Latest news with #budgetallocation
Globe and Mail
01-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Digital Silk Announces Article: U.S. Brands Reassess Digital Marketing Budgets Amid Shifting Consumer Priorities
Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - July 1, 2025) - Digital Silk, an award-winning digital marketing agency focused on creating brand strategies, custom websites, and digital marketing campaigns, has published a new article highlighting how brands across the United States are reevaluating digital marketing strategies to optimize budget allocation and improve ROI during economic uncertainty. Digital Silk Announces Article: U.S. Brands Reassess Digital Marketing Budgets Amid Shifting Consumer Priorities To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: According to a 2024 Statista report, over 58% of CMOs in the U.S. are prioritizing marketing efficiency as budget scrutiny increases across industries. Digital Silk's latest insights explore how brands can potentially align investments with audience behavior shifts, adopt agile measurement tactics, and apply AI tools for predictive decision-making. The full article can be accessed here. Data-Driven Marketing Tactics Are Reshaping Budget Efficiency The article outlines key frameworks marketers can use to assess and adjust spending in real time. This includes transitioning from traditional annual budget planning to rolling forecasts, as well as segmenting performance by audience, channel, and campaign type to identify underperforming tactics. Additional focus areas include: Reducing wasted spend by refining attribution models Testing high-ROI platforms based on customer lifetime value Building adaptable, scenario-based budget planning systems Integrating automation and AI for predictive performance mapping "In today's environment, marketing spend is no longer about how much—it's about how well it performs," said Gabriel Shaoolian, CEO of Digital Silk. "Brands that analyse performance at a granular level and adjust continuously are best positioned to sustain growth without overextending resources." U.S. Brands Face Pressure to Prove Marketing Value As businesses in the United States navigate inflation concerns and evolving buyer journeys, digital marketing teams are under increased pressure to demonstrate accountability and performance transparency. According to Deloitte, 71% of CMOs cite "delivering business outcomes" as their top responsibility in 2025. Digital Silk's article provides practical frameworks and considerations for brands that aim to: Eliminate inefficient channels Establish stronger campaign-to-revenue links Prepare for shifting platform costs and audience fragmentation By proactively rebalancing digital marketing budgets and assessing spend through both performance and purpose lenses, brands can potentially reduce waste and refocus on results that matter. About Digital Silk Digital Silk is an award-winning Miami digital marketing agency focused on growing brands online. With a team of seasoned experts, Digital Silk delivers industry-leading digital experiences through strategic branding and cutting-edge web design to support engagement and visibility through tailored digital marketing services.
The Independent
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
NI Water based decisions on a budget allocation it did not have
Northern Ireland Water based financial decisions on a budget allocation it didn't have, a report has found. Stormont Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins ordered forensic accountants to examine why the body, which provides water and sewerage services in the region, has been unable to live within its budget allocation. Responding to the report, an NI Water spokesperson said it will study the report findings in detail when it is published. They said that the report 'must be viewed in the context of a 27% funding gap compared to the level independently assessed as essential by the Utility Regulator as necessary to meet the Department for Infrastructure's Social and Environmental Guidance'. 'NI Water recognises the financial pressures facing DfI. However, if the proposed budget cannot be met, the Department and Utility Regulator must agree on what is realistically deliverable,' they added. Speaking in the Assembly on Tuesday, Ms Kimmins said it is clear from the report, produced by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), that the NI Water board 'did not base its financial decisions on the budget that it had'. 'In other words, the amount allocated by the department. Instead, the board based those decisions on the larger amount that it felt was needed, despite not having that money to spend. PwC describes that as a 'significant limitation',' she told MLAs. 'I find it difficult to understand how a board can monitor operating costs when its budget is not aligned to the allocation from the department. 'That is clearly a fundamental flaw in oversight and governance processes.' She added: 'While I appreciate that NI Water has a large number of variable costs that depend on issues outside its control, the report clearly highlights several issues relating to the fluctuations that could have been better controlled throughout the 2024/25 financial year.' Ms Kimmins said she is intent on working closely with NI Water 'to help prevent such an occurrence in future years'. 