LONDON, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — There is strong public concern at the state of the economy and a lack of confidence in the current government’s handling of it, according to a new One Poll survey of 2000 UK adults, which revealed that a staggering 63% of Brits having no confidence in the government’s ability to manage the economy and protect their personal finances.

With a new government in power and five years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, public trust in economic policies remains at an all-time low. A survey commissioned by the filmmakers of God Bless Bitcoin – a new documentary that suggests ways in which bitcoin can present alternatives to our current system that are more just, equitable, and peaceful – also revealed deep concerns about key life milestones, from starting a family to buying a home.

Last Wednesday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her Spring Statement, updating Parliament and the public on the state of the British economy and outlining revised spending plans – with much uncertainty now looming for a country grappling with rising inflation, growing unemployment, record tax burdens, and welfare cuts.

KEY SURVEY FINDINGS:

• Over half (56%) of young adults (18-34) say that the economic climate since the pandemic is making them rethink buying their first home. Potential buyers are struggling with sky high prices, have being forced to change plans or have given up owning a home altogether
• 63% of Brits lack confidence in the government’s ability to manage the economy and protect their personal finances, with half of this number having no faith at all
• 64% of young adults (18-34) say their savings wouldn’t last more than six months if they lost their primary source of income
• 39% of young adults (18-24) have considered leaving the UK due to the current economic climate, with a further 16% unsure
• Nearly two thirds (63%) of young adults (18-34) say their wages simply cannot keep up with inflation since inflation peaked in 2022, with 14% saying they’ve had no increases in salary since
• Over half (55%) of young adults (18-34) have reconsidered or limited the number of children they plan to have due to the economic climate since 2020. 11% have decided not to have children at all
• Nearly a half of Londoners (47%) are sceptical about whether they’ll ever be able to buy a home
• 40% of young adults (18-34) have been forced to delay, downsize or cancel their wedding plans due to the current economic climate since 2020
• Nearly 1 in 3 Brits have heard about Bitcoin but don’t know how to use it
• 99% of Brits have heard about Bitcoin but 60% still haven’t considered using it due to a lack of understanding. However 69% of younger age demographics (18-34) are considering using it as an alternate financial system
• Over half (55%) of Londoners say their wages have increased since 2022 but not in proportion to inflation, leaving them financially strained. Only 14% of Londoners have seen salary increases that match or exceed inflation rates
• 53% of Northern Ireland residents say the economic climate since 2020 have reconsidered or limited the number of children they plan to have
• 75% of North East residents lack confidence in the government’s ability to manage the economy and protect personal finances
• Nearly half (48%) of Scots have considered using Bitcoin, with 25% already holding or using Bitcoin

The survey of 2000 UK adults (nationally representative on the basis of age, gender, and region) was commissioned by God Bless Bitcoin and conducted by market research company OnePoll. It revealed that young adults have been hit the hardest, as governmental policies strain their savings and put key life decisions – such as homeownership, marriage, and starting a family – into question.

In the wake of Rachel Reeves’ forecast, 69% of young adults are now considering Bitcoin as an alternative banking system. While middle-aged (29%) and elderly (10%) adults are less inclined, young adults are increasingly forced to consider alternative financial systems to afford key life decisions in this economic climate.

As concerns about financial stability grow, the groundbreaking documentary God Bless Bitcoin asks the timely question: How do we fix our broken money?

Through in-depth conversations with bitcoin and interfaith religious leaders, the film exposes the broken, unjust, and immoral nature of our current fiat-based monetary system, one that is intimately connected to the military industrial complex and the propagation of war. The film also shows how and why members of the poor and middle class feel a financial squeeze even when they work hard and lead fiscally-responsible lives. God Bless Bitcoin ultimately suggests the ways in which bitcoin can present alternatives to our current system that are more just, equitable, and peaceful.

The documentary features interviews with high-level financial executives, religious leaders as well as well-known names from the entertainment and sports worlds. Contributors include US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki, and four-time NBA champion John Salley, among others.

Brian Estes, Creator of God Bless Bitcoin commented, ”We hope that, after watching God Bless Bitcoin, people will understand that the financial squeeze they feel is not their fault; it is the money printer causing the damage. We created this film to show people that bitcoin is another option for them and to be a springboard for their journey down the bitcoin rabbit hole about this transformative technology.”

Written and directed by husband and wife duo Brian and Kelly Estes, the documentary is available to watch for free at godblessbitcoin.com. For an additional 16 hours of bonus content featuring 27 expanded interviews with top bitcoin experts and religious leaders, visit God Bless Bitcoin: Layer 2. 

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Editors Notes:

• Website: GodBlessBitcoin.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GodBlessBTCfilm
• Twitter: https://x.com/godblessBTCfilm
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godblessbtcfilm/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@godblessbtcfilm

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Eurostar becomes the first train provider to launch Klarna’s BNPL products.

LONDON, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Klarna, the AI-powered payments and shopping network, today announces its launch with Eurostar, enabling travelers in the UK and France to book their journeys with greater flexibility. Customers checking out on Eurostar.com can now choose Klarna’s Pay in 3, allowing them to split the cost of their ticket into three equal, interest-free payments, or Pay in Full for a seamless one-time transaction. 

