Thursday, October 31, 2024

Child benefit reform plans scrapped

A planned move to a system where claims are based on household income, rather than an individual's, will not go ahead.

The house paints that promise much more than colour

Paints now promise to make your house cooler, warmer, or simply peel off.

'This catastrophic Budget will push up the price of a pint'

Hiking the amount employers pay in National Insurance, coupled with other cost rises, has sparked fury from businesses.

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Budget boost to UK economy forecast to fade after two years

The government's official forecaster raises its prediction for UK growth in 2024 and 2025 but reduces it for later years.

Rail fares in England set to rise next year

Regulated rail fares in England are set to rise by 4.6%, while most rail cards will rise by £5.

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

McDonald's apologises for E. coli outbreak as sales slide

Boss Chris Kempczinski says sorry for the outbreak as the burger giant faces flagging sales.

How much will the minimum wage rise by?

Ministers have announced bigger-than-expected increases to the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage.

Monday, October 28, 2024

Tariffs hurt his business. He's voting for Trump anyway

Donald Trump's call for sweeping tariffs is resonating, as protectionism gains steam in the US.

McDonald's Quarter Pounder back after E. coli outbreak

The fast food giant said beef patty samples had tested negative for the bacteria.

Sunday, October 27, 2024

Firms must prevent sexual harassment under new law

What counts as sexual harassment and what should you do if you experience it at work?

'I can't run a business like this': Why the WordPress row matters

WordPress's tools are used by 40% of the world's websites, making this a spat with big consequences.

No new freeports in Budget after 'comms cock-up'

The government mistakenly briefed that five new low-tax sites would be announced this week.

The water industry is in crisis. Can it be fixed?

Simon Jack asks what reform of the troubled sector could mean for customers and their bills.

Friday, October 25, 2024

Starmer attempts to define 'working people' tax pledge

The prime minister is under pressure to set out who he is excluding from possible tax increases.

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Will AI make work burnout worse?

As more AI tools are rolled out, some argue they are contributing to employee burnout.

Twice homeless millionaire tops UK black power list

The now multimillionaire began his career in a call centre after failing to become a professional footballer.

Starbucks boss shakes up menu to win back customers

The coffee shop chain has also promised to look at pricing and staffing to prevent bottlenecks

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

More escape debt for free as bills keep mounting

A charity in Sheffield is praised for its work helping people get out of debt free of charge.

McDonald's burgers linked to E. coli outbreak in the US

At least 49 people have been sickened and one person has died, according to the CDC.

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Nerves frayed in Canada and Mexico over US trade relations

As Americans prepare to vote in the presidential election, Canadians and Mexicans mull the likely impact. 

Monday, October 21, 2024

Holiday in Greenland? New airports aim to entice tourists

The Arctic territory hopes that three new airports will pave the way for direct flights from the US and Europe.

Sunday, October 20, 2024

Who has to pay inheritance tax?

Inheritance tax is again creating political debate so how does it work and who pays?

Debt rule to change to fund major projects

Government claims the move contrasts with former PM Liz Truss's controversial mini-Budget.

Saturday, October 19, 2024

'It's our moonshot': Why scientists are drilling into volcanos

In Iceland scientists plan to drill down to magma to understand it and use it for energy production.

Friday, October 18, 2024

More than 100 customers contact BBC about scams, saying Revolut failed them

People say they have been poorly treated by the firm after being tricked out of cash while using app.

Faster grid hook-ups planned for some green energy projects

Wind farms ready to be built will be connected to the electricity grid quicker under government plans.

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Why this month's inflation figure matters for you

The cost of living is always important but this month's has a particular extra impact for millions of people.

Mental health patients could get job coach visits

Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall says trials of the idea have produced "dramatic results".

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

London Tube drivers to strike over pay

London Underground drivers are set to strike on two days in November in a dispute over pay.

Why there's a rush of African satellite launches

Falling launch costs have given African nations a chance to send their own satellites into orbit.

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Would Donald Trump’s taxes on trade hurt US consumers?

What could happen if Donald Trump drastically increases tariffs as he has promised to do?

Northern agrees to scrap railcard fare prosecutions

The rail operator says it is working with the government to simplify it price structure.

Monday, October 14, 2024

Thousands of cars that crash in US are ending up in Russia

The South Caucasus nation of Georgia has a huge used car market, with many vehicles finding their way over the border.

