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Latest financial, market & economic news and analysis from The Guardian
Site URL: www.theguardian.com/uk/business
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OpenAI whistleblower who died was being considered as witness against company
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/dec/21/openai-whistleblower-dead-aged-26
Published: December 21, 2024 20:33
Suchir Balaji, listed in court filing as having ‘relevant documents’ about copyright violation, died on 26 NovemberSuchir Balaji, a former OpenAI engineer and whistleblower who helped train the artificial intelligence systems behind ChatGPT and later said…
Nadhim Zahawi lawyer fined for attempt to ‘silence’ campaigner on tax affairs
Published: December 21, 2024 20:30
Ashley Hurst ordered to pay £310,000 over email sent while acting for ex-chancellorA lawyer acting for Nadhim Zahawi during investigations into the former chancellor’s tax affairs has been ordered to pay £310,000 after a campaigner complained of an attempt…
Albania bans TikTok for a year after fatal stabbing of teenager last month
Published: December 21, 2024 20:00
Prime minister announces move after meeting with parents’ groups and teachers over social media fearsAlbania has announced a one-year ban on TikTok following the killing of a teenager last month that raised fears over the influence of social media on…
I’m one of millions working in retail. This Christmas, don’t ask how we are – or we may tell you | Andrew Herrick
Published: December 21, 2024 19:00
So far today I have dealt with 200 customers. I have smiled 200 times, but that’s getting harder. Consider me a checkout robotGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastYou decided to do it differently this year. You usually buy online,…
Revealed: property developers behind ‘breakfast club’ that donated £130,000 to Labour
Published: December 21, 2024 18:37
Funding from property firms raises questions over loopholes in political finance rulesA secretive group that donated £130,000 to Labour and claimed to be “merely a platform for people” is in fact funded by property developers, the Observer can reveal.The…
UK flights and ferries cancelled owing to high winds as Christmas getaway begins
Published: December 21, 2024 18:21
Travellers urged to allow more time for journeys amid ‘perfect storm’ of festive season and bad weatherSome flights and ferries were cancelled on Saturday amid a “perfect storm” of the Christmas getaway and bad weather.The disruption has been caused by…
Just 2% of some key trains on London to Manchester line run on time
Published: December 21, 2024 17:47
Failing passenger service is a ‘national embarrassment,’ says Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham Just 2% or fewer of trains on some of the busiest Avanti West Coast services between London and Manchester are leaving and arriving on time, analysis of…
UK house price predictions for 2025: with pay rising and rates falling, they’ll just keep going up
Published: December 21, 2024 12:00
Nothing seems to stop the relentless march of property values, even with a stamp duty increase loomingIt’s been a bumpy ride for the housing market in recent years, after Liz Truss’s disastrous mini budget of September 2022 created a surge in borrowing…
How to support a charity at Christmas … it’s a gift that just keeps on giving
Published: December 21, 2024 10:00
With more people in need this festive season, charities, too, are appealing for extra helpDonate to our charity appeal hereThe British public is expected to give more than £1bn to charities this month as the festive season acts as a reminder of the…
From cat litter to incontinence pads: UK shoppers on how ‘porch pirates’ got caught out
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/dec/21/porch-pirates-uk-doorstep-theft-parcels
Published: December 21, 2024 07:00
Readers say doorstep theft is a ‘nightmare’, but some thieves have not got what they expected in parcelsPolice warn UK shoppers over ‘porch pirates’Doorstep parcel thieves are making off with a variety of gadgets and pricey fashion items ranging from…
How YouTube (and Skibidi Toilet) changed the Christmas toys market
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/dec/21/youtube-skibidi-toilet-christmas-toys-market-tv
Published: December 21, 2024 07:00
The shift from live TV to video platforms has made toy makers and sellers rethink products and where to sell themLetters to Santa used to be filled with ideas from the Argos catalogue or adverts on children’s telly, but for today’s kids raised on “swiping…
Reeves says economic turnaround will take time and Farage ‘hasn’t got a clue’
Published: December 20, 2024 18:51
Chancellor pledges renewed focus on growth after Bank of England warning that Britain is on brink of stagnationRachel Reeves insists she won’t “gaslight” working people over her plans to turn round the economy as she launched a scathing attack on Reform’s…
House Republicans unveil potential agreement in bid to avoid government shutdown
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/20/republicans-trump-spending-bill
Published: December 20, 2024 18:38
