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Google's £32 Billion Bet on Cloud Security: What Wiz Means for the Future of Alphabet

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Budget Forecast vs. Reality: What Your Payslip Has to Say

Oct 30, 20242 min read

The UK’s Autumn Budget announcement has wrapped up, and as the dust settles, we’re left to sift through what was forecasted, what we actually got, and what it means for our payslips (yes, they’re trying to squeeze a bit more out of them). Here, we’ll highlight the major takeaways and surprises, along with some advice for when you next check your wage slip and think, “Where did that go?”.

Forecast vs. Reality

Before the Budget dropped, the expectation was that we’d see:

An uptick in the National Living Wage – which did happen, hitting £12.21 per hour.
Stable income tax rates – indeed, no changes there.
Potential tweaks to inheritance tax, which, as predicted, now include taxes on pension pots starting in 2027.
Hopes for fuel duty stability – a wish that’s still on the fence.

What We Got:

The Budget’s big headline for most folks? The 6.7% minimum wage hike. Not only will this mean a little extra for workers, but it also comes with some expected price rises in retail and hospitality (where payrolls are heavy). A quick glance at your payslip might show the new rates sooner than later. Taxes like VAT and income tax stayed the same, but the freeze on income tax thresholds and potential tweaks to capital gains tax means it’s still worth watching your deductions closely.

Key Takeaways for Employees

Expect slight increases in take-home for minimum wage workers, but don’t bank on much more wiggle room in disposable income, especially with energy prices and potential fuel duty hikes looming. For everyone else, the lack of change in thresholds (a freeze on the personal allowance) means inflation will continue to nibble at real income. Looking forward, this is one Budget where the big-ticket changes may just trickle down rather than make waves, though future adjustments on savings taxes could impact those with pension plans or capital gains in the works.

So, when you see that wage slip, a small jump in your hourly rate might feel like a win – just remember the Budget giveth, and, in some ways, the Budget taketh away. Keep an eye out for any savings or pension-related tweaks in future announcements, and make sure you’re still set for any tax adjustments down the line.

Google's £32 Billion Bet on Cloud Security: What Wiz Means for the Future of Alphabet

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19 March 2025

Connor Banks

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In a landmark move, Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has announced its largest acquisition to date: a £32 billion all-cash deal to purchase Wiz, a fast-growing cloud security start-up. This strategic acquisition not only highlights the increasing importance of cybersecurity in the AI era but also signals Google’s ambition to challenge Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure in the multi-billion-pound cloud computing market.

A Strategic Play for Cybersecurity Dominance

Wiz, founded in 2020 by cybersecurity veterans, has rapidly ascended as a key player in cloud security. The company specialises in providing tools that help organisations detect and mitigate security risks across major cloud platforms—including AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. Wiz’s emphasis on a multi-cloud approach has made it particularly attractive in a world where enterprises often rely on multiple cloud providers.

By acquiring Wiz, Google is making a bold statement: Security is now a top priority in its cloud strategy. This comes at a time when cybersecurity threats are escalating and businesses demand more robust protection against breaches, ransomware, and AI-driven attacks.

Why Google Needs Wiz

Despite being a tech giant, Google Cloud remains the third-largest cloud provider, trailing behind AWS and Microsoft Azure. While Google has made significant strides in AI and data analytics, it has struggled to gain an edge in cloud security—a crucial factor for enterprise clients.

Enhanced Security Portfolio: Wiz’s platform will strengthen Google Cloud’s security offerings, making it more competitive against Microsoft, which has invested heavily in security solutions.
Multi-Cloud Expansion: Unlike some past Google acquisitions that were integrated exclusively into Google’s ecosystem, Wiz will continue to support AWS and Azure, helping Google maintain a presence in rival platforms.
AI-Driven Security Solutions: With Google at the forefront of AI, Wiz’s security capabilities can be enhanced using AI-powered threat detection and automation, setting a new industry standard.

Regulatory & Competitive Challenges

However, this deal is not without challenges. Given the £32 billion price tag, Alphabet will face scrutiny from regulators in the UK, the US, and Europe, who may investigate the acquisition for potential anti-competitive concerns. Additionally, the move is expected to intensify competition with Microsoft and Amazon, both of whom have also been ramping up their cybersecurity investments.

While Wiz’s commitment to multi-cloud compatibility is a selling point, there is always the risk that competitors could respond aggressively, either by developing competing technologies or challenging the acquisition on regulatory grounds.

What This Means for the Future of Google

Alphabet’s bet on Wiz highlights a broader shift in Google’s business strategy:

Cybersecurity is no longer an afterthought—it’s a centrepiece of cloud innovation.
Google Cloud is evolving into a true enterprise powerhouse, aiming to take market share from AWS and Microsoft.
AI and security will increasingly converge, with Google leading the charge in developing AI-driven security solutions.

With the deal expected to close in 2026, all eyes will be on how Google integrates Wiz’s platform and whether this move will finally tip the balance in the cloud computing wars.

Conclusion

Google’s acquisition of Wiz is more than just a big-ticket purchase—it’s a strategic shift that underscores the growing role of security, AI, and multi-cloud infrastructure in the future of cloud computing. Whether this gamble pays off will depend on how well Google can execute its vision and convince enterprise customers that it is the safest and smartest choice for their cloud needs.