Tesla cuts car prices in China on tariff fears November 22, 2018 Tesla has said it is slashing the prices of its Model X and Model S sedan cars in China, as it attempts to absorb the hit from US President Donald Trump's ongoing trade war with the region. Prices will be cut on its top two models by up to 26 per cent to make the [...]
Oil drops to its lowest point since March as investors fear increased supply November 20, 2018 Oil prices continued to fall, sliding to their lowest point in eight months this afternoon after markets were hit by increased supply from the US and a slowdown in global trade. Brent crude, the international standard, dropped by five per cent to $63.38 a barrel (£49.43) this afternoon, extending on losses made earlier in the day. [...]
Europe’s top banker warns of eurozone ‘uncertainty’ November 16, 2018 The European Central Bank will push ahead with plans to roll back its stimulus package at the end of the year, the bank’s chief said today. ECB president Mario Draghi said he still expects the eurozone economy to keep expanding, but warned that there is increasing uncertainty. “If firms start to become more uncertain about [...]
Ofgem’s energy price cap to come into effect from new year, but critics say switching is still more effective November 6, 2018 Ofgem's energy price cap is set to come into force from 1 January, the regulator said today. But consumer groups have warned it is a “temporary fix” that could put customers off switching between providers to find the cheapest deals. Ofgem said the cap, announced in September, will reduce £1bn in overcharging on gas and electricity [...]
UK services sector suffers worst month since March as optimism hits lowest ebb since July 2016 November 5, 2018 The UK services sector had its worst month since March last month as optimism faded to its lowest since the aftermath of the EU referendum. Service providers signalled the weakest expansion of the sector since the snow-hit month of March and the weakest upturn in new work since July 2016, according to the closely-followed IHS Markit/CIPS purchasing managers’ index [...]
The carbon tax cost my company millions – and I’m calling on the chancellor to raise it on Monday October 26, 2018 Normally in the week before a Budget, you would expect businesses like mine to be making last-minute pitches to the chancellor for less regulation and a cut in taxes. Yet here I am about to make a case in favour of the carbon tax – a tax which in the past cost my company millions [...]
Half a million households switched energy suppliers in September, but price cap could stifle future savings October 25, 2018 More than half a million households switched energy suppliers in September, setting a new record for 2018. The figures, published monthly by industry trade body Energy UK, showed that of 547,660 households changing providers, 42 per cent ditched large energy suppliers for small or mid-tier alternatives. Read more: Ofgem cracks down on energy sector with price [...]
How to capitalise on the electric car revolution October 23, 2018 Electric vehicles have existed since 1828, and yet their prevalence in popular society has remained the stuff of science fiction for more than two centuries. It’s only recently that electric cars have become commonplace, helped partly by government policies – such as the planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by [...]
Accountants can save the world (really) October 18, 2018 Last week, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a landmark report due to be presented to governments at the Conference of the Parties in December this year. Its conclusions are stark – global carbon emissions must start to reduce well within 12 years if we are to prevent potentially catastrophic climate change [...]
Ofgem is set to cap energy bills September 6, 2018 Households stand to save up to £120 a year following the introduction of a proposed cap on energy bills. Energy regulator Ofgem plans to cap tariffs at £1,136, saving 11m households around £75, and £120 for those on the most expensive gas and electricity deals. Read more: Eurozone producer price inflation spikes due to [...]