Issue 4

Invew Quarterly Brief is a monthly magazine delivering the latest news, expert analysis, and strategic guidance on the energy and telecoms sectors. We focus on the issues that matter most to UK businesses, from rising energy costs and market trends to digital transformation in telecoms, including the Full Fibre rollout and PSTN switch-off.

ISSUE № 4, Quarter 4, 2025

Peace talks lead to lower prices but higher prices are on the Horizon Winter Savings: Quarterly Brief Your Business’s Guide To Understanding The Energy And Telecom Markets. INVEW

“Maket sentiment has done a lot of the heavy lifting in keeping prices low.” Discover: Autumn Budget 2025: How will it affect your business’s electricity costs

Plus: Interview: Carl Perrin from Cyber Chameloen, On Cybersecurity, Small Business Risks and A Decade With Invew

CONTENTS

ENERGY

04 State of the Energy Market

Our Advice Autumn Budget 2025: How will it affect your business’s electricity costs What The Collapse Of Tomato Energy Tells Us About The Energy Market

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SPOTLIGHT AUTUMN BUDGET 2025 + YOUR ELECTRICTY COSTS We take a deep dive look at what the latest budget means for your energy costs.

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INTERVIEW CARL PERRIN CYBER CHAMELEON We speak to a cybersecruity whizz to discover the steps SME’s need to take to protect their business protect their business.

Employee Spotlight:

Moh Malik 16

TELECOMS

State of the Industry

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Prepare Your Telecom And Connectivity Setup For 2026 Interview: Carl Perrin On Cybersecurity, Small Business Risks And A Decade With Invew

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TIPS YOUR TELECOMS SETUP FOR 2026 Disocver cutting edge information and industry milestones that will affect your business in 2026 and in the years beyond.

IN THE NEWS

PROFILE MOH MALIK

Energy News

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Moh has been working at Invew for over 9 years. Hear why his customers love him.

Telecom News

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WWW.IMPRINTMAGAZINE.COM

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Welcome to the latest edition of the Invew Quarterly Brief.

Markets don’t stand still, and neither do we. In this issue, we take a close look at the latest developments in the UK energy and telecom sectors, providing insights to help businesses navigate change with confidence. We examine the implications of the UK budget, explore the collapse of Tomato Energy, and share what these shifts mean for companies across the country. Alongside this, we feature an interview with Carl from Cyber Chameleon, our IT support partners, offering practical advice on protecting your business in an increasingly digital world. We’re also shining a spotlight on Moh, one of our most experienced sales experts, who has been helping clients manage energy and connectivity solutions for over nine years. His expertise remains an invaluable resource for our clients. Our mission is simple: to provide clear, actionable insights that help you stay ahead of the curve. Thank you for reading and for being a valued part of Invew’s network of business leaders.

MARKETS DON’T STAND STILL, AND NEITHER DO WE. IN THIS ISSUE, WE TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE UK ENERGY AND TELECOM SECTOR.

Spencer Nute Managing Director

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STATE OF THE ENERGY MARKET: UNUSALLY LOW EARLY WINTER PRICES The UK energy market has stayed stable through most of 2025, with gas and electricity prices well below last winter’s highs. However, this calm may be brief. Winter demand is increasing, wind output is weaker than expected and storage levels are beginning to fall. Peace talks in Ukraine have also stalled, adding renewed geopolitical uncertainty. In this issue, we explore what has kept prices steady, what could push them higher, and why this may be one of the last good windows for businesses to act.

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Market Movements Over 2025

Enjoy The Savings While They Last

2025 has finally given UK businesses a break. After several years of volatility, wholesale gas and electricity prices have stayed lower for longer. This has been helped by milder weather forecasts, steady LNG deliveries, strong Norwegian pipeline flows, and better availability of renewable generation through much of the year. The pressure that dominated the market in 2022 and 2023 has not returned in the same way. Geopolitics has also influenced recent market movements. Hopes surrounding peace talks between Ukraine and Russia relaxed some of the risk premium that had been built into energy prices. Even the possibility of renewed access to Russian supply into Europe has encouraged traders to price gas more calmly through winter. Market sentiment has done a lot of heavy lifting in keeping prices contained.