White House sharply criticizes party’s alliance with wealthy influencers in spending negotiationsThe US government could shut down. Here’s what to knowUS politics – live updatesHouse Republicans have unveiled a potential agreement on the debt ceiling…
Reeves may have to U-turn over no more tax rises, warn economists
Published: December 20, 2024 16:59
Dramatic economic slowdown means chancellor could face lower receipts and higher borrowing costs in 2025A dramatic slowdown in economic growth and rising borrowing costs since the budget could undermine the government’s finances and force the chancellor,…
EU should spare carmakers from ‘punitive’ emissions fines, says Scholz
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/20/eu-carmakers-emissions-fines-olaf-scholz-germany-vw
Published: December 20, 2024 16:09
Germany’s chancellor backs auto industry as Volkswagen considers unprecedented plant closuresThe EU should refrain from “punitive” fines on carmakers that fail to meet emissions standards, the German chancellor has said, adding to the heated debate on the…
Boohoo shareholders vote to block Mike Ashley from joining board
Published: December 20, 2024 15:52
Chair hails ‘resounding vote of confidence’ as investors reject Sports Direct founder and his associate Mike LennonBoohoo shareholders have blocked Mike Ashley and an associate from joining its board in a blow to the Sports Direct founder’s attempt to…
Britain braces for big Christmas getaway amid weather warning
Published: December 20, 2024 14:12
Airports, train operators and motoring bodies forecast traveller numbers unseen since before pandemicBritain’s biggest festive getaway in years was set to start on Friday, as millions of people took to road, rail and skies to see thei loved ones over…
Last-minute Christmas shoppers set to spend £3bn over ‘Super Weekend’
Published: December 20, 2024 13:35
British retailers anticipate some of the biggest shopping days of the year with people ‘clearly leaving it late’Business live – latest updatesMillions of last-minute Christmas shoppers are expected to spend £3bn over what has been called Super Weekend,…
European city mayors urge Ursula von der Leyen to tackle EU’s housing crisis
Published: December 20, 2024 13:27
Leaders of 10 major cities call for action to address ‘one of the most pressing challenges’ facing societyThe mayors of 10 major European cities – between them representing more than 13 million people – have written to Ursula von der Leyen calling on the…
Starbucks workers’ strike could reach hundreds of stores by Christmas Eve
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/20/starbucks-strike-hundreds-stores-christmas-eve
Published: December 20, 2024 13:13
Walkouts will start in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle, after union said it was making little progress with chain’s owners over pay and conditionsWorkers at Starbucks stores in three cities plan to go on strike Friday after a union representing more than…
Hit TV show, tick. Millions for lawyers, tick. Now could we manage some actual justice for the subpostmasters? | Marina Hyde
Published: December 20, 2024 12:47
The ‘big people’ implicated in this disgraceful run of events need to pay their dues. Britain needs it – and demands itIn her closing statement to the Post Office inquiry this week, Paula Vennells once again added the brutal murder of irony to her list of…
Donald Trump tells EU to buy more US oil and gas or face tariffs
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/20/donald-trump-tells-eu-buy-more-us-oil-gas-tariffs
Published: December 20, 2024 12:39
President-elect reignites fears of a trade war as he says bloc must make up its ‘tremendous deficit’ with USThe US president-elect, Donald Trump, has warned the EU that it will face trade tariffs on its exports to the US unless its member states buy more…
Police warn UK shoppers over ‘porch pirates’ stealing parcels from doorsteps
Published: December 20, 2024 12:02
Total value of parcels stolen estimated at £376m, with Black Friday and run-up to Christmas the worst periodsPolice forces across the UK are warning shoppers about a rise in “porch piracy”, an emerging criminal trend involving doorstep parcel thefts that…
The facts about a planet facing climate disaster are clear. Why won’t this Labour government face them? | Jeremy Corbyn
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/20/planet-climate-disaster-labour-government
Published: December 20, 2024 12:00
Labour seems gripped by a form of denialism. The danger is real and incremental change won’t avert itJeremy Corbyn is independent MP for Islington North and was leader of the Labour party from 2015 to 2020There is no need to overcomplicate things: a rise…
Elon Musk is the ultimate chaos agent | Siva Vaidhyanathan
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/20/elon-musk-chaos-agent
Published: December 20, 2024 11:12
With one post on X, Musk has the power to shut down the government of the most powerful nation in world historyElon Musk holds no public office. He has never stood for election, passed scrutiny for appointment to public office, nor commanded a political…
Taxpayers may need to bail out Sadiq Khan’s London housing fund, say auditors
Published: December 20, 2024 10:34
