As energy bills become more expensive starting Jan. 1, respected forecasters have said they could rise further in the spring rather than the fall as originally predicted. THE energy price cap increases from January, bringing the cost of a typical annual bill to £1,738 – £21 more per year than between October and December. Bills … Read more
What a year 2024 has been. A massive election – well, two massive elections on each side of the Atlantic, and more elsewhere on the planet – followed by changes of government and numerous economic milestones along the way. So let’s recall some of the highlights of the year, in graphic form. We start with … Read more
The operator of almost 150 Pizza Hut restaurants in the UK is in advanced talks with potential buyers as it strives to secure a deal to secure its future. Sky News has learned that Heart With Smart (HWS), the US brand’s largest UK franchisee, aims to select a preferred bidder in January after weeks of … Read more
Nearly 170,000 retail workers lost their jobs this year after the collapse of major chain stores, according to data. This is the highest since more than 200,000 jobs in the sector were lost in 2020 in the wake of the crisis. COVID pandemic, which forced retailers to close their stores during lockdowns. The figures, compiled … Read more
Manchester United football club will cut the funding it provides to its charitable arm as part of a cost purge overseen by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, its new billionaire shareholder. Sky News has learned that the Premier League club plans to inform the Manchester United Foundation of its intention to cut the benefits it offers – … Read more
Sir Keir Starmer has ordered Britain’s top watchdogs to remove barriers to growth in a bid to revive Britain’s flagging economy. Sky News has learned that the Prime Minister wrote to more than ten regulators – including Ofgem, Ofwat, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Competition and Markets Authority – on Christmas Eve demanding they … Read more
Several months before farmers hit the headlines, after protesting in Whitehall against the new government’s inheritance tax rules, we at Sky News embarked on a project. Most of our stories are relatively short stories, recorded and edited for the evening news. We capture snapshots of life in households, businesses and communities across the country. But … Read more
An Oxford University spin-out developing a new generation of weed-resistant herbicides has begun fundraising for $40 million (£32 million) from potential backers. Sky News understands that Moa Technology, which was co-founded by Professor Liam Dolan, director of plant sciences at the world-renowned university, is launching a Series C funding round. Moa has already raised $59m … Read more
The cost of living crisis has “boosted” the second-hand industry, Sky News has learned, with more than £2 billion being spent on second-hand gifts this Christmas. Adam Jay, CEO of Vinted Marketplace, said the “trend” to buy second-hand was “happening anyway”, but described rising costs elsewhere as a possible “accelerator”. “I’m sure the cost of … Read more
Japanese automobile giants Honda and Nissan have announced plans to merge. That would make it the third-largest automaker by sales, behind Toyota Motor Corp and Volkswagen AG. The two companies announced that they had signed a memorandum of understanding that would also include smaller companies. Nissan Alliance member Mitsubishi Motors is participating in the integration … Read more