York-based train operator LNER has confirmed that some customer information was accessed following a data breach involving one of its external suppliers. The incident, identified on 8 September 2025, affected the supplier responsible for managing the company’s customer communication database.

An unauthorised third party gained access to the supplier’s systems, exposing limited customer data such as names and email addresses. LNER’s internal systems, including ticketing and payment platforms, remain unaffected and fully operational.

The company has reported the breach to the Information Commissioner’s Office, the National Cyber Security Centre, British Transport Police, and the Department for Transport. Independent security specialists have been brought in to strengthen the supplier’s defences and prevent similar incidents.

LNER has temporarily paused certain communication channels while the investigation continues and has advised customers to remain vigilant for possible phishing attempts. It has also provided a dedicated contact point for anyone seeking verification of messages that appear to come from the company.

The breach underscores the cybersecurity challenges facing transport operators reliant on third-party data processors and highlights the growing importance of robust supplier security management within critical infrastructure networks.

Nestlé will cut 16,000 jobs worldwide over the next two years as part of a cost-saving programme aimed at improving efficiency and growth performance. The Swiss multinational plans to eliminate 12,000 white-collar positions, in addition to 4,000 other roles, across its global operations.

The move is expected to deliver annual savings of around 1 billion Swiss francs (£940 million) and contribute to a broader target of 3 billion Swiss francs (£2.8 billion) in savings by the end of 2027.

Nestlé’s strategy focuses on tightening resource allocation and prioritising business areas with stronger growth potential. The company stated that it intends to channel investment into innovation, product development, and high-return markets, while reducing overheads and streamlining internal structures.

Nestlé’s York site, home to a major confectionery manufacturing campus that employs around 2,000 people, remains under review. However, the company has not confirmed how the job cuts will impact local operations. The site produces brands including KitKat, Aero, Yorkie, and Polo, alongside housing research and development, distribution, and office facilities.

The company stated the changes are part of a wider plan to sustain competitiveness and deliver long-term value to shareholders.

Plans to establish a £250 million rare earth refinery in the Humber Freeport at Saltend have been withdrawn by Pensana, halting what was expected to be a major boost for the UK’s critical minerals supply chain.

The project was designed to create 450 construction jobs and 150 operational roles, while positioning Britain as a key player in the processing of rare earth elements for electric vehicles and wind turbines. The facility was designed to process neodymium and praseodymium from Pensana’s Longonjo mine in Angola, thereby contributing to the domestic production of magnet metals.

The decision follows recent policy developments in the United States, where the government has committed to purchasing rare earths from domestic mines at fixed prices. This intervention has reshaped global market dynamics, placing UK producers at a disadvantage.

The Saltend site had been a flagship component of the government’s critical minerals strategy, with significant funding support earmarked to reduce reliance on imports from China, which currently dominates global rare earth production.

Pensana’s withdrawal marks a setback for UK ambitions to establish an independent supply chain for materials vital to clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing, and defence applications.