GLAP missed repayment deadlines for £300m government loan and concerns raised over poor managementTaxpayers may be forced to bail out Sadiq Khan’s London housing fund, after it repeatedly missed repayment deadlines for a £300m government loan and its…
‘We are not a retro company’: Sega prepares to go back to the future
Published: December 20, 2024 10:00
Sega started as a rock’n’roll breath of fresh air in a Nintendo-dominated world – and America and Europe CEO Shuji Utsumi wants to shake things up once againFor more than a decade, between the late 80s and the dawn of the 21st century, Sega was one of the…
Tom Ilube steps down as RFU chairman over executive pay controversy
Published: December 20, 2024 09:19
Ilube was under pressure after emergency meetingChair was heavily criticised over sport’s pay furoreTom Ilube has stepped down as the chairman of the Rugby Football Union due to the executive pay and bonus scandal that has engulfed the game.Ilube, who took…
Little festive cheer as British retail sales inch up; borrowing falls in ‘early Christmas present’ for chancellor Reeves – business live
Published: December 20, 2024 07:54
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news“Christmas has come early” for chancellor Rachel Reeves with borrowing undershooting expectations in November (see earlier post).So says Ruth Gregory, deputy chief UK economist at City consultancy…
Richard Desmond set for court clash with regulator over National Lottery bid
Published: December 20, 2024 07:00
Exclusive: Tycoon rejects settlement offer from Gambling Commission linked to failed bid to run UK lotteryThe media tycoon Richard Desmond is set for a courtroom showdown with the Gambling Commission that could cost good causes tens of millions of pounds,…
Elon Musk is becoming a one-man rogue state – it’s time we reined him in | Alexander Hurst
Published: December 20, 2024 07:00
He has bankrolled elections, stoked riots and ignored laws. We mustn’t make the mistake of playing nice with the world’s richest bullyElon Musk is, more or less, a rogue state. His intentions are self-serving and nefarious, and his nation-state level…
Homes for sale with dining rooms fit for Christmas lunch – in pictures
Published: December 20, 2024 07:00
From cosy oak beams and inglenook fireplaces to an open-plan converted tin-clad chapel to host large gatherings Continue reading...
Are Brexit rules making it hard to post kids’ books to Ireland?
Published: December 20, 2024 07:00
I paid Royal Mail £14 postage but AN Post returned the parcel for not having the correct customs declarationI recently sent a parcel – of three secondhand books – by Royal Mail to Ireland, a fortnight before a birthday, paying £14 postage.Three weeks later…
CO2 emissions from new North Sea drilling sites would match 30 years’ worth from UK households
Published: December 20, 2024 06:00
New research comes as dozens of small potential fields have received some form of license from the governmentPotential new North Sea oil and gas fields with early stage licences from the UK would emit as much carbon dioxide as British households produce in…
Starmer should not be the fall guy for Labour’s failures. This disaster was written by committee | Owen Jones
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/20/starmer-labour-failures-disaster-committee
Published: December 20, 2024 06:00
The PM’s allies on the right are ideologically opposed to any economic agenda that could see off the threat from ReformKeir Starmer’s team can smell the presence of the political grim reaper. Every Friday, the prime minister’s chief of staff, Morgan…
Watchdog intervenes in Yorkshire farmer’s £3.7m sprout dispute with Aldi
Published: December 20, 2024 06:00
W Clappison Ltd claims its supply agreement was ended at planting time without reasonable noticeThe grocery industry watchdog is to make a rare intervention in a Yorkshire sprout grower’s £3.7m legal case against Aldi over the discount chain’s decision to…
Republicans fail to pass spending bill in House in setback for Trump
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/19/trump-spending-bill-government-shutdown
Published: December 20, 2024 01:09
A day before potential shutdown, House rejects package hastily assembled after Trump and Musk scuttled prior dealDonald Trump suffered a humiliating setback on Thursday when Republicans in Congress failed to pass a pared-down spending bill – just one day…
House Republicans reach spending deal to avert government shutdown
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/18/government-funding-trump-shutdown
Published: December 19, 2024 20:59
Members of Congress had been racing for agreement before Friday deadline after Trump earlier rejected bipartisan planUS politics – live updatesHouse Republicans say they have cobbled together a deal to avert a government shutdown a day after Donald Trump…
‘These water companies have got a damn nerve’: anger in England as 58,000 homes lose supply while bills surge
Published: December 19, 2024 18:29
Southern Water customers’ taps ran dry or lost pressure after a fault at one of its supply works“It feels awful,” said Samantha Hargreaves as she trundled her bottle-laden trolley past queues of cars waiting for drinking water in an Asda car park. It was…
Why are Amazon workers on strike – and what does it mean for Christmas deliveries?
