SNP slammed for ‘mind-boggling’ food price cap plans Retail The Scottish government has been criticised for its “mind-boggling” plans to impose price caps on major retailers operating in the country, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Aldi. The Scottish National Party (SNP) has published a draft bill for the policy, which has been dismissed as an “unnecessary exercise” by leading retailers. SNP leader John Swinney’s initial [...]
Octopus boss Greg Jackson calls for ‘urgent reform’ on energy as bills rise Politics Octopus boss Greg Jackson has called on Andy Burnham to deliver “urgent reform” to the energy market to protect households from “volatile” gas prices. Jackson, founder of the UK’s biggest household electricity supplier, said: “The government’s decision to take VAT off electricity and remove some of the levies from bills has helped soften the blow [...]
Trainline and Virgin Atlantic face watchdog’s ‘drip pricing’ probe Transport & Infrastructure The UK’s competition watchdog has launched an investigation into three companies over concerns that customers were not shown the total upfront price when buying train and coach tickets, holidays or driving lessons. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will probe the activities of Trainline, Virgin Atlantic and RED Driving School as part of a wider [...]
‘Nothing is straightforward’: Market analysts warn of US-Iran deal complications June 15, 2026 Top market analysts warned on Monday that “nothing is straight forward” as euphoria spread across European equities after a confirmed peace deal between the US and Iran. Stock markets opened in the green as investors returned to a risk-on mentality after Pakistan announced an agreement between the two nations and Donald Trump declared the oil [...]
Top Bank of England officials warn Reeves against supermarket price cap May 20, 2026 Senior Bank of England officials have warned that price controls on essential goods are not an effective long-term tool to lower the cost of living, after it emerged the Treasury was pushing supermarkets to commit to cap prices of consumer staples. Speaking at a Treasury Committee appearance, governor Andrew Bailey told MPs that controlling the [...]
The absolute insanity of the SNP’s plan to cap the price of food May 19, 2026 The political drama (or farce) of Westminster politics will dominate the news agenda for the rest of the summer. The high-stakes Makerfield by-election next month will be followed by a Labour leadership election – or, possibly, a coronation – leading to a change of Prime Minister and an entirely new policy agenda. The consequences of [...]
A price cap on bread and milk? SNP plan is unnecessary and unworkable April 17, 2026 The SNP has pledged to cap the price of bread but why? Poor people can afford the essentials and supermarket margins are tiny.
Don’t let ticket resale price caps ruin the party this festival season June 25, 2025 Misguided plans to cap regulated resale of tickets for live events will be a gift to unscrupulous touts, says Bob Kupbens The numbers are in – and they’re alarming. Home Office figures just released point to a huge increase in officially reported losses in fraud from ticket sales. And crucially, half of the £1.6m total [...]
Ofgem: Energy price cap will rise in April February 25, 2025 Households will pay an extra £9.25 for their electricity each month from April as Ofgem increases its energy price cap by 6.4 per cent. The price cap – which sets a maximum rate per unit and standing charge that can be billed to customers for their energy use – will rise by £111 for an [...]
Ofgem: Energy price cap to rise by £21 to £1,738 a year on average November 22, 2024 The UK’s energy price cap is set to rise by £21 for an average household, taking a standard yearly bill to £1,738, Ofgem has said. The energy regulator opted to announce a 1.2 per cent hike in the cap for the period January to March 2025 – or £1.75 a month, on average. It sets [...]