Spotlight on smart technologies at theatre London’s National Theatre hopes to reduce power use by a sixth at its South Bank site with the introduction of smart technologies.

Energy use in buildings accounts for about half of UK carbon emissions. The National Theatre’s four-phase programme to centrally monitor and control the building’s lighting will help save £100,000 of its £600,000 annual electricity bill.

Click here to read the full story: Spotlight on smart technologies at theatre

European IT investment will grow by just three per cent this year compared with the massive 15 per cent increase in 2007, according to research.

The fall is largely down to the dollar’s decrease in value against the euro, says analyst Forrester Research.

US technology spending, on the other hand, will miss growth expectations altogether, rising by just 2.8 per cent instead of the 4.6 per cent forecast.

Click here to read the full story: IT spend sags as fears mount over US recession

Salaries for IT contractors in the financial services sector are at their highest level in two years, despite uncertainty sparked by the credit crunch.

Hourly rates have gone up by 11 per cent in the past six months ­ leading to pay of between £45 and £50 per hour, according to research by the Association of Technology Staffing Companies (Atsco) and recruitment specialist SkillsMarket.

Click here to read full story: Crunch raises contractors' pay