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/dec/19/amazon-strike-why
Published: December 19, 2024 18:11
Amazon Labor Union – comprising 10,000 workers across the US – is striking over the company’s refusal to negotiateWith Christmas less than a week away, thousands of Amazon warehouse workers across the countries are on strike after the company refused to…
What is the US debt ceiling?
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/19/what-is-the-debt-ceiling
Published: December 19, 2024 17:56
Trump called for the elimination of the debt ceiling on Thursday. Here’s what to know about the statutory limitDonald Trump abruptly rejected a bipartisan plan to prevent a government shutdown before the Friday deadline and called for the outright…
Ofwat opts for expediency. It’s time for water companies to stop bleating | Nils Pratley
Published: December 19, 2024 17:47
Water bill increases are at about the level most firms requested – but not so for beleagured Southern and ThamesAverage water bill to rise by 36% over five yearsHow much more might you pay in your area?Water bills in England and Wales were always going to…
Water bills in England and Wales: how much more might you pay in your area?
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/dec/19/water-bills-england-and-wales-how-much-rise-charge
Published: December 19, 2024 17:43
The average bill is to rise by 36% over five years. Here’s what each firm will charge, and how they will spend the cashAverage water bill in England and Wales to rise by 36% over five yearsWater bills in England and Wales will soar by 36% over the next…
Bank of England holds interest rate at 4.75% but warns of UK stagnation risk
Published: December 19, 2024 16:41
Central bank downgrades growth forecast amid threat from budget fallout, rising inflation and Trump trade tariffsInflation fears trump growth concerns among MPC membersThe Bank of England has kept interest rates on hold as it warned UK growth is on the…
US Amazon workers go on ‘largest’ strike against company, Teamsters union says
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/dec/19/amazon-workers-strike-union-teamsters
Published: December 19, 2024 15:00
Employees at seven facilities including New York, Atlanta and San Francisco take action in demand of contract talksAmazon workers at seven US facilities walked off the job early on Thursday during the holiday shopping rush, aiming to pressure the retailer…
UK arts and media reject plan to let AI firms use copyrighted material
Published: December 19, 2024 14:38
Exclusive: Coalition of musicians, photographers and newspapers insist existing copyright laws must be respectedWriters, publishers, musicians, photographers, movie producers and newspapers have rejected the Labour government’s plan to create a copyright…
Inflation fears trump growth concerns among Bank of England’s MPC members
Published: December 19, 2024 13:25
The monetary policy committee voted six to three to hold interest rates steady despite consumers’ reticence to spendBusiness live – latest updatesThere was no doubt in the City that the Bank of England would hold interest rates at 4.75%. An increase in…
HS2 boss blames failure to control costs on rush to start work
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/dec/19/hs2-mark-wild-costs-budget-department-transport
Published: December 19, 2024 13:22
Mark Wild says ‘fundamental reset’ needed, as Department for Transport admits it has no final cost estimateEnormous budget overruns on the HS2 high-speed railway have been blamed by its new chief executive on a “rush to start”, as the Department for…
UK data regulator criticises Google for ‘irresponsible’ ad tracking change
Published: December 19, 2024 12:10
ICO says allowing advertisers to track digital ‘fingerprints’ will undermine consumers’ control over informationBusiness live – latest updatesBritain’s data protection regulator has labelled Google as “irresponsible” for allowing advertisers to track…
Watchdog gives lenders a year to respond to UK car finance complaints
Published: December 19, 2024 10:06
Financial Conduct Authority sets 4 December 2025 deadline for handling rising number of customer queriesBusiness live – latest updatesThe City regulator has given lenders a year to respond to the rising number of customer complaints over the way they were…
Navantia to buy Titanic builder Harland & Wolff, saving about 1,000 jobs
Published: December 19, 2024 09:59
Northern Ireland secretary hails rescue deal reached with Spanish state-owned company that secures all four shipyardsA Spanish state-owned shipbuilder will buy Belfast-based Harland & Wolff in a deal that will secure all four of its shipyards and save…
Aldi liable for ‘flagrant’ copyright breach of rival brand’s packaging, federal court finds
Published: December 19, 2024 09:46
Supermarket giant sought to use Baby Bellies’ designs for ‘its own commercial advantage’, judge saysFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSupermarket giant Aldi has been found…
