Business

The UK’s electric vehicle mandate is at risk of being undermined by ongoing confusion over a new government grant scheme, with motor manufacturers warning they are “operating in a fog” as they try to hit this year’s regulatory targets.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said that a lack of clarity over which electric car models will qualify for grant support is hampering strategic planning across the industry. Manufacturers were not consulted before the scheme was announced and are now grappling with unclear rules just as they head into key sales months.

“They thought, if I position this vehicle with this incentive behind it, it should deliver me this sort of market share,” Hawes said. “Now, you don’t know whether your competitors are suddenly going to have a price advantage on you, in which case your plans are worthless.”

The new grant, which aims to boost affordability at the lower end of the EV market, is set to come into force later this summer. However, eligibility details are not due to be released until August 11, leaving many in the sector without the data needed to forecast accurately or prepare their inventory and marketing strategies.

At the heart of the concern is the zero-emission vehicle mandate, which requires carmakers to ensure that at least 28 per cent of new car sales in 2025 are zero-emission models, rising to 80 per cent by 2030. Automakers that fail to meet the target could face financial penalties or restrictions.

The industry warns that an uneven rollout of the grant, or selective model eligibility, could distort the market and jeopardise compliance for those without qualifying models at the right price point.

“If they don’t have something in that volume and the market’s going into that sort of price level,” said Hawes, “then their sales forecasts are going to be more ambitious than the market.”

The concerns come against a backdrop of declining UK vehicle production, with car and commercial vehicle manufacturing falling by 11.9 per cent in the first half of 2025, largely due to global trade disruptions and continued economic uncertainty.

Despite the downturn in overall output, electrified vehicle production bucked the trend, rising 1.8 per cent to 160,107 units in the first half of the year—a record share. Electrified models, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and fully electric vehicles, now make up 41.5 per cent of all vehicles built in the UK in 2025.

Still, industry leaders warn that policy uncertainty and poorly communicated incentives could squander momentum at a critical time in the UK’s green transition.

The Department for Transport has not yet responded to calls for early publication of the model eligibility list. With the mandate now in effect, manufacturers are left in limbo—unsure of how the market will shift once the grant terms are revealed.

As Hawes put it, without the clarity manufacturers need to plan, “the impact is real—and the risk is that some carmakers miss their mandated EV targets through no fault of their own.”

Read more:
EV grant confusion ‘means carmakers could miss targets’, warns motor industry chief

Elon Musk has warned that Tesla faces “a few rough quarters” ahead as the electric carmaker reported its steepest revenue decline in over a decade, missing Wall Street forecasts and rattling investors already uneasy about demand, tariffs, and political uncertainty.

Shares in Tesla fell 4 per cent in after-hours trading after the company revealed that second-quarter revenue dropped 12 per cent year-on-year to $22.5 billion, falling short of the $22.7 billion analysts had expected. Net income declined 16 per cent to $1.2 billion during the same period.

Speaking on an earnings call, Musk described the current landscape as a “weird transition period” shaped by the end of US EV tax incentives, Trump’s shifting trade policies, and growing regulatory uncertainty around autonomous vehicles.

“Does that mean we could have a few rough quarters? Yeah, we probably could,” Musk told analysts. “It’s not guaranteed, but plausible.”

Despite a 50 per cent rally since April, Tesla’s share price remains down 12 per cent year-to-date, weighed down by slowing electric vehicle demand, intensified competition in China, and Musk’s high-profile exit from Trump’s administration in May.

Some shareholders had hoped Musk would refocus his attention on Tesla after tensions with Trump and rising political noise. However, those hopes were dashed when the billionaire announced he would launch a new political movement called the America Party, further entrenching his role in partisan politics.

In its Q2 report, Tesla said it delivered 384,122 vehicles, a 14 per cent drop from the same period last year, though an improvement on the first quarter of 2025. The company said it had begun initial production of a lower-cost model, with volume rollout planned for the second half of the year.

