Friday newspaper round-up: UK farmers, Total, Royal Mail
UK farmers are receiving negligible profits for many items as food prices rise and supermarkets boast record takings. An average block of cheese or loaf of bread produces less than a penny for farmers, and fruit producers do not fare much better, making just 3p from each kilo of apples. – Guardian
French oil giant TotalEnergies has become the first major North Sea operator to cut investment as a direct result of Rishi Sunak's windfall tax. The €157bn (£134bn) company is to reduce planned spending on new wells by a quarter next year as the levy forces drilling businesses to reexamine their plans. – Telegraph
Royal Mail has accused striking staff of assault and intimidation against workers crossing the picket line as the dispute between the two sides becomes increasingly bitter. One person was headbutted while some employees were followed and filmed, according to claims made by the company as strikes entered their fifth month. – Telegraph
The former head of the competition regulator is set to take a job at a US consultancy where he will advise on anti-trust issues. Andrea Coscelli, who stepped down as chief executive of the Competition and Markets Authority in July after six years, will set up a new London office as co-head in Europe of Keystone Strategy. – The Times
Britain’s third-biggest cinema chain is ready to swoop on a rival in a “huge consolidation play” ahead of a possible stock market flotation. Tim Richards, who founded Vue International in 1999, confirmed the company was ready to take advantage of any opportunities that presented themselves as speculation mounts that Cineworld could be broken up. – The Times