Spain and UK Finance News Round-Up, August 14

Financial news. Credit: Pavel Danilyuk, Pexels

230 million euros

Spain’s Regional Resilience Fund funded the project 230 million euros via loans from NextGenerationeu and through A&G (130 million euros) and Urbania Alpha (100 million euros). Part of the country’s recovery plan, the funds support affordable housing, sustainable tourism, green mobility, waste and water management and energy efficiency. The European Investment Bank will monitor compliance with environmental and social standards scheduled for investment by December 2030. This latest deal brings total funding to 640 million euros under the new EIB mechanism.

FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona has refinanced ESPAI BARHA’s 424 million euros originally scheduled for 2028, in collaboration with Goldman Sachs, into a new structure that can be repaid between 2033 and 2050 at an average cost of 5.19%. The move will be “positive” to reduce risk premiums by almost half compared to 2023, earlier than planned. The 1.45 billion euro stadium project funds remain without mortgage assets or cost accounting members.

BGF Investment

The Business Growth Fund (BGF) is making its first investment under a £300 million women’s task force pledge supporting Northern Areland’s CWC Group, a professional care provider founded in 1983 by Monica Byrne and Imelda McGrady. This funding will support acquisitions and expanding services. BGF, backed by a major UK bank, has invested £500 million in women-led scale-up over five years as part of its UK-wide growth commitment.

Disability rate

The share of UK working-age adults reporting disability surged to 24.8% in 2024, surged to 3.9 million more than a decade ago. The employment rate for people with disabilities is 54%, nearly 30 points lower than their non-disabled peers, with an hourly wage gap of 12%. This trend is a burden on the finances, raise welfare costs, and an increased demand for workplace coordination and comprehensive employment policies.

The beauty of John Lewis

John Lewis has invested millions in six new beauty halls across the UK, starting with the redesigned Liverpool store that serves as a blueprint for the National Rollout. The 16,000 square feet of space (almost 40% expansion) houses 132 premium brands, including Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty, and features a “sensory space” for treatment and consultation. The Blue Water, Solihull and Cambridge locations will continue until late 2025. Vicki Kabana, the top commercial manager, said the store is a “physical heartbeat of the brand” and is part of a broad commitment of £800 million, which will rise 40% in beauty sales over five years.

Recruitment gap

The DSA Connect Show surveyed only 16% of UK companies employing former offenders. More than half of referenders struggled to find work after release, and 61% blamed this for returning to crime. A lack of skills means that the business is missing out on valuable employment.

Recycling reform

Online UK markets will need to share the cost of recycling electricity waste under new regulations and create a fair system for domestic retailers. The changes aim to target items from washing machines to vipes, boost recycling, reduce fly tips and create a more sustainable economy.

Biomass boost

ENSO has set aside 165 million euros to build two biomass plants in Spain, supplying energy to Acor in Olmedo and Solvay in Torrellavega. The project will reduce CO reductions by more than 400,000 tonnes per year, with funding led by Santander, MUFG, Natixis, Bank of America and Cajamar.

Eco Park launch

Puerto Rican company Toroverde will open its first European mountain ecopark in Cuenca, Spain in 2027. The 90 million euro project, expanding to 118 million euros over six years, will feature Europe’s longest ziplines, immersive trails and eco resorts.

Nuclear AI

Rolls-Royce says that powering AI data centres with small modular reactors (SMRSs) could potentially become the UK’s most valuable company. Six SMRs in the Czech Republic and three UK deals are planned, targeting a trillion dollar global market by 2050.

Results of annu

Entain reported strong results for H1 2025, seeing UK and Ireland’s online net gaming revenue (NGR) rise by 21%, and Spain saw double-digit online growth. Group EBITDA rose 11% to £583 million. A provisional dividend of 9.8p per share, a 5% increase will be paid on September 29th.

The Belarusians were freed

Belarus confirms that the release of citizens in Spain is subject to labour exploitation. Spokesperson Ruslan Varankov said the Madrid embassy is working closely with Spanish law enforcement agencies and will provide consuls and legal assistance. Once the investigation is complete, the released individual will be safely deported. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to monitor the situation.

Iberdrola EV charging

Iberdrola Spain launched its first electric vehicle charging point under a contract with Murcia City Council, setting up 190 citywide. The first station at Avenida de Los Pinos includes a Fast (50 kW) and a half-speed (22 kW) charger, all equipped with 100% renewable energy. “This public-private partnership will help promote emission-free transport,” said Enrique Planells, Regional Key Accounts Manager (Atalayar) at Iberdrola. Users can identify, book and pay via the Iberdrola app. This allows you to use card payments with a fast charger. Iberdrola operates Spain’s largest EV network, earning over 9,500 public points.

Bingo’s failure

The Gala Bingo UK player was angry after Glitch was mistakenly credited for mistakenly crediting over £1.6 million during a summer night promotion. We withdraw some funds before we were told about the error. The Gambling Commission is currently investigating, but the Gala cites conditions that allow invalid payments after malfunctions.

The best choice

Spain is Europe’s top summer holiday option, with 13% of travelers rising five points last year, the European Travel Commission said. Most people are expected to spend between 1,500 and 2,500 euros per person, with the September break and lesser-known destinations becoming more popular.