The firm’s efforts to refresh its top-selling Model Y SUV have also had mixed results. The updated design, intended to rekindle demand, forced a temporary halt in production and reportedly led some customers to delay purchases in anticipation of the new version.

Tesla continues to battle mounting competition in China, where homegrown EV brands have gained market share and applied pressure on pricing and margins.

Compounding its challenges, the company faces the loss of a key federal benefit. From September, the $7,500 EV tax credit—a centrepiece of the Inflation Reduction Act—will no longer apply to most Tesla models. At the same time, President Trump is repealing emissions penalty schemes, removing another strategic advantage for Tesla, which has historically sold emissions credits to traditional automakers.

Investors are now pinning hopes on Tesla’s robotaxi programme, which launched pilot operations in Texas last month. Musk said the company aims to have robotaxis reach half the US population by year-end.

In typical form, the Tesla chief took aim at rivals, claiming Tesla leads the pack in autonomous technology. “It is important to note that Tesla is by far the best in the world at real-world AI,” Musk said. “Our naysayers are sitting there with egg on their face.”

Despite the shortfall in results and the looming policy headwinds, Musk insisted the company is staying the course.

“So far in 2025, we’ve done what we said we were going to do—even if not always on time,” he said.

As Tesla enters a pivotal phase in its evolution, the combination of political entanglements, shifting incentives, and growing competition threatens to make the rest of 2025 a far more volatile ride than shareholders had hoped.

Read more:
Tesla braces for turbulence as Musk warns of ‘rough quarters’ following sharp revenue decline

The UK housing market is set for a subdued year, as both Savills and Rightmove cut their forecasts for house price growth in 2025, reflecting a combination of weak buyer activity, rising property supply, and lingering geopolitical uncertainty.

Savills, one of the country’s leading estate agents, has downgraded its forecast from 4 per cent annual growth to just 1 per cent, citing a “weaker than expected” first half of the year. The revision follows a similar move by Rightmove, which now predicts a 2 per cent rise, down from its earlier estimate of 4 per cent.

The downward revisions suggest that real-term house prices are falling, as inflation continues to outpace nominal price growth. The latest data from Nationwide puts annual house price inflation at 2.1 per cent, compared with consumer inflation including housing costs at 4.1 per cent, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Lucian Cook, head of residential research at Savills, said geopolitical uncertainty—particularly stemming from President Trump’s escalating tariff policies—has made forecasting more complex and dampened activity in the housing market.

“Interest rates have fallen as expected, giving buyers more financial capacity, but a lot has changed in the past six months,” Cook said. “The prospect of future tax rises, particularly in the autumn budget, is likely to weigh heavily—especially at the top end of the market.”

Rightmove, meanwhile, pointed to a surge in housing supply as a major factor behind the slowdown in price growth. The property portal said stock levels are at their highest in over a decade, and that high levels of seller competition are limiting the ability of vendors to raise prices.

“More new sellers are conscious of this and are responding to the high-supply market with stand-out pricing to entice buyers,” said Colleen Babcock, Rightmove’s head of partner marketing.

Following the post-pandemic boom—driven by the so-called “race for space”—the market is experiencing a rebalancing, with supply now outstripping demand in many areas.

Despite the downgrade for this year, Savills remains broadly upbeat about the longer-term prospects for house prices. While it has cut its 2026 forecast from 5.5 per cent to 4 per cent, the firm has raised projections for 2027 through 2029 due to looser mortgage affordability tests and the expected continuation of falling interest rates.

Over the five-year period from 2025 to 2029, Savills now predicts a cumulative house price increase of 24.5 per cent, slightly higher than its previous estimate of 23.4 per cent.

“Falling interest rates in combination with relaxation around affordability tests will open up greater capacity for house price growth than would otherwise be the case,” said Dan Hill, research analyst at Savills.

This shift is expected to boost transaction volumes and unlock market activity that has been delayed by affordability constraints and broader economic uncertainty.

