Business

The UK government has officially dropped controversial plans to introduce “zonal pricing” for electricity, following two years of consultation and intense debate across the energy sector.

The proposed system, which would have charged households and businesses different electricity rates depending on where they lived, has been abandoned in favour of maintaining a single national pricing model. The decision, confirmed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on Thursday, aims to keep the energy system “fair, affordable, secure and efficient”.

The now-scrapped zonal pricing proposal would have resulted in cheaper electricity for consumers in areas with surplus generation, such as Scotland, where wind farms are frequently curtailed due to low local demand. In contrast, users in London and the south-east, where electricity demand outstrips local supply, risked significantly higher bills.

Energy secretary Ed Miliband said the move to retain national pricing was part of the government’s wider clean energy ambitions.

“Building clean power at pace and scale is the only way to get Britain off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets,” he said.
“A reformed system of national pricing is the best way to deliver an electricity system that is fairer, more affordable, and more secure, at less risk to vital investment in clean energy than other alternatives.”

The debate over zonal pricing had divided the energy industry. Supporters — including Octopus Energy boss Greg Jackson — argued it would incentivise industrial users to move closer to renewable generation hubs, increasing system efficiency and reducing costly curtailments.

However, major energy players including SSE, Scottish Power and RWE lobbied hard against the idea, citing the risk of investor uncertainty and potential disruption to infrastructure planning.

Following Thursday’s decision, SSE welcomed the “much-needed policy clarity”, while Centrica CEO Chris O’Shea said the government had made a “commonsense decision”:

“The theoretical benefits never stacked up against the real-world risks,” O’Shea added.

Rather than using pricing to shape energy usage patterns, the government will now focus on centralised planning of the grid to determine where clean energy infrastructure should be built. This forms part of the wider Plan for Change, aimed at delivering a carbon-free power system by 2030.

The decision effectively ends a long-running and highly technical feud within the sector, in which both sides deployed consultant-led modelling and policy lobbying to support their case.

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UK government scraps ‘zonal pricing’ for energy in favour of single national rate

In a bold move that blurs the lines between global streaming and free-to-air broadcasting, Disney+ and ITV have struck a landmark content-sharing deal that will see some of their flagship shows appear on each other’s UK streaming platforms.

As part of the agreement, Disney+ will host a specially curated “Taste of ITVX” rail, giving its subscribers access to hits like Love Island, Mr Bates vs the Post Office, A Spy Among Friends, and Vera. At the same time, ITVX will launch its own “Taste of Disney+” section, offering audiences free access to a selection of Disney-owned content including The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, The Kardashians, and Andor.

Disney+ EMEA General Manager Karl Holmes told Deadline the partnership was designed to reach new audiences, with the two platforms’ demographics being “highly complementary”. Less than 10% of Disney+’s UK audience is over 55, compared to around 40% for ITV — creating what Holmes calls “a significant opportunity” to introduce Disney’s prestige adult shows to older, free-to-air viewers.

“You won’t see The Bear or Only Murders across free-to-air services anywhere else in Europe,” said Holmes. “The reason we think this works is because our audiences are so different — it wouldn’t work with the same demo.”

Among the standout swaps is the surprise addition of Love Island — including the popular All Stars spin-off — to Disney+. Selected seasons will land on the platform, with Holmes indicating that newer episodes could arrive shortly after their ITV broadcast in a fast-turnaround second window.

It’s a strategic move that helps Disney+ diversify its UK content offering, which has historically skewed younger and more family-oriented.

Disney+’s award-winning kitchen drama The Bear will make its UK free-to-air streaming debut on ITVX — a move designed to tap into ITV’s broader, older audience base and extend the show’s visibility. Similarly, Andor and Only Murders in the Building are expected to benefit from exposure to viewers who may not have previously considered a Disney+ subscription.

While only 70–100 hours of content will switch platforms at launch, the partners plan to refresh the libraries every two months and meet monthly to decide on future swaps, focusing on promoting new episodes and boosting visibility for selected titles.

The deal also has an advertising component: ITV Commercial will sell ads for the Disney+ content featured on ITVX, while Disney will handle advertising for ITVX titles appearing on its ad-supported tier.

