Tortilla swings to loss after ‘unprecedented’ food and energy inflation March 27, 2023 Burrito chain Tortilla Mexican Grill has revealed it swung to a loss last year as it came under pressure from “unprecedented” food and energy costs, and avoided raising its prices above inflation. The fast-casual restaurant chain insisted its sales have benefited from consumers opting for value-for-money meals over dining out at restaurants. Its revenues jumped [...]
L&G report: Inflation is widening gap between rich and poor with ‘pay cut’ for 95 per cent of UK households March 27, 2023 Legal & General’s Rebuilding Britain Index (RBI) found that 95 per cent of working UK households have experienced a real terms pay cut over the last 12-months as rising inflation makes its way felt into nearly all households. UK inflation has surpassed forecasts and stayed in the double digits and the rate of price increases [...]
Floating offshore wind could offer £26bn boost to green economy March 27, 2023 Floating offshore wind gives the UK a chance to make the most of the green energy transition, argued industry body Renewable UK.
UK risks net zero goals without end date for North Sea oil and gas projects March 25, 2023 The UK needs to accelerate plans to cut emissions in the North Sea or risk its net zero goals, warned the chair of a panel of MPs.
What will it take for business leaders to understand the true value of cybersecurity? March 24, 2023 Business decision makers (BDMs) and IT leaders have rarely seen eye to eye. Back in 2020, an analyst report revealed that 69% of execs perceived cybersecurity to be an entirely or mostly technology area. Yet this attitude is increasingly unsustainable in a world where businesses must fight for every last contract and every last staff [...]
Tim Martin’s JD Wetherspoon blames ‘ferocious’ inflation for profits plummeting 91 per cent March 24, 2023 The chief of JD Wetherspoon has said blamed “ferocious” inflationary pressures in the pub industry as the pub giant reveals a 90.9 per cent loss in profits for the 26 weeks to January. As the cheap beer chain felt the hangover from Covid-19 and Brexit supply issues, pre-tax profits were down to £4.6m compared to [...]
Sharp increase in retail sales amid ‘subdued’ outlook due to inflation – but is there a ‘chink of light’ with Easter holidays? March 24, 2023 British retail sales grew sharply last month compared to pre-pandemic levels, but price increases continue to deliver a “subdued” longer-term outlook. Sales volumes are thought to have increased by 1.2 per cent in February after a rise of 0.9 per cent in January, suggesting the industry is recovering from the pandemic well. Industry figures are [...]
‘Not optimistic’: Experts pour cold water on hopes Green Day will boost energy sector March 24, 2023 Energy experts have raised doubts over the UK's ability to compete with rival markets in the upcoming "Green Day" legislation.
Rising food prices surprised the Bank of England, but supermarkets saw it coming March 24, 2023 An unexpected rise in inflation and the price of food shows us not to take it for granted.
UK inflation shock was bad for the Bank of England – and disastrous for families March 22, 2023 These were not good inflation numbers for the Bank of England. They were even worse for families. Nearly everyone has been taken aback by the Office for National Statistics calculating the annual rate of headline inflation (the consumer price index) snapped a three month falling streak to climb to 10.4 per cent last month. That [...]