The housing market’s slowdown comes amid a fragile economic and policy backdrop. The threat of future tax increases, ongoing trade disruption due to Trump’s tariff war, and the potential impact of government regulation remain front of mind for buyers and sellers alike.

With the autumn budget on the horizon, economists and market watchers will be looking for further signals about housing policy, including potential adjustments to stamp duty, capital gains tax, and landlord regulation—all of which could influence confidence in the months ahead.

For now, the consensus is clear: the era of rapid house price inflation has paused, and a more balanced—but cautious—market is likely to prevail through the rest of 2025.

Read more:
Consensus grows that house prices will barely rise in 2025 as Savills and Rightmove slash forecasts

As artificial intelligence tools enter the education space with increasing speed, one major question looms for educators and policymakers alike: Is AI transforming the core competencies required to be a modern teacher?

While most conversations around teaching still center on curriculum standards, student engagement, and classroom management, the growing presence of AI tools like ChatGPT, adaptive learning platforms, and AI grading assistants is pushing the boundaries of what teaching entails—and what certification should reflect.

The AI Revolution in Everyday Teaching

AI-powered technologies are becoming commonplace in K-12 classrooms. Tools now assist with everything from differentiated instruction to administrative tasks. Personalized learning apps help students move at their own pace, while automated grading saves teachers hours of time. AI-driven platforms can analyze student performance and recommend targeted interventions.

But this digital evolution means teachers are no longer just content experts or facilitators—they’re becoming data interpreters, tech navigators, and digital ethicists. The profession now demands not just pedagogical skill, but the ability to critically evaluate and integrate complex technologies into the learning process.

Are Teacher Prep Programs Keeping Up?

Most teacher education programs emphasize foundational teaching principles, lesson planning, classroom behavior strategies, and meeting the needs of diverse learners. However, very few dedicate significant coursework to AI literacy, algorithmic bias, or tech ethics. The danger isn’t that future teachers will misuse AI, but that they’ll enter the workforce without the tools to question how it’s shaping pedagogy and assessment.

This mismatch may lead to a skills gap: certified teachers entering modern classrooms might be unprepared to handle the rapidly evolving tech environment their students are already immersed in.

The Ethics of AI-Assisted Learning

Another challenge lies in the ethical implications of AI in education. When algorithms recommend content or assign grades, how can teachers ensure equity? What happens when a student relies more on AI than their own learning effort? Who is held accountable when AI makes an instructional error?

These are not abstract concerns. Teachers are increasingly being asked to set boundaries for AI usage, to explain it to parents, and to defend its role to skeptical administrators—all while managing the usual pressures of teaching.

This added responsibility underscores the need to update professional development requirements and reconsider what competencies should be baked into certification frameworks. A modern teacher must not only teach—they must curate, moderate, and sometimes interrogate technology.

Redefining What Certification Should Mean

In states like New York, teacher certification currently emphasizes academic qualifications, student teaching experience, and mastery of state standards. But these criteria may need revision.

Should digital fluency become a requirement? Should teacher candidates demonstrate ethical decision-making around tech? Should AI integration strategies be included in portfolio assessments?

The shift toward AI-enhanced classrooms suggests that certification bodies must adapt to reflect these realities. Some progressive institutions and school districts are already piloting changes in professional development to address these concerns.

In fact, educators pursuing New York State teacher certification are likely to encounter evolving guidelines as state departments of education begin to respond to AI’s growing role in pedagogy.

Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers Today

To equip future teachers effectively, education colleges and alternative certification programs must:

Integrate coursework on AI and education ethics
Offer practicum experiences involving educational tech tools
Partner with edtech companies for sandbox testing environments
Train mentors to guide candidates through responsible tech use

More broadly, school leaders, unions, and policymakers must work together to ensure that certification standards match the demands of the classrooms they’re meant to serve.

Conclusion: A Certification System for a Changing World

AI is not a distant future technology—it’s already in classrooms, reshaping how students learn and how teachers teach. If the teaching profession is to remain resilient and responsive, the standards we set for who gets to teach—and how—must evolve too.

