UK average broadband speeds rise by a fifth to hit superfast level May 8, 2019 Average broadband speeds in UK households have jumped 20 per cent over the last year, according to new figures from Ofcom. The regulator said average speeds have passed the 50Mbps mark – one of the most commonly-available levels of superfast broadband – for the first time, after an 18 per cent surge to 54.2Mbps. Read [...]
Energy giant SSE set to axe 444 jobs in retail sector covering smart meter installation May 8, 2019 Energy giant SSE has confirmed it will cut 444 jobs for people working in its retail sector, including those who fit smart meters to homes in the UK. SSE today blamed the cuts on "competition increasing, the introduction of the energy price cap and higher operating costs". Read more: SSE talks to Talktalk over £1bn retail unit [...]
Chinese exports unexpectedly fall as pressure builds to reach trade deal with US May 8, 2019 China’s gigantic trade surplus unexpectedly narrowed in April, as the country’s exports fell 2.7 per cent year-on-year in a sign that pressure from the US was hurting the Chinese economy. Read more: Global markets in tailspin after Trump threatens huge China tariff rise Imports fared better, however, rising four per cent in April after a [...]
Watchdog bans Paddy Power ‘anti-loyalty’ ad starring Ryan Giggs’s brother May 8, 2019 The advertising watchdog has banned a Paddy Power advert starring the brother of former Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs over complaints it glamourised gambling. The TV campaign, which promoted the betting firm’s rewards scheme, featured Rhodri Giggs in a pub and later driving a sports car. Read more: Vodafone broadband advert banned by watchdog for [...]
Joules lures in top Asda director as new chief executive May 8, 2019 Fashion group Joules has poached retail veteran Nick Jones to take over as chief executive, it announced this morning. A former top director at Marks & Spencer and Asda, Jones has spent 25 years working within the retail industry. Read more: Prime retail rents slip for embattled high street landlords After 15 years with M&S, latterly [...]
Can you afford to be out of the stock market this summer? May 8, 2019 | City Talk By Jemma Jackson from interactive investor. With lots of potential banana skins for financial markets around, we discuss investment tactics for the warmer months ahead. The days when the City was swapped for Ascot, Wimbledon, Henley and Lords en masse are long gone, and whether senior trader, private investor, or anything in between, we are [...]
Challenger bank Monzo teams up with challenger energy suppliers in bid to steal customers from Big Six May 8, 2019 Monzo customers will be able to use their apps to get a better deal on their electricity and gas, the company announced today. The challenger bank has teamed up with challenger energy suppliers Ovo and Octopus in a bid to lure more customers away from standard tariffs and the Big Six suppliers. Read more: Supercharged: Moneysupermarket booms [...]
Britain goes a week without burning coal smashing previous record May 8, 2019 British power plants have gone a whole week without burning a lump of coal, it was confirmed this afternoon, nearly doubling the previous record set earlier this year. As of 1.30pm, the country’s electricity networks were coal-free for 168 hours – a whole week. Read more: Britain must cut emissions to zero by mid-century, government [...]
Look After My Bills helps consumers save money by automatically switching their energy provider May 8, 2019 When did you last switch your energy provider? For renters and homeowners alike, managing the cost of our electricity and gas supply is a major headache. Consumers are encouraged to switch regularly, not only in order to find cheaper deals and save money, but also to ensure that the energy market remains competitive and offers [...]
The disability employment crisis must end – it’s time for businesses to step up May 8, 2019 It may be 2019, but for a million disabled people across the UK, it feels like 2009. A generation of educated, motivated and ambitious individuals have been sidelined because of mistaken, outdated attitudes about what disabled people can achieve. The harsh reality for disabled people is that time has stood still – it’s as difficult [...]