Jonathan Blair, a film and TV partner at media law firm Simkins LLP, called the agreement “a groundbreaking development” in commercial collaboration between traditional broadcasters and global streamers.

“Disney gains adult content visibility with minimal spend, while ITV boosts its offering with previously paywalled Disney titles,” said Blair. “This is a smart exchange of brand equity and audience reach.”

Holmes confirmed that Disney is already in discussions with other broadcasters across EMEA to replicate this model, citing the potential for future content swaps and strategic alignments. The move mirrors recent collaborations in France, where Netflix and Amazon have struck similar pacts with TF1 and France Télévisions.

For ITV, the deal enhances its growing reputation as a powerful partner in global content distribution. It already produces a number of Disney+ UK originals, including Rivals, Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes and the forthcoming Blind Date reboot. ITV also broadcasts Disney+ co-productions Renegade Nell and Under the Bridge.

ITV’s Director of Content Kevin Lygo described the deal as “mutually beneficial,” while Holmes said it marks the beginning of an “Entente Technologique” — a new kind of partnership where broadcasters and streamers collaborate rather than compete.

With the UK’s crowded streaming landscape facing increasing pressure to innovate, this type of content exchange may signal the next phase of platform strategy — one where flexibility, brand synergy, and shared audience growth trump the old model of content exclusivity.

As Holmes summed up: “This isn’t just about giving people more to watch — it’s about making streaming smarter.”

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Disney+ and ITV strike landmark content swap deal bringing ‘Love Island’ to Disney+ and ‘The Bear’ to ITVX

The UK and France have today announced a landmark partnership to strengthen the resilience of critical national infrastructure, including energy, transport and emergency services, through advanced navigation and timing systems capable of withstanding modern threats such as cyber disruption and signal jamming.

As part of a wide-ranging UK-France science and technology collaboration unveiled during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to London, researchers from both countries will work together to develop alternatives and enhancements to satellite-based systems like GPS – which have become vulnerable targets in the wake of signal interference tactics used in the war in Ukraine.

The partnership will support the development of highly resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) systems, including the UK’s e-LORAN project, which uses ground-based radio towers to provide a secure backup to GPS. The system is less susceptible to jamming and spoofing, offering an extra layer of protection for vital national services.

Speaking alongside President Macron during a visit to Imperial College London, UK Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said the agreement marked a “new era” of scientific cooperation between the two nations.

“France and the UK both have huge ambitions for technology to boost economic growth and strengthen national security. As the threats from hostile state actors grow, it is vital we work with natural partners like our French neighbours,” said Kyle.

“Today we build on the Entente Cordiale with an ‘Entente Technologique’, so that together we can face down the challenges of tomorrow.”

The announcement also includes a major new UK-France supercomputing partnership, with the Bristol Centre for Supercomputing and France’s GENCI AI Factory working together to advance AI research and accelerate breakthroughs in healthcare, clean energy, and public services. The move builds on the UK government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan.

The UK’s AI Safety Institute and France’s INESIA will also deepen their collaboration on frontier AI safety, including technical workshops on secure development and deployment.

Three new institutional research collaborations were signed during the visit, including agreements between:
• Imperial College London and France’s CNRS Ayrton Blériot Engineering Lab (ABEL)
• University College London and Inria, France’s national digital research institute
• Oxford-Cambridge and top French institutions including HEC Paris, Université Paris-Saclay, and Institut Polytechnique de Paris

The strategic tech and science partnership has already sparked millions of pounds in investment and trade deals between the two countries:
• Synthesia, the UK-based AI video platform, is partnering with French retail giant Decathlon to launch an AI avatar lab, building on work with over half of France’s CAC40 firms.
• ElevenLabs is teaming up with M6 and TV5Monde on AI-powered multilingual voice capabilities.
• Darktrace has secured a major contract with French events operator GL Events.
• BT, which supports over 80 French-headquartered companies, confirmed its operations in France totalled £130 million last year and has invested £24 billion domestically this decade.
• Thales plans a £40 million AI-focused R&D programme in the UK via its CortAIx accelerator, creating 200 jobs and reinforcing bilateral defence and AI links.
• Comand AI, a Franco-British defence tech startup, will invest £35 million to establish a UK office, creating 40 highly skilled jobs and strengthening joint capability development.