The question isn’t whether AI belongs in the classroom. It’s whether our certification systems are bold enough to prepare teachers for the world AI is helping create.

Read more:
Is AI in the Classroom Changing What It Means to Be a Certified Teacher?

Read more:
Subtitles Got Jokes: Testing AI Caption Generators for Comedic Timing and Sass

It is a sad fact that many businesses fail, many within the first three years of operation. There are a huge range of reasons, ranging from poor management, to outside influences like Covid etc.

However, whatever the reason for the failure of the business, the fact of the matter is that actions must be taken and that Directors of the company could face sanctions if these are not carried out to the letter of the law.

Of course, some companies can be saved by the process known as business restructuring, whilst others cannot and have no choice but to become insolvent and close. This can either be achieved ‘voluntarily’ by the means of a Company Voluntary Liquidation, or involuntarily via a  Compulsory Liquidation.

In either case, Company Directors need the answers to many questions, just some of those asked of Antony Batty (an insolvency practitioner in London) are shown below. I do hope you find some answers within them, but if not, please do contact us as we are sure to be able to help.

How does business restructuring work?

The Company Restructuring process has two basic parts, that of managing debt by talking to creditors and that of making changes to the way the company processes work, this including stopping some operations and potentially making some staff redundant.

How does restructuring affect employees?

Restructuring can affect staff in many ways. In some cases they may well lose their jobs, in other cases they will have to learn new, potentially difficult roles. It is therefore essential that the social well-being of employees is properly managed.

What are the  main restructuring strategies?

There are 2 basic types restructuring strategies

For companies suffering some degree of financial distress, downsizing the business, can be a way to recover the position.
In the UK this is better known as divestment, which is the process of a business selling off outside investments and subsidiary assets.

What happens in a small business restructure?

The restructuring process is far easier in small businesses than large ones, but in either case by making changes to all business functions to reduce expenditure,  many companies can regain / retain control of the business, its property and affairs. In some instances, this restructuring process is used to give the company time to fully develop a plan to restructure the company’s affairs with the assistance of an insolvency / restructuring practitioner.

Can you give me some ideas of the areas covered by business restructuring?

Examples of changes include reducing debt, reducing operational costs, as well as realigning the operations of a business with current market / customer demands.

What is the difference between business turnaround and business restructuring?

Business Turnaround is more about identifying and addressing internal problems, like reducing sales, issues of operational inefficiency and poor management practices.
On the other hand restructuring entails making large scale changes to a company’s financial and / or operational framework, these often being caused by a period of severe economic distress.

When should a company restructure?

The need for a company to restructure can be triggered by many factors. They include poor financial results that set alarm bells ringing, or external causes such as competition and regulatory changes.

The most important lesson that we have learned is that either restructuring, business turnaround or some form of debt management must be taken at the earliest possible time.

Explain the three forms/methods where debt can be restructured?

Where there is some hope that a business can remain solvent while paying off its debts, there are three main ways any debt payments can be restructured.

These are

debt rescheduling (extending repayment periods)
debt refinancing (replacing old debt with new terms)
and debt reduction (negotiating lower repayment amounts with creditors).

Is the Business owner responsible for all business debts?

This is one area that really shows the difference between a sole trader and a Limited company. With sole traders there is no separation between the business and the  owner. They get all the profits, but on the downside they are also liable for all debts.

On the other hand it is the Limited Company itself that makes all the money and is responsible for all debts. This money is then transferred to the Directors and Shareholders in various ways, however they cannot take out more than the company makes without being held to account if the business ever goes insolvent.

It is the Limited company that is responsible for any debts, although Directors are in some cases held accountable for debt if they have given personal guarantees on a loan, or there is an overdrawn Director’s loan account.

Are there times when a director can be held personally liable for company debts?

There are two ways that a director can be held responsible for business debt.

