Heatwave hits UK business and bills: The grid operator NESO says emergency electricity imports during the current heatwave cost up to £1,379/MWh—around 17 times normal—adding about £11m to system costs in one evening, with further tight margins warned for Friday. Energy policy and housing value: Nationwide research suggests households could cut energy bills by about £400 a year, but higher EPC-rated homes still command only a small premium, underlining a gap between efficiency and property pricing. Northern Ireland rural support: DAERA opens a £4m Rural Business Development Grant Scheme for 2026/27, offering 50% capital support (up to £7,500) for eligible rural micro businesses, with applications closing 30 July. Skills investment in NI agri: Fane Valley will spend £1.1m on workforce skills across Northern Ireland, targeting sales, leadership, supply chain and digital capabilities. Manufacturing resilience: Howden’s new research flags cautious confidence in UK manufacturing but rising exposure to cost, supply chain and sustainability pressures. Retail tech nudges spending: Bayes Business School research finds smart supermarket trolleys can lift spend by up to 32% and increase basket size and time in-store. Finance and payments: Open Banking Limited and EY analysis puts Open Banking’s current economic value at about £2bn a year, with potential to reach £7.4bn in five years. Business funding ecosystem: Insurtech UK launches an investor network plus a fundraising guide for early-stage insurtech firms. UK-China sustainability links: UK and Chinese business leaders meet in Shanghai to push green innovation cooperation and announce sustainability and innovation award winners. World Cup consumer boost: Analysts estimate an England win could spark an extra £150m of consumer spending, with pubs expecting a £22m revenue lift.