The emphasis on navigation system resilience follows growing concerns over attacks on critical infrastructure, with the war in Ukraine demonstrating how even small-scale jamming devices can disable satellite signals. The move signals a proactive shift by both governments to secure essential services and protect the digital backbones of their economies.

“The technology that underpins daily life – from transport to energy and banking – must be protected from emerging threats,” said Kyle.
“By investing in secure navigation systems and collaborating on cutting-edge science, the UK and France are creating a stronger, safer future.”

Tomorrow, UK AI Minister Feryal Clark and her French counterpart Clara Chappaz will continue the momentum with a visit to Diamond Light Source in Oxford, one of the world’s most advanced scientific facilities. There, researchers are using intense light beams to study virus structures and pioneer new medicines, underlining how the UK-France science alliance is already shaping breakthroughs with global impact.

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UK and France join forces on navigation tech to protect critical infrastructure from hostile threats

England has lost an average of eight bank branches per week over the past eight years, according to new analysis from investment platform Lightyear, which reveals more than 3,700 branches have shut since 2016.

Despite this dramatic shrinkage in the UK’s high street banking network, the data suggests entrepreneurial activity remains robust – with over two million new businesses launched between 2017 and 2023, far outpacing the 1.2 million business closures over the same period.

The findings point to a significant shift in how UK businesses manage their finances, with many turning away from traditional high street banks and embracing digital-first financial platforms instead.

Lightyear’s research highlights the emergence of 41 so-called ‘banking deserts’ in England — local authority areas where at least one bank branch has closed for every 10,000 residents.

Top of the list is Westminster, which has seen 80 branch closures since 2016 — the equivalent of 3.5 for every 10,000 residents. Elsewhere, Westmorland and Furness saw 2.5 closures per 10,000 people, and Derbyshire Dales 2 per 10,000.

This disconnect between the decline of traditional banking infrastructure and the continued rise of business activity suggests that founders are increasingly relying on online platforms and digital banking services to manage operations and access finance.

According to industry data from RFI Global, nearly two in five UK SMEs now use digital-only banking providers — a trend that is accelerating as more entrepreneurs prioritise speed, flexibility, and integrated financial tools over physical branch access.

With an estimated £550 billion in potential business savings across the SME market, digital platforms are increasingly appealing as they offer seamless onboarding, competitive returns, and quick access to capital and investment products like Money Market Funds.

Wander Rutgers, UK CEO of Lightyear, said the surge in business creation — despite the high street closures — is a clear sign of changing financial habits.

“That nearly 2 million new businesses have launched in England over the past nine years is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurial spirit is alive and thriving.

But it’s also telling that this surge has come alongside the mass closure of high street bank branches. The traditional banking system is struggling to keep pace with the speed, flexibility, and digital-first mindset that today’s businesses need.

Entrepreneurs are voting with their feet — and their funds — by turning to alternative platforms and products that are built for the way modern businesses manage and grow their money.”

As banks continue to rationalise their physical estate, digital finance providers may continue to capitalise, offering a lifeline to entrepreneurs in areas increasingly underserved by the traditional banking sector.

Read more:
England loses eight bank branches a week since 2016

The £122 million High Court battle between PPE Medpro and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) neared its conclusion on Day 11, with PPE Medpro’s lead barrister Charles Samek KC delivering a forceful closing submission that framed the entire case as a textbook example of “buyer’s remorse” and government mismanagement.

“We gave them everything we had. They looked at it. They assessed it. They said, yes, that’s all fine… The gowns are approved,” Samek told the court, arguing that the government had knowingly signed off on PPE Medpro’s offer during the Covid-19 procurement rush — only to regret it later amid public scrutiny and political fallout.

A central plank of PPE Medpro’s defence remains the claim that the gowns were sterile at the point of delivery in China, and that any contamination occurred afterwards — while under the sole control of the DHSC and its agents, Uniserve and Hunicorn.

The government’s sterility claim, Samek said, relied on flawed tests and ignored the reality of the gowns’ unexplained “life journey” — a journey through global freight, ports, and poorly monitored storage sites, including container parks in UK fields.