One is when a company is liquidated. In this process all the company records have to handed over to the liquidator. If these records show that a debt was incurred after the date of liquidation, the directors can be held personally liable.

The second is where a director has given a personal guarantee to any lender, these often being connected to property that they own, possibly the family home.

How do I close a Limited company which has a bounce back loan?

This is becoming more of a problem in recent years, the issue of how the funds were used sometimes also being investigated by the Insolvency Service if the business is closed down and has unpaid bills.

You may however be able to close your business by entering a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL). These allow you to liquidate your business, treating the Bounce Back Loan as an unsecured debt.

This will remove the debt when the CVL is completed, unless the Bounce Back Loan was applied for fraudulently and/or mis-used.

Conclusion

These are just some of the questions that we have been asked in the recent past, but there are many more, together with variations on those posted above.

So, if you have any questions about business turnaround, restructuring, winding up or the various insolvency procedures like

Creditors Voluntary Liquidations (CVL)
A Winding Up Order
Company Voluntary Arrangement
Administration

Then please do contact Anthony Batty.

Read more:
The Many Questions Asked By Directors When Faced With Business Insolvency.

The Nassau Stakes and Diana Stakes are both prestigious turf races for fillies and mares. However, they have their key differences from each other.

While both have their marks on their respective countries’ horse racing industries, the key differences between them are quite obvious and worth celebrating, especially now that both events will be held soon, this month of July 2025. Let’s delve a little deeper into their comparison.

What is the Nassau Stakes?

The Nassau Stakes is a Group 1 almost mile and a quarter race run under Weight For Age conditions for the mares and fillies in Goodwood conducted by the Goodwood Race Course. The race started back in 1840 and was won by Rosa Bianca.

Initially, in 1840, the race only allowed 3-year-old fillies to run, but this rule was later changed, and older mares were also permitted to participate in 1975. Also, it was originally a Group 2 race, but then it was changed to Group 1 back in 1999. Not only that, but the original length was a mile and a quarter, but it was shortened in 1911.

The race itself is held during the Goodwood Festival in late July or early August, and it’s known as Glorious Goodwood. But why is it called the Nassau Stakes? The name Nassau is related to the association between the former owner of the Goodwood racecourse and the 5th Duke of Richmond, a member of the Royal Netherlands Family. Their house was called the House of Orange-Nassau. The Nassau Stakes is a follow-up race of Yorkshire Oaks and Falmouth Stakes.

What is the Diana Stakes?

The Diana Stakes was originally run on dirt. However, it was changed to turf back in 1974 due to the then-recent trend of horse racing being run on turf and the horse racing programs associated with it. Back then, the race was not graded, but it was elevated to Grade 1 status in 2003, making it one of the pinnacle events in American horse racing. Grade 1 races are considered important because they attract top-notch horses and offer a large amount of money.

Not only that, but it takes place at the iconic Saratoga Race Course—an arena rich in tradition and drama. Known as the Graveyard of Champions, this track has a reputation for unexpected outcomes that challenge even the strongest contenders. The Diana Stakes is no exception. With its 1 1/8-mile course, Saratoga’s layout pushes every entry to their limits, making each race a true test of stamina. That’s part of what makes Diana Stakes picks so intriguing for those looking to follow, or perhaps wager on the action.

For trainers and owners, the Diana Stakes is very important because of its inclusion in the Breeders’ Cup Challenge. This makes the race a “Win and You’re In” in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare, making the race very crucial for people who want to participate in the Breeders’ Cup and have a year-round championship.

How Do the Two Compare?

One of the most obvious comparisons between the two is that the Nassau Stakes is much older, dating back to the 19th century, reflecting its British roots. Because of this, it can be argued that the Nassau Stakes have a much richer history and cultural significance. On the other hand, the Diana Stakes is much younger. Still, it’s undeniable that it already has a crucial part in American horse racing because of its importance for Breeders’ Cup hopefuls.

