European carbon benchmark prices breach €70 for first time amid colder winter weather and consumption demand November 22, 2021 European carbon prices have sustained record levels, climbing above €70 per tonne for the first time since the European Union’s market was launched in 2005. Monday was the sixth consecutive day of European carbon allowances setting an all-time high. The European benchmark price soared to €70.43 yesterday, amid colder than expected weather and less wind [...]
Ministers warned that failing to solve £360m in pandemic rent arrears could lead to ‘mass homelessness’ November 22, 2021 Ministers are being warned this morning that a failure to tackle the £360m in rent arrears accrued during the pandemic could cost the Government over £2.6bn because of the danger of “mass homelessness.” The Big Issue said it costs the Government £9,266 for every person made homeless, whereas the price of preventing homelessness is £2,263. [...]
Oil toils: Prices slide to seven-week low as Covid-19 cases surge across Europe November 21, 2021 Oil prices slide to seven week lows amid rising Covid-19 cases and positive noises from Japan regarding releasing reserves.
Energy crisis: Avro Energy collapsed owing £90m to customers November 21, 2021 Avro Energy owed £90m to customers when it collapsed according to its adminsitrators.
Google searches for ‘energy bill help’ soar three thousand per cent after two more firms go bust November 19, 2021 Google searches for ‘energy bill help’ exploded over three thousand percent in the UK on the same day two more energy suppliers collapsed.
The private sector should step in to tackle homelessness November 19, 2021 This winter will be a perfect storm for homelessness, with rises in rent, energy and food prices . During the pandemic, the government provided temporary emergency relief for frontline homelessness. While the government is always liable, it is the private sector that is largely responsible for housing. Privately run housing associations have been providing the [...]
A Churchillian answer to the Covid-19 debt: what we need is emergency consols November 19, 2021 The budget numbers are stark: taxes rising to their highest since the 1950s, government debt hitting 97 per cent of the national income, and that’s if we’re lucky. Much of the problem is down to the cost of pandemic measures—furlough, welfare, business loans and lower lockdown tax revenues—of around £550bn, equating to £20,000 for every [...]
High voltage: National Grid’s profits spark to life amid Europe’s energy crunch November 18, 2021 National Grid is benefitting from booming profits as the energy crisis continues to bite.
Swelling energy bills propel inflation to 4.2 per cent, more than double Bank of England’s target November 17, 2021 Swelling household energy bills have propelled inflation to more than double the Bank of England’s target, dialling up pressure on the Old Lady to act to hose down red-hot price rises. Inflation scaled to 4.2 per cent in October, up sharply from 3.1 per cent in the previous month, according to the Office for National [...]
Retailers slam rocketing interchange fees as UK firms face £36.5m increase November 17, 2021 UK and European Economic Area (EEA) retailers are facing a cost increase of around £150m a year to accept cross-border card payments. UK businesses may be forced to take on an additional £36.5m, according to research by retail payments advisory firm CMSPI, alongside the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The BRC has called on ministers and [...]