Business

Electric parcel delivery startup Hived has raised $42 million in fresh funding to expand its all-electric courier operations beyond London, marking a significant milestone in its mission to disrupt the UK’s legacy logistics sector.

The London-based firm, co-founded in 2021 by former Manchester City women’s youth team captain Murvah Iqbal and Mathias Krieger, plans to use the funding to expand to Bristol, Bath, and Brighton by September, with further rollouts in Birmingham and Manchester set for 2026.

Hived operates a fully electric fleet and has delivered more than 6.5 million parcels across London to date for high-profile clients including John Lewis, Uniqlo, and Zara. It employs a 250-strong courier network and boasts a 99% on-time delivery rate — a metric driven by its proprietary parcel-tracking software that integrates logistics from warehouse to doorstep.

“Parcel delivery should feel seamless, not stressful, but most of the industry is still running on systems that were never designed for ecommerce,” said CEO Iqbal, 29. “We’ve proven our model, and with this funding round, we’re ready to scale across the south of England.”

The latest round was led by NordicNinja, Europe’s largest Japan-backed venture capital firm, and includes six other new investors alongside existing backer Planet A. It brings Hived’s total capital raised to $58 million since launch.

Hived’s tech-first model is positioned as an alternative to traditional delivery firms, which Iqbal claims are hampered by legacy infrastructure. “Many were built for business-to-business deliveries or letters, not ecommerce. Their systems are too entrenched to adapt efficiently — they’d almost have to start from scratch,” she said.

The company operates its own Mercedes eActros 600 trucks, collecting pre-packed orders from clients’ warehouses and sorting them at its London hub before final delivery. It plans to establish additional sorting centres in new cities to support expansion.

Iqbal says Hived’s core strength lies in eliminating errors in the final mile. “Most of the cost in logistics comes from things going wrong — missed deliveries, customer queries, damaged goods. That’s where we come in.”

The startup’s software provides end-to-end tracking for retailers, couriers, and customers, using real-time data to optimise parcel handling. “We know down to the square foot where every parcel is in our warehouse. Out of 10,000 parcels, we might lose one or two — and that’s exceptional in this industry,” said Iqbal.

Beyond domestic growth, Hived is beginning to license its software to international partners. Iqbal recently returned from Japan, where she met Yamato Transport, which handles over six million deliveries daily. “Our tech is adaptable to different markets. We’re exploring how to embed our software into global logistics operations.”

Despite being loss-making, Hived’s efficiency and reliability are attracting major retailers seeking sustainable, tech-enabled alternatives to carbon-heavy delivery giants.

The funding signals growing investor appetite for logistics innovation and comes as e-commerce giants demand greater sustainability and precision in fulfilment. Iqbal says the company has maintained capital efficiency and resilience through a tough fundraising climate.

“Investors now want proof that every pound moves the needle,” she added. “We’ve built something efficient, scalable and customer-centric. This is just the beginning.”

Read more:
Hived raises $42m to roll out electric delivery fleet across southern England

Former BBC Dragon and entrepreneur James Caan CBE has issued a powerful call for urgent reform in the UK’s education system, as he launched the landmark National Education Futures 2025 report at the House of Lords last week.

Hosted by The Rt Hon the Lord Knight of Weymouth, the event brought together parliamentarians, policymakers, and education leaders to address the growing crisis across schools, colleges and training systems.

Describing the moment as “a kite dancing in a hurricane”, Caan said, “Our education system, buffeted by social inequality, workforce pressures, and fragmented structures, is at a tipping point. But if we tether that kite to purpose, to inclusion, and to long-term vision, it can soar.”

The report sets out three critical priorities for transformation:

Inclusion

Caan urged a reimagining of inclusion as foundational, not optional. “Every learner — regardless of postcode, background or ability — deserves to thrive. Diversity must not be bolted on, but built in,” he said.

Workforce

Calling teachers the system’s “greatest asset”, Caan highlighted a crisis in morale and retention: “Too many are leaving, burnt out and unheard. When we invest in those who teach, we invest in the futures of those they teach.”

