US interest rates hit 14-year high in inflation battle
Natalie Sherman Business reporter, New York Reuters Jerome Powell, head of the Federal Reserve, says inflation in the US is too high The US central bank has pushed interest rates to the highest level in almost 15 years as it fights to rein in soaring prices in the world’s largest economy. The Federal Reserve announced […]
Covid test plan a ‘pointless solution’ says Iceland boss
Beth Timmins Business reporter, BBC News Getty Images The government’s Covid test scheme to prevent workers having to self-isolate is a “pointless solution” because it excludes supermarket workers, according to the boss of the Iceland chain. “It’s only depot and factory workers so it only fixes half the supply chain issue,” Richard Walker told the […]
Snow, rain, and wind set to hit homes still without power
Getty Images Military personnel have been called in to help with the recovery effort in Scotland and northern England Snow, rain, and wind have been forecast to sweep across areas still affected by power outages from Storm Arwen. Thousands in northern England and Scotland remain without power after the storm more than a week ago. […]
City deal-type package for rural Wales call by Labour AM
PA Rural Wales needs the equivalent to the city deals struck around Cardiff and Swansea, a Labour AM has said. Eluned Morgan said a strategy is needed as a matter of urgency so rural areas can have the same kind of attention parts of urban Wales have had. It is one recommendation in a wide-ranging […]
West businesses say fuel cut ‘not enough’
Getty Images Motorists have been hit by record pump prices since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine The chancellor’s cut to fuel duty has been branded a “drop in the ocean” by a business expert in the West. Rishu Sunak cut 5p off the tax on a litre of petrol or diesel in his Spring Statement on […]
ITV2 dating show returns after 18-month break
Steven McIntosh Entertainment reporter ITV The islanders have reportedly been in quarantine for two weeks in the run-up to the series launch Love Island returns to screens on Monday after an 18-month break enforced by the coronavirus pandemic. It will be the first new series of the ITV2 dating show since Paige Turley and Finley […]
UK to withdraw from international fishing arrangement
Press Eye The government is to end an arrangement that allows other countries to fish in UK waters, it has been announced. The convention allows Irish, Dutch, French, German and Belgian vessels to fish within six and 12 nautical miles of UK coastline. Environment Secretary Michael Gove said the move would help take back control […]
Cracking new ways to fight plastic waste
Vivienne Nunis Business reporter, BBC News BBC Michael Minch-Dixon’s fruit snack packets will rot away harmlessly on a compost heap Plastic is one of the world’s favourite packaging materials – it’s cheap, practical and hard wearing. But its durability is part of the problem. Plastic pollution is now a huge issue and consumers are increasingly […]
Fears for up to 30 jobs at Baxters in Fochabers
Google Baxters has a major presence in Fochabers Food firm Baxters could close its restaurant and retail outlet in Moray with the loss of up to 30 jobs. The Fochabers-based business – famed for its soups and preserves – has a Highland Village visitors centre in the town. Baxters said the coronavirus pandemic had “exacerbated […]
Average five-year fix rises above 6%
Faarea Masud & Lucy Hooker Business reporters Getty Images A typical five-year fixed mortgage deal now has an interest rate of more than 6%. It comes after the Bank of England raised interest rates to a 15-year high of 5% last month, as it tries to bring down inflation. Mortgage lenders have been increasing rates […]