Lenders need to ‘step up’ to support customers, says FCA chief November 7, 2022 The City watchdog said that lenders need to “step up” to support their customers today as they are battered by soaring mortgage rates and rising prices this year.
Government must investigate energy pricing for businesses, urges hospitality body November 7, 2022 The boss of one of the country's leading hospitality bodies has urged the Government to look into energy pricing for commercial businesses.
Whitehall launches investigation into ‘profiteering’ by energy firms November 6, 2022 Whitehall officials have launched a probe into alleged profiteering by energy firms, with claims they are not passing on the benefits of recent government interventions. The government last month launched a six-month energy price cap for businesses to help them survive the continued increases in global energy prices. The Sunday Times reports that the Department [...]
Pastry prices: Watchdog warns Cérélia‘s purchase of Jus-Rol could leave UK shoppers at risk November 4, 2022 Puff pastry giant Cérélia‘s purchase of Jus-Rol could leave UK shoppers at risk of forking out higher prices, the competition watchdog has provisionally found. After an initial investigation, the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) found that a merger of the two retailers raises concerns about the impact on prices and product quality. Ready-to-bake items [...]
Hashtag Ad: Competition watchdog asks brands to be more transparent over influencer adverts November 4, 2022 The competition watchdog has published fresh guidance for Instagram influencers and big tech firms to help users identify a paid for endorsement. Regulators want to see social media publishers commit to being more open and transparent about when posts are paid for adverts. Under the new guidance, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has asked [...]
Former Cabinet Ministers urge Jeremy Hunt to ‘unshackle’ the UK’s digital economy November 3, 2022 A cross-party letter has been handed to Jeremy Hunt urging the government to change legislation that would 'unshackle' the country's digital economy.
As Octopus reaches its tentacles into Bulb, a new Big Six is on the horizon November 3, 2022 Octopus Energy's takeover of Bulb signals the creation of a new Big Six, and an increasingly difficult market for challengers.
US judge blocks Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster’s £1.9bn merger November 1, 2022 A US judge has blocked Penguin Random House’s planned $2.18bn (£1.89bn) purchase of Simon & Schuster, after finding the move would hurt competition for anticipated best sellers. Judge Florence Pan of the US district court for the District of Columbia said that the combination of Bertelsmann owned Penguin and Paramount Global owned Simon & Schuster would “substantially” [...]
Pfizer and Flynn Pharma to appeal £70m fine for price hiking October 27, 2022 Pfizer and Flynn Pharma have filed an appeal against the UK’s competition watchdog over its decision to fine the firms £70m for hiking the price of a life-saving epilepsy drug. Pharma giant Pfizer and privately-owned neuroscience specialist Flynn are appealing the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA’s) £70m fine, after the two firms previously forced the [...]
Aviva and Hargreaves Lansdown call on regulators to prioritise net-zero October 27, 2022 A group of top finance firms including Hargreaves Lansdown and Aviva Investors have called on financial watchdogs make net-zero a central objective if the UK is to avert the worst economic damage of climate change.