Collaboration

He emphasised the need for cross-sector partnership and joined-up thinking: “No single school or trust can fix this alone. Progress demands shared responsibility at every level.”

Caan warned of complacency amid global competition, citing Andhra Pradesh in India, which has partnered with NVIDIA to launch the country’s first Artificial Intelligence University. “While others are investing boldly in AI, we must ask — are we?”

He also linked education reform to wider economic concerns, referencing tax policy changes that have prompted talent flight and weakened fiscal revenues. “HMRC receipts fell £7.8 billion short last year, while borrowing rose £14.6 billion. That revenue loss could wipe out more than 10% of the education budget — every year,” he warned.

To address this, Caan said Britain must “invest relentlessly in a modern, inclusive, future-ready education system that builds our next generation of business creators.”

Closing his speech, he challenged government and industry to act on the report: “Let this not be another report that gathers dust — but a blueprint that galvanises real change. When inclusion is foundational, when educators are empowered, and when we plan for decades not headlines, we don’t just fix education. We transform it.”

Caan concluded with a quote from Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

The National Education Futures 2025 report is now available to policymakers, educators and industry stakeholders as a proposed roadmap for long-term, systemic reform.

Read more:
“A turning point for education”: James Caan launches bold education reform plan in House of Lords

A flagship government initiative to support female entrepreneurs has come under fire from MPs for delays in delivering promised funding, with members of the women and equalities committee accusing ministers of lacking urgency and vision.

The Invest in Women Taskforce, set up under the previous government to improve access to capital for female-led businesses, has raised over £250 million. However, ministers now say the fund will not begin investing until the end of 2025 — a full year after the fundraising was announced.

Speaking during a Commons committee session, Baroness Gustafsson, the investment minister, was questioned over the delay. Liberal Democrat MP Alex Brewer said progress was moving at a “tippy-toe” pace rather than with “great big strides”, accusing the government of a lack of boldness and failing to grasp the scale of opportunity.

Brewer was joined by committee chair Sarah Owen, who voiced the group’s “frustration”, particularly at the omission of female entrepreneurs from the government’s industrial strategy.

“This omission is devastating,” Brewer said. “It demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the structural barriers women face.”

Figures published earlier this year highlight the disparity: all-women founding teams received just 1.8 per cent of UK venture capital funding in the first half of 2024 — a decline from 2.5 per cent in 2023.

The Rose Review previously found that bridging the gender funding gap could unlock over £250 billion for the UK economy if women scaled businesses at the same rate as men. Owen called this “a massive prize” that should be central to government growth plans.

The committee opened its inquiry into female entrepreneurship in February to examine the barriers women face in starting and growing companies. Key challenges identified include limited access to funding, lack of representation in high-growth sectors, and a shortage of tailored support.

Gareth Thomas MP (Pictured), the minister responsible for entrepreneurship, acknowledged that access to finance remains the “single biggest obstacle” for women-led businesses. He said the government’s upcoming SME strategy would address this, alongside increased funding for the British Business Bank.

Entrepreneur and investor Debbie Wosskow, who co-chairs the Invest in Women Taskforce with Barclays’ head of business banking Hannah Bernard, described the UK as “a pretty terrible place” to be a female entrepreneur, citing entrenched bias in the investment landscape.

Despite the challenges, some female-led firms are breaking through. Earlier this week, ecommerce delivery startup Hived, co-founded by CEO Murvah Iqbal, announced a $42 million funding round to grow its all-electric fleet across southern England.

However, MPs say these successes are the exception, not the rule. The committee is expected to publish recommendations in the coming weeks, urging the government to accelerate the rollout of the fund and prioritise women-led enterprise in its broader economic policy.

“The talent and ambition are already there,” Owen said. “Now government must match it with decisive action.”

Read more:
‘Invest in Women’ fund criticised for slow rollout as MPs call for bolder action

Tesla has posted a modest rebound in UK sales, with 7,700 new vehicles registered in June—up 3.7% on the same month last year, according to the latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Despite the improvement, the electric carmaker’s UK performance remains slightly down for the year. Between January and June 2025, Tesla registered 22,700 vehicles, a 1.3% year-on-year decline.