Bank of England expected to leave interest rates on hold today; household water bills to rise 36% by 2030 – business live
Published: December 19, 2024 07:25
Regulator Ofwat rules that bills in England and Wales will increase by an average of £31 per year from 2025 to 2030Thames Water to get green light to hike bills by more than a third by 2030Customers at Southern Water will face the highest increase in bills…
Water bills for households in England and Wales to rise by £31 a year
Published: December 19, 2024 07:20
Average bill will rise by £157 over five years to £597 after regulator agrees to increase amount firms can chargeHouseholds in England and Wales will see their water bills rise by an average of £31 a year, as suppliers pay to fix leaky pipes and cut…
Germany and France are in crisis – is the next global financial crash brewing? | Larry Elliott
Published: December 19, 2024 07:00
The eurozone’s flaws and a lack of growth in the EU have combined to malign effect. ‘More Europe’ is not the solutionThings are not quite going according to plan for Rachel Reeves. The economy has contracted for the past two months and inflation is proving…
Body Shop is back for good … and back in profit, new boss tells staff
Published: December 19, 2024 07:00
Ethical beauty chain books £2m profit in first three months after rescue from administration in SeptemberThe new boss of the Body Shop has told staff the struggling ethical beauty retailer is “back for good” after it booked a profit in its first 100 days…
Humphrey’s world: how the Samuel Smith beer baron built Britain’s strangest pub chain
Published: December 19, 2024 05:00
Since the 1970s, Humphrey Smith has acquired scores of pubs and historic properties around the UK. But time after time, he has left the buildings empty. Why has he allowed his empire to moulder?In early September 2022, Alivia Bienko and her husband, Liam,…
Fed cuts interest rates amid questions over its fight to lower inflation
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/18/fed-cuts-interest-rates
Published: December 18, 2024 19:09
Central bank lowers the benchmark federal funds rate by a quarter of a percentage point The US Federal Reserve cut interest rates on Wednesday amid questions over its fight to bring down inflation across the world’s largest economy.Policymakers at the…
Thames Water to get green light to hike bills by more than a third by 2030
Published: December 18, 2024 18:46
Exclusive: Long-awaited decision by water regulator Ofwat falls short of utility’s requested 59% riseTroubled Thames Water will be allowed to increase customer bills by just over a third by 2030 after a decision by the industry regulator, the Guardian has…
Nissan’s mooted merger with Honda may be best answer to industry’s EV problem
Published: December 18, 2024 17:43
Potential deal sounds more like a credible plan for crisis-hit carmaker as its troubled alliance with Renault hits a dead end Until recently, the plan at crisis-hit Nissan was to muddle through somehow. About 9,000 job losses were announced last month out…
Eddie Stobart obituary
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/18/eddie-stobart-obituary
Published: December 18, 2024 17:33
Founder of the haulage business that carried his name and grew into a multimillion-pound concernHis was the name that adorned a thousand lorries, so familiar on the motorways of Britain that families would while away long journeys by counting them and…
UK inflation hits eight-month high of 2.6%, fuelling calls to hold interest rates
Published: December 18, 2024 16:14
Annual increase in November driven by rising cost of petrol and groceries and hike in tobacco duty in budgetUK inflation data leaves Starmer miles off goal of growth ‘felt in people’s pockets’Business live – latest updatesUK inflation has risen to its…
‘It’s undemocratic’: Waspi women on the decision not to pay compensation
Published: December 18, 2024 15:43
Some are questioning loyalty to Labour while others say move is unconstitutionalHilary Simpson is fed up with being asked how she feels about the government’s failure to tell her that the pension age had changed and its refusal to compensate her.“It’s…
Biden administration allows California to ban new gas-powered car sales by 2035
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/18/biden-ban-gas-powered-car-sales
Published: December 18, 2024 15:42
EPA agreed to grant the state’s requests and permit similar proposals from other states, a step Trump has vowed to undoThe Biden administration granted two requests from California to enforce strict standards for vehicle emissions, including a rule aimed…
‘If a million Germans have them there must be something in it’: how balcony solar is taking off
Published: December 18, 2024 15:14
Balcony solar panels can save 30% on a typical household’s electricity bill and, with vertical surface area in cities larger than roof space, the appeal is clearThey are easy to install, and knock chunks off electricity bills. It may not be Romeo and…
What are ‘Waspi women’ and why do they feel betrayed over pensions?