6 Holding Steady: But Winter’s Coming

The important message is this. Stability today does not guarantee stability tomorrow. As we move deeper into the colder months, it only takes a handful of changes for prices to shift quickly. In the next section, we will take a look at the various factors that will affect prices as we go deeper into winter. What Could Shift the Market Quickly

Colder than expected weather Even a short cold spell can push heating demand up across the UK and Europe. When temperatures fall below forecast, storage withdrawals accelerate and wholesale prices typically respond within days. Winter risk will not disappear until spring arrives. Weaker Wind Generation Electricity prices remain closely linked to wind output. High pressure weather patterns can bring still conditions just when demand peaks. When wind drops, the system turns to gas-fired power and any uplift in gas pricing is passed through rapidly. LNG delivery timing Europe depends heavily on LNG. Shipments run on tight schedules and delays, diversions or stronger bids from Asia can reduce available supply at short notice. Even a handful of cargoes shifting elsewhere, can tighten the balance and lift winter prices.

7 Holding Steady: But Winter’s Coming

Peace talks breaking down The hopes that eased prices earlier in the year have faded and negotiations now appear stalled. Any sign of increasing conflict or political escalation could see risk premiums return quickly, as traders reposition for reduced stability and higher volatility. Supplier Repricing Even if the wholesale market stays calm, suppliers may still increase renewal offers to manage risk. Contracts issued during winter often carry a higher margin and businesses leaving decisions late, may find pricing moves before they act. Market Psychology Prices often react to headlines before fundamentals change. If confidence turns and traders begin to expect tighter supply or stronger demand, forward pricing can shift sharply. Sometimes sentiment alone is enough to start a new direction.

Learn the Lessons of Last Winter and Stay One Step Ahead:

The current situation is good news. Businesses are finally seeing energy bills fall after years of pressure. However, history tells us that winter carries more risk than any other season. The market responds to expected demand long before the weather arrives. That means the best deals often appear when confidence is high and the risk still looks distant. Now is the time to make the most of this window.

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OUR ADVICE

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Our Forecast:

Prices have remained steady throughout much of the year, and the short- term fundamentals still look good. Storage levels across the UK and Europe are in a comfortable position for this stage of winter, and early cold spells have so far been limited. Strong supply from LNG and Norwegian pipelines has also helped keep wholesale prices well below the highs we experienced last winter. However, this stability may not continue for long. As winter progresses, colder temperatures typically increase demand for gas heating and electricity, especially when wind output falls away. We are already beginning to see signs of this shift and the same seasonal pressures that have lifted prices in previous years, are now starting to emerge again. While we are not forecasting a return to the extreme volatility of recent winters, a gradual rise in wholesale prices is likely over the coming months. Unless there is a major breakthrough in the stalled peace efforts in Ukraine that reduces geopolitical risk, suppliers will begin to price in the possibility of tighter margins and stronger demand. Businesses should consider their renewal options early to secure favourable terms, before these changes begin to affect contract pricing.

What to Do If You Are in Your Renewal Window:

Make the Most of the Current Low Winter Prices: This period of calm can be short-lived. Acting now could help you avoid rising costs as winter demand builds. Locking in a renewal while wholesale prices remain lower, can protect your business against later increases once market conditions tighten. Look at Longer Contract Options Even if market movements are hard to predict, a two- or three-year deal can provide valuable certainty. Securing pricing now can help businesses avoid the risk of renewed volatility and ensure more predictable budgeting through 2026 and beyond.

