BP shares slide as suspends share buybacks and increases cost-cutting goal February 10, 2026 Energy giant BP has suspended its share buyback programme and deepened its cost-cutting target, as it scrambles to bolster its balance sheet amid the anticipation of a weaker oil price. In its final results, the company said the decisions were taken to allow it invest in its oil production business and “fully allocate excess cash” [...]
Octopus boss: UK risks ‘falling behind’ without China energy ties February 9, 2026 The boss of Octopus Energy has warned that the UK risks being “left behind” in the clean energy race if it fails to work more closely with China on renewable technology, claiming the country should not ignore China’s advances in wind and clean power manufacturing. He argued that collaboration could cut energy bills and strengthen [...]
Shell chief reportedly set for £4.5m pay boost February 4, 2026 The boss of Shell will reportedly receive a multimillion-pound remuneration incentive, with the firm poised to reveal a new boardroom pay policy. According to reports, the firm’s chief executive Wael Sawan would pocket at least £4.5m more each year. Sky News‘ Mark Kleinman has reported that investor sources have revealed a long-term incentive stock reward [...]
From Net Zero to Nuclear: the skills gap that could stall UK growth January 29, 2026 The UK has no shortage of ambition when it comes to infrastructure. From Net Zero commitments and energy security to rail modernisation, water resilience and nuclear new build, the pipeline of nationally significant projects is substantial. Yet beneath the headlines lies a constraint that threatens to undermine delivery across all of them: a critical shortage [...]
UK’s net zero drive singled out in Trump attacks January 21, 2026 The UK’s net zero policies were singled out in President Trump’s long tirade against European energy struggles at the World Economic Forum in Davos. President Trump described the UK economy’s struggles in stark terms, suggesting that the Labour government had disregarded “one of the greatest reserves in the world” at the North Sea. In his [...]
Small businesses ditch green agenda as ‘survival’ becomes priority January 20, 2026 Small businesses are ditching green finance initiatives as “ensuring survival” becomes a bigger focus for firms amid the pressures of rising costs. The latest business growth tracker from Natwest showed prioritising of sustainability was at an all time low among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by the end of 2025. Just 30 per cent of [...]
Judge refuses BHP permission to appeal landmark case January 19, 2026 The High Court has refused mining giant BHP permission to appeal a ruling that found it liable for a dam disaster under both environmental law and the Brazilian civil code. The Melbourne-HQ’d group was sued in London over a deadly dam disaster in Brazil in 2015. Law firm Pogust Goodhead launched a group lawsuit in [...]
BP shares fall as net zero plans trigger hit of up to $5bn January 14, 2026 Oil giant BP has warned it will take a hit of up to $5bn in the final quarter of 2025 as the value of green energy projects withered. The FTSE 100 firm said it expects a write-down of between $4bn and $5bn (£3.7bn), as it rethinks its strategy for transition assets and partnerships in the [...]
Trump tells Iranian people: ‘Help is on its way’ January 13, 2026 President Trump has threatened Iran’s autocratic leaders over the killing of protestors while suggesting he was preparing to intervene with military action in the country, In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the country’s authorities “will pay a big price” over the killing of protestors following unrest in the country. He added that he [...]
Public officials ‘not truthful’ about ‘fantasy’ net zero costs January 13, 2026 Net zero is set to cost the UK economy billions of pounds more than public officials estimate, a new report has suggested, raising questions over the supposed savings to be made from the energy transition for households and businesses. A new paper published by the Institute of Economic Affairs, a free market think tank, has [...]