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The world of cannabis is vast and continually evolving, with feminised cannabis seeds and medical cannabis gaining significant attention.

Both offer unique benefits and cater to diverse needs, making them essential components of the cannabis industry. This blog explores the significance of feminised cannabis seeds and their connection to medical cannabis in the UK.

What Are Feminised Cannabis Seeds?

Feminised cannabis seeds are specially bred to produce only female plants, eliminating the male chromosomes responsible for pollination. This innovation has revolutionised cannabis cultivation, especially for those focusing on flower production, as only female plants produce the resin-rich buds prized for their cannabinoids.

Feminised seeds are favoured for several reasons:

High Yield: Without male plants, cultivators can utilise all available space for female plants, maximising yields.
Consistency: Feminised seeds reduce the variability in crops, ensuring uniform growth and quality.
Ease of Use: Ideal for beginners and professionals alike, these seeds simplify the growing process by removing the need to identify and separate male plants.

These seeds cater to various needs, from recreational cultivation to the production of medical cannabis, offering growers efficiency and reliability.

Medical Cannabis in the UK

Medical cannabis has emerged as a transformative option for patients dealing with chronic conditions. In the UK, medical cannabis refers to cannabis-based products prescribed for therapeutic purposes. It’s primarily used to manage conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain.

The cannabinoids in cannabis, particularly cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), play crucial roles in its medical applications. While CBD is non-intoxicating and valued for its anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic properties, THC has pain-relieving and appetite-stimulating effects. Together, they create a synergistic effect that can address a range of medical needs.

The Role of Feminised Cannabis Seeds in Medical Cannabis

Feminised cannabis seeds are instrumental in cultivating strains used for medical purposes. Many medical cannabis strains are developed with specific cannabinoid profiles to target particular conditions. For instance:

High-CBD Strains: These strains focus on therapeutic benefits without the psychoactive effects of THC, making them suitable for patients seeking relief from anxiety, inflammation, or seizures.
Balanced Strains: Strains with a 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC are popular for their balanced effects, offering both relief and mild euphoria.

Using feminised seeds ensures a consistent supply of female plants rich in the desired cannabinoids, making them invaluable in the production of high-quality medical cannabis.

The Appeal of Feminised Cannabis Seeds for Enthusiasts and Professionals

For those interested in cannabis cultivation, feminised seeds offer an accessible entry point. Their reliability and high success rate make them ideal for:

Hobbyists: Enthusiasts exploring cannabis cultivation can benefit from the simplicity of feminised seeds.
Medical Growers: Those focusing on therapeutic applications require the precision and consistency these seeds provide.

Innovations in Medical Cannabis

The UK’s medical cannabis landscape is continually evolving, with ongoing research and development leading to new formulations and delivery methods. These advancements aim to improve accessibility and effectiveness, benefiting patients nationwide.

Feminised seeds contribute to this progress by enabling the cultivation of specific strains tailored for medical use. From oils and tinctures to capsules and vaporizers, the diversity of medical cannabis products underscores the importance of reliable and efficient cultivation techniques.

Conclusion

Feminised cannabis seeds and medical cannabis UK are integral to the cannabis industry’s growth and innovation. While feminised seeds simplify cultivation and ensure high yields, their role in producing medical cannabis highlights their broader significance. For both enthusiasts and professionals, understanding the value of feminised seeds and their connection to medical applications in the UK opens new doors to exploration and opportunity.

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Feminised Cannabis Seeds and Medical Cannabis in the UK

CS Venkatakrishnan, chief executive of Barclays, could see his maximum pay rise by 45 per cent to £14.3 million under a pay overhaul being considered by the lender’s board.

The proposal would reduce his fixed salary nearly by half, from £2.95 million to £1.59 million, but allow him to earn annual and longer-term bonuses worth up to eight times that new figure.

If approved, this would increase the Barclays chief’s maximum pay package from £9.8 million to £14.3 million. However, the bank would require a significantly higher “return on tangible equity” — a key profitability metric — than its current targets to trigger the top payouts.

Barclays has reportedly approached its biggest shareholders about shaking up the pay structures for both Venkatakrishnan and finance chief Anna Cross. The bank’s remuneration committee is expected to outline any formal plans in its annual report on 13 February, alongside the release of full-year earnings, and then put those plans to a shareholder vote.

The move comes amid a shift away from the EU’s bonus cap, which once limited bank bonuses to twice a banker’s salary. UK regulators scrapped that limit in late 2023 to boost the City’s global competitiveness post-Brexit, and Barclays was the first major bank to lift the cap for senior staff last year.