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Our Advice: Stay Engaged with Market Updates

Wholesale gas and electricity prices remain well below the highs seen in recent years, and this stability has been a welcome relief for many businesses. However, as winter demand begins to rise and uncertainty grows around global supply and geopolitics, this calm may not last. Now is a good moment to review your energy contracts and take advantage of favourable pricing while it is still available. Acting early can help protect your business against the seasonal uplift that often arrives as winter progresses. If you are unsure about your options, our team can help you understand the latest market trends and secure a solution that keeps things simple, predictable and right for your business. If your renewal window has not opened yet, monitor conditions closely. Keep an eye on storage withdrawals, weather forecasts, LNG delivery trends and geopolitical developments. The market can move quickly, and being ready to act when pricing shifts can make all the difference. Final Thoughts:

Contact Us

Autumn Budget 2025: How will it affect your business’s electricity costs 11

Industrial Support and Competitiveness The most material changes sit in direct support schemes. The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) is designed to reduce electricity costs for eligible businesses from 2027. It is of that burden will move into general taxation or targeted support. Over time, this can ease the “sticky” portion of bills that remains high even when markets soften. expected to focus on electricity- intensive manufacturers in priority growth sectors, subject to final eligibility rules. The British Industry Supercharger is also being

Electricity pricing in the UK has never been just about the wholesale market. For most organisations, the delivered cost of power is shaped by “non-commodity” components such as policy costs, network charges and a growing set of pass-throughs. The Autumn Budget 2025 signals a structural shift in how some of these costs are funded and expands targeted relief for qualifying industrial users. Rebalancing the Cost Burden The budget’s goal is not to force wholesale prices down. It aims to rebalance where policy-related costs sit, reducing the extent to which electricity bills carry the weight of decarbonisation programmes. More

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strengthened, increasing relief on network-related charges. Together, these measures reflect a clear acknowledgement that UK industrial electricity costs have been a competitiveness problem. The government wants investment, output and jobs to remain anchored in the UK. Predictability Matters as Much as Price Many organisations already manage wholesale volatility through procurement strategy and hedging. What has been harder to forecast is the movement of policy and grid- related charges. If levy structures and discount schemes become clearer and remain stable long enough to plan around, finance teams can model energy costs with greater confidence. Energy shifts from being a budgeting surprise to a manageable strategic cost.

Electrification Still Demands Smarter Operations Support does not mean a simpler energy landscape. Operational efficiency, carbon exposure and demand-side behaviour will continue to matter more. Businesses that can manage load through flexibility, efficiency, onsite generation or process optimisation will be better positioned than those relying on static consumption patterns. Flexibility and load management are moving from “nice to have” to essential risk management.

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What Businesses Should Do Now 1.Rebuild your delivered-cost view before procurement decisions are locked in 2.If you may qualify for relief schemes, treat eligibility like a project. Clarify thresholds, validate data and be ready early. 3.Multi-site portfolios should be treated as a single system. Optimisation is often found in aggregation and consistent governance across sites. Our thoughts: The Budget gives certain businesses room to breathe, but it also reinforces the need to plan smarter. The organisations that win will combine better procurement with operational efficiency and flexibility, turning policy change into measurable, bankable advantage. For more bite-size updates on innovative projects and industry news, follow us on LinkedIn to stay informed and inspired.

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What the collapse of Tomato Energy tells us about the energy market

The collapse of Tomato Energy has left thousands of customers being moved to new suppliers under Ofgem’s safety-net process. It’s another reminder that the problems in the UK energy market run deeper than Over the past few years, several smaller suppliers have gone bust. The pattern is familiar: new entrants arrive offering eye-catching prices, win customers quickly, but fail to survive when wholesale price rise. Their margins vanish, cash flow collapses and customer service suffers until the company folds. Customers are then transferred to a “Supplier of Last Resort”, often facing higher tariffs and weeks of billing confusion. The Cost For Businesses For business owners, these collapses any single company. A Familiar Pattern

create more than inconvenience. Billing disputes, credit uncertainty and unexpected costs all take time and money to resolve. More importantly, every failure erodes confidence in the energy market, making people wary of switching and damaging genuine competition A Market Built on Short-Term Thinking The deeper issue is structural. The market is still rewardaring low prices rather than long-term value and sustainability. Energy supply isn’t just about unit rates, it depends on risk management, accurate billing and reliable support. Until pricing models and regulation reflect that, we’ll keep seeing the same cycle repeat. What Businesses Can Do to Protect Themselves When a supplier collapses, most of the

