with place-based employment scheme
NatWest will connect more than 10,000 young people with employment, training and entrepreneurship opportunities over the next two years through a new place-based programme. The Youth Offer launches in January with a pilot in Greater Manchester, where the bank works with more than 55,000 businesses and founders. NatWest will use its business relationships to provide young people with work experience; early careers opportunities and entrepreneurship support tailored to their local area. The Greater Manchester pilot will include structured work experience and T Level placements across NatWest branches, offices and participating business customers including manufacturer Polyflor, housebuilder NorthStone Homes and hospitality firm Permanently Unique Restaurant Group. The bank will also create clearer local connections into its apprenticeships, internships and graduate roles.
Bruntwood SciTech delivers nine new innovation-led lettings at Manchester Science Park
Bruntwood SciTech, a joint venture between Bruntwood, L&G and Greater Manchester Pension Fund – has secured nine deals at the Oxford Road Corridor campus, with new and expanding customers taking more than 23,500 sq ft. Manchester Science Park has welcomed a growing mix of innovative businesses over the last year, spanning life sciences, digital technology, gaming, smart sensory, beauty and social impact, drawn by its specialist facilities, industry partnerships and established innovation environment. Among the recent lettings, global ticketing platform Ticketmaster has taken 1,925 sq ft at Base to establish a specialist technical hub supporting the repair, upgrade and ongoing innovation of audio-visual equipment used across live events. Relocating from Ancoats, the move enables the business to utilise the building’s dedicated maker space, including high-spec loading facilities and enhanced floor-to-ceiling height, providing the infrastructure needed to test and develop equipment at scale.
Scotland’s renewable energy sector supports 49,200 jobs, study finds
Scottish Renewables has announced that Scotland’s renewable energy sector supported approximately 49,200 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs in 2024, with offshore wind accounting for the largest share at 18,800 jobs. Onshore wind followed closely, supporting 17,825 FTE positions. The study, conducted by the University of Strathclyde’s Fraser of Allander Institute and commissioned by Scottish Renewables, also estimated that the sector generated £14.9 billion in economic output during 2024. According to the report, four major developments contributed to the sector’s economic impact: the South Kyle Wind Farm, the Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm, Sumitomo Electric’s subsea cable factory and exploratory works at the Coire Glas pumped storage hydropower project.