Last year, an unnamed institutional investor reportedly urged Barclays to cut executives’ fixed salaries rather than simply scrapping the bonus cap. In response, the proposed revamp would potentially align variable compensation more closely with performance, while still offering top staff a higher maximum reward.

A Barclays spokesperson confirmed that the remuneration committee regularly consults stakeholders and emphasised that whether or not changes are introduced, any updated policy “will continue to focus on rewarding sustainable performance, and close alignment with shareholders’ interests”.

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Barclays CEO set for potential 45% pay hike to more than £14m

Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, will instruct the national wealth fund (NWF) and the Office for Investment to coordinate their efforts with regional mayors for the first time.

The plan is part of a series of measures designed to boost local and national prosperity by strengthening collaboration between Whitehall and devolved administrations.

Following a meeting with combined authority mayors in Rotherham, Reeves emphasised the importance of local insight for fostering sustainable economic development. “Those with local knowledge and skin in the game are best placed to know what their area needs,” she said, underlining her commitment to avoid a top-down approach.

Under the new framework, specially formed taskforces will craft bespoke growth strategies for each region, ensuring that investment matches local priorities. The mayors of Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, the West Midlands and Glasgow City Region will be among the first to trial the partnerships with the NWF, which was founded last year to underpin major infrastructure projects.

According to Reeves, the initiative builds on the NWF’s impact to date, having helped create 8,600 jobs and unlock nearly £1.6 billion in private investment in sectors ranging from green technologies to manufacturing over the past six months. The Office for Investment, which unites senior officials from No 10, the Treasury and the Department for Business, will likewise collaborate with authorities in the Liverpool City Region and the North East, seeking fresh ways to attract private capital.

The deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, who led the Rotherham discussions, said the government intends to expand devolution across England, putting more power in the hands of local leaders. Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, welcomed the NWF’s “transformational investments” in her region, adding, “We will deliver well-paid jobs and vibrant, well-connected places our communities need and deserve.”

The move follows a week of high-profile announcements from the Labour government on raising investment and nurturing growth, including eased restrictions for high-net-worth non-domiciled residents, demands on regulators to slash red tape, and signals of potential changes to the visa regime for skilled workers.

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Reeves plans closer ties between National Wealth Fund and regional mayors to drive local growth

Google has committed to stronger safeguards against fake online reviews in the UK by promising to clamp down on misleading practices and penalise businesses and individuals found boosting their star ratings fraudulently.

The agreement comes in the wake of an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which warned that dishonest reviews could potentially influence up to £23 billion of consumer spending every year.

In its pledge, Google has said that it will identify and remove fraudulent content more swiftly, and even issue warning labels on the profiles of offending businesses. Sarah Cardell, the CMA’s chief executive, welcomed the move, saying: “Left unchecked, fake reviews damage people’s trust and leave businesses who do the right thing at a disadvantage. The changes we’ve secured from Google ensure robust processes are in place, so people can have confidence in reviews and make the best possible choices.”

She added that this development is “a matter of fairness – for both business and consumers” and urged other platforms to review their processes, reminding them that the CMA has new powers from April to decide independently if consumer law has been broken, with fines of up to 10 per cent of global turnover for non-compliance.

Under the agreement, Google must report back to the CMA over the next three years to demonstrate it is honouring its new commitments. The American tech giant, which claims to block millions of fake reviews each year, said in response: “Our longstanding investments to combat fraudulent content help us block millions of fake reviews yearly – often before they ever get published.”

The CMA launched its investigation into Google and Amazon in 2021, concerned that both were not doing enough to prevent the proliferation of fake reviews on their platforms. The CMA’s probe into Google has reached a resolution with this agreement, while the enquiry into Amazon remains ongoing.

The regulator has increased its oversight of Big Tech in recent months, including opening separate investigations into Google’s search and advertising practices and the operating systems of both Apple and Google. Meanwhile, the CMA’s new interim chair, Doug Gurr, a former Amazon executive, prompted the business minister Justin Madders to reject claims that the government is “in the pocket of big tech”.

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Google vows tougher measures on fake reviews after CMA probe

Sir Len Blavatnik, Britain’s second-richest man, has injected an additional $827 million into DAZN — the self-styled “Netflix of sports” — despite the London-based streaming service recording widening losses.

The billionaire’s latest funding, delivered in 2023 through his investment group Access Industries, brings his total backing for DAZN to more than $6.7 billion since its launch in 2016. The company’s ambitions have soared along with its costs, as it snaps up rights to European football, NFL matches outside the US, boxing, and basketball in a push to attract mass global viewership.