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fallout is out of your control, but there are steps businesses can take to reduce the risk. Regularly reviewing your contract, checking supplier stability, keeping accurate meter readings and working with a consultant who understands the market can make a large difference. Having someone monitor renewals, flag red-flags early and explain contract structures ensures that you are protected long before problems appear. A Better Way Forward To build a healthier market, we need responsible pricing, stronger oversight of new entrants and better education for customers. At Invew, we partner only with financially sound, well-managed suppliers that invest in transparency and service. Competitive prices are important, but never at the expense of stability. Tomato Energy’s collapse isn’t just bad luck; it’s a symptom of a system that still prizes short-term savings over long-term trust. For businesses, the lesson is simple, a low price today can become a high cost tomorrow. If your supplier has gone under or your contract is due for renewal, take this as a chance to review your options carefully. The right partner can help you protect your business and plan with confidence for the future.

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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT:

MOH MALIK

SENIOR ENERGY CONSULTANT 9 YEARS AT INVEW

customers rely on throughout their contracts, not just at renewal time. A trusted advisor for businesses Moh believes in long term relationships and a genuine duty of care to the businesses he supports. Many of the customers he works with have stayed with Invew for years, because they know they can trust him to take ownership of any issue until it is resolved. His attention to detail and follow through continue to strengthen our reputation for service that is personal, reliable and consistent. A team player who leads with calm confidence In the office, Moh is someone colleagues naturally turn to. His steady and supportive manner helps create the friendly and collaborative environment

Today we are shining a spotlight on Moh Malik, our Senior Energy Consultant. Moh has worked in the energy market since 2002 and has been part of Invew since 2017. He brings more than two decades of knowledge, customer care and professionalism to the team. His calm approach, attention to detail and genuine commitment to helping businesses have made him a valued member of the team and a trusted voice for both colleagues and customers. A steady and dependable presence Moh has built a reputation for taking genuine care with every customer he works with. He listens first, understands the situation and then guides business owners through the steps they need to take with confidence and clarity. His consistency, patience and ability to simplify complex information, make him someone

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we are proud of at Invew. He shares his knowledge openly, offers guidance when needed and sets high standards through how he works each day. His contribution plays a major part in the culture of trust and professionalism, that we aim to make our customers feel when

working with us. Beyond the Office

Away from his work at Invew, Moh has recently started a family and is enjoying life as a new parent. He is also a talented linguist, speaking Urdu, and this brings an extra layer of connection and understanding to many of the customers he works with. When he is not with his family he is a passionate cricketer and his love for the sport is well known among the team. These personal qualities help shape the friendly and grounded presence Moh brings into the office each day. Thank you, Moh For your dedication, your patience and your professionalism, thank you. You continue to make a positive impact each day and we are proud to have you as part of the team. Enough from us. Here is what Moh’s customers have to say:

We’ve used Invew for many years and are always impressed with the rates and service. Moh is a superstar in looking after our account, always going above and beyond, even replying while his wife was in labour!

