logo
Consulting sector rebounds amid efficiency drives and AI adoption

Consulting sector rebounds amid efficiency drives and AI adoption

Times9 hours ago
Britain's consulting industry is expected to return to growth this year in what could be bad news for the rest of the country's workforce.
The sector struggled last year as companies reined in their spending on external advisers in the face of wars, general elections and lingering economic uncertainty.
The Management Consultancies Association, in its annual industry report, estimates that the UK consulting industry was flat in 2024, with annual revenue unmoved at £20.4 billion.
However, the MCA, which represents dozens of firms including the 'big four', expects the sector to rebound this year and to grow by 3.6 per cent, followed by 7.8 per cent in 2026. That growth is expected to be driven by companies bringing in experts to oversee efficiency drives, which usually take the form of job losses.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

P&O axes crucial ferry route to continental Europe
P&O axes crucial ferry route to continental Europe

Telegraph

time28 minutes ago

  • Telegraph

P&O axes crucial ferry route to continental Europe

P&O Ferries is to terminate a key ferry service linking the north of England with continental Europe in a fresh blow to the industrial economy of the North East. The shipping giant, which is controlled by the Dubai government, plans to scrap a truck ferry route between Teesport and Zeebrugge in Belgium at the end of the year after deciding that it is no longer viable. The route has been in operation for more than 50 years. P&O said the closure of the route was tied to its strategy of developing a more 'strategic, flexible and differentiated network' for the North Sea. A spokesman said there will be no job cuts as a result of the move. Teesport, which is located on the south bank of the Tees in Redcar and Cleveland, is owned by PD Ports, one of the UK's largest ports operators. Frans Calje, chief executive of PD, told staff on Thursday that P&O had exercised a break clause that would bring its 50-year relationship with Teesport to a close. He said that while the cancellation was 'clearly disappointing' for PD, no posts were at risk. 'Even if there were to be a loss of activity in the ferry zone, which I don't expect, we've got ample opportunities in the port to re-skill people and deploy them elsewhere,' he said. However Ben Houchen, the Teesside mayor, said P&O's decision to scrap the route was concerning. 'This is a deeply worrying time for PD Ports and the many people whose livelihoods depend on its success. The past couple of years have been turbulent, particularly as other ports in the region have been making real progress,' he said. P&O is one of Britain's largest ship operators but has faced controversy in the past after sacking 800 staff in 2022 and replacing them with low-paid agency workers. Last year its Dubai owner threatened to boycott a UK investment summit led by Sir Keir Starmer after then-transport secretary Louise Haigh dubbed P&O a 'rogue operator'. News of the ferry route closure is a blow to the North East and comes less than two weeks after Sabic, a Saudi chemical giant, revealed plans to permanently shut the Olefins 6 'cracker' facility on Teesside. Sabic's confirmation of the closure of its plant came just days after Labour unveiled its Industrial Strategy. The move puts about 300 local jobs at risk. Ensus, which runs a bioethanol plant in Redcar, also warned last month that it faced 'imminent' closure after the UK-US trade deal removed a 19pc tariff on US ethanol imports. Meanwhile, P&O's decision represents a potential significant setback to the planned sale of PD by its owner, Canadian fund manager Brookfield. Peel Ports dropped out of the bidding for PD Ports while several infrastructure specialists expected to take part failed to put forward proposals by an April 9 deadline, according to reports. PD employs around 1,400 people, including 1,200 at Teesport, which handles 25m tonnes of cargo a year, including oil, chemicals, shipments for the offshore wind industry and gypsum used to make plasterboard for the building trade. In April, PD Ports in April unveiled plans to devote 180 acres of land to developing the £200m Teesport Offshore Gateway, aimed at attracting manufacturing, assembly and supply-chain work tied to North Sea wind farms, though sources said investment was unlikely to be forthcoming until ownership of the company is resolved.

Amazon offers 15-minute food and drink deliveries via GoPuff deal - has it launched in your area?
Amazon offers 15-minute food and drink deliveries via GoPuff deal - has it launched in your area?

Daily Mail​

time35 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Amazon offers 15-minute food and drink deliveries via GoPuff deal - has it launched in your area?

Amazon now offers 15-minute grocery deliveries in areas across Britain as part of a new partnership with US firm GoPuff. The US tech giant said shoppers can order thousands of grocery products, including fresh food and alcohol, for delivery from local 'micro-fulfilment centres'. Orders are available for arrival in under an hour and as fast as 15 minutes, available all day, every day, according to Amazon. Pennsylvania-based GoPuff was one of many ultra-fast grocery delivery companies that expanded quickly during the pandemic when lockdowns heightened consumer demand. Turkey-based rival Getir pulled out of the UK, Europe and the US last year after its finances came under pressure and it kickstarted a cost-cutting drive. Amazon's new UK offering follows an initial launch in May, with services rolled out to residents in Birmingham and Salford. The service is now available in Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Chessington, Coventry, Derby, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Salford, Sheffield and Swansea. It joins grocery retailers Morrisons and Iceland, which are available to Amazon's UK customers. The online share of UK food sales skyrocketed during the pandemic, but has since stabilised. Around 9 per cent of all food retail sales were made online as of December 2024, compared to a 2021 peak of 12 per cent, according to Statistica. Russell Jones, Amazon's director of grocery partnerships, said: 'We are always working to give customers more choice and more convenient options to have their groceries delivered. 'The new launch with GoPuff brings our customers access to a convenient and affordable way to access their everyday groceries.'