Budget rule change could mean more money to build hospitals

Here is how the chancellor could choose to tweak the government's borrowing rules to free up more cash.

Sunday, October 13, 2024

Panna diamond dream: Generations dig for fortune in India's gem town

In Panna, families hunt for diamonds hoping to strike rich and escape the cycle of poverty.

Fines and convictions for minor mistakes - how rail tickets confuse passengers

Complex rules leave many customers feeling caught out and annoyed they aren't made clearer by rail companies.

Port plan to go ahead after row over minister's comments

A £1bn investment will take place, despite a row with the owner of P&O Ferries, says the business secretary.

Mortgage costs 'unlikely' to return to low levels

The boss of the UK's biggest lender says mortgage costs are unlikely to fall to levels seen in the past decade.

Meet the team paid to break into top-secret bases

Hear from the team who test security by breaking into secure facilities.

How a Budget rule change could mean fewer tax rises

Here is how the chancellor could choose to tweak the government's borrowing rules to free up more cash.

Friday, October 11, 2024

How China’s crackdown turned finance high-flyers into ‘rats’

Chinese authorities have been cracking down on businesses from real estate to technology to finance.

Thursday, October 10, 2024

UK firm GSK to pay $2.2bn over Zantac cancer claims

The firm has reached agreements with law firms representing about 80,000, or 93%, of claimants.

Spain looks to immigrants to drive economy

Spain has seen a big rise in illegal immigration, but some say that the extra workers are needed.

EU delays introduction of border check system again

The EU pushes back introducing new biometric border checks that were due on 10 November.

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Boeing withdraws 30% pay rise offer to striking staff

The aviation giant accused the union of not giving its proposals serious consideration.

Indian tycoon Ratan Tata dies aged 86

His death was announced by the Tata Group, the conglomerate he led for more than two decades.

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Water firms told to cut customer bills over poor performance

Water companies must reduce customers' bills over poor performance but it will have a small impact.

TGI Fridays: 1,000 UK jobs to go despite rescue deal

The deal to save the chain will see more than 30 of its restaurants close.

Monday, October 7, 2024

‘Perfect storm’ blocking thousands of desperately needed social homes

Housebuilders say they have thousands of social homes ready to be built but no customers to buy them.

Will NI get new electricity link from Scotland?

A decision on a new electricity link between Scotland and NI is expected later this month.

Sunday, October 6, 2024

Should you tip even if the service wasn't worth it?

There are no set rules when it comes to tipping but here's what hospitality staff, customers and experts have to say.

Airlines look to cut time spent on the tarmac

Airlines are hoping to cut waiting times by using AI to allocate gates at airports.

Builders' £2.5bn merger backed after monopoly probe

The housebuilding giants' plan gets the go-ahead after a competition probe into two homes projects.

Surprise surge in new US jobs in September

The jump in hiring will ease fears of a downturn but raises questions over the path for interest rates.

Saturday, October 5, 2024

A 'painful' Autumn statement and a 'bright' Irish budget

With Ireland announcing a "hopeful" budget, the contrast with the looming UK budget is stark.

Friday, October 4, 2024

EU hits China with big taxes in electric car sales battle

The vote risks sparking a trade war as the EU looks to protect its own car makers.

Rachel Reeves signals plan to spend more on big projects

The UK will prioritise and increase investment in major projects in the Budget, Rachel Reeves says.

Thursday, October 3, 2024

'Botched insulation means mushrooms grow on my walls'

MPs and Citizens Advice urge the government to address regulation of the sector.

Chancellor's £22bn carbon capture spend highlights investment focus

The UK will prioritise and increase investment in major projects in the Budget, Rachel Reeves says.

Musk faces regulators' questions over X takeover - but will he show up?

Musk abruptly cancelled a deposition with government lawyers and now they fear he'll ghost them again.

Water firms 'failing to address customer concerns'

The Consumer Council for Water says it has handled 7,977 complaints in the past year.

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

People told to read meter as energy bills rise

A 10% energy price rise has taken effect, meaning annual bills will be £1,717 on average.

Workers must keep all customer tips under new law

Bosses must pass on all tips and service charges to staff under new employment rules.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Looking for a pay rise? Try datacentre construction

Despite offering high pay companies that build datacentres are struggling to find skilled staff.

US ports strike causes first shutdown in almost 50 years

The strike is set to significantly disrupt trade, creating uncertainty ahead of the US election.