Business News Round Up (18/09/2025)
ECITB’s new strategy to address skills shortages and support industry growth in Scotland
The employer-led Board of the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) has unveiled its new strategy, Leading Industry Learning, which outlines how it will help to address skills shortages and support industry growth in Scotland. The strategy sets out a five-year plan, from 2026 to 2030, to develop the skills needed for the delivery of critical infrastructure projects, energy security and net zero ambitions across Great Britain. Shaped by insights from employers, training providers, asset owners, the government, trade unions and other industry bodies, the plan reflects the real needs and evolving priorities of the engineering construction industry (ECI). The ECI spans sectors that focus on the construction, maintenance and decommissioning of heavy industry, including oil and gas, nuclear, power generation, renewables, chemicals, water treatment, carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen.
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce sold from administration and vows to resume work as ‘voice of business’
The bosses of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce have vowed a “seamless transition” for its thousands of members after it was sold from administration in a deal that saved dozens of jobs. In July the organisation warned it was on the brink of administration thanks to the “unsustainable” costs of running its Chamber Space events business in Deansgate. On Wednesday night administrators were appointed to the original Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) – and immediately sold the main chamber of commerce business to a newly-formed chamber company. The chamber’s main business support functions have all moved across, with directors saying the new organisation will continue to be “the voice of business on key issues”. GMCC’s Chamber Space events and conferencing business in Elliot House in Deansgate, which were hit hard by the after-effects of the pandemic, has now closed and will not return.
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/greater-manchester-chamber-commerce-sold-32500115
Inflation holds steady but food prices still rising
Inflation held steady at 3.8% in the 12 months to August, in line with economists’ expectations, but is likely to hit 4% this month. Food inflation continues to hound the data, with prices rising by 5.1%, a fifth consecutive monthly increase. Core CPI, which strips out energy and food, fell to 3.6%. However, the rate of price growth is well above the Bank of England’s 2% target and will almost certainly mean it will keep interest rates unchanged tomorrow. Grant Fitzner, chief economist at the Office for National Statistics, said annual inflation was unchanged in August “as various price movements offset each other”. Falling airfares were the main downward driver this month, he said, with prices rising less than a year ago following the large increase in July linked to the timing of the summer holidays.
Thousands of Northern jobs promised in record breaking £150bn US investment package
A record-breaking £150bn package of US investment into the UK has been unveiled, with ministers hailing it as the largest commercial deal of its kind. The government says the deal could create more than 7,600 “high-quality jobs” nationwide – including many across the North. Officials confirmed that of the total, around 6,000 new roles are expected to be spread between Glasgow, Warrington, the Midlands and the north-east. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the investments “are a testament to Britain’s economic strength and a bold signal that our country is open, ambitious, and ready to lead. Jobs, growth and opportunity is what I promised for working people, and it’s exactly what this state visit is delivering,” he added. The investment headline is dominated by Blackstone which has pledged £90bn for the UK over the next decade. That comes on top of the £10bn it has already earmarked for data centre development.