Mums race to Asda to bag ‘insane bargains' on kids' clothes scanning for £2 and ‘saving £50 on summer hols stuff
Mums race to Asda to bag ‘insane bargains' on kids' clothes scanning for £2 and ‘saving £50 on summer hols stuff

The Sun

time41 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Mums race to Asda to bag ‘insane bargains' on kids' clothes scanning for £2 and ‘saving £50 on summer hols stuff

MUMS are rushing online after spotting a massive 'glitch' on the Asda George site and they're snapping up kids' clothes for as little as £2. Savvy shoppers have flooded social media to share their hauls, revealing they've saved a fortune on summer bits for their little ones just in time for the school holidays. 2 One excited mum took to Facebook to post about the hidden savings, writing: "Insane bargains at Asda George! "Had all these sleepsuits in my basket on sale at £6 each. Went to re-look at the sale and all but one had gone down to £3. "Listed low to high and everything shows in its original sale price so must be a glitch.' And other parents were all over it. One claimed they were already stocking up for their newborn, she said: 'Thank you, I got some bargains for my baby due in August.' Another raved: 'Saved over £50 for my son's holiday stuff, love it!' A third added: 'Placed an order and managed to get a few bits, thanks.' Another mum said she bagged a 5-pack of shorts for just £2, which she called 'perfect for little ones on summer holiday'. And the best part is the mega deals are available online but you'll have to be quick, as stock is flying out. Delivery fees vary depending on your chosen slot, with standard delivery starting from £2.95 and named day or next day options from £4.50. Kat Farmer's new George at Asda Collection The buzz comes just weeks after Asda launched its first-ever stand-alone George store in Leeds, which could be rolled out nationwide if it proves a hit. The new store, which opened on Saturday, May 10, in the old Asda Living unit at Crown Point Retail Park, is a dream come true for George fans. It's packed with affordable fashion, stylish homeware, must-have toys, and adorable baby gear, plus a brand new café to keep you fuelled mid-shop. There are currently 30 Asda Living stores in the UK, but the supermarket giant is testing the waters with this new George-only concept. Bosses are expected to make a decision later this year on whether more will launch across the country. The George brand, first launched in 1989 by fashion guru George Davies, changed the game as the UK's first supermarket clothing label. By 2004, it had become the nation's biggest clothing retailer, and today it's still going strong, racking up 260 million visits a year to its site and stocking shelves in 560 stores. How to save at Asda Shop the budget range Savvy shopper Eilish Stout-Cairns recommends that shoppers grab items from Asda's Just Essentials range. She said: " Asda's budget range is easy to spot as it's bright yellow! Keep your eyes peeled for yellow and you'll find their Just Essentials range. "It's great value and I've found it has a much wider selection of budget items compared to other supermarkets. Sign up to Asda Rewards The savvy-saver also presses on the importance of signing up to Asda's reward scheme. She said: "Asda Rewards is free to join and if you shop at Asda you should absolutely sign up. "As an Asda Rewards member, you'll get exclusive discounts and offers, and you'll also be able to earn 10% cashback on Star Products. "This will go straight into your cashpot, and once you've earned at least £1, you can transfer the money in your cashpot into ASDA vouchers. We've previously rounded up the best supermarket loyalty schemes - including the ones that will save you the most money. Eilish always suggests that shoppers looking to buy booze look out for bargain deals. She said: "Asda often has an alcohol offer on: buy six bottles and save 25%. "The offer includes selected bottles with red, white and rose options, as well as prosecco. There are usually lots of popular bottles included, for example, Oyster Bay Hawkes Bay Merlot, Oyster Bay Hawkes Bay Merlot and Freixenet Prosecco D.O.C. "Obviously, the more expensive the bottles you choose, the more you save." Join Facebook groups The savvy saver also recommends that fans of Asda join Facebook groups to keep in the know about the latest bargains in-store. Eilish said: "I recommend joining the Latest Deals Facebook Group to find out about the latest deals and new launches in store. "Every day, more than 250,000 deal hunters share their latest bargain finds and new releases. "For example, recently a member shared a picture of Asda's new Barbie range spotted in store. "Another member shared the bargain outdoor plants she picked up, including roses for 47p, blackcurrant bushes for 14p and topiary trees for 14p."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store