Rampant inflation to swell government’s interest bill once again February 20, 2022 Soaring inflation will swell the government’s interest bill to eye-watering levels, official figures released this week are expected to show. The cost of servicing the UK’s stock of debt has already broken several records in recent months, including hitting its highest ever level for a December at £8.1bn. Fresh figures published by the Office for [...]
Gazprom’s European gas supplies drop to decade low amid fractured unity over sanctions February 20, 2022 Gazprom's European gas supplies has fallen to 10-year lows, while Germany and Italy fret over sanctions reducing their energy reserves.
Natwest reveals £1bn cut in lending to oil and gas sector February 18, 2022 NatWest cut lending to the oil and gas sector by 21 per cent in 2021, with the bank pushing to decarbonise its loan book and hit net zero.
January retail sales boosted as cost of living crisis looms February 18, 2022 January retail sales volumes lifted 1.9 per cent last month while retailers prepare for consumers to limit spending as bills soar. According to the latest retail data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), sales volumes marked the largest monthly increase since April 2021 when non-essential retailing reopened. An increase came after a four per [...]
Europe’s LNG terminals near full-capacity amid deepening tensions between Russia and the West February 17, 2022 Most of Europe's liquefied natural gas terminals have been topped up to full capacity again, following an influx of supplies from the US.
West End to fully recover in just two years following Covid-19 decimation, says report February 17, 2022 The West End will have fully recovered in just two years, according to a new report, after Covid-19 restrictions decimated London’s entertainment and hospitality industries. Some £8.6bn is expected to be pumped into the retail and theatre district, nearly double the £4.6bn it pulled in in 2021, property consultancy Colliers has forecast. It signals the [...]
Westfield extends Disney media collaboration until 2024 February 17, 2022 Westfield have agreed a three-year extension to its long-term collaboration with Disney UK – tying the media company to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City until December 2024. The new agreement will see 360 integration into Westfield’s media and experiential inventory, including event sponsorship, branded experiences, and co-branded digital and static media, as well as print and digital amplification. [...]
Ofcom urged to probe Royal Mail’s performance as millions of Brits are left without mail February 17, 2022 Close to 15m people were left waiting for post over the Christmas period, including 2.5m who missed important documents, health appointments, or were unable to pay a fine or bills, according to new research. More than half of those left waiting (54 per cent) reported going at least a week without letters, while 3 per [...]
Hilton eyes return of business travel as revenue more than doubles thanks to Covid jabs February 16, 2022 The Hilton hotel empire is confident of its continued Covid recovery as it eyes the return of business travel in the coming months. Hilton Worldwide Holdings surpassed analyst’s predictions for quarterly profit and revenue in results today. It posted a 106 per cent rise in fourth-quarter revenue, with $1.84bn, compared with $890m for the previous [...]
EU President: Europe can deal with partial disruption to Russian gas flows February 16, 2022 The EU could cope with a partial disruption to gas imports from Russia, argued commission president Ursula von der Leyen.