Small firms top Which? annual energy survey