However, DAZN’s losses deepened to $1.4 billion in 2023, up from $1.2 billion the year before, according to recent filings. Revenues climbed from $2.2 billion to $2.7 billion, while the platform posted a 300 million-strong regular viewership, including 20 million paying subscribers. Shay Segev, chief executive, has reiterated a goal of reaching 1 billion global users by focusing on expanded offerings such as live betting, ticket sales, news, and analysis.

The heavy spending could soon be offset by external investment. Reports suggest that Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund is close to taking a 10 per cent stake in DAZN for $1 billion. Meanwhile, DAZN also recently took over Rupert Murdoch’s pay-TV service Foxtel in Australia and spent $1 billion for the free-to-air rights to the 63-match Fifa Club World Cup, waiving its monthly subscription fee for that tournament.

Despite the losses, DAZN remains one of the largest sports streaming services worldwide, but it faces new competition from Netflix, which, after historically avoiding live sports, has ventured into broadcasting high-profile events such as the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul boxing match and several NFL games. Netflix has now surpassed 300 million subscribers globally, reporting profits of over $10 billion for the first time.

Segev remains optimistic about DAZN’s expansive strategy, commenting: “2024 was a landmark year, but we’re only getting started. As we enter 2025, our aim is to reach 1 billion global users. Through bold investments, cutting-edge innovation, and strategic partnerships, we’re reimagining the fan experience and leading sport into a digital future.”

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Sir Len Blavatnik pumps $827m more into DAZN as sports streamer chases billion-user goal

The number of UK businesses in critical financial trouble jumped by a record 50.2 per cent quarter-on-quarter to 46,853 in the final three months of 2024, according to new data from insolvency specialist Begbies Traynor

Construction and consumer-facing companies are bearing the brunt of this distress, heightening fears of widespread insolvencies in the year ahead.

Begbies Traynor’s latest “red flag” alert highlights that 6,830 construction firms are showing signs of critical stress. Consumer sectors have also been hit hard, with an eye-catching 76 per cent spike in severe financial difficulty for leisure operators and a 48 per cent rise among general retailers. High-profile collapses of names such as Homebase, Carpetright and The Body Shop have underlined the pressure on retail businesses and prompted thousands of job losses.

Ric Traynor, executive chairman of Begbies Traynor, warned that “many distressed UK businesses are finding it almost impossible to navigate the challenges they face as we start 2025”. He pointed to the tax and wage increases introduced in the last budget, including higher employers’ national insurance contributions and a boost to the national minimum wage, as potential tipping points for firms struggling with weak consumer confidence and hefty borrowing costs.

The research examined factors such as county court judgments against businesses and winding-up petitions. Julie Palmer, partner at Begbies Traynor, noted: “Across nearly every sector there has been an unprecedented level of growth in the number of firms who are at serious risk of entering insolvency in the next 12 months.” She added that consumer-facing businesses, in particular, are feeling the strain of rising operational costs, which, after a disappointing Christmas season, could push many “over the edge”.

Meanwhile, official Insolvency Service figures for 2024 showed a slight fall of 5 per cent in the total number of corporate collapses, to 23,872. However, elevated interest rates and broader economic pressures have driven personal insolvencies up by 14 per cent over the year, from 103,434 to 117,94. Tim Cooper, president of R3, the insolvency and restructuring trade body, said this points to “a real and serious issue” with consumer debt.

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Record surge in UK businesses facing severe financial distress as costs climb

Simon Swan, co-founder of Manchester-based digital recruitment platform Hiring Hub, has announced he is leaving the company after 14 years.

Swan launched the firm in 2011 to connect businesses with specialist recruitment agencies, helping them find top-tier talent in a rapidly evolving jobs market.

Speaking on LinkedIn, Swan described his departure as both “exciting” and “trepidatious”, adding: “It’s been an epic adventure, and one that’s taught me so much. But I’m ready to explore again, learn new things and write a fresh chapter.” He cited Hernán Cortés’s motto, “burn the boats”, to underline his decision to leave without a concrete plan.

Swan stepped down as CEO in 2023 when Hiring Hub attracted a multi-million pound investment from European private equity fund MonacoSol. Mark Rothwell has since taken over the reins. Reflecting on Swan’s departure, Rothwell thanked the outgoing founder “for everything that you have done in your 14 years at Hiring Hub”, emphasising that Swan’s original idea had grown into “a successful business” supporting boutique recruiters.

While Swan has no immediate role lined up, he plans to take some time out — potentially cycling — and see what fresh opportunities lie ahead. “It’s been years since I’ve had a clear road ahead and no map to navigate a path,” he said. “In Hernan Cortés’ words, sometimes you have to ‘burn the boats’ to ensure you keep moving forwards.”

