Business News Round Up (18/10/19)
UK retail sales growth softens as department stores disappoint
Official figures show shoppers in the UK grew more cautious about their spending in the three months to September despite rising wages, reflecting the rising concerns about the health of the economy in the lead up to Brexit.
Scotland’s construction sector continuing to struggle with financial distress
The latest Red Flag Alert data from insolvency firm Begbies Traynor found increased cases of financial distress in the Scottish construction sector as numbers rise 30% from the previous three months. The sector also saw 3,600 instances of ‘significant’ or early distress, raising concerns for the wider economy.
Oldham College submits plans for £9m construction centre
Oldham College has submitted plans to build a new £9 million Construction Centre to provide specialist work-related education and training, including teaching space for technical trades and professional skills in construction. The new facility will see the number of construction students increase by 70%, with apprenticeships gaining an extra 200 places per year.
https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/oldham-college-submits-plans-for-9m-construction-centre/
Data Lab to lead AI strategy to boost wellbeing
The Data Lab, Scotland’s innovation centre for data and artificial intelligence (AI), has revealed it is to lead a new nationwide strategy to drive the use of AI to improve people’s wellbeing and unlock a potential £13 billion in additional economic output.
https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/17976684.data-lab-lead-ai-strategy-boost-wellbeing/