The service we received from Moh was excellent from start to finish. He explained everything clearly, gave me confidence in choosing the right contracts, and was always available for quick,

professional support. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him. Dawn Howard Knoell Animal Health

Hunter Evans Living Development Limited

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TELECOMS AND CONNECTIVITY

What’s Happened So Far:

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STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

The UK telecoms sector continues to evolve at pace in 2025, and as we approach the final quarter of the year, the pressure is building for businesses to keep up. Full fibre broadband coverage has now reached around 81 percent of UK premises, with adoption rising to roughly 46 percent. This persistent gap between availability and uptake is still hard to ignore. Businesses that delay switching continue to miss out on the performance and reliability gains that modern infrastructure offers, from smoother operations to more resilient hybrid working setups. Cybersecurity has also become a major concern for SMEs this year. With attacks increasing and AI-generated threats growing more sophisticated, smaller businesses are being targeted more often and with greater impact. Many are now reviewing their digital practices, updating outdated systems and strengthening protections to avoid costly disruptions. In our interview with Carl Perrin of Cyber Chameleon, we explore why cybersecurity has become essential, the risks SMEs face and the practical steps owners can take to safeguard their operations. Meanwhile, the PSTN switch-off is now just over a year away, with analogue phone lines still set to be retired by January 2027. As telecoms, IT and AI continue to converge, the way businesses think about connectivity is changing. From the tools used in daily operations to the infrastructure behind them, understanding how these systems fit together is becoming vital to staying competitive and making confident, future-ready decisions.

81%

OF UK PREMISES NOW HAVE ACCESS TO FULL FIBRE BROADBAND

46%

OF PREMISES HAVE SUBSCRIBED TO FULL- FIBRE SERVICES

Prepare Your Telecom and Connectivity Setup for 2026

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PSTN/ISDN Switch-Off: The Clock is Running Out Below are the key telecom and connectivity risks UK companies need to address ahead of 2026 — and what you can do if you’re unsure or need to fix them. The full retirement of the UK’s copper telephone network continues to progress, with traditional lines being phased out nationwide. Businesses still relying on these systems for phone calls, alarms, lifts, entry systems or payment terminals face potential service interruptions and emergency upgrade costs. What to do: Conduct a full audit of any systems still dependent on

As UK businesses move into 2026, telecoms and connectivity will play an even bigger role in operational performance than they do today. With more systems moving into the cloud, more employees working remotely and AI becoming part of everyday workflows, the quality of a company’s digital infrastructure now directly affects efficiency, service delivery and cost management. Yet despite this growing dependency, many organisations are still running on outdated, fragile or poorly optimised connectivity setups. While the industry has focused heavily on the copper PSTN switch-off, this is only one part of a much wider transition businesses must prepare for.

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AI-driven customer service, automated issues stall core operations, affecting VoIP calls, cloud applications, payment systems, CCTV and remote work. What to do: Test your current broadband for speed, stability and reliability. Consider upgrading to a business-grade connection, adding redundancy, or evaluating alternative providers if your current setup underperforms. AI, Automation and Cloud Tools Depend on Strong Connectivity on copper or ISDN. Speak to your telecom provider or a trusted advisor to plan a phased migration to VoIP or digital alternatives before 2026. Slow or Unstable Broadband Is Still Holding Businesses Back Even today, a surprising number of UK businesses struggle with unreliable broadband, inconsistent speeds and recurring outages. These

billing, real-time reporting and cloud- based management platforms are only as effective as the network supporting them. Poor connectivity limits these tools, slowing transformation and reducing productivity. What to do: Review your network capacity and performance. Make sure your internet speed and internal network can handle multiple cloud applications simultaneously. Consult a connectivity specialist if unsure. Outdated Telecom Equipment is a Growing Cybersecurity Threat Routers, firewalls, switches and VoIP systems are among the most common

points of vulnerability. Outdated hardware or unpatched systems expose businesses to outages, attacks, and data breaches. What to do: Check the age and firmware status of all network hardware. Schedule regular updates, replace ageing equipment, and consider a professional audit for cybersecurity assurance. Provider Outages and Supplier Risks Must Be PLanned For Recent UK outages demonstrate how dependent businesses are on telecom providers. Without backup connectivity or resilience plans, even brief outages can halt operations completely. What to do: Evaluate your provider’s reliability, support, and redundancy options. Consider failover solutions like secondary ISPs or 4G/5G backup connections to maintain business continuity. Preparing Now Protects Your Business Later With the UK’s telecom landscape rapidly changing, reviewing your setup before 2026 ensures stronger performance, lower risk and a more resilient foundation for growth. Even small improvements now—upgrading a connection, securing equipment, or switching to digital voice—can prevent significant downtime and costs later.