Published: December 18, 2024 14:53
How women born in the 1950s have lost out in changes to the UK state pension age – and what happens nextThe UK government has stirred up a hornet’s nest with its decision to deny compensation to what could be millions of “Waspi women”.The women are said to…
Waspi compensation not affordable, Starmer tells Diane Abbott at PMQs – video
Published: December 18, 2024 13:42
Keir Starmer says that 90% of women knew of pension changes in response to a question from Diane Abbott about the decision not to compensate Waspi women. The government accepted the parliamentary and health service ombudsman’s findings earlier this year…
Brexit cost UK £27bn in lost trade in first two years, review finds
Published: December 18, 2024 12:22
Despite fall in trade, LSE study says overall impact was more limited than OBR forecasters first estimatedBusiness live – latest updatesThe damage from Brexit to trade links with the EU cost the UK £27bn in the first two years, but the overall impact was…
Direct action! Strikes in pictures from the Jane Bown archive
Published: December 18, 2024 12:10
A new gallery looks back at some of the strike action covered by Jane Bown over the last 60 years. The series has been selected from the Jane Bown archive as well as the book Jane Bown: A Lifetime of Looking, edited by Luke Dodd. The book celebrates the…
Feeling at home? New app lets US homebuyers see neighbors’ politics
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/18/oyssey-homebuyers-app-neighborhood-politics
Published: December 18, 2024 12:00
Oyssey startup allows users to access neighborhood political affiliations and other social dataAmerica’s political divide is likely to get even wider thanks to a new real-estate platform that lets potential buyers see the political affiliations of their…
Shoe Zone blames tax rises in budget for decision to close some stores
Published: December 18, 2024 11:49
Retailer hit by ‘challenging trading conditions’ and says wage and NIC changes made a number of shops ‘unviable’The low-cost footwear retailer Shoe Zone has blamed extra costs resulting from changes to wages and national insurance contributions (NICs) in…
Observer appoints Lucy Rock as editor as Tortoise Media sale confirmed
Published: December 18, 2024 11:15
Title’s first female editor in more than a century will work alongside a digital editor, as Observer builds online brandLucy Rock has been appointed as the first female editor of the Observer in more than a century as part of an announcement that confirmed…
Andrew and Tristan Tate lose £2m court case over unpaid tax
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2024/dec/18/andrew-tate-tristan-lose-court-case-over-unpaid-tax
Published: December 18, 2024 10:53
Police can seize money from frozen accounts after ‘straightforward cheat of the revenue’, London magistrate rulesPolice can seize more than £2m from the influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan after they failed to pay a penny in tax on £21m of…
Tell us: are you affected by UK government decision not to compensate ‘Waspi women’?