When it comes to the race course itself, the Nassau Stakes is run over slightly longer distances compared to the Diana Stakes. While both of them can be classified as middle-distance turf races, each of them favors different types of horses when it comes to endurance and stamina.

For horses, the Nassau Stakes is more open, often allowing entries from other countries, including those in Europe and Asia, such as Japan. Meanwhile, the Diana Stakes only draws horses from North America. While that is the case, it also allows European horses, provided they are sent to the US for training for a certain period.

Final Words

July is here, which means the summer racing season is starting to heat up. That said, the Diana Stakes and Nassau Stakes are offering their brand of horse racing, with each of them from across the globe. If you’re captivated by the rich history and culture, the Nassau Stakes is for you. Or if you’re into excitement and thrill, the Diana Stakes will give you just that. However, it stands to matter that each of these races has its charms, which makes both of them worth watching and even betting on.

Read more:
Diana and Nassau Stakes: Comparing Top Turf Races for Fillies and Mares

In today’s world, everything is decided in seconds. That’s why waiting for a transfer or transaction to be processed can feel like a step back.

We live in an era where access to your money should be as instant as the idea of spending it. After all, every moment matters today.

That’s why payment methods like Skrill are becoming increasingly relevant. They offer users flexibility, speed, and full control over their funds. You can pay for a digital service, top up a casino account, or send funds to a friend — everything happens instantly and securely.

The team of experts at KasynaOnlinePolskie.com has studied financial technologies’ impact on everyday life for many years. They pay particular attention to user behavior in the field of online entertainment. This is where the kasyno Skrill format stands out.

With instant deposits and fast payouts, Skrill becomes an integral part of the gaming experience. It’s not just about money — it’s about uninterrupted play. This way, users get everything they need — fun, security, and speed.

Why Skrill?

Skrill is not just another e-wallet. It is a platform designed to give users the freedom to manage their money at any time. The system was founded in 2001 under the name Moneybookers. It has quickly evolved and has been able to adapt to the needs of even the most demanding users.

Skrill is now a full-fledged financial instrument. Through one convenient interface, you can store funds, pay for services, transfer money, buy crypto, and pay for purchases.

A special advantage is access to money on demand. Want to top your casino account instantly? No delays. Need to transfer funds to a friend abroad? A couple of clicks — and the money is already there. Such speed and freedom of action are especially important in the modern world.

As gambling expert Kuba Nowakowski notes, “Skrill is not just a way to pay. It is a tool that gives freedom — you manage your money and do not adjust to the bank.”

Convenience and Control

For us at KasynaOnlinePolskie, it is important that fintech tools give users speed and a sense of security. Skrill offers exactly this combination. You can top up your account via a bank card, transfer, or even crypto. Everything happens in a few clicks, and the interface is accessible even to a newbie.

Additional features include spending analytics, instant notifications, and limit settings. This is especially important for those who want to manage their budget wisely, especially in the online gambling sphere, where players must make quick decisions and actively respond to real consequences.

Everyday Use

Skrill is useful not only in the entertainment world but also in the entertainment world:

Online shopping: Secure payment without entering card details
Subscriptions and services: Easy subscription management, including the ability to cancel instantly
Travelling abroad: Pay in different currencies without hidden fees
Freelancing and remote work: Fast payments without bureaucracy

Skrill simplifies everything — you choose how, where, and when to use your funds.

Real Money Casinos and the Role of Skrill

One area where Skrill reveals its potential is online gambling. We regularly test dozens of platforms and see a consistent trend — players increasingly choose kasyno na prawdziwe pieniądze, where every minute counts. This is where Skrill becomes a critical tool.

Imagine the following situation. You go to a casino website where a live poker tournament is taking place. You have only a couple of minutes to top up your account and join the game. With traditional payment systems, you risk being late. With Skrill, you are in the game in seconds.

Withdrawals also occur without delays. Many platforms that cooperate with Skrill allow players to receive winnings literally within an hour, unlike banks, which can stretch the procedure out for several days.

