Spain and UK Finance News, August 14,

€230m fund

SPAIN’S Regional Resilience Fund has committed €230 million, via loans from NextGenerationEU, to finance projects through A&G (€130 million) and Urbania Alpha (€100 million). The funding, which is part of the Recovery Plan for the country, will be used to support affordable housing, sustainable travel, green mobility, water and waste management, as well as energy efficiency. The European Investment Bank will monitor the investment’s compliance with social and environmental criteria. Investments must be completed by December 2030. This latest agreement brings total financing under the EIB’s new mechanism to €640 million.

FC Barcelona

FC BARCELONA has refinanced €424 million of Espai Barça debt, originally due in 2028, into a new structure repayable from 2033 to 2050 at an average cost of 5.19 per cent, in collaboration with Goldman Sachs. The decision, made ahead of schedule and in collaboration with Goldman Sachs, reduced the risk premium almost by half compared to what it would have been had this move taken place in 2023. It also followed a Morningstar DBRS Outlook upgrade from “negative” to “positive.” Funding for the €1.45 billion stadium project remains without mortgaging assets or costing members.

BGF Investment

BUSINESS GROWTH FUND (BGF) has made its first investment under the £300 million Invest in Women Taskforce CWC Group of Northern Ireland is a care provider that was founded in 1983 by Monica Byrne, Imelda McGrady and Monica Byrne. CWC, now led by Aisling Byrne and Shauna McGrady, operates seven sites. The money will be used to expand services and support acquisitions. Backed by major UK banks, BGF has invested £500 million in female-led scaleups over five years, as part of its £3 billion UK-wide growth commitment.

Disability Rates

THE share of UK working-age adults reporting a disability has surged to 24.8 per cent in 2024 – 3.9 million more than a decade ago – with the sharpest rise among young women citing mental health issues (Economics Observatory). Disability people have a 54 percent employment rate, almost 30 points less than their non-disabled peers. They also earn 12 percent less per hour. This trend strains public finances and increases welfare costs. It also leads to increased demands for workplace modifications and inclusive employment policies.

John Lewis Beauty

JOHN LEWIS will invest millions in six new Beauty Halls throughout the UK. The first store to be redesigned is Liverpool, which will serve as a model for a national rollout. The 16,000 sq ft space – expanded by almost 40 per cent – houses 132 premium brands, including Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty, and features “sensory spaces” for treatments and consultations. Bluewater, Solihull and Cambridge stores will follow in late 2025. Chief commercial officer Vikki Kavanagh said stores are the “physical heartbeat of the brand” and destinations for discovery, part of an £800 million wider commitment as beauty sales rise 40 per cent in five years.

Hiring gap

DSA Connect research shows only 16 per cent UK companies recruit ex-offenders. Over half of reoffenders struggled to find employment after their release. 61 percent blame this on the reason they returned to crime. Businesses are losing out on valuable employees because of skills shortages.

Recycling Reform

New rules require online UK marketplaces to share the recycling costs of electrical waste. This creates a more fair system for local retailers. These changes affect everything from washing machines and vapes to fly-tipping. They aim to increase recycling, reduce fly-tipping, make an economy more sustainable, etc.

Biomass fuel

ENSO has secured €165 million to build two biomass plants in Spain, supplying energy to ACOR in Olmedo and Solvay in Torrelavega. The projects will cut over 400,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually, with financing led by Santander, MUFG, Natixis, Bank of America, and Cajamar.

Eco-Park launch

The first European mountain park will be opened by Toroverde, a Puerto Rican company, in Cuenca in Spain in 2027. The €90m project, expanding to €118m over six years, will feature Europe’s longest zip line, immersive trails, and an eco-resort, aiming for 280,000 visitors in year one.

Nuclear AI

ROLLS ROYCE claims that its SMRs could become the UK’s largest company by powering AI data centers with their reactors. Plans are in place to purchase six SMRs from the Czech Republic and 3 in the UK, with the aim of capturing a global market worth a trillion dollars by 2050.

Entain results

ENTAIN reported strong H1 2025 results, with UK & Ireland online Net Gaming Revenue (NGR) up 21 per cent and Spain seeing double-digit online growth. Group EBITDA rose 11 per cent to £583m. On September 29, an interim dividend of 9,8p per share (up 5%) will be paid.

Belarusians freed

BELARUS confirms the release of its citizens in Spain who were subjected labour exploitation. Ruslan Varankov, the Press Secretary of the Embassy in Madrid, said that they are working closely with Spanish law enforcers and will provide consular and legal assistance. After the investigation is completed, the individuals who have been released will be safely returned home. The Foreign Ministry continues to monitor the situation.

Iberdrola EV Charging

IBERDROLA Spain launched the first charging stations for electric vehicles under a Murcia City Council contract to install 190 throughout the city. The initial stations on Avenida de los Pinos include fast (50kW), semi-fast (22.2kW) and 100% renewable energy powered chargers. “This public-private partnership… helps to promote emission-free transport,” said Enrique Planells, Iberdrola’s regional Key Accounts Manager (Atalayar). Iberdrola’s app lets users find, reserve, pay, and track fast chargers. Card payments are also available. Iberdrola is Spain’s biggest EV network with more than 9,500 public charging points.

Bingo blunder

GALA BINGO UK players were left angry after a glitch wrongly credited over £1.6m in winnings during its Summer Nights promotion. Some players withdrew their funds before learning of the error. Gala claims that its terms allow for voided payouts in the event of malfunctions. The Gambling Commission has launched an investigation.

Top Choice

SPAIN is Europe’s top summer holiday choice, with 13 per cent of travellers picking it – up five points on last year, says the European Travel Commission. Most plan to spend €1,500–€2,500 per person, with September breaks and lesser-known destinations growing in popularity.

📊 Statistic of the Week

Spain’s population grew by 119.811 people during the second half of 2025. The number was 49.315,949 in July 1. 

(INE)

See all the latest finance news.

All the latest news in the UK.

See all the news from Spain.