Auditors say financial woes at tech firm Atos could hinder ability of its UK arm to continue as a going concern

The British arm of Atos, the French technology company that is a vital supplier of the NHS and UK government departments, is facing a “material uncertainty” over its ability to continue as a going concern, auditors have warned.

In the latest accounts for its UK holding company covering 2022, the company’s auditor, Grant Thornton, said financial problems facing its parent company in France could limit the UK arm’s ability to access cash and continue as a going concern.

Annual pre-tax profits climbed 186% to £34.3m, lifted by television upgrades and tumble dryers

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The online electrical goods seller AO World has enjoyed a near-tripling of profits thanks in part to booming tumble dryer sales during the wet winter and televisions for Euro 2024.

Revenues at the retailer, which sells 15% of all domestic appliances in the UK, were also bolstered by the continued popularity of air fryers, with the company attributing this to customers looking for a cheaper alternative to takeaways amid the cost of living crisis.

Daniel Křetínský, who is bidding £3.75bn for the business, has hinted at ‘incentive scheme’ for workers if successful

The union representing postal workers has called for them to be handed a serious stake in Royal Mail, after the Czech billionaire bidding to snap up its owner for £3.6bn floated the possibility of implementing an “incentive scheme” if he is successful.

Daniel Křetínský’s EP Group published an offer document on Wednesday laying out the details of its bid for Royal Mail’s parent company, International Distributions Services (IDS).