Published: December 18, 2024 10:24
We’d like to hear from women who are affected by Labour’s decision not to compensate women who lost out on pensions because the government failed to notify them of changes to the rulesAre you affected by Labour’s decision not to compensate women who lost…
Chinese AI chip firms blacklisted over weapons concerns gained access to UK technology
Published: December 18, 2024 10:20
Imagination Technologies had licences with two Chinese firms – but said it had not ‘implemented transactions’ that would enable the use of technology for military purposesChinese engineers developing chips for artificial intelligence that can be used in…
UK inflation data leaves Starmer miles off goal of growth ‘felt in people’s pockets’
Published: December 18, 2024 09:56
Increase extinguishes expectations of interest rate cut this week and underlines tough challenges policymakers faceUK inflation hits eight-month high of 2.6%Business live – latest updatesKeir Starmer’s latest “milestone” for the economy is growth that can…
Rachel Reeves: improving services more important than Waspi women payout
Published: December 18, 2024 09:06
Chancellor says high cost of compensation cannot be justified because most of women affected had known pension changes were comingImproving public services is a higher priority than spending £10bn compensating Waspi women, the chancellor, Rachel Reeves,…
Energy firms to spend £70bn to rewire Great Britain’s electricity grid
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/18/energy-firms-rewire-great-britain-electricity-grid
Published: December 18, 2024 08:14
National Grid, SSE and ScottishPower submit plans amid global race to shift from fossil fuels to clean electricityEnergy companies have promised to spend almost £70bn over five years to help rewire Great Britain’s electricity infrastructure in the global…
UK inflation rises to 2.6% in November, further above Bank of England target – business live
Published: December 18, 2024 07:28
Inflation hits eight-month high; US Federal Reserve widely expected to cut interest rates by a quarter pointIn other news, energy companies have promised to spend almost £70bn over five years to help rewire Britain’s electricity infrastructure in the…
Coal use to reach new peak – and remain at near-record levels for years
Published: December 18, 2024 06:00
Spike in fossil fuel use a result of global gas crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of UkraineThe world’s coal use is expected to reach a fresh high of 8.7bn tonnes this year, and remain at near-record levels for years as a result of a global gas crisis…
Amazon to settle dispute with delivery drivers over claims worth potential £140m
Published: December 18, 2024 06:00
Exclusive: UK lawyers said in tribunal self-employed drivers owed because retailer dictated their working conditionsAmazon is to settle a group claim from delivery drivers that it deprived them of thousands of pounds, the Guardian has learned, ending a…
Prince Andrew’s ‘opaque’ finances provoke calls for register of royal interests
Published: December 18, 2024 05:00
Claims of refused FOI requests into Duke of York’s business dealings come as controversy over alleged Chinese spy continues Getting information from government departments about the Duke of York’s past business dealings is like playing “whack-a-mole”, it…
Lloyds advert banned for making false environmental claims
Published: December 18, 2024 00:01
Watchdog ruled social media post failed to provide balanced information over bank’s ongoing financing of polluting industriesA Lloyds Banking Group advert has been banned for making false environmental claims, making it the second major lender to break the…
Biden administration advises caution on new natural gas permits after report
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/17/biden-natural-gas-export
Published: December 17, 2024 19:28
Study published Tuesday shows rising LNG exports risk dramatically raising greenhouse gas emissionsThe Biden administration released a long-awaited study on the economic and environmental impacts of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports on Tuesday, saying…
Honda and Nissan to start talks on potential mega-merger
Published: December 17, 2024 18:49
Japanese car firms embark on negotiations to combat competition from bigger EV manufacturersJapanese carmakers Honda and Nissan will begin negotiations over a potential merger, according to a report.The Nikkei financial newspaper said on Tuesday that the…
The Guardian view on online safety: ministers must stand up to big tech | Editorial
Published: December 17, 2024 18:31
With a code full of holes, Ofcom has shown that it is unfit to hold the world’s biggest businesses to accountNo one, not even its biggest supporters, thought that last year’s Online Safety Act was perfect. Finding a balance between free expression and…
Cost of HS2 could pass £80bn as estimated bill jumps 15% in a year
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/dec/17/cost-of-hs2-estimate-euston
Published: December 17, 2024 18:17
Projected bill includes price of building HS2 station at Euston, with a budget of about £5bnThe bill for building the HS2 high-speed railway could pass £80bn at current prices, as estimated costs jumped by 15% since the last parliamentary report just over…
Holyhead port closure to disrupt Guinness supplies and Christmas travel
Published: December 17, 2024 17:15
Impact of Storm Darragh has shut route between Wales and Ireland, limiting deliveries of cheese, beef and stoutFerries from Holyhead port in Wales, battered by Storm Darragh 10 days ago, are to remain closed until mid January at the earliest, in a major…
Elon Musk is on track to be a trillionaire – if America doesn’t turn against him first | Arwa Mahdawi
Published: December 17, 2024 16:16
He has wiggled his way into power thanks to his wealth. But once he is making decisions that affect people’s daily lives, Musk may find the shine wears offCongratulations to Elon Musk, a genius of truly galactic proportions, who recently made what might…
Anger greets UK government decision not to compensate ‘Waspi women’
Published: December 17, 2024 16:04
Minister says flat-rate compensation scheme for women affected by rising state pension age would have cost taxpayer £10.5bn, “Waspi women” affected by the rising state pension age will not get compensation, the government has announced, with the prime…
Will the future of transportation be robotaxis – or your own self-driving car?