The exotic microorganisms later found on the gowns — many of which originate from deep-sea trenches, desert climates, and even outer space — support this theory, Samek argued.

“This isn’t a case where there are just one or two unexpected [microorganisms] but more than that… all at the same time, which is a very odd occurrence,” he said.
“The nature of the microbial contamination, particularly the fact that the species are found in such diverse habitats… suggests a plausible reason how contamination could have occurred.”

In a rare intervention, Mrs Justice Cockerill acknowledged the evolution of the government’s arguments during the proceedings:

“There is no doubt at all that the focus of the way this case is put [by the DHSC] has shifted,” she noted.

Samek seized on this admission, arguing that DHSC’s central positions had crumbled under cross-examination, forcing the department to pivot. In particular, the government had quietly dropped claims about improper packaging and had reframed its sterility argument, now asserting that the sterilisation facilities used by Medpro lacked “validated” procedures — despite their credentials.

“It beggars belief,” Samek said. “Are we really to believe that Sterigenics, a global sterilisation provider, carried out a blind dose mapping exercise without any dose setting? It’s fantasy.”

One of the most damaging issues raised by the defence remains the DHSC’s failure to call key witnesses or produce essential documents.

Samek pointed out that the government has not provided a single person who could speak to what actually happened to the gowns between their handover in China and their eventual storage and testing in the UK — a gap of over 500 days.

“They were the ones that had sole control, sole knowledge and they haven’t produced any documents and haven’t produced any single witness that can give the relevant evidence.”

He cited the Sherlock Holmes maxim: “When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”

Samek also dismantled the DHSC’s claim that PPE Medpro breached the contract by failing to provide CE-marked gowns. He reminded the court that the CE certification box on the official order form was left unticked, and that no such certification was ever requested before approval was granted.

“To say it is an unticked box is just to state the obvious… There was no CE certification provided because if there was, it would have been checked.”

As the day’s arguments came to a close, Samek KC returned to the fundamental principle of the trial — the burden of proof, which lies with the claimant.

He argued convincingly that the DHSC had not met this threshold, pointing to the reliance on a sample of just 60 gowns out of 25 million, the absence of credible explanations for contamination, and the lack of key witnesses or documentation.

“The fact that 55 gowns in one of 12 lots are said to be contaminated… doesn’t mean all are to be treated as being so,” he said, challenging the government’s extrapolation.

What comes next?

Samek KC is set to conclude PPE Medpro’s oral closing submissions on Thursday morning, but the central themes of the defence are now firmly on the record: an approved contract, a flawed testing process, a shifting government case, and an apparent attempt to scapegoat the supplier for a wider PPE procurement disaster.

As the courtroom prepares to draw the curtain on one of the most high-profile Covid-era commercial disputes, it remains to be seen whether the court will agree that this case is, in the defence’s words, “an opportunistic claim with no reliable foundation.”

Read more:
PPE Medpro delivers final blow in DHSC trial, calling case ‘buyer’s remorse’ and evidence ‘non-existent’

Royal Mail will end Saturday deliveries of second-class letters from 28 July, in one of the biggest reforms to the postal service in more than a decade.

The change, approved by Ofcom, comes as the regulator pushes to modernise the universal postal service in response to plummeting letter volumes, soaring costs and growing delivery delays. Second-class mail will now be delivered on alternate weekdays, Monday to Friday.

Ofcom said the move could save Royal Mail up to £425 million a year, funds which it expects the company to reinvest in improving its overall service performance.

However, alongside the delivery shake-up, Royal Mail’s delivery targets are also being downgraded. First-class letters will now need to reach recipients the next working day only 90% of the time, down from the previous 93%. For second-class letters, the target falls from 98.5% to 95% within three days. A new rule will also require 99% of all mail to be delivered no more than two days late.

Natalie Black, Ofcom’s group director for networks and communications, said the changes were vital for the survival of the postal service.

“Urgent reform is necessary to give Royal Mail the best chance of long-term sustainability. These changes are in the best interests of consumers and businesses,” she said.