Safety First

High speed should never mean lower security. Skrill confirms this and offers well-thought-out security systems:

Encryption of all transactions
Customizable limits and two-factor authentication
Instant account blocking option
Notifications about each transaction

Kuba Nowakowski emphasizes: “Skrill provides convenience and confidence. This is especially important in online casinos, where security must be uncompromising.”

Our team includes Skrill in the list of the safest and most reliable systems for players who value service quality and data protection.

New Features and Development

The Skrill platform does not stand still. Over the past few years, it has received many useful features:

Crypto support. You can buy, sell, and store BTC, ETH, and other coins directly in the wallet.
Bonus system. For each transaction, points are awarded that can be exchanged for rewards.
Skrill prepaid cards. Convenient for online and offline purchases.
Support for more than 40 currencies. Convenient for frequent travel or international transfers.

Skrill is increasingly positioned not as an alternative to a bank but as its replacement — flexible, digital, and modern.

Why Skrill Is Particularly Popular Among Polish Users

Polish users are actively switching to digital wallets. Banks are still often slow, and fees for international transfers leave much to be desired. Skrill, on the other hand, offers a fast, convenient, and profitable solution.

Players in Poland are increasingly choosing casinos where they can quickly deposit and withdraw winnings, which makes Skrill the best choice. At the same time, the platform is available in Polish and supports the local currency, which makes it even more convenient.

Summary

Our team is committed to helping users find the best financial instruments for gaming, shopping, investing, or everyday tasks. Skrill is a versatile tool that allows you to quickly and safely manage your funds. The service gives users complete freedom of action.

With Skrill, you can instantly top up your casino account, transfer money to a friend for lunch, or pay for a purchase in a couple of clicks without unnecessary delays and complications. Such freedom of financial transactions is becoming valuable in the modern world.

When money starts working on your schedule and not the bank’s, life changes because you gain previously unavailable control. In this sense, Skrill is a real game-changer. The service allows users to feel more confident and free financially.

In addition, Skrill offers an extended set of functions, such as multi-currency accounts and instant transfers worldwide. This is especially important for those who actively use international services, play in online casinos, or send money to loved ones abroad.

Security is another priority for Skrill. Modern security technologies and strict protocols make financial management fast and as reliable as possible. Thus, Skrill becomes a full-fledged partner in the user’s financial life.

Read more:
Money on Demand: Where Skrill Makes a Difference in Everyday Life

General Motors has reported a sharp fall in profits after taking a $1.1 billion hit from new import tariffs introduced under President Trump’s escalating trade war.

The US carmaker said its second-quarter core profit dropped by 32 per cent to $3 billion, and warned that the financial impact would worsen in the third quarter.

The Detroit-based company, which remains America’s largest carmaker by volume, attributed the drop to new duties on vehicles manufactured in Canada, Mexico, and South Korea—a key part of its global production network. Revenue also fell by nearly 2 per cent year-on-year to $47 billion.

In a letter to shareholders, Chief Executive Mary Barra said GM was taking aggressive action to mitigate the impact of the tariffs, including $4 billion of new investment in US assembly plants to reduce reliance on imports. The company expects to build more than 2 million vehicles annually in the US as it scales domestic production.

“We are working to greatly reduce our tariff exposure,” Barra wrote. “Despite the near-term pressure, we remain focused on a profitable, flexible future.”

Chief Financial Officer Paul Jacobson said the company still expects trade-related costs to reach as much as $5 billion, though GM aims to offset at least 30 per cent of that through a combination of manufacturing shifts, targeted cost savings, and pricing strategy.

Shares in General Motors fell sharply on the news, dropping 6.9 per cent to $49.52 in early trading in New York.

The second-quarter results were also impacted by higher warranty costs, which GM said were partly linked to software issues affecting early batches of electric vehicles. The company reported 46,300 EV sales in the second quarter, up from 31,900 in Q1, but acknowledged that EV sales growth is slowing across the US.