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If you’re unsure where to start, Invew’s team can help. We provide expert guidance, audits and solutions tailored to your business needs, helping you upgrade your telecom and connectivity setup efficiently and cost-effectively. Contact us today to discuss your options and prepare for 2026. Want to learn more about the future of Telecoms? Read our in-depth blog on how your business can prepare.

Read The Full Story

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Interview: Carl Perrin on Cybersecurity, Small Business Risks and a Decade of Partnership with Invew

start at the beginning. What is Cyber Chameleon and how did the business evolve from your original company, Likin’it? Carl: We started Likin’it back in 2010 as a traditional IT support provider. Cybersecurity was not a mainstream topic back then. Antivirus felt like enough. As cloud services like Office 365 came in, the risks changed. Systems were not breaking but people were handing over passwords through phishing emails. (Phishing is when criminals send fake emails or messages that look genuine in order to trick you into clicking a link, sharing personal information or entering your login details). That shift is what pulled me into cybersecurity.

For this edition of the Invew Quarterly Brief, we sat down with Carl Perrin, founder of Cyber Chameleon, an IT security and managed services company that has supported Invew for more than a decade. At a time when small businesses face increasing digital risks, Carl’s team specialises in protecting organisations from phishing attacks, data breaches and online threats. This conversation shines a light on how cybercrime has evolved, why SMEs are now prime targets and what simple steps every business can take to strengthen its defences. From Linkin’it to Cyber Chameleon Angus: Carl, thanks for joining us. Let’s

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I had already worked in IT for twenty years but when I started looking into ethical hacking it was a real eye opener. Pen testing (Penetration testing, or pen testing, is a safe, controlled attempt to break into your systems the same way a real hacker would) was interesting, but I realised it should be the final test rather than the first step. So I took a step back and built a full security and compliance stack for SMEs. These were tools that used to be enterprise only, but we found ways to make them affordable for small businesses. We still offer IT support, but security now sits at the heart of everything we do. I’m a small business. Why would anyone target me? Angus: A lot of small businesses ask why they would ever need cybersecurity or pen testing. What would you say to them? Carl: The idea that criminals are choosing targets manually is outdated. Most cybercrime is automated. Attackers send millions of phishing emails and automated login attempts and whoever responds or shows a weakness becomes the target. They do not know whether you are a sole trader or a multinational. They only care that something has worked. And it is incredibly easy for criminals to access the tools. On the dark web you can subscribe to ransomware tools for about the same price as an

tools for about the same price as an entertainment subscription. Combine that with huge databases of leaked email addresses and you can launch a large-scale attack in minutes. Angus: That reminds me of when one of your phishing tests nearly caught me. I had just closed a bank account and when a fake security alert dropped into my inbox I panicked for a moment. It shows how even people who think they are savvy can slip up when they are busy. Carl: Exactly. Criminals rely on distraction. Friday afternoons are a classic time when people are rushing, and that one moment of not thinking can cause huge problems. We have even seen criminals monitoring inboxes for months waiting for the perfect moment to divert a payment. Another thing small businesses forget is that they sit inside much bigger supply chains. A two-person business might be connected to a national retailer or a logistics provider. Criminals often break in through the smaller players to reach the larger ones. That is why more companies now insist on Cyber Essentials as a minimum requirement (Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification that shows a business has the basic security measures in place to protect itself against common online threats).

