Defence Jobs Boost: BAE Systems wins a £135m Royal Navy torpedo repair and maintenance contract, supporting 315 UK jobs (150 at BAE, plus 165 via the supply chain) from July 2026 to June 2029. Graduate Hiring Signal: New research finds 77% of UK employers say university graduates are essential to their future workforce, valuing problem-solving, transferable skills and fast learning. Manufacturing Clean-Energy Upside: E.ON modelling says UK manufacturers could unlock £2bn+ in clean energy savings by 2035 by cutting gas use and scaling onsite renewables, smart energy and waste-heat recovery. High Street Employment Pressure: Retailers warn that rising taxes and employment costs are hurting investment as July high-street sales rise just 1.3% year-on-year, with non-food down. Local Control Over Shops: Andy Burnham’s crackdown would tighten planning rules for vape shops and adult gaming centres and strengthen councils’ enforcement powers to protect town centres. Workplace Recognition: Broadcast opens entries for the 2027 Best Places to Work in TV, with winners revealed in January 2027. Public Health & Testing: NHS figures say England has treated 100,000+ people for hepatitis C since 2015, with officials saying the country is “on the cusp” of elimination. Digital Risk for SMEs: A reminder for UK small firms: key staff leaving can strand critical campaign files on personal devices or private clouds, creating costly operational delays.