With record-breaking passenger demand and Eurostar’s commitment to making sustainable high-speed rail more accessible, this new payment solution will give even more travelers the flexibility to book their journeys with ease.

Raji Behal, Head of Western and Southern Europe at Klarna, says, “Hello, bonjour, and bienvenue to a smoother way to book your Eurostar trip. Eurostar has changed the way we travel between the UK and Europe-now Klarna is changing the way we pay for it. Whether you’re heading to Paris for a weekend getaway or Brussels for business, you can now check out with Klarna and choose to pay in full or split the cost over time. Fast, flexible, and now even easier to book-just like train travel should be.” 

Francois Le Doze Chief, Commercial Officer at Eurostar, added, “At Eurostar, we’re always looking for ways to enhance the customer experience and make high-speed rail the most convenient and accessible way to travel in Europe. By partnering with Klarna, we’re giving our passengers more choice and flexibility at checkout, making it even easier to plan their journeys across our expanding network. Whether it’s a luxury weekend getaway to Paris or booking one of our great value Train + Hotel packages in Amsterdam, Klarna’s flexible payment options align perfectly with our vision of seamless, sustainable, and customer-friendly rail travel.”

In 2024, Eurostar carried a record-breaking 19.5 million passengers, a 5% increase from the previous year, as more travelers choose rail over air for its convenience, comfort, and 90% lower CO₂ emissions per passenger-kilometer compared to flying. At the same time, Klarna is seeing strong growth in the UK and France, with more consumers turning to interest-free credit to manage their spending flexibly. 

This partnership marks Klarna’s continued expansion in the travel sector, offering smoother, more flexible payment options to passengers across Europe. Rail travel is also playing an increasing role in sustainable transport choices, with trains emitting up to 11 times less CO₂ per passenger-kilometer than flights. 

CONTACT: 
press@klarna.com

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• EQT, through the EQT X fund, becomes an anchor investor in WTS, providing significant growth capital as part of a long-term and comprehensive strategic partnership
• EQT and WTS have a shared vision of significantly accelerating the Company’s growth in Germany and abroad, both organically and inorganically
• With EQT’s support, WTS plans to increase investments in digital services and artificial intelligence (AI) building on the Company’s already strong digital offering

STOCKHOLM, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ —  WTS Group (“WTS” or the “Company”), a full-service provider of tax and complementary financial advisory services, and EQT, a global private equity firm, are pleased to announce that the EQT X Fund (“EQT”) has become an anchor investor in WTS as part of a long-term strategic partnership. EQT and WTS aim to significantly accelerate the Company’s growth and jointly build a champion in the tax advisory industry.

Founded in Munich in 2000, WTS is now one of the leading independent players in the attractive tax advisory industry, with 14 locations in Germany, over 1,500 employees and an annual revenue of around EUR 250 million. WTS specialises in high-end advisory services for complex situations and counts 95 percent of the DAX40 companies, as well as numerous medium-sized global market leaders, among its clients. With a consistent technology-oriented advisory approach and the introduction of one of the leading AI solutions for tax functions (‘plAIground’), WTS is one of the pioneers of the digitalisation of the tax consultancy industry.

The strategic partnership is rooted in a shared vision that aims to create a tax advisory champion in Europe with a global reach, with EQT’s capital and M&A expertise used to fuel inorganic growth. This includes strengthening the international tax practice WTS Global and making further investment in new technologies, as well as expanding the breadth of complementary financial advisory services focussed on Office of the CFO activities.

“EQT is one of the largest private equity firms in the world. The WTS Executive Board is proud to be working with such a strong partner, who fully supports and shares our vision for the further development of the WTS Group. Together, we want to drive forward our 25-year success story and accelerate our ambitious expansion plans. WTS intends to become one of the leading brands for tax advice, tax technology and artificial intelligence for the tax industry in Europe,” explains Fritz Esterer, CEO of the WTS Group.

“WTS has established itself as a highly customer-oriented partner for corporate tax and finance functions with what we believe is a highly attractive business model. It combines industry, finance, consulting and technology expertise, while deliberately refraining from auditing annual financial statements to prevent conflicts with its consulting services. We have been following the development of WTS very closely for years and we are impressed by the Company’s performance and innovation mindset. We are very pleased to be working with Mr Esterer and his team to develop WTS into a leading European tax advisory firm,” comments Matthias Wittkowski, Partner and Global Co-Head Services at EQT.

The closing of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to take place in the summer of 2025. With this transaction, EQT X is expected to be 50-55 percent invested (including closed and/or signed investments, announced public offers, if applicable, and less any expected syndication), subject to customary regulatory approvals.

WTS was advised by Rothschild & Co (financial) and Noerr (legal). EQT was advised by Hengeler Mueller.

Media contacts

WTS: Florian Kestler, florian.kestler@wts.de

EQT international media enquiries: Finn McLaughlan, EQT, finn.mclaughlan@eqtpartners.com

EQT DACH media enquiries: Isabel Henninger, Kekst CNC, isabel.henninger@kekstcnc.com

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