The uptick in June follows a sluggish start to the year, with Tesla blaming delays in the production of its updated Model Y at its Berlin gigafactory and buyer hesitation while awaiting the newer version.

Earlier this week, the company reported a 13% drop in global sales during Q2, citing a range of challenges, including CEO Elon Musk’s increasing involvement in politics, intensifying competition from Chinese rivals such as BYD, and a more crowded EV marketplace as traditional automakers ramp up electric production under regulatory pressure.

Yet Tesla continues to lead the UK’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) market, commanding a 10% share of battery electric vehicle sales so far this year, according to data from consultancy New AutoMotive. BMW and Volkswagen trail behind, each with around 8%.

More broadly, the UK’s electric vehicle market recorded strong growth in June, with battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations up 39% to 47,300 units. That means EVs accounted for 24.8% of the 193,000 new cars registered during the month—a 6.7% year-on-year rise in overall market volume.

However, despite the encouraging figures, the BEV share still falls short of the 28% target set by the government under its zero-emission vehicle mandate. That mandate, introduced this year, requires carmakers to hit rising targets for ZEV sales or face financial penalties. The threshold climbs to 33% in 2026.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes reiterated calls for stronger government support, warning that current EV uptake is being driven by unsustainable levels of manufacturer discounting and sales channel incentives.

“A second consecutive month of growth for the new car market is good news, as is the positive performance of electric vehicles,” Hawes said. “But this growth is still being propped up by industry-backed support. Without government action—through measures like VAT cuts or revising luxury car tax supplements—meeting the ZEV mandate targets remains in jeopardy.”

He also urged the government to address the disparity in VAT rates between public and home EV charging, which he said was a barrier to equitable EV adoption.

The latest figures show a continued decline in internal combustion engine sales. Petrol cars accounted for 46% of new registrations in June, down from 51% a year earlier, while diesel dropped to below 6%.

Plug-in hybrids and standard hybrids now represent nearly 24% of the market, underlining the UK’s ongoing shift toward electrified mobility—even if the path to full electrification remains uneven.

Read more:
Tesla sees UK sales rebound in June as EV market accelerates

The United Kingdom has been named the worst country in Europe for commuting, tied with Greece, according to a new report by cross-border e-commerce platform Ubuy. The ranking – based on commuting costs, travel times, paid leave, working hours and national happiness – places the UK bottom of a 34-country index.

The UK scored 107 out of a possible 136 points, where a lower score indicates a better commuting experience. The report highlights soaring costs, long travel times, limited paid time off and declining wellbeing as the key factors behind the UK’s poor performance.

UK commuters face the third-highest average monthly commuting cost in Europe at £67.21, only slightly behind Luxembourg and Switzerland. The study suggests that, with train fares and fuel prices rising, many British workers are spending more getting to work than some Europeans do on holidays.

The average UK commute clocks in at 40 minutes – one of the longest in Europe – and full-time workers only receive 20 days of statutory paid annual leave (excluding bank holidays), among the lowest in the ranking.

The UK also fares poorly on overall wellbeing, with a national happiness score of 6.75 out of 10, placing it well behind top-ranking nations like Finland and Estonia. The combination of high commuting costs, long working weeks, and limited rest time is creating a recipe for burnout, the report warns.

Meanwhile, Greece – also scoring 107 points – shares similar problems. With average working hours of 39.8 per week and a lower happiness score of 5.93, Greece joins the UK in the bottom spot.

Cyprus, Italy and France complete the bottom five. While known for their warmer climates, these countries scored poorly due to high parking and commuting costs, and limited flexibility around working hours and breaks.

In contrast, Estonia topped the leaderboard with a score of 64 points, thanks to low commuting costs, cheap lunches, and a solid work-life balance. Finland and Lithuania tied for second place (68 points), followed by Sweden and Romania in third (74 points), praised for their affordability and emphasis on employee wellbeing.

