Fund managers call for FCA blockchain taskforce in plans for ‘Investment Fund 3.0’ July 7, 2022 The UK’s top investment body called on government and regulators to harness the benefit of cryptocurrencies and decentralised finance today, as it claimed the industry was on the cusp of a “major technological transformation”.
UK competition watchdog opens EU copycat investigation into Amazon July 6, 2022 The UK competition watchdog launched an investigation into whether Amazon has a dominant market position this morning and if it was abusing this power. The Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) probe will hinge on whether the US giant is giving an unfair advantage to its own retail business or sellers, compared to other third-party sellers [...]
UK competition watchdog digs into Microsoft’s £58bn mega deal with Activision Blizzard July 6, 2022 Microsoft is under the spotlight of UK’s competition watchdog after snapping up “Call of Duty” maker Activision Blizzard for $68.7bn (£57.8bn) earlier this year in the biggest deal in gaming history. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it had until 1 September to make a call on whether the deal would reduce competition in [...]
Petrol prices drop slightly for first time since April, but motoring associations say it’s not enough July 6, 2022 Petrol prices have slightly dropped for the first time since mid-April, according to reports from motoring association the AA. Figures have shown that the average price of a litre of petrol at UK pumps went down by 0.3p between Sunday and Monday. The price of petrol yesterday was around 191.3p, well below Sunday’s record price [...]
New research warns fresh Digital Markets Unit risks stifling UK innovation July 6, 2022 A new report has warned that proposals to introduce a new Digital Markets Unit (DMU), housed at the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), will have dire consequences for innovation, investment and dynamism in the digital sector.
Petrol June surge smashes previous records July 6, 2022 The average cost of a litre of petrol has jumped 16.6p in June, smashing previous records, according to data released today. Figures from the RAC Fuel Watch revealed that petrol costs surged from 174.8p to 191.4p, meaning that the cost of filling up a family car has increased by £9 in 30 days to £105.29. [...]
Police vow to act ‘promptly’ against drivers who don’t pay for fuel at pump despite ‘difficulties’ investigating July 4, 2022 The police have vowed to act “promptly” against anyone caught driving off from petrol stations without paying amid soaring prices. The force admitted there “can be difficulties in investigating” the crime in part because each incident is different is handled by a different force across the country. This comes as motorways across the country were [...]
UK motorways brought to standstill as angry drivers protest against rocketing fuel prices July 4, 2022 UK motorways have been brought to a standstill after dozens of angry drivers took to the streets and protested against rocketing petrol and diesel prices. Campaigners today targeted major arteries such as the M4 in South Wales and Somerset, as well as the M5 from Devon to Bristol and the A38. Demonstrations, in the shape of [...]
Complaints from EU push Amazon to allow two-click cancellation for Prime July 1, 2022 Amazon have made it easier for users to cancel their Prime subscriptions in just two clicks after consumer groups took their grievances about the e-commerce giant to the EU last year. The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), the Norwegian Consumer Council and the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue criticised Amazon for pushing users to go through a number [...]
BNPL firm Zilch bags $50m as boss predicts looming crisis for ‘checkout button’ rivals June 30, 2022 The boss of buy-now pay-later firm Zilch criticised the business model of ‘checkout button’ rivals today and said they would be rocked by an economic slowdown this year, as the London fintech revealed a $50m funding injection to fuel its expansion.