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Articles in The Guardian Business

MARKETS

MarketsJune 3, 2026

What do UK watchdog’s new rules on Google AI results mean for publishers?

Giving news websites the power to block their content from being used in AI summaries will have global ramifications The UK’s competition watchdog has ordered Google to change how it uses publishers’ content in its AI-powered search results, in a move that will have global ramifications. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is using powers that allow it to set bespoke rules for major tech firms that it deems to have “strategic market status”. Google, the world’s largest search engine, is one of those companies. Continue reading...

The Guardian Business1 min read

MarketsJune 3, 2026

What does Andy Burnham mean by more ‘public control’ of water and energy? He is too vague

The Manchester mayor is tapping into deep public frustration over the water industry but at some stage he needs to say what he means There ought to be a rule to oblige politicians advocating “stronger public control” of an essential service or sector to say what, precisely, they mean. Public “ownership” is easy to understand – it’s nationalisation. But Andy Burnham, when he cites water and energy as targets for greater public control, seems to imply something else. What? Would he, for instance, torpedo the government’s current plans for water, notably the “once-in-a-generation” reset of regulation in England and Wales via the clean water bill due in the autumn? Or is he merely saying Thames Water should be tipped into special administration, which may happen anyway without a shove from a new prime minister? Continue reading...

The Guardian Business1 min read

MarketsJune 3, 2026

EU proposes to block foreign providers using ‘kill switch’ to disrupt vital tech across Europe

European Commission aims to reduce ‘risky dependencies’ on foreign suppliers in cloud computing, AI and semiconductor production The EU executive wants to ensure no foreign government or company has access to a “kill switch” to turn off or disrupt vital tech services across the continent, as part of an effort to cut dependencies on the US and China. Publishing “technological sovereignty” proposals that risk further tensions with Donald Trump, the European Commission said on Wednesday the bloc needed to reduce dependency on foreign suppliers in cloud computing, artificial intelligence and semiconductor production. Continue reading...

The Guardian Business1 min read

MarketsJune 3, 2026

Lack of childcare support for parents in higher education | Letter

Roberta Leem-Bruggen says she was working full-time hours in NHS settings but was considered a ‘non-earner’ and therefore not eligible for childcare support Jamie Evans’ letter on childcare eligibility and the “nerd tax” (28 May) strongly resonated with me because I have experienced versions of this problem throughout higher education. In 2020, I was a single parent studying for a clinical master’s degree. I spent over 40 hours a week on compulsory NHS placements while completing academic work. During that time, I received universal credit, including the childcare element, which enabled me to continue my studies. Continue reading...

The Guardian Business1 min read

MarketsJune 3, 2026

City & Guilds faces legal and industrial action over plans to cut hundreds of jobs

New crisis at former vocational charity involves alleged withholding of data and breaching redundancy laws City & Guilds is facing potential legal and industrial action over claims it has been “dishonest” over plans to shed about 400 UK staff. Officials at the Unite union allege the owner of the training and qualifications body has been “unlawfully withholding key information during transfer consultations”, while also “advertising for new recruits when it is legally required to give staff at risk of redundancy first refusal”. Continue reading...

The Guardian Business1 min read

MarketsJune 3, 2026

Nissan maps out deal to build cars for China’s Chery at its Sunderland plant

Non-binding agreement to start assembling vehicles in 2027 would safeguard jobs at UK’s largest car factory Nissan has agreed to look at building cars in northern England for Chinese manufacturer Chery, in a move that would secure jobs at the UK’s largest car factory and begin mass-market Chinese car production in Britain for the first time. The Japanese carmaker said on Wednesday it had signed a non-binding agreement and that discussions were ongoing over contract manufacturing by Nissan for Chery, which is part-owned by the Chinese state. Continue reading...

The Guardian Business1 min read

MarketsJune 3, 2026

Lloyds customers unable to make payments due to IT glitch

Bank apologises after IT update caused problems with Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland apps Lloyds Banking Group has apologised after thousands of its customers were unable to make payments or send money due to another IT glitch. According to Downdetector, a website that lets people track real-time service issues and outages, customers started noticing problems shortly after 11am on Wednesday, with issues affecting many of the group’s brands: Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Scottish Widows and MBNA. Continue reading...

The Guardian Business1 min read

MarketsJune 3, 2026

UK government to pay £1.3bn to help fund Universal Studios theme park in Bedfordshire

Chancellor hails deal saying it will create tens of thousands of jobs in the construction, hospitality, creative and technology sectors British taxpayers will provide £1.3bn in funding to help the Hollywood studio giant Universal build its first theme park in Europe. Comcast, the US media company that owns NBC Universal and Sky, had been considering a number of countries in which to build its first European theme park. Continue reading...

The Guardian Business1 min read