“This ranking should serve as a wake-up call,” said Faizan Khan, spokesperson for Ubuy. “With more people returning to the office post-pandemic, the cost, time and stress of commuting are once again central to how employees feel about work. Countries like Estonia show that affordable transport and balanced working hours are possible – the UK has some catching up to do.”

The study follows renewed discussions around hybrid work, flexible hours and transport reform in the UK. With inflation and interest rates continuing to impact household finances, advocates are urging the government to reassess commuting policies and workplace expectations to ease the burden on workers.

As commuting once again becomes a daily reality for millions of Brits, this ranking underscores the importance of not just where people work – but how they get there.

Read more:
UK revealed as Europe’s worst country for commuters in new ranking

A pioneering climate satellite designed to track methane emissions from space has gone missing, dealing a major blow to global efforts to curb one of the most potent greenhouse gases.

The $88 million MethaneSat satellite—developed by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and backed by Google and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos—has lost contact with Earth just one year after launch. The EDF confirmed this week that communication with the spacecraft was lost ten days ago and is “likely not recoverable.”

Launched aboard a SpaceX rocket in 2023, MethaneSat was equipped with some of the world’s most advanced sensors designed to detect even low-level methane emissions. Its primary mission was to collect detailed, transparent data over a five-year period to help track leaks and releases from oil, gas, agriculture and landfill sites—sectors responsible for the bulk of global methane emissions.

Methane is 28 times more powerful than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period, making it a critical target for global climate mitigation efforts. Despite international pledges to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030, global levels continue to rise year-on-year, with current satellite systems offering only partial or privately controlled visibility.

The loss of MethaneSat—one of the few methane-monitoring satellites with publicly accessible data—represents a significant setback for environmental scientists and regulators. EDF said the satellite had been a key part of efforts to “fill gaps between existing tools,” adding that some of the software used in the project may still be salvageable for future missions.

Google had been applying AI to MethaneSat’s data to build a global methane emissions map. The company hoped to boost transparency by highlighting “super-emitters” and harder-to-detect agricultural emissions, which are more diffuse than oil and gas leaks.

Experts suspect the satellite lost power, making recovery unlikely. EDF said an investigation is ongoing and it is too early to say whether a replacement mission will be launched. “To solve the climate challenge requires bold action and risk-taking,” the NGO said in a statement. “This satellite was at the leading edge of science, technology and advocacy.”

The loss comes at a time when other key methane-tracking tools are also nearing the end of their operational lives. The Sentinel-5P satellite operated by the European Space Agency, which hosts the TROPOMI instrument and supports the CarbonMapper project, was due to conclude its mission in October. While still operational, its future remains uncertain.

With rising emissions and limited means to track them in real time, environmental groups warn that losing access to high-quality data will hinder enforcement efforts and delay global action. Methane monitoring is seen as one of the most immediate and impactful ways to slow global warming.

The fate of MethaneSat now serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of space-based climate tools—and a call to bolster global investments in next-generation environmental monitoring systems.

Read more:
$88m methane-tracking satellite lost in space, dealing major blow to climate monitoring

Foreign students applying to study in the United States will now be required to make their social media profiles public so that American diplomats can vet their online activity for signs of “hostility” towards the US or threats to national security.

Under new guidance issued by the US State Department this week, consular officials will carry out social media checks on all applicants for F, M, and J category visas — covering academic studies, vocational training, and cultural exchange programmes.

Applicants who refuse to change their privacy settings may be treated with suspicion, with the State Department warning that refusal to cooperate will be considered a “red flag” for concealment of online activity.

According to the guidance, consular officers are instructed to look for “any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States.” A confidential diplomatic cable, obtained separately by Politico, also advises diplomats to flag any posts suggesting support for terrorist organisations, antisemitic violence, or any other perceived threats to US national security.

The move has already sparked concern among civil liberties advocates and academic institutions. Critics warn that the policy could amount to ideological screening and may infringe on free expression and privacy, particularly for students from countries where political dissent or criticism of US foreign policy is common.