“But success now hinges on Royal Mail implementing this effectively, clearly communicating with its customers, and passing on the benefits through better reliability and affordability.”

In response to rising concern over the cost of postage, Ofcom also confirmed it is launching a review into the affordability of stamps, with a public consultation set to take place in 2026.

The decision reflects a dramatic fall in letter volumes. Royal Mail delivered 6.6 billion letters in 2023–24, less than half the 14.3 billion sent in 2011–12. Revenue from letters has also collapsed, from £6.9 billion to £3.7 billion over the same period.

Royal Mail’s financial performance has deteriorated in parallel, with the company reporting a £348 million loss in the 2023–24 financial year.

The company’s universal service obligation (USO), set in 2011, requires it to deliver letters six days a week across the UK for a uniform price. While first-class letters will still be delivered on Saturdays, Ofcom said research showed consumers now prioritise reliability and affordability over speed.

The move follows a public consultation in which businesses, consumer groups and individuals were asked about changes to the USO. Ofcom said there was support for reforms that maintain service quality while adapting to the changing way people use mail.

A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade said: “The public expects a well-run postal service, with letters arriving on time across the country without it costing the earth.

“With the way people use postal services having changed, it’s right the regulator has looked at this. We now need Royal Mail to work with unions and posties to deliver a service that people expect – and that includes maintaining the principle of one-price-goes-anywhere.”

A price cap on second-class stamps will remain in place.

Royal Mail now faces the challenge of stabilising its operations and restoring customer confidence after years of declining performance, industrial unrest, and mounting financial losses. With letter volumes likely to continue falling, the long-term future of the universal postal service may depend on how well these reforms deliver on their promises.

Read more:
Royal Mail to scrap Saturday second-class deliveries in major overhaul

GreenGeeks and InMotion Hosting are popular for web hosting. If you are comparing them, it is important to look at specific details like speed, uptime, customer support, pricing, and other provided features.

This article provides a step-by-step review using only straightforward facts from recent sources.

Uptime Commitments

GreenGeeks commits to a 99.9 percent uptime guarantee. This percentage is common in hosting and gives good continuity for websites. InMotion Hosting offers a 99.99 percent uptime guarantee. This is slightly higher. In the case of short outages, InMotion’s guarantee means less downtime in a year.

Performance Testing: Speed and Technology

GreenGeeks uses several performance technologies. Their average load time is 445 milliseconds. This is one of the faster figures for shared hosting plans. They use solid state drives, LiteSpeed servers, and a built-in caching system. These all help with faster loading. Cloudflare CDN and LiteSpeed caching are set up by default for every user. This combination offers faster access for visitors worldwide.

InMotion Hosting shows an average load time of about 855 milliseconds. While this is still reasonably quick, it is not as fast as GreenGeeks. InMotion uses solid state drives and has a system called Max Speed Zones, along with UltraStack hosting and NVMe drives in certain plans. However, their caching options are available only on higher plans. This can mean extra steps or costs for users needing cached delivery, which benefits busy or media-heavy websites.

Environmental Commitment

GreenGeeks buys three times the renewable energy credits for their consumed energy. They focus on funding wind energy projects. This matches the amount they use and also covers the energy used by clients’ websites. InMotion Hosting does not provide recent statements about renewable energy use according to current sources.

Accessibility and Customer Support

Both GreenGeeks and InMotion Hosting offer help all day and all night through live chat, telephone, and email. GreenGeeks’ support staff has a reputation for fast and helpful answers. Users can get support quickly, no matter their problem.

InMotion Hosting also keeps a high standard of support, with telephone and chat support available at any hour. Many users find the support teams to be informed and able to solve problems effectively. The support provided by both companies removes many roadblocks for new and continuing website owners.

Comparing Plans and Pricing

GreenGeeks begins its shared hosting at $2.95 per month. Their shared plans often include unlimited storage and monthly data transfer. For users who want to avoid storage restrictions, this can offer peace of mind. Their unlimited offerings work well for websites small and medium, and allow growth without forcing more upgrades.

InMotion Hosting comes in at $2.49 per month at the entry level. This makes them slightly cheaper on paper. Their plans offer 50 gigabytes of storage for shared hosting. This can be enough for small needs, but could limit those who expect lots of media content or rapid website growth. Renewal costs are not listed in the base price and may increase over the initial payment period.

