SSE upgrades profit expectations to nearly £1bn amid soaring gas prices February 8, 2022 SSE has upgraded its full-year outlook, with the energy firm boosting its profit forecasts to nearly £1bn amid spiralling wholesale gas prices.
Cost of living crunch bites Brits’ optimism February 8, 2022 Fears over a sharp erosion in living standards driven by the cost of living crunch is weighing on Brits’ confidence levels, reveals a fresh survey published today. Consumer confidence in the UK dipped to its lowest level in 11 months last month, according to research by Bank of America. Concerns over inflation hitting household budgets [...]
Looming energy price cap rise could push five million back to the office February 8, 2022 The looming energy price cap could push almost five million people back into the office, as rising energy costs weigh on the work from home lifestyle. With millions considering ditching the pandemic-era work pattern, according to research by Electric Radiators Direct, early commutes at an average of £64 a month are appearing more desirable to [...]
BP rebounds with 30-fold increase in profit amid surging oil prices February 8, 2022 Oil and gas giant BP has rebounded with fourth-quarter profits of $2.3bn and a replacement cost profit of $4.1bn.
Perfect storm of rising costs to hit retail return February 8, 2022 Total retail sales jumped 7.5 per cent during January compared to the same month in 2020. However, retail bosses have warned consumers and firms face a challenging few months ahead with a perfect storm of rising costs. Shoppers were less eager to buy non-food items in stores over the three months to January, compared to [...]
Ofgem boss to face grilling from MPs as price cap comes under fresh scrutiny February 8, 2022 MPs will put the consumer price cap under scrutiny in Westminister today after Ofgem’s decision to hike energy bills to nearly £2,000 per year.
Cost of living crunch already hitting consumer spending even before inflation peaks February 8, 2022 The cost of living crunch is prompting Britons to rein in spending even before inflation reaches its expected summit this spring, reveals new research published today. An erosion in household budgets triggered by inflation hitting its highest level in nearly three decades weighed on consumer spending last month, according to figures from Barclaycard. UK spending [...]
More than 250 hospitality bosses call for VAT freeze as diners hit by rising costs February 7, 2022 Restaurant bosses from big names including JD Wetherspoon and Greene King have signed a letter to the Chancellor calling for a VAT freeze at 12.5 per cent. In an open letter to Rishi Sunak, more than 250 hospitality businesses have called for a re-think of plans to hike the VAT rate back to 20 per [...]
Cobra chairman: ‘No running away’ from beer price increases February 7, 2022 Price hikes for beer are a “necessity” against a backdrop of spiralling costs faced by businesses, according to the founder of Cobra Beer. Firms have been hit with rising costs across the supply chain, including manufacturing, energy and labour with consumers facing rising food prices and utility costs. The food and drink industry faces a [...]
Windfall tax looming: BP may end up in firing line if it reports expected 30-fold increase in profits February 7, 2022 Oil giant British Petroleum could end up in the firing line when it reports this week what analysts expect might be a more than 30-fold increase in its profit in the closing months of last year. The oil giant is expected to report an underlying replacement cost profit – its preferred measure – of around [...]