In particular, the focus on identifying “antisemitic harassment or violence” has been interpreted by some as part of a broader crackdown on students and activists who oppose Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza. Several US immigration agencies have faced criticism for conflating political speech about Israel with antisemitism.

The policy comes amid wider efforts by the Trump administration to overhaul immigration and tighten national security controls. In late June, the State Department temporarily suspended the issuance of new student visas while officials reviewed how to implement enhanced social media screening.

With the latest directive, visa processing has resumed — but now with what officials are calling “comprehensive and thorough vetting”. A senior State Department official praised the updated procedures, stating: “It is an expectation from American citizens that their government will make every effort to make our country safer. That’s exactly what we’re doing.”

Senator Marco Rubio, who has supported enhanced screening measures, was also cited as a key supporter of the new approach.

In addition to raising privacy concerns, some immigration lawyers and university groups say the directive could deter international students from applying to US institutions altogether. The US has already seen a decline in foreign student enrolment in recent years, a trend that may be accelerated by these new measures.

Applicants will be instructed to make platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok visible to consular staff for the purposes of evaluation. There is currently no indication of how long this visibility must remain in place or whether past online content will be archived for future monitoring.

The Biden administration has not yet commented on whether it intends to revise or revoke the policy, though critics say it reflects a growing global trend of “digital border control” that blurs the lines between immigration policy and surveillance.

Read more:
New US visa rules will force foreign students to unlock social media profiles

As crowds descend on Silverstone this weekend for the sold-out British Grand Prix, the spectacle of F1 masks a much deeper economic and technological engine humming beneath the surface.

With more than 480,000 fans expected through the gates and 160,000 in attendance on race day alone, the UK’s flagship motorsport event is a major draw. But its broader significance lies in its role at the centre of a world-leading ecosystem that blends motorsport, high-performance engineering, and cutting-edge innovation.

According to a report by the Motorsport Industry Association and Grant Thornton, motorsport and engineering services contributed £16 billion to the UK economy in 2023 and employed over 50,000 people. The Formula 1 supply chain itself comprises 4,500 companies, many located in a region dubbed “Motorsport Valley”, nestled between Oxford and Cambridge.

Ten of the eleven teams set to compete in the 2025 F1 season will be based in the UK, with Cadillac F1 and Audi F1 joining next year and establishing operations on British soil.

The spin-off impact of the industry goes well beyond the track. Technologies developed for Formula 1 are now being applied in hospitals, airports, and building sites. For instance, McLaren’s performance data systems are helping Heathrow improve traffic flow, while kinetic energy recovery systems born in F1 are now reducing emissions on London buses.

Dumarey Flybrid, based near Silverstone, developed a flywheel power system for building sites—a technology originally honed for F1. Wirth Research, once focused solely on aerodynamics for race cars, now applies its expertise to energy-saving supermarket chillers.

This culture of innovation is being nurtured by organisations such as the Silverstone Technology Cluster, founded in 2017, which supports engineering, software, and advanced manufacturing businesses rooted in the motorsport sector.

Dan Keyworth, Director of Business Technology at McLaren Racing, says technology is now a major battleground in Formula 1. “For every pound we spend on the car, we spend a pound on tools, methods and technology,” he told TechRadar.

Even amid challenges—such as supply chain disruption, the shift to hybrid cars, and job cuts at firms like McLaren during Covid—Britain’s motorsport sector has remained a globally competitive force.

McLaren Racing posted £431m in revenue and £30.4m in profit in 2023, while its parent company was majority-acquired by Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat last year. The group, which includes McLaren Automotive, employs thousands in the high-performance vehicle manufacturing sector.

Luxury performance brands such as Aston Martin and Morgan—while representing just 4% of UK car production—account for 12% of its total value and support 15,000 jobs, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

While Lando Norris and George Russell chase home glory this weekend, and Lewis Hamilton seeks a record 10th British Grand Prix win, the bigger victory is economic. Formula 1 remains one of the UK’s most valuable—and least visible—industrial success stories, powering far more than race day headlines.

