Spain And Uk Finance News Round-up, July 31

21 hours ago

Finance news. Credit: Pavel Danilyuk, Pexels

Travel salaries dip

UK business recreation salaries dropped 4.2 per cent successful H1 2025 to an mean of £35,544 (€41,234), according to C&M Travel Recruitment. This follows crisp increases successful 2023 and 2024. Despite nan decline, placements successful firm recreation roles roseate 12 per cent year-on-year. Senior roles saw a 7.4 per cent net boost, while modular roles dipped 1.6 per cent. C&M’s Barbara Kolosinska said recreation salary has risen 19 per cent since 2020, making nan assemblage much competitory for apical talent.

Extra Apple scrutiny

SPAIN’S antitrust regulator CNMC is expanding its probe into Apple, citing “new evidence” nan tech elephantine whitethorn beryllium abusing its ascendant position by imposing unfair App Store pricing rules. The investigation, launched successful 2024, focuses connected alleged restrictions that break EU title laws. Apple denies wrongdoing, insisting its App Store supports some users and developers. This follows a €1.8bn EU good past twelvemonth complete anti-competitive behaviour successful euphony streaming and a closed lawsuit nether nan Digital Markets Act.

Endesa profit

ENDESA reported a 30 per cent emergence successful first-half profit to €1.04 cardinal but warned that Spain’s caller grid finance scheme lacks beardown incentives. The company, owned by Italy’s Enel, is focusing connected powerfulness web upgrades amid rising energy demand. CEO José Bogas criticised nan projected 6.46 per cent return rate, saying it jeopardises Spain’s decarbonisation goals. Despite marketplace challenges, including little state margins, Endesa says it remains connected way to meet full-year targets.

Local leaders

THE UK authorities is allocating astatine slightest £30 cardinal (€34.8 million) each to section leaders successful Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – joining 7 English regions – to thrust invention done nan £500 cardinal (€578 million) Local Innovation Partnerships Fund. The finance will attraction connected location strengths specified arsenic AI, greenish energy, and life sciences, aiming to create jobs and spur economical growth. From April 2026, section partnerships will activity pinch UKRI to present region-led, high-impact tech and subject projects.

Spain’s system +0.7%

SPAIN’S system expanded by 0.7 per cent successful Q2 2025, driven by family spending and business investment, according to INE data. Year-on-year, GDP roseate 2.8 per cent, matching Q1 figures.

Employment deed a grounds 22 million, pinch joblessness falling to 10.29 per cent. Experts opportunity Spain’s maturation is progressively led by home request and investment, supported by falling ostentation and liking rates. Despite weaker overseas tourism and authorities consumption, nationalist finance remains strong.

Analysts judge Spain will surpass 2025 GDP forecasts, maintaining its lead complete different eurozone economies. ING and Oxford Economics some expect continued outperformance successful nan coming quarters.

Bit2Me gains approval

SPANISH crypto speech Bit2Me has received authorisation from Spain’s CNMV to run crossed nan EU nether nan caller MiCA regulation. It becomes nan first afloat Spanish and Spanish-speaking level to execute this, boosting entree to crypto services for Spanish-language users. CEO Leif Ferreira called it a milestone for transparency and trust. Bit2Me, already registered pinch nan Bank of Spain since 2022, now leads regulatory compliance successful Spain’s crypto industry. Compliance serviceman João Augusto Teixeira said nan support reinforces Bit2Me’s activity and sets a precedent successful some nan Spanish and wider European markets.

Spanish retail

SPANISH unit income accelerated to a 6.2 per cent year‑on‑year summation successful June 2025 connected a calendar‑adjusted, inflation‑adjusted basis, according to INE information published connected July 29. This followed a revised May emergence of 5 per cent (up from an first 4.8 per cent). The figures awesome robust user spending during nan summertime period.

EIF’s €75m

THE European Investment Fund has invested €75 cardinal successful nan Serena Infra II fund, raising its full to €230 million. Backed by InvestEU, nan money targets sustainable mobility, power transition, and integer infrastructure crossed Europe. EIF says nan move supports nan displacement toward a low-carbon economy.

Public bank

CATALONIA’S authorities is reviving plans to toggle shape nan Catalan Institute of Finance (ICF) into a nationalist bank. Backed by Esquerra and pinch support from nan Spanish government, nan ICF has been authorised to create a commercialized arm, pending support from EU regulators, to beforehand financing for SMEs and societal projects.

Zegona payday

ZEGONA CEO Eamonn O’Hare received a grounds £131m (€154.6m) successful 2024, making him nan highest-paid CEO of a London-listed company. The payout followed Vodafone Spain’s turnaround aft Zegona’s €5bn acquisition. COO Robert Samuelson earned £66m (€76.3m). Vodafone Spain returned to growth, trim jobs by 28 per cent, and boosted Zegona’s stock price.

Revolut standoff

BANK of England Governor Andrew Bailey reportedly fought pinch Chancellor Rachel Reeves complete Revolut’s stalled banking licence. Reeves pushed for urgent talks to velocity up approval, but Bailey blocked nan meeting, citing nan Bank’s independence. Revolut remains successful a constricted mobilisation shape aft missing its expected July 25 deadline.