Managed Hosting: Who Does What

GreenGeeks manages technical settings for shared, WordPress, and VPS hosting accounts. This includes software updates and server maintenance. Those new to running a website may prefer having this assistance available as part of their basic package.

InMotion Hosting also delivers managed support, and this extends to more types of plans. This includes high-traffic sites and dedicated servers. For users who want a single provider for many kinds of hosting, InMotion has this available for all of their offerings.

Data Center Location Options

GreenGeeks runs data centers in several North American and European cities. Their centers are in Chicago, Phoenix, Toronto, Montreal, and Amsterdam. Multiple locations let users pick a server close to their main audience, which can cut wait time for visitors.

InMotion Hosting owns facilities on both the east and west coasts of the United States and one in Amsterdam. They do not offer the same range of international locations as GreenGeeks. For global reach, having more location choices sometimes means better load times for users in those regions.

Security Measures and Tools

GreenGeeks supplies automatic backups, SSL certificates, and DDoS protections as standard security measures. They do not provide more details about extra security tools. For most users, these are typical protections that meet basic needs.

InMotion Hosting gives similar backup, SSL, and anti-DDoS tools as their base offering. Like GreenGeeks, InMotion’s provided information does not specify further security tools beyond what most hosting companies offer in shared plans.

Compatibility with Developer Tools

GreenGeeks supports standard control panel tools such as cPanel. They run scripting languages such as PHP. They support databases like MySQL and MariaDB. GreenGeeks also includes support for HTTP/2, which can speed up data delivery.

InMotion Hosting supports similar tools, including cPanel and popular languages. The available data does not show much difference in software supported between the two providers. Both provide what most developers need to run a website or web application.

What Recent Users Say

User reviews for GreenGeeks are positive for speed, helpful support, and their energy-use claims. Users who like unlimited plans and fast initial setup find the services reliable and practical.

InMotion Hosting reviews also show praise for stable hosting, knowledgeable support, and features for growing sites with higher needs. Users with larger sites or who need more resources on their plan sometimes choose InMotion for extra CPU or storage capabilities on higher tiers.

Storage Flexibility and Bandwidth

GreenGeeks gives unlimited storage and bandwidth for most plans. This removes the worry about data or media file limits when a site grows or when usage spikes. Users can scale their projects up or down based on their needs.

InMotion Hosting limits storage on lower plans to 50 gigabytes. For websites with a simple design or mainly text-based content, this is usually enough. However, more storage is required for larger media file collections or bigger e-commerce sites, which may lead to the need for a higher-tier plan.

Plan Transparency and Renewal Considerations

GreenGeeks has a simple plan structure. What you sign up for is often what you pay, apart from domain costs or add-ons. Their pricing model makes it easier to predict monthly or yearly costs.

InMotion Hosting shows a lower starting price but lists bigger possible increases after your first period. Lower intro rates are helpful for those who want to try before committing. However, for long-term planning, users need to be aware of renewal pricing.

Caching and Speed-Boosting Features

Every GreenGeeks site comes with built-in caching technologies, which helps deliver website content quickly for all visitors, regardless of region. These features are always turned on and do not cost extra. Their use of LiteSpeed and Cloudflare CDN keeps sites fast for most traffic loads.

InMotion Hosting restricts advanced caching to higher tiers. Those with basic plans do not get the speed benefits without paying more. While UltraStack hosting and NVMe drives in upper plans can help with performance, not all users will have access unless they upgrade.

Which Service is Better for Eco-Concerned Users

GreenGeeks makes a strong case for users who prioritize lower carbon output. The triple buying of renewable energy credits offsets actual use and means clients can point to this choice as a host with energy-offset efforts. This kind of commitment is not mentioned by InMotion Hosting.

Data Centers and Global Audience

For users who serve international audiences, GreenGeeks’ multiple city choices give a wider spread. Hosting a site in or near the country where visitors are based can improve delivery speed. InMotion Hosting provides US coastal centers and a European location. While sufficient for North American and some European markets, users looking for a broader network are better matched with GreenGeeks.

