Homelessness: ‘Perfect storm’ for 5.3m renters as gas prices jump, furlough ends and Universal Credit is cut September 26, 2021 With energy prices rising, the furlough scheme due to end on Thursday and Universal Credit being cut a week later, a “perfect storm for homelessness” is looming for struggling renters. More than a quarter of renters already struggle to heat their homes in winter. A survey carried out by YouGov on behalf of housing charity [...]
Gas crisis: Octopus Energy eyes takeover bid of rival Bulb September 25, 2021 Octopus Energy is reportedly eyeing a takeover of energy challenger rival Bulb, amid the UK’s gas crisis which has drained supplier’s finances. The energy supplier is among the parties which have requested access to data from Bulb’s financial advisers as it attempts to bag fresh funding, Sky News’ Mark Kleinman first reported. The takeover would [...]
Government denies there is shortage of fuel amid BP and Esso closing gas stations September 24, 2021 The government is urging Brits “buy fuel as normal”, after the ongoing lorry driver shortage issue reached gas stations yesterday. BP said a number of its filling stations are closed due to a lack of fuel available, while Esso owner ExxonMobil also said a “small number” of its Tesco Alliance petrol forecourts have been impacted. [...]
Energy crisis: Ofgem and Kwasi Kwarteng resist pressure and agree price cap is not going anywhere September 21, 2021 Kwasi Kwarteng and Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley have confirmed they had taken a unified position over the price ceiling continuing. The energy regulator and the Business Secretary agreed the energy price cap must “remain in place” during crunch talks to find a solution to record gas costs. Kwarteng held a crisis meeting with the [...]
Perfect energy storm: Do the gas price hikes mean your bills will rise? September 20, 2021 Government ministers and energy companies are in crisis talks today, as the price of gas has soared in recent weeks, putting several energy suppliers out of business and forcing some factories to stop production altogether. The price of wholesale gas has surged by 250 per cent since the beginning of the year and added 70 [...]
Octopus snares Ofwat chief executive as rapid growth continues February 2, 2021 Fast-growing energy firm Octopus has lured Ofwat chief executive Rachel Fletcher away from the water regulator, it was announced today. Fletcher, who spent three years at Ofwat, will become the challenger brand’s director of regulation and economics. Octopus is one of the UK’s fastest growing companies, and last year acquired the rare “double unicorn” status [...]
Octopus Energy expands into Japan with Tokyo Gas partnership December 23, 2020 Octopus Energy has partnered with Tokyo gas in a move that establishes Octopus’s presence in Asia. The agreement will see Octopus Energy and Tokyo Gas launch the Octopus Energy brand in Japan, operated by TG Octopus Energy. Tokyo will act as a launchpad for Octopus’s expansion across the region. Octopus Energy in Japan will provide [...]