Britain needs to run in circles, especially when we buy new clothes and other goods January 23, 2023 It might not make a dent in the cost-of-living crisis, but soon people will be able to get a small cash sum for every plastic bottle they recycle. The scheme, lauded by environmental campaigners, was finally approved last Friday. A rare slice of positive news, however, was overshadowed by a familiar problem in this Broken [...]
Banks called on to extend pandemic era support to vulnerable customers as cost of living pressures mount January 22, 2023 British banks are being called on to extend support offered to customers during the pandemic as the cost of living crisis increasingly affects vulnerable customers. A new report from Fair4All Finance – a government-backed financial inclusion body – found that “unprecedented” support from banks significantly helped customers during Covid-19 with “no detrimental impact on bottom [...]
Grant Shapps cracks down on suppliers forcing households to use prepayment meters January 22, 2023 Grant Shapps has told energy suppliers they must stop forcing financially vulnerable households to switch to prepayment meters.
Week ahead: Recession signals to flare up in fresh PMI and government borrowing to hit £18bn January 22, 2023 Investors this week will be eyeing fresh surveys for more clues on whether the UK economy has slipped into recession. London’s premier FTSE 100 index’s strong start to 2023 came off the boil slightly last week, shedding nearly one per cent to close at 7,770.59 points, while its mid-cap domestically-focused peer the FTSE 250 dropped [...]
Seraphine sells: Maternity brand worn by celebrities including Kate Middleton and Kate Winslet to be taken private in £15.3m deal January 20, 2023 The board of Purple Bidco, owned by Mayfair Equity, and directors of Seraphine have agreed to buy out the maternity clothing company in a deal which values the celebrity fashion favourite at £15.3m. The offer represents a 206 per cent premium of the firm’s share price, with each share being sold for 30p cash in [...]
Energy bills: Octopus tops Which? survey with SSE and Scottish Power trailing behind amid calls for more customer support January 20, 2023 Octopus Energy has topped a well-known annual customer survey, after winning over households with its customer service.
Recession risks return as Brits brace for cost of living crisis to make 2023 a ‘bumpy ride’ January 20, 2023 UK consumer confidence dipped for the first time in two months in January, raising the risk the economy will slip into recession after all despite a string of better than expected data recently, a closely watched survey out today reveals. A credit card debt hangover from the Christmas spending splurge and energy bills looming has [...]
Fintech Pensionbee buzzes towards profits after reporting boost in savers January 19, 2023 London-listed fintech PensionBee has doubled down on its prediction of profits this year after reporting a boost in customers and revenues in 2022.
Andrew Bailey hints Bank of England is close to ending interest rate hike cycle January 19, 2023 Andrew Bailey has hinted that the Bank of England will stop hiking interest rates soon in an interview today. Speaking to Business Live, the governor of the Bank suggested market expectations of rates peaking at around 4.5 per cent is more in line with the central bank’s own thinking. Though Bailey, 63, said he is [...]
No gravy train: Bisto-maker Premier to cut 300 jobs despite strong festive sales January 19, 2023 Leading British manufacturer Premier Foods’ grocery business has gone from strength-to-strength over the Christmas period, as it looks to close a loss-making factory costing 300 jobs. The company, the maker or famous brands including Mr Kipling, Ambrosia, Custard and Angel Delight, cashed in on festive purchasing despite the cost of living crisis, with sales up [...]