Ideal User for Each Host

GreenGeeks gives a direct path for those seeking faster speeds, unlimited storage, and managed support across key hosting options. Their plans work for both beginners and website owners who do not want to handle technical server changes. The low entry cost remains stable unless users choose advanced features.

InMotion Hosting suits those seeking strong uptime guarantees and support for larger or expanding businesses. Their support team and advanced hardware on higher plans match websites with higher traffic or special resource needs. The lower base storage on the main shared plans may not have enough space for all users, but it fits smaller static sites.

Security and Maintenance

Both providers handle essential maintenance and automatic backups. SSL certificates are also given as part of most plans, allowing owners to keep visitor credentials and personal information private.

Final Direct Comparison

GreenGeeks is faster at loading times and offers unlimited storage and bandwidth.
GreenGeeks is more aware of energy concerns, using three times more renewable credits than average.
GreenGeeks always includes speed-boosting technology and data center options in several regions.
Both companies are reliable, but GreenGeeks better fits users who want straightforward all-included hosting with environmental benefits.
InMotion Hosting’s main plus points are the slightly better uptime guarantee and strong support for larger, high-traffic sites.

By breaking down each area, it is possible to see GreenGeeks provides stronger value for most users, as long as they do not need specific advanced hardware resources that InMotion Hosting reserves for premium plans.

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GreenGeeks vs InMotion: Comparing Speed, Uptime, and Support

UK fire safety manufacturer Rapidrop Global Ltd has landed a significant multi-million pound investment from BGF as it gears up for its next phase of global growth.

Headquartered in Cambridgeshire, Rapidrop is a leading designer and manufacturer of fire sprinkler heads and fire suppression system components used across commercial, residential and infrastructure projects. The company operates in more than 80 countries and is one of just five manufacturers worldwide – and the only independently owned UK-based provider – with key global accreditations from internationally recognised fire safety authorities.

BGF’s investment comes at a pivotal time for the fire suppression industry, which is experiencing rapid growth driven by tighter regulations, increased construction activity and rising global urbanisation. The sprinkler systems market alone is forecast to grow at more than 8% annually through to 2030, underpinned by growing demand for risk mitigation and building safety solutions.

Since 2017, Rapidrop has doubled in size and continues to expand its reach, reputation and product range. With BGF’s backing, the company plans to accelerate its international expansion, deepen its product development and strengthen its operational footprint. BGF will also provide strategic input through its investment network and sector expertise to support Rapidrop’s ambitions to scale.

The business was originally founded by Daniel Gill, who transformed it from its roots as Kestrel Fasteners in the 1980s into a recognised global player. Since his passing in 2017, the Gill family has continued to oversee Rapidrop’s growth journey. As part of the deal, family members Dan Gill and Rebecca Park will retain a majority stake in the business and remain actively involved.

To support this next phase, Rapidrop has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Chris Shelley as CEO. Shelley brings significant experience from his previous role as Chief Commercial Officer at environmental instrumentation firm ENVEA Group. Richard Whiting also joins as Chair to provide strategic oversight as the company scales.

Shelley said: “Rapidrop has built a fantastic reputation and a solid platform for growth, backed by a talented team and strong fundamentals. With BGF’s investment and strategic support, we are well placed to scale our product innovation and extend our international reach. I look forward to leading the team into this exciting next chapter.”

The deal was led by Mark Nunny and Elena Kovalikhina from BGF’s Central & East investment team, which has now completed three deals in the past 12 months including Signify Research and Miracle Design & Play.

Nunny added: “Rapidrop is a standout UK manufacturing business with a strong brand in a fast-growing, regulation-led market. Its international approvals, proprietary products and diversified customer base provide a robust foundation for long-term growth. We’re excited to support Chris and the team as they build on the company’s impressive momentum.”

With increased focus on fire safety and compliance globally, BGF’s investment places Rapidrop in a strong position to lead innovation and growth in the fire suppression sector.

Read more:
Rapidrop secures multi-million pound investment from BGF to fire up international expansion

The UK risks squandering its most valuable industrial assets unless the government acts swiftly to increase support for homegrown HardTech and DeepTech businesses, senior industry figures have warned.