Read more:
The real Formula 1: British Grand Prix highlights UK’s £16bn motorsport economy

Day trading isn’t just for people with multiple monitors and entire days blocked out for charts. If you’re someone with a full calendar, running a business, juggling meetings, or working in a demanding role, there’s still room for it.

With the right approach, forex day trading can fit into your routine without becoming overwhelming. It doesn’t mean watching every price move or reacting to every blip on the screen. What matters more is having a clear plan, being able to act quickly, and sticking to a structure that works for you.

That’s part of what makes forex such a good fit. The market runs nearly 24 hours during the week, it’s highly liquid, and it moves enough to create opportunities, even in short windows of time.

So if you’re someone who thrives on focus, control, and decision-making, day trading forex can absolutely work. You just need the right setup, and that’s where the following forex day trading strategies come in.

Why Day Trading Appeals to Professionals

Day trading suits people who already think in terms of efficiency and performance. If you’re someone used to setting goals, tracking metrics, and making quick but calculated decisions, you’ll likely appreciate the clarity that a structured trading plan brings.

Instead of leaving positions open overnight and wondering what markets might do while you sleep, you control your entry and exit within the same session. This reduces exposure to unpredictable events and lets you work with defined setups.

For professionals juggling multiple responsibilities, this control can make all the difference. You can choose trading windows that match your availability, focus on one or two sessions per day, and still build consistency, without needing to “be in the market” all day long.

Tools That Keep You Efficient

Success in short-term trading starts with the right setup. You’re working in tight timeframes and fast-moving markets, so lag, poor visibility, or missing data can cost you.

Here’s what you’ll want to have in place:

A platform with fast execution, reliable charting, and a clean layout

Access to real-time news and economic calendars, integrated where possible

Customisable charts and alerts so you don’t miss critical levels

Order types like stop-loss, take-profit, and OCO (one cancels the other) to automate decisions

ThinkMarkets is one example of a platform offering that level of control, without bloated extras that slow you down. Whatever platform you use, the key is speed, clarity, and no friction in execution.

Three Core Approaches That Fit a Busy Routine

You don’t need a dozen strategies. In fact, the more you try to do at once, the harder it becomes to stay disciplined. The best approach? Choose one method that fits how you like to think and how much time you can set aside, then refine it until it runs like clockwork.

Breakout Trading

This method is ideal for traders who prefer clean, technical setups. You’ll watch for areas where price has stalled, either at key support/resistance or within tight ranges, and trade the move when price breaks out with momentum. The idea is simple: when the market commits, you go with it.

Breakouts tend to work well during high-volume sessions, such as the London or New York open. If you’ve got a consistent window available during those times, this approach can become very predictable, even if you’re only trading one or two pairs.

Pre-mark your levels, set alerts, and focus on strong confirmation before entry. This helps filter out false moves and improves the quality of your trades.

Momentum Entries

If you’re less focused on breakouts and more interested in following direction, momentum trading might suit you better.

Rather than guessing when a market will reverse, you wait for signs of strength, such as a clean move or a trend forming, and then enter on continuation. It’s a way to ride the wave without needing to catch the very start.

You might use moving averages, price structure, or volume shifts to gauge momentum. Pair that with a fixed time block, say, 60 minutes in the early morning, and your process becomes highly repeatable.

Momentum strategies reduce the need to guess. You trade what’s happening, not what you hope will happen.

News-Driven Scalping

For traders who are already in tune with market headlines or macro events, news-based setups can be incredibly effective.

Instead of entering based on chart patterns alone, you’re reacting to surprise data, central bank commentary, or economic releases that shake up price action. These setups are short and sharp, often lasting only a few minutes.

The key is being prepared before the event hits. Know what’s being released, what the market expects, and what levels to watch. If the data comes in hotter or cooler than forecast, you’ll often see immediate moves you can capitalise on.

Why Risk Control Matters Even More in Day Trading

Short-term trades may look small on paper, but the speed of movement means your risk builds up quickly if you’re not structured.

The best traders treat every position like a business decision. Before they enter, they know:

How much they’re risking

Where they’ll get out if they’re wrong

What their expected reward is

Many day traders stick to a fixed percentage risk per trade, often 1% or less of total capital. That way, even a losing streak won’t derail their account.