Hiring Hub, now under Rothwell’s leadership and MonacoSol ownership, will continue evolving to support small and specialist recruitment firms. Swan added: “I can step away confident the business is in safe hands … Here’s to the future, whatever that may bring.”

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Founder of Hiring Hub ‘burns the boats’ as he confirms departure after 14 years

Consumer confidence in the UK has fallen sharply to its lowest point in over a year, according to the latest GfK data, suggesting that households are pessimistic about both personal finances and the wider economic outlook.

Figures for January show the overall GfK consumer confidence index dropping five points from December to -22, its weakest reading since December 2023. Neil Bellamy, consumer insights director at NIQ GfK, said the results reflect a sense that “consumers don’t think things are changing for the better”, warning of “dark days ahead” amid gathering doubts over the economy.

All five measures contributing to the index were down this month. The gauge of expectations for the economy over the coming year tumbled by eight points to -34, while the personal finances measure dipped three points to -2. Meanwhile, the savings index climbed nine points to +30, as consumers appear to be holding on to more cash. Economists believe this could hamper growth if fewer households spend and more choose to save.

The Bank of England is expected to lower interest rates twice this year from the current 4.75 per cent, but many analysts doubt there will be deeper cuts. Household budgets remain squeezed by higher borrowing costs, which have helped to drive down the major purchases index by four points to -20.

Consumer confidence numbers are monitored closely because spending has a large impact on GDP growth. Rising confidence often leads to higher consumption; falling confidence, in contrast, can curtail household spending and dampen economic performance.

Several months of stagnation from July to November — covering the Labour government’s initial period in office — underline the UK’s broader economic difficulty. Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s budget, which included £40 billion in tax rises and a big increase in employers’ national insurance contributions, has also weighed on business optimism and hiring plans, according to official statistics and private surveys.

Speculation is mounting that Reeves may need to raise taxes further or cut public spending to shore up the government’s finances. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, she insisted the new administration’s fiscal rules are “the bedrock” of economic stability. The Office for Budget Responsibility is due to present updated forecasts on 26 March, a move that could prompt fresh policy announcements, potentially putting further strain on consumer sentiment.

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Consumer confidence slumps to year-low as households brace for ‘dark days ahead’

Charlie Nunn, Lloyds Banking Group’s chief executive, has welcomed the government’s decision to intervene in a landmark car finance mis-selling case and expressed hope that it will help bring clarity to an industry under legal and regulatory pressure.

His comments follow the Treasury’s announcement that it will seek permission to raise its concerns in a pivotal Supreme Court hearing scheduled for April. The case stems from an October Court of Appeal ruling, which, if upheld, could expose motor finance providers to billions of pounds in compensation claims.

“We definitely welcome the intervention. We just believe the market needs clarity,” Nunn told reporters during the World Economic Forum in Davos. Highlighting that up to 80 per cent of new car buyers and a large segment of second-hand buyers rely on finance, he noted: “We need a well-functioning motor finance industry that supports consumers.”

The Court of Appeal ruling broadened what was initially a more limited inquiry by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The result has sparked widespread fears of a compensation bill on a scale comparable to the infamous payment protection insurance (PPI) scandal, which cost the banking industry around £50 billion. Analysts at Moody’s have estimated potential redress at up to £30 billion, while HSBC puts the figure as high as £44 billion.

Lloyds, the UK’s biggest provider of motor finance, has already set aside £450 million to cover possible compensation. However, City analysts suspect that sum may increase if the Supreme Court upholds the Court of Appeal’s decision. The threat of spiralling liabilities has weighed heavily on Lloyds’ share price for the past year.

The Treasury’s involvement reflects a desire to prevent disruption in the motor finance market and ensure that any compensation imposed on lenders is “proportionate”. Nunn argues that the Court of Appeal ruling “is at odds with 30 years of regulation”, emphasising that it raises “broader investability questions about the UK”.

“We’ve had lots of our investors asking how the regulatory regime can be overwritten retrospectively, by the Court of Appeal so easily,” he said, warning that ongoing uncertainty could deter future investment in Britain’s financial services sector.

The FCA, which launched the initial inquiry into discretionary commissions paid by lenders to car dealers, has come under fire for its wide-ranging and retrospective approach. Discretionary commissions were banned in early 2021, but the regulator is investigating practices stretching back to 2007. Some industry figures privately criticise the FCA for fuelling market uncertainty and prolonging the dispute.

With the Supreme Court set to address the case in April, lenders and policymakers alike will be hoping for a definitive ruling that balances consumer interests with the stability of a critical sector of the UK economy.

