February 2025
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Households have been warned that energy prices could stay high for the rest of the year after Ofgem announced the price cap would go up by 6.4% from April. The increase will raise the average bill for households in England, Scotland and Wales on a standard variable tariff from £1,738 a year to £1,849. The…
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Sports Direct has launched a membership programme offering customers exclusive benefits and personalised offers both in-store and online. It’s the first offering of its kind from owner Frasers Group. Brand benefits include free access to the Everlast Gyms fitness app and discounted Everlast Gyms membership. Michael Murray, chief executive of Frasers Group, said: “Sports Direct Membership…
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BP’s hiking of fossil fuel production in the face of overwhelming evidence it will worsen the rapidly changing climate was done for one reason – to increase shareholder value. After the announcement, however, its share price was down 1% at points, making it one of the worst performers among the most valuable London Stock Exchange listed…
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Nearly three million more families will be eligible to receive an £150 Warm Home Discount next winter under government proposals to help people with their energy bills. This is technically a consultation, but ministers insist the proposed changes will be implemented. The changes Previously, only those on Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance would…
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British Airways has been named the worst UK carrier to fly long haul in the latest airline customer satisfaction survey from Which?. The consumer brand surveyed travellers’ experiences on more 9,000 flights, with BA finishing joint bottom (with Air Canada) out of 19 airlines for long-haul flights. It also finished 12th out of 16 carriers…
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The UK government should consider reviewing how Ofgem calculates charges to help sustain public support for the expansion of clean energy. That’s according to an associate director at the Institute for Public Policy Research thinktank, who says Brits want to see the end of the UK’s “costly reliance” on gas and shift to “homegrown, secure,…
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Wizz Air is launching the UK’s only non-stop flights to the Saudi Arabian city of Medina. The budget airline announced it will begin daily return flights between Gatwick Airport and Medina from 1 August, with single fares are available from £233.99. Medina, which only opened to non-Muslim travellers in 2023, is one of the oldest…
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More than 25,000 first-time buyers in England are set to miss the stamp duty deadline, new data reveals – at a total cost of £34m. From 1 April, the threshold at which first-time buyers start paying the tax will drop to £300,000 from £425,000 – meaning many more will be liable. The stamp duty threshold…
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While consumer groups hit out at energy company profits after the energy price cap rose today, the chief executive of water company Pennon was defending her pay increase to MPs. Susan Davy, chief executive of South West Water’s parent company, acknowledged the company had “a lot more to do” on customer service and engagement and…
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Bitcoin has plunged to its lowest level since November. The world’s biggest cryptocurrency fell to £68,500 at one point today. Only a month ago, it had been trading at all-time highs of £86,000. This comes days after Bybit, a major crypto exchange, lost more than £1.1bn in the biggest hack on record. It’s believed the Lazarus Group,…
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Olive oil prices have finally started to fall after months of record-breaking inflation. Analysis of Assosia data by The Grocer shows olive oil products in the major supermarkets dropping in price since 1 January, with some lines down by as much as 33%. Prices hit record highs in 2023 and 2024 after extreme drought in Spain, where almost…
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The most valuable companies on the London Stock Exchange are on track to miss the government-backed target of having women in 40% of top executive roles by 2025. Figures out today showed women occupied only 35% of leadership roles at FTSE 350 companies. But the target was met for company boards, with women comprising 43% of…
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The possibility of a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine has caused wholesale energy bills to fall in recent weeks, but household bills will still be going up from April. Consumers will be paying for the winter months. Europe endured a cold and still winter, meaning demand for energy increased while countries were less able…
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Former Nigerian dancehall artist Cynthia Morgan has responded to the recent court proceedings involving Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of Psquare. On Tuesday, February 26th, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission brought him before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, where he faced allegations of fraud amounting to N1.38 billion. In her…
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Nigerian artist Naira Marley has addressed the public following his exoneration from any connection to the death of fellow musician Mohbad. In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Marley disclosed that he and Mohbad had mended their relationship prior to his untimely demise, despite previous conflicts. Marley voiced his dissatisfaction with…
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The Trump administration is directing all federal agencies to “promptly” begin preparations for large-scale layoffs and restructuring, and submit plans for doing do so by March 13, according to a new memo obtained by ABC News. The memo, from White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, and Charles Ezell, the head of the Office…
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