General News
Britain faces labour crisis by 2025, report says
Britain faces a labour crisis by 2025 caused by a Brexit-induced migration slump and an ageing population, according to a report by human resources consultants Mercer.
BT landline-only customers to get phone bill discount from Sunday
BT customers who have only a landline, without any broadband , will see their monthly phone bill cut by £7 from Sunday, following an intervention by Ofcom.
Treasury committee to investigate economic crime
Parliament's Treasury committee has announced an inquiry into economic crime amid renewed concerns about money laundering and the security of consumers’ data.
Ofcom confirms new broadband rules, won't regulate fastest Openreach fibre
Ofcom published its final statements on its reviews of a number of UK broadband regulations on Wednesday, confirming a package of measures it set out last month intended to drive investment into full-fibre broadband, as well as improve quality of service on the BT Openreach network.
De La Rue calls on government to reverse blue passport decision
De La Rue’s chief executive has called on the government to reverse its decision to award the contract for making post-Brexit blue passports to a Franco-Dutch company.
Unions agree pay deal for NHS workers
Health unions have accepted a deal for 1. 3m NHS workers that will see pay rise by at least 6. 5% over three years.
Facebook investigated by US Federal Trade Commission, report says
The US Federal Trade Commission is investigating whether Facebook violated terms of a consent decree covering its use of personal data, according to a report.
FCA ready for 'fundamental reform' of unarranged overdraft fees
The Financial Conduct Authority has underlined its readiness to clamp down on banks' high overdraft charges that disproportionately affect the least well-off.
Government plans crackdown on bosses of failing companies
The government has proposed a clampdown on bosses who run or control companies that run into insolvency after a series of high-profile corporate failures.
Ofcom 5G mobile spectrum auction begins
The next generation of mobile services moved a step close on Tuesday, as Ofcom’s auction to release more airwaves for mobile broadband and future 5G services began.
Finance Industry attempts to tackle scams as consumers lose £236m
UK consumers lost £236m due to authorised push payment scams in 2017 as deception and impersonation continue to drive fraud according to data released by UK Finance on Thursday.
Departing FCA chairman defends regulator's record
The Financial Conduct Authority’s departing chairman has defended the regulator’s record after a gruelling period when MPs published a report into Royal Bank of Scotland’s treatment of customers that the FCA wanted to keep secret.
Russia won't respond to ultimatum until given access to substance used in poisoning
Russia wants access to the substance used to poison former spy Mr Skripal and his daughter on 4 March before it answers Theresa May’s ultimatum to give "a credible response" by the end of Tuesday or face consequences.
OBR commentary pours cold water on 'Tigger-like' Hammond
The Office for Budget Responsibility's spring report shows that Philip Hammond's upbeat statement that there is "light at the end of the tunnel" for the UK economy after years of austerity is based almost entirely on an improved global economy rather than any domestic improvement.
Hammond raises prospect of public spending increases
Philip Hammond held out the prospect of increases to public spending as he set out improved short-term figures for UK economic growth and the public finances, including lower than expected government borrowing in 2017-18.
UK growth weakest in G20 as world economy strengthens, OECD says
The world economy is strengthening but Britain will have the weakest growth in the G20 in 2018, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development said.
Treasury to investigate funding gap holding back female entrepreneurs
The UK government has launched a review into the funding gap that holds women back from becoming business leaders.
Many local councils running out of cash as social care demands surge
One in 10 local councils could run out of cash in the next three years as they cope with increased demand for social care and government funding cuts of 50% since 2011.
Possible crackdown on energy drinks as MPs open inquiry
A committee of MPs has launched an inquiry on the consumption of energy drinks by young people in the UK.
Estate agents' stocks hit record lows, RICS says
The UK property market continued to struggle in February as estate agents’ stocks sank to a record low and buyer enquiries fell for an 11th straight month, a survey showed.