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Lloyds CEO applauds Treasury move to tackle motor finance mis-selling

It seems to be the word on everyone’s lips…but what does it mean and why should you care?

Let me ask you a question. What’s your raison d’être? What are you trying to achieve?

For me, this is the core meaning of ‘purpose’. Some call it vision, some call it mission, but really, it’s a blend of both.

Purpose is a deeply personal and powerful concept. It’s about understanding the ‘why’ behind what you do in either your personal life, career or regarding your wider goals.

Having a sense of purpose gives direction, meaning and motivation, acting as a compass that helps guide your decisions and actions. After all, if you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know when you get there?

New year, new me (that old chestnut)

Let’s consider the time of year. Did you start January determined to make this one different? Were you intent on channelling positivity and not getting bogged down in the conflicting minutiae of business and everyday life? Sounds great (in theory) but if you genuinely want to make changes, you need to focus on the why and the how.

If you took my advice in December and gave yourself and your team permission to slow down, switch off and truly step out of work mode, then the holiday sheen has no doubt already dissipated as the proverbial in-tray starts to once again overflow.

But I’ll say it again (whilst trying my best to practice what I preach), we owe it to ourselves, our families and our teams to strive for a greater work/life balance and to encourage those around us to do the same.

While 2024 was a mixed bag for many, it is, without doubt, all still to play for in 2025. Even if you’ve had a slow start to the year and are now looking at the date and starting to panic – don’t! We can all start to channel our inner Monty Python and look on the bright side, if we get really clear on what we’re aiming for and what we need to do to get there.

‘But I already know what I’m doing!’

Let’s get back to basics. When you have a clear sense of purpose, you’re more likely to stay focused and resilient in the face of challenges. It provides clarity, enables you to prioritise what matters most, and can help align your day-to-day activities with your larger values and aspirations. It’s not just about achieving external success but about finding fulfilment and satisfaction in the journey itself.

This is key. We often think in terms of who or what will bring us satisfaction and happiness in life. In business, it can be all about reaching a particular goal but as the corresponding goalposts shift and we focus on the next target, and the next, we can fall foul of not acknowledging and enjoying what we achieve along the way. It’s therefore important that we do celebrate the wins, as each one is a step in the right direction and proof that you’re on the right track. It helps to build momentum and provides the motivation to keep on trucking.

Purpose and positivity go hand in hand

The advantage of clarifying your purpose is that it allows you the chance to home in on what will genuinely drive you closer to where you want to be. In a fast-paced and often stressful world, the ability to consistently run tasks, activities and opportunities through a ‘benefit lens’ by asking, ‘Is this going to help me achieve my purpose? Is it aligned to how I want to live and work?’, helps to filter out the unnecessary load. To put it simply, if the answer is no, then do yourself a favour and leave it be. The lighter the load, the better we feel and the brighter we can shine. There are also numerous studies to show the substantial impact that a positive outlook can have on mind, body and overall standard of life.

While variables such as financial strains or serious illness must be acknowledged, happier people are generally perceived to be healthier, with an optimistic attitude better enabling us to deal with stress and its negative effects on the body (Hanssen, M. M., Legger, E. & Legger, F.). Research from the University of California amongst others suggests that it can even increase your lifespan by seven years.

And it’s not just about the health benefits. Relationships are improved and productivity and creativity in the workplace are enhanced. According to award-winning professor of psychology Carol Dweck, people who are more optimistic are also more likely to have a growth mindset.

As a business leader, the advantages for your team are also huge. If your organisation has a definitive purpose with values and behaviours to support that purpose, and clearly defined individual and company-wide objectives, then the journey becomes an easier one. Employees know what they’re here to do and where they fit in the overall scheme of things, they’re aware that their contribution is an important one, they feel motivated, engaged and, most importantly, valued. The culture of the company is one of positivity and appreciation for what everyone’s brings to the table, which in turn aids retention and helps to attract bright new talent.

In summary

Of course, your purpose can also evolve over time. It’s not always a fixed point but can shift as you grow, learn and experience new things. Sometimes it comes from passions, personal values, relationships or even a desire to contribute to something larger than yourself. People often find purpose in their work, in family, in creativity or in service to others.

What’s most powerful is when your purpose connects to both your strengths and the impact you want to have on the world. That’s when work doesn’t feel like ‘work’ and your actions start to resonate on a deeper level.

So, it’s time to step back and ask, ‘Why? What is all for?’ Acknowledging and accepting the truth of where you’re at versus where you want to be in life or in business can bring real clarity and be a catalyst for genuine, prosperous change. There’s still plenty of time to make to make it happen, so what are you waiting for?

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Purpose – buzz word or intrinsic to your success?