Speaking at the inaugural Bessemer Society Summit in London, Sir Warren East, (pictured) former CEO of both Rolls-Royce and Arm, and Dame Anne Glover, CEO of Amadeus Capital Partners, urged ministers to boost investment and overhaul tax rules to help British companies scale and stay onshore.

The event brought together more than 150 leading industrialists, founders, investors and policymakers for the first time, with a focus on what the UK must do to remain competitive in sectors critical to energy security, defence, and economic growth.

Named after Sir Henry Bessemer, the inventor who revolutionised steel manufacturing, the Society’s members have raised more than $2 billion since the pandemic. But speakers at the event warned that without urgent reforms, more of Britain’s most promising technology companies could be lost to overseas buyers.

Among the strongest calls for reform came from Steve Lindsey, founder of engineering firm SFL.Technology, who criticised the current tax environment for favouring foreign investment.

“At the turn of the millennium, UK pension funds invested around 50% of their assets in British companies. Today that figure is just 4%,” he said. “We’re using our savings to build other countries’ economies instead of our own.”

Lindsey called for urgent changes to tax and investment rules to prevent further erosion of Britain’s industrial base. The message was echoed by other business leaders and investors who warned that the UK’s stagnant equity markets and patchy capital access are threatening long-term growth.

CBI chairman and Smith & Nephew chair Rupert Soames described the moment as an “existential challenge” for UK public markets. Speaking on the sidelines of the summit, he backed calls for reforms to how UK pension funds allocate capital and urged the government to take a more active role in channelling investment into British industry.

The event also highlighted a significant funding gap for later-stage growth capital – a key hurdle for DeepTech firms moving from research breakthroughs to global commercial scale.

Despite these challenges, the summit showcased the fundraising successes of Bessemer Society members, with headline deals including:
• $740m raised by Oxford Nanopore
• $380m by Pragmatic Semiconductor
• $175m by Tokamak Energy

Alex Stewart, founder of the Society and great-great grandson of Sir Henry Bessemer, said the group’s members are already shaping the UK’s industrial future – but need consistent backing to go further.

“Our members are building the infrastructure of the next industrial revolution – in clean energy, advanced materials, semiconductors and AI. But too many are forced to look overseas to grow,” he said. “We need the UK to invest in itself again.”

The summit featured panels on energy security, dual-use defence technologies, AI, and regional innovation clusters. The overwhelming theme was that HardTech – companies rooted in engineering and scientific advances – will be essential to future economic resilience and national sovereignty.

But delegates warned that unless government policy catches up, more companies will go the way of Arm, the UK chip designer now headquartered in the US, or Wise and Flutter, which recently shifted primary listings from London to New York.

“The UK can lead the world in HardTech – but only if we match our world-class research with world-class capital and commercial ambition,” said Dame Anne Glover.

With a general election on the horizon and mounting pressure to drive domestic growth, business leaders hope the Bessemer Society Summit will act as a catalyst for action – turning rhetoric into investment and making Britain a serious contender in the global tech economy once again.

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UK’s HardTech leaders call for urgent investment and reform to back Britain’s industrial future

Around 3.6 million households – just over 40% of mortgage holders – are likely to see their monthly payments rise over the next three years, according to the latest update from the Bank of England.

The Bank’s Financial Stability Report revealed that about 30% of homeowners have yet to refinance their mortgages since interest rates began climbing in 2021. As a result, many are still shielded from the full impact of tighter monetary policy, but will face higher costs as their fixed-rate deals expire.

While the proportion of households yet to refinance has fallen from 50% in November to 30% today, the report underlines that a large number are still due for payment shocks between now and mid-2028.

However, there was some good news for borrowers. Around 2.5 million households – or 28% of all mortgage holders – are expected to see their monthly repayments fall by June 2028. This includes approximately 1.5 million homeowners currently on variable rates who stand to benefit from any future interest rate cuts.

The Bank’s update comes as financial markets anticipate that the base rate may begin to ease later this year if inflation continues to fall. Nevertheless, millions are still bracing for higher costs before any relief materialises.

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Millions of UK households face higher mortgage costs, warns Bank of England