Government must show more urgency, says Ovo boss
Getty Images The government is showing “nowhere near enough urgency” in finding a solution to steep increases in gas and electricity prices, one energy boss has told the BBC. Ovo’s boss Stephen Fitzpatrick predicts the rise in wholesale gas prices and its impact on people will be “an enormous crisis for 2022”. The business secretary […]
US boss holds crisis gas talks with UK
Dearbail Jordan & Michael Race Business reporters, BBC News Getty Images The boss of a US company that supplies 60% of the UK’s food-grade carbon dioxide supply has held crisis talks with the government over shortages. Tony Will, chief executive of CF Industries, arrived in the UK earlier after the firm stopped production at its […]
Businesses ‘struggling to survive’ as bills rise
BBC Brad Cummings (right), pictured with Tiny Rebel co-founder Gareth Williams, says energy costs for Tiny Rebel brewery are “huge” and out of the firm’s control A “relentless rise” in energy bills could force some hospitality businesses to close, with one brewery owner saying their costs have almost tripled. Brad Cummings, co-founder of Tiny Rebel, […]
‘My dream job turned into a nightmare’
Lora Jones, Nalini Sivathasan & Samantha Everett BBC News BBC As a recent graduate in 2018, Matt thought he was entering the workforce as a junior executive in Newcastle Matt stood, phone in hand, taking photos of his hair on the floor. His topknot had just been cut off as a forfeit for losing out […]
Spain’s olive oil producers devastated by worst ever drought
Mark Lowen Andalucia, BBC News BBC Jaén province generates half of all Spanish oil Francisco Elvira picks his way through his scorched olive grove, stopping to inspect the stunted fruit on almost-bare trees. “Look at them,” he says in desperation. “They ought to be bursting with olives now, close to the harvest. But they’re empty. […]
US jobs rise again as firms raise wages to woo staff
Natalie Sherman Business reporter, New York Getty Images US employers added 431,000 jobs last month as the American economy continued to rebound from the shock of the coronavirus pandemic. The figures from the Labor Department marked the 15th month in a row of job gains and helped to push the unemployment rate down to 3.6%. […]
UK’s largest carbon capture plant opens in Northwich
Tata Chemicals Europe The £20m project has now been completed by Tata Chemicals Europe The UK’s largest carbon capture plant, which will aim to recycle 40,000 tonnes of waste CO2 each year, has opened. Tata Chemicals Europe’s (TCE) site in Northwich, Cheshire, will be the first in the world to purify and liquefy carbon dioxide […]
UK sandwich chain Pret A Manger to launch in India
Reuters A firm owned by Asia’s richest person has struck a deal to open outlets of the British coffee and sandwich chain Pret A Manger across India. A unit of multi-billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries will run the chain under a franchise agreement. It marks the first venture by Reliance Brands, which also owns India’s […]
Petrol price hits new record above £1.60 a litre
Michael Race Business reporter, BBC News Getty Images Petrol prices have risen above £1.60 a litre on average for the first time as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to affect the cost of oil worldwide. Unleaded petrol hit £1.61 a litre on Thursday, having risen by 8p in a week, while diesel reached £1.70 a […]
Higher blood clot risks and Shanghai lockdown food shortage fears
Here are five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Thursday morning. 1. Higher blood clot risks There’s an increased risk of developing a serious blood clot in the six months after having a Covid infection, according to a study. Researchers can’t explain exactly why they happen but it could be to […]