Smaller energy firms reap the rewards after switching soars January 20, 2014 THE NUMBER of energy customers looking for cheaper deals soared at the end of last year, with around 1m people switching energy suppliers over November and December. In contrast, around 208,000 people switched in September and 3m switched over the entire year, according to research from data company Electralink. The figures showed that 230,000 of [...]
Smaller energy firms reap the rewards as switching soars January 20, 2014 The number of energy customers looking for cheaper deals soared at the end of last year, with around one million people switching energy suppliers over November and December. In contrast, around 208,000 people switched in September and 3m switched over the entire year, according to research from data company Electralink. 230,000 of those switching in [...]
Germany falls out of love with renewable energy January 20, 2014 Germany is planning to cut its renewable energy subsidies by up to a third by 2015, according to plans from the minister of economics and energy Sigmar Gabriel. Under the draft proposals the feed-in tariffs paid to renewable power generators will be slashed to an average of €0.12 per kilowatt hour (kWh) by 2015 from [...]
The 10 biggest challenges facing small businesses in 2014 January 20, 2014 Business confidence blossomed at the end of 2013, and things have got off to a good start for firms this year too. Figures from the British Chambers of Commerce showed that confidence in a broad-based UK recovery is growing, and net optimism flew to 71 per cent at the end of the year. When it [...]
Letters to the Editor – 17/01 – Readers respond to our criticism of France’s failed socialist experiment January 16, 2014 Although I now live in China, I worked in France for 26 years, and have a lot of affection for the country and its people. Like Allister Heath, I feel sad to see the country going down the drain because it cannot rid itself of socialist dogma. The problem is that France is paralysed by [...]
The rise of the London Village January 16, 2014 IT SEEMS these days everyone wants their slice of village life, even if they live and work in the heart of the city. The Big Smoke has always been made up of distinct neighbourhoods with their own character and lifestyle, but the idea of the London Village has really taken hold in the public imagination [...]
Tata Europe boss calls on the government to slash energy bills January 16, 2014 Steel boss Karl Koehler has called on the government to slash energy bills. The CEO of Tata Steel Europe said that heavy industries need help to deal with rapidly rising costs. Speaking at a conference in London, Mr Koehler argued that revitalising these sectors could play a major part in rebalancing of the UK economy. [...]
The 10 biggest challenges facing small businesses in 2014 January 16, 2014 Business confidence blossomed at the end of 2013, and things have got off to a good start for firms this year too. Figures from the British Chambers of Commerce showed that confidence in a broad-based UK recovery is growing, and net optimism flew to 71 per cent at the end of the year. When it [...]
EU rules make it harder for firms to cut risk exposure January 15, 2014 BUSINESSES and their customers could face higher costs after new EU rules were approved which could make it harder to cut their risks, lawyers warned yesterday. Rules to increase transparency in derivatives markets could make the industry safer and easier to police, but also mean firms will not be able to find bespoke products to [...]
London Report: Banks lift FTSE as new leverage rules welcomed January 13, 2014 ARALLY in banking shares helped the FTSE 100 rise to a two-month closing high yesterday as investors welcomed the prospect of lighter rules on leverage for the sector. Supermarket WM Morrison was the top FTSE gainer on speculation it may sell some property and return some of the proceeds to shareholders, while oil and gas [...]