You’re not aiming for a perfect win rate. You’re aiming for consistent execution, limited drawdowns, and setups where your potential reward outweighs the risk. If a trade doesn’t meet that standard, you pass.

This level of discipline is what turns day trading from a high-stress activity into something calm, focused, and repeatable.

A Look at a Typical Morning Routine

Say you’re a business owner or executive who has a window each morning from 7:30 to 9:00 AM. That’s plenty of time to run a structured trading session.

You’d start by checking overnight news and price action. From there, you’d identify key levels, map any high-impact economic data due out, and scan a short list of currency pairs for clean setups.

You might place a breakout trade during the London session, manage the position with a set stop and target, and be out before your workday begins. No watching charts all afternoon. No second-guessing while you’re in meetings. That’s the advantage of structure; it respects your time.

Choosing a Strategy That Matches You

Not every strategy suits every trader. Some people thrive on quick trades and rapid decisions. Others prefer a slower pace with fewer entries. The point isn’t to find the “best” strategy, it’s to find one that fits your schedule, mindset, and level of experience.

You can always test in a demo environment first. That way, you refine your method without taking on financial risk. Once it feels repeatable and consistent, then you scale.

The more your trading routine matches your working style, the more naturally it will become part of your performance rhythm, not a distraction from it.

Precision Over Pressure

Busy traders don’t need more complexity. They need clarity. Forex day trading strategies offer a way to stay involved in the market while keeping control over time, risk, and mental focus. With the right process, it becomes less about chasing every move and more about executing with confidence during the windows that matter.

Read more:
Forex Day Trading Strategies for Busy Professionals and Performance-Driven Traders

The UK automotive industry is on the brink of a labour crisis, with key roles including HGV drivers, delivery workers and vehicle technicians predicted to face complete shortages within the next 25 years, according to new analysis by Nationwide Vehicle Contracts.

As the sector undergoes rapid transformation—driven by electrification, digitalisation, and evolving consumer demand—the workforce behind it is failing to keep pace. Using search volume analysis and workforce data, the study warns of major disruptions across logistics and mobility unless urgent action is taken.

The most immediate concern is the shortage of HGV drivers. While there was a 20.9% rise in qualified HGV drivers between 2023 and 2024, the role remains one of the most vulnerable. With over 50% of HGV drivers now aged over 50 and a 13.9% pay gap below the national average, the industry faces a full shortfall by 2029.

Recent months have seen vacancies surge past 20,000, with the South East accounting for 13% of those advertised. Online interest is also dwindling—searches for ‘lorry driver jobs’ now sit at just 4,400 per month, suggesting waning appeal among younger workers.

Despite discussions around autonomous freight solutions, Keith Hawes, Director at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, warns the technology is not ready: “The idea of a 42-tonne lorry being autonomously driven across UK roads still feels far off. It’s unlikely we’ll see this become mainstream before 2050.”

The UK’s reliance on home deliveries also faces disruption, with the report predicting a complete shortage of delivery drivers by 2037. Open vacancies hit 135,000 in April 2025—a staggering 793% rise year-on-year—amid continued demand from e-commerce, supermarkets, and food delivery platforms.

While 246,000 people currently work in delivery roles, an additional 30,000 are urgently needed. Major employers including Royal Mail, Tesco and Just Eat are struggling to fill the gap, with retention and training cited as key challenges.

The UK’s electrification timeline is also under threat. Vehicle technician roles, crucial to servicing electric vehicles, are facing a crisis. Though there are 245,000 technicians working in the UK today, just 24% are qualified to work on EVs. This mismatch could result in a full workforce shortage by 2047, hampering EV adoption and safety standards.

The report highlights that EV maintenance is increasingly IT-based, with vehicle diagnostics and software updates often performed remotely by manufacturers. This shift is accelerating demand for software and IT specialists while reducing the need for traditional mechanical expertise.

Read more:
UK faces critical automotive job shortages by 2050, new research reveals