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Angus: Final question. What is one simple first step any business can take to improve its IT security? Final Question: Simple Step to Improve Your Security potential for Invew to offer more cybersecurity services to its own clients with our support. Pen testing, awareness training and monitoring tools are all areas where we can collaborate and create value for both businesses. Angus: Invew has worked with you for more than a decade. Why do long-term partnerships work so well for both our businesses? Carl: Trust and consistency. Technology moves fast and long- term partnerships mean we can plan ahead rather than firefight. We know your systems, your people and your direction. That lets us spread costs, schedule upgrades and keep downtime to an absolute minimum. There is also a lot of trust involved in IT support because we need access to everything in order to secure everything. That is why relationships matter. Over the years we have helped Invew recover from server failures, plan hardware refreshes and stay compliant with security standards. It only works when there is trust on both sides. Going forward, there is also A Partnership Built on Trust

Carl: Multifactor authentication. It is free, quick to set up and it blocks the majority of unauthorised access attempts. Add in strong passwords and region-locking accounts so only UK logins are allowed and you massively reduce your risk.

Want to Learn more about the importance of Cybersecutiry for SME’s in the modern world? Check out the full in-depth interview on our website:

Read The Full Interview

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Energy News

Government Plans £150 Energy Bill Reduction

The government has announced plans to cut around £150 from the average household energy bill by removing several green levies and charges. The change is due from April 2026 and is designed to ease pressure on living costs. Ministers say the reforms will shift more policy costs into general taxation while keeping investment in cleaner energy on track. Lower-income households are expected to benefit the most, with some seeing bigger reductions.

Our Thoughts:

The cut will not directly affect business tariffs, but it shows a renewed focus on affordability and market stability. Any move that supports households also helps consumer-facing sectors, and shifting levies off bills could influence future policy for commercial customers too. It is a small step, but it signals the direction of travel as the UK tries to balance costs with long-term green investment.

January 2026 Price Cap to Rise Slightly Ofgem has announced a small increase to the household energy price cap from January 2026. Bills will rise by around 0.2 percent, taking the typical dual-fuel bill to roughly £1,758 a year, which is around 28p more per month. The change comes despite falling wholesale prices, with Ofgem citing higher policy costs, investment in new nuclear projects and rising network and operating expenses.

Our Thoughts:

The rise is minimal but shows how structural costs continue to shape prices even when wholesale markets ease. For businesses, it reinforces the gap between wholesale trends and final bills. Stable long-term investment remains essential, but these pressures highlight why monitoring policy and network changes is just as important as tracking market prices.

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Telecoms News

The UK government has pressed major telecom providers to explain recent mid-contract price increases for mobile and broadband customers. Ministers say firms have continued to raise charges for existing users, even after inflation-linked rises were banned, sparking concerns about fairness and transparency. Providers argue that fixed increases are needed to cover higher operating and network costs, but the issue has drawn renewed regulatory attention. Government Scrutiny on Mid-Contract Telecom Price Rises

Our Thoughts: The scrutiny highlights how telecom costs can shift even when customers believe their prices are fixed. For businesses, it reinforces the need to check contract terms carefully and monitor provider policies, as mid-term increases directly affect operational budgets. Greater transparency or future regulation could help stabilise costs, but for now, firms should stay alert to how providers structure pricing.

Openreach Passes 20 Million Full-Fibre Homes Openreach has confirmed it has now reached 20 million homes with full-fibre broadband, marking a major step in the move away from copper networks. The company says rollout is continuing at pace, but warns that uncertainty in the upcoming 2026–2031 regulatory cycle could slow progress and may affect its target of reaching 30 million homes by 2030. Openreach is calling for clearer long-term rules to support continued investment and keep the upgrade on track. Our Thoughts:

The milestone is encouraging, but the final phase of any national rollout is always the most challenging. Rural and semi-rural areas are still at risk of being left behind, so businesses should check local connectivity options, rather than assume full fibre is imminent. Clear regulation and stable long-term policy will be essential if Openreach is to maintain momentum. Better fibre coverage ultimately supports productivity, reliability and more predictable digital costs for businesses.

Thank You For Reading We would love to learn what you think we should include in the next edition!

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