'I am determined that the learning from this investigation will be useful for both parties, but it is essential that NI Water, like every other arms' length body, takes every opportunity, where it can, to live within its budget. 'The board needs to factor in affordability to all its decisions, alongside careful financial profiling, just as the department and other public bodies have to do.' Stormont Infrastructure Committee chairwoman Deborah Erskine responded to the ministers' statement in the Assembly, calling it a 'whitewash'. 'This process cost the department thousands of pounds, yet it is a whitewash: it pinpoints themes that we knew would be the case before the forensic accountant even began work,' she said. 'Those themes can be replicated across a number of public bodies and in the spending profile of the public sector. Therefore, there is nothing new really.' The DUP representative also pressed Ms Kimmins to come back to the Assembly with measurable targets for NI Water to meet the recommendations of the review. Ms Kimmins rejected that claim, describing 'an important piece of work that has clearly identified areas for improvement'. NI Water said in its statement: 'Persistent underinvestment in water and sewerage services is having wide reaching implications for Northern Ireland. 'Both the Northern Ireland Audit Office and the Fiscal Council have recognised that current funding arrangements are not sustainable. 'The underfunding, which has continued since the creation of NI Water in 2007, means that key objectives and priorities that underpin the Programme for Government cannot be met under these arrangements. 'In March 2024, NIAO highlighted how historic underinvestment has led to serious capacity constraints across Northern Ireland's wastewater network. It also warned that the short-term funding model undermines long-term planning—underscoring the urgent need for a comprehensive, expert-led review of funding and governance, and a coordinated, cross-departmental approach to infrastructure delivery. 'NI Water would welcome an Executive-led, fully funded, and realistic cross-departmental transition plan to simultaneously meet the objectives on housing, economic development, and the environment as set out in the Programme for Government. 'We remain ready to work with the Department, in conjunction with the Utility Regulator, and all relevant stakeholders to help shape and deliver a sustainable, joined-up solution. 'Prioritising one objective over others risks systemic failure, with profound consequences for the Programme for Government and the tough choices required to determine which outcomes in the current Price Control Determination should take precedence. 'NI Water's core mission remains unchanged: to deliver safe, reliable water and wastewater services that support existing homes and businesses, enable new housing and economic development, and protect the environment. These remain the three priorities that underpin the Programme for Government.'
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Real risk Rachel Reeves's spending review will be about the departments that have lost out
"It's a big deal for this government," says Simon Case. "It's the clearest indication yet of what they plan to do between now and the general election, a translation of their manifesto. "This is where you should expect the chancellor to say, on behalf of the government: 'This is what we're about'." As the former cabinet secretary, Mr Case was the man in charge of the civil service during the last spending review, in 2021. On Wednesday, Rachel Reeves will unveil the Labour government's priorities for the next three years. But it's unclear whether it will provide all that much of an answer about what it's really about. Unlike the Autumn budget, when the chancellor announced her plans on where to tax and borrow to fund overall levels of spending, the spending review will set out exactly how that money is divided up between the different government departments. Since the start of the process in December those departments have been bidding for their share of the cash - setting out their proposed budgets in a negotiation which looks set to continue right up to the wire. This review is being conducted in an usual level of detail, with every single line of spending assessed, according to the chancellor, on whether it represents value for money and meets the government's priorities. Budget proposals have been scrutinised by so called "challenge panels" of independent experts. It's clear that health and defence will be winners in this process given pre-existing commitments to prioritise the NHS - with a boost of up to £30bn expected - and to increase defence spending. On Sunday morning, the government press release trumpeted an impressive-sounding "£86bn boost" to research and development (R&D), with the Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle sent out on the morning media round to celebrate as record levels of investment. We're told this increased spending on the life sciences, advanced manufacturing and defence will