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/dec/16/robotaxis-general-motors-self-driving
Published: December 17, 2024 14:39
GM is shutting down its robotaxi business, Tesla is creating one of its own – what does the future hold for self-driving?Want TechScape delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereWelcome back. This week in tech: General Motors says goodbye to robotaxis but not…
For richer or poorer? BrewDog co-founder may delay marriage to max-out tax relief
Published: December 17, 2024 13:30
James Watt’s investment in I’m a Celebrity winner Georgia Toffolo’s raw dog food venture needs three years as ‘unconnected person’ under HMRC rulesJames Watt, the multimillionaire co-founder of “punk” brewer BrewDog, has said he is considering delaying his…
Post Office inquiry witnesses driven by ‘self-preservation’, says Vennells lawyer
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/dec/17/post-office-inquiry-witnesses-paula-vennells-lawyer
Published: December 17, 2024 11:48
Former CEO’s legal team tells inquiry to treat evidence cautiously, saying Jo Swinson ‘sought to point the finger’Paula Vennells’ legal team has told the Horizon IT inquiry to treat the evidence of some witnesses “cautiously”, as a desire for…
UK proposes letting tech firms use copyrighted work to train AI
Published: December 17, 2024 11:10
Consultation suggests opt-out scheme for creatives who don’t want their work used by Google, OpenAI and othersTech companies will be allowed to freely use copyrighted material to train artificial intelligence models unless creative professionals and…
Campaigners urge high court to block £3bn Thames Water bailout
Published: December 17, 2024 09:54
Protesters gather in London as judges consider deal that will cost billpayers an estimated £250 a year eachCampaigners have gathered outside the high court in London calling for judges to block a financial bailout of struggling Thames Water.MPs, activists…
Britvic’s £3.3bn takeover by Carlsberg gets green light from UK watchdog
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/17/britvic-takeover-by-carlsberg-uk-cma
Published: December 17, 2024 09:43
Danish brewer to acquire British maker of Robinsons squash, J20 and R White’s lemonadeBusiness live – latest updatesThe £3.3bn takeover of the UK soft drinks maker Britvic by the Danish brewer Carlsberg has received the go-ahead from Britain’s competition…
Billionaire Guy Hands’s property firm sells military homes to MoD for £6bn
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/dec/17/guy-hands-property-military-homes-mod-terra-firma
Published: December 17, 2024 08:31
Terra Firma’s sale of 36,000 properties ends legal fight with government over recent housing reformsBusiness live – latest updatesA property company linked to Guy Hands has agreed to sell 36,000 military homes to the UK’s Ministry of Defence for almost…
UK interest rate cuts less likely after pay growth accelerates – business live
Published: December 17, 2024 08:26
UK wage growth has risen to 5.2% per year, making Bank of England highly likely to leave interest rates on hold on ThursdayING have calculated that UK private sector wage growth increased by 12% on a one-month annualised basis in October.This will matter…
Thousands of affordable homes ‘held up by lack of money from providers’
Published: December 17, 2024 08:00
New homes in England and Wales not being built as housing associations face financing issues, research showsThe delivery of thousands of affordable homes by private housebuilders is being held up because social housing providers are unable to buy them,…
Australia news live: Qantas to pay $120m compensation to illegally sacked workers
Published: December 17, 2024 07:04
Follow today’s news liveCouple likely killed in ‘targeted double murder’ before alleged offenders fled country, NSW police sayGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAftab Malik says Islamaphobia ‘hidden cancer’ with incidents ‘common’…
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