The pace of growth has been further complicated by the impending expiration of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, set to end in September for many GM models under the rules of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Despite these challenges, Barra reiterated GM’s long-term commitment to electric vehicles.

“Even as EV growth moderates, we remain focused on a profitable electric future,” she said. “Our north star continues to be long-term EV leadership supported by our domestic battery strategy and a more adaptable manufacturing base.”

General Motors’ warning about deepening tariff costs underscores the pressure facing US manufacturers as they navigate an increasingly protectionist trade environment. Trump’s return to the White House has already prompted a number of companies to shift supply chains and expand domestic production in response to his administration’s aggressive tariff strategy.

While GM says it is confident the financial burden will ease as new bilateral trade agreements emerge, the short-term impact has clearly rattled investors—raising fresh concerns about the long-term cost of navigating geopolitically driven industrial policy.

Read more:
General Motors profits tumble by a third as Trump tariffs deliver $1.1bn blow

Andrew Bailey, the governor of the Bank of England, has warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves that her government’s plans to roll back banking regulations could destabilise the UK’s financial system and risk triggering a future financial crisis.

Appearing before the Treasury select committee on Tuesday, Bailey said it would not be “a sensible” time to unwind safeguards such as bank ringfencing, which was introduced after the 2008 global crash to separate riskier investment banking from retail operations. The comments came in stark contrast to Reeves’ Mansion House speech, where she described the current regime as a “boot on the neck” of business.

Bailey, who now also chairs the Financial Stability Board, acknowledged that some policymakers may believe “the financial crisis is now way in the past” but stressed that from his perspective, “there remains a live threat to financial stability” that justifies retaining robust safeguards.

“For those of us who were veterans of sorting the problems of [the financial crisis] out, the risk is very much still there,” Bailey warned.

His comments came as new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that UK government interest payments on debt surged to £16.4 billion in June, the second-highest figure for that month on record. The UK also borrowed £20 billion in June, outpacing forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility, and adding pressure on the Chancellor ahead of the autumn budget.

Despite the spike in borrowing costs, Bailey downplayed the UK-specific risk, saying it was part of a wider global trend driven by market volatility, geopolitical uncertainty, and higher deficit spending across major economies.

“We’ve seen an increase in term premiums and steeper yield curves across the board,” Bailey said. “This is a global phenomenon—not unique to the UK.”

The yield on the 30-year gilt has climbed to 5.43%, up from 4.67% a year ago, while the US equivalent has also risen sharply to 4.93%.

Bailey also pointed to President Donald Trump’s renewed trade war and “reciprocal tariffs” policy as a key driver of market volatility, saying that investors were reducing their exposure to dollar-denominated assets in response.

“The most crowded trade in the market at the moment is short dollar,” Bailey said, citing conversations with major institutional investors.

The dollar index has fallen by nearly 10% since January, while a breakdown in long-established market correlations has created significant uncertainty across asset classes.

“Since Trump first floated his tariffs in April, we’ve seen breakdowns in established correlations,” Bailey said. “Markets are rebalancing in response.”

Although stock markets initially slumped, they have since rallied sharply. The FTSE 100 this week closed at an all-time high above 9,000, buoyed by global tech stocks and investor hopes of monetary easing later this year.

Reeves’ plan to review and potentially dismantle the ringfencing regime—a central pillar of post-2008 banking reform—has drawn criticism from financial experts and former regulators including Sir John Vickers, who designed the original framework.

While the Chancellor argues that deregulation is essential to reviving Britain’s sluggish economy, critics fear the move could expose the public to the same systemic risks that triggered the last banking crisis.

Bailey stopped short of directly criticising Reeves but made it clear he would not have used language that described regulation as “a boot on the neck of business.”

As the Labour government pushes forward with its pro-growth reform agenda, Bailey’s warning stands as a stark reminder that financial stability and long-term risk management remain a delicate balancing act—especially at a time of elevated borrowing costs and global market disruption.

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Andrew Bailey warns Rachel Reeves that City deregulation could reignite financial crisis