lead to jobs and growth across the country, with every £1 in investment set to lead to a £7 economic return. But the headline figure is misleading. . That £86bn has been calculated by adding together all R&D investment across government for the next three years, which will reach an annual figure of £22.5bn by 2029-30. The figure for this year was already set to be £20.4bn; so while it's a definite uplift, much of that money was already allocated. Read More: Peter Kyle also highlighted plans for "the most we've ever spent per pupil in our school system". I understand the schools budget is to be boosted by £4.5bn. Again, this is clearly an uplift - but over a three-year period, that equates to just £1.5bn a year (compared with an existing budget of £63.7bn). It also has to cover the cost of , and the promised uplift in teachers' pay. In any process of prioritisation there are losers as well as winners. We already know about planned cuts to the Department of Work and Pensions - but other unprotected departments like the Home Office and the Department of Communities and Local Government are braced for a real spending squeeze. We've heard dire warnings about austerity 2.0, and the impact that would have on the government's crime and policing priorities, its promises around housing and immigration, and on the budgets for cash-strapped local councils. The chancellor wants to make it clear to the markets she's sticking to her fiscal rules on balancing the books for day-to-day the decision to loosen the rules around borrowing to fund capital investment have given her greater room to manoeuvre in funding long-term infrastructure projects. That's why we've seen her travelling around the country this week to promote the £15.6bn she's spending on regional transport projects. The Treasury team clearly wants to focus on promoting the generosity of these kind of investments, and we'll hear more in the coming days. But there's a real risk the story of this spending review will be about the departments which have lost out - and the promises which could slip as a result.
Sky News
08-06-2025
- Business
- Sky News
Real risk Rachel Reeves's spending review will be about the departments that have lost out
"It's a big deal for this government," says Simon Case. "It's the clearest indication yet of what they plan to do between now and the general election, a translation of their manifesto. "This is where you should expect the chancellor to say, on behalf of the government: 'This is what we're about'." As the former cabinet secretary, Mr Case was the man in charge of the civil service during the last spending review, in 2021. On Wednesday, Rachel Reeves will unveil the Labour government's priorities for the next three years. But it's unclear whether it will provide all that much of an answer about what it's really about. Unlike the Autumn budget, when the chancellor announced her plans on where to tax and borrow to fund overall levels of spending, the spending review will set out exactly how that money is divided up between the different government departments. Since the start of the process in December those departments have been bidding for their share of the cash - setting out their proposed budgets in a negotiation which looks set to continue right up to the wire. This review is being conducted in an usual level of detail, with every single line of spending assessed, according to the chancellor, on whether it represents value for money and meets the government's priorities. Budget proposals have been scrutinised by so called "challenge panels" of independent experts. It's clear that health and defence will be winners in this process given pre-existing commitments to prioritise the NHS - with a boost of up to £30bn expected - and to increase defence spending. On Sunday morning, the government press release trumpeted an impressive-sounding "£86bn boost" to research and development (R&D), with the Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle sent out on the morning media round to celebrate as record levels of investment. 14:18 We're told this increased spending on the life sciences, advanced manufacturing and defence will lead to jobs and growth across the country, with every £1 in investment set to lead to a £7 economic return. But the headline figure is misleading. It's not £86bn in new funding. That £86bn has been calculated by adding together all R&D investment across government for the next three years, which will reach an annual figure of £22.5bn by 2029-30. The figure for this year was already set to be £20.4bn; so while it's a definite uplift, much of that money was already allocated. Peter Kyle also highlighted plans for "the most we've ever spent per pupil in our school system". I understand the schools budget is to be boosted by £4.5bn. Again, this is clearly an uplift - but over a three-year period, that equates to just £1.5bn a year (compared with an existing budget of £63.7bn). It also has to cover the cost of extending free school meals, and the promised uplift in teachers' pay. In any process of prioritisation there are losers as well as winners. We already know about planned cuts to the Department of Work and Pensions - but other unprotected departments like