Shops tell Osborne to lift sector by going easy on new tax hikes November 12, 2012 RETAILERS yesterday sent a list of demands to George Osborne ahead of the chancellor’s Autumn Statement next month, calling for measures to save the struggling sector. Osborne should freeze business rates, scrap the delayed plans to increase fuel duty, and ensure that the minimum wage does not rise at a rate that “does not exceed [...]
Firms fret over next steps for energy supply November 12, 2012 BUSINESSES are increasingly worried about the UK’s attempts to bridge a looming energy gap, according to a survey out today. As the coalition races to secure replacements for ageing nuclear and coal power stations and fuel bills soar, research showed that almost six in 10 large businesses think energy security is becoming a “major concern” [...]
Mixed corporate earnings see FTSE end down as Eurozone fears grow November 8, 2012 BRITAIN’S top share index fell yesterday as mixed earnings reports combined with concerns about the Eurozone’s economy and debt troubles to weigh on sentiment. Tate & Lyle and Land Securities were among fallers in heavy volumes after releasing disappointing earnings updates. Land Securities had gained 25 per cent year to date, with Tate & Lyle [...]
What the other papers say this morning November 7, 2012 THE TIMES EADS offices raided over Austria sale Police have raided several offices belonging to the European aerospace and defence group EADS as part of an inquiry into whether bribes were paid to smooth the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Austria. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL Occidental Petroleum vying for Yates Occidental Petroleum is among [...]
Rapid responses October 30, 2012 EU budget battles [Re: Cameron should wield the UK veto and block the EU’s bloated budget, yesterday] Priti Patel is emerging as the rising star of the Conservative party, and this spirited encouragement for David Cameron to stand firm on ridiculous EU budget demands just adds to her support for tax reform earlier this week. [...]
EDF hikes energy prices October 26, 2012 Energy firm EDF today announced that gas and electricty prices would rise by 10.8 per cent from 7 December. It follows in the footsteps of rivals Scottish Power, Centrica, npower and SSE, who have all raised prices in the last few weeks, although EDF’s is the biggest so far. The rise will add £2.35 a [...]
Inflation drops but above 2pc for 30th month October 16, 2012 INFLATION dived in September, data revealed yesterday, bringing it closer to the Bank of England target is has exceeded for 30 consecutive months. Yearly inflation, as measured by the consumer prices index (CPI), slid to 2.2 per cent in September, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, down from 2.5 per cent in August. Driving [...]
Npower and British Gas hike energy prices October 12, 2012 Energy companies npower and British Gas today announced price hikes for its customers, adding £112 and £80 a month respectively to the average customer’s annual dual fuel bill. British Gas this morning confirmed it is to hike gas and electricity prices by an average of six per cent from 16 November, equating to £1.50 a [...]
British Gas confirms price hikes October 12, 2012 British Gas this morning confirmed it is to hike gas and electricity prices by an average of six per cent, adding £80 to the average annual dual fuel bill. The increase, equating to £1.50 a week for customers, is blamed on rising wholesale prices. British Gas last raised prices in August 2011, and today’s increase, [...]
British Gas to hit customers with price hike October 11, 2012 BRITISH Gas is preparing to hike its gas and electricity prices by around eight per cent as early as today, leaving its variable tariff customers with an average of £100 extra on their bills. The group, which has around 12m residential customers in the UK, last increased its bills in August 2011, blaming rising costs. [...]