Category: Business News

The problem this time was brutal competition on the Nordic markets, where profits collapsed, although the ongoing normalisation in consumer spending on technology and gadgets in the wake of the pandemic posed a further challengeRuss Mould and Danni Hewson, AJ Bell

Anglo’s overall position continues to be strengthened by its exposure to consumer products, meaning it’s partially protected from the worst of industrial slumps, but there is clearly work to be done to keep the ship in good order over the next 12 monthsSophie Lund-Yates, Hargreaves Lansdown

Rob Perrins, chief executive, said: “Despite urban regeneration being a clear national priority, it has become increasingly difficult to progress this form of development as changes to planning, tax and regulatory regimes have created an increasingly uncertain, unpredictable and burdensome environment.

Ms Baldwin, a Conservative MP, said: “We welcome many of the changes as logical and sensible measures. We do, though, question the validity of claims that welcoming consultations, establishing reviews or publishing documents should be considered reforms.

The report, released on Thursday, argued that because energy and food prices feed so significantly into costs across all sectors of the wider economy, this exacerbated the initial price shock – contributing to inflation peaking higher and lasting longer than had there been less market power.

Milena Mondini de Focatiis, chief executive at Admiral Group, said: “Increased scale in home and pet not only supports Admiral’s diversification strategy, but also supports our aim to provide customers with a stronger multi-product offering, choice and convenience.”

Chief executive Brian Duffy said while there were some “encouraging” signs, consumers are continuing to rein in their spending on luxury and jewellery after being battered by a barrage of interest rate hikes, high inflation and falling house prices.

It revealed in half-year results that costs surged over the half-year, pushed higher by a bill for a summer of water interruptions, with £3 million forked out – including £1.5 million in compensation and £700,000 for providing bottled water to households and customers.

However, the UK banking system is well capitalised, has high levels of liquidity, and “has the capacity to support households and businesses even if economic and financial conditions prove to be substantially worse than expected,” its report said.

Conservative former health minister Dr Caroline Johnson told MPs: “As someone who has worked as a junior doctor, I understand it is a demanding job and I have sympathy with the challenges they face, however, the strikes that are planned over the festive period threaten public safety and they will delay people’s treatment.