the Home Office and the Department of Communities and Local Government are braced for a real spending squeeze. We've heard dire warnings about austerity 2.0, and the impact that would have on the government's crime and policing priorities, its promises around housing and immigration, and on the budgets for cash-strapped local councils. The chancellor wants to make it clear to the markets she's sticking to her fiscal rules on balancing the books for day-to-day spending. But the decision to loosen the rules around borrowing to fund capital investment have given her greater room to manoeuvre in funding long-term infrastructure projects. That's why we've seen her travelling around the country this week to promote the £15.6bn she's spending on regional transport projects. The Treasury team clearly wants to focus on promoting the generosity of these kind of investments, and we'll hear more in the coming days. But there's a real risk the story of this spending review will be about the departments which have lost out - and the promises which could slip as a result.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Real risk Rachel Reeves's spending review will be about the departments that have lost out
"It's a big deal for this government," says Simon Case. "It's the clearest indication yet of what they plan to do between now and the general election, a translation of their manifesto. "This is where you should expect the chancellor to say, on behalf of the government: 'This is what we're about'." As the former cabinet secretary, Mr Case was the man in charge of the civil service during the last spending review, in 2021. On Wednesday, Rachel Reeves will unveil the Labour government's priorities for the next three years. But it's unclear whether it will provide all that much of an answer about what it's really about. Unlike the Autumn budget, when the chancellor announced her plans on where to tax and borrow to fund overall levels of spending, the spending review will set out exactly how that money is divided up between the different government departments. Since the start of the process in December those departments have been bidding for their share of the cash - setting out their proposed budgets in a negotiation which looks set to continue right up to the wire. This review is being conducted in an usual level of detail, with every single line of spending assessed, according to the chancellor, on whether it represents value for money and meets the government's priorities. Budget proposals have been scrutinised by so called "challenge panels" of independent experts. It's clear that health and defence will be winners in this process given pre-existing commitments to prioritise the NHS - with a boost of up to £30bn expected - and to increase defence spending. On Sunday morning, the government press release trumpeted an impressive-sounding "£86bn boost" to research and development (R&D), with the Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle sent out on the morning media round to celebrate as record levels of investment. We're told this increased spending on the life sciences, advanced manufacturing and defence will lead to jobs and growth across the country, with every £1 in investment set to lead to a £7 economic return. But the headline figure is misleading. . That £86bn has been calculated by adding together all R&D investment across government for the next three years, which will reach an annual figure of £22.5bn by 2029-30. The figure for this year was already set to be £20.4bn; so while it's a definite uplift, much of that money was already allocated. Read More: Peter Kyle also highlighted plans for "the most we've ever spent per pupil in our school system". I understand the schools budget is to be boosted by £4.5bn. Again, this is clearly an uplift - but over a three-year period, that equates to just £1.5bn a year (compared with an existing budget of £63.7bn). It also has to cover the cost of , and the promised uplift in teachers' pay. In any process of prioritisation there are losers as well as winners. We already know about planned cuts to the Department of Work and Pensions - but other unprotected departments like the Home Office and the Department of Communities and Local Government are braced for a real spending squeeze. We've heard dire warnings about austerity 2.0, and the impact that would have on the government's crime and policing priorities, its promises around housing and immigration, and on the budgets for cash-strapped local councils. The chancellor wants to make it clear to the markets she's sticking to her fiscal rules on balancing the books for day-to-day the decision to loosen the rules around borrowing to fund capital investment have given her greater room to manoeuvre in funding long-term infrastructure projects. That's why we've seen her travelling around the country this week to promote the £15.6bn she's spending on regional transport projects. The Treasury team clearly wants to focus on promoting the generosity of these kind of investments, and we'll hear more in the coming days. But there's a real risk the story of this spending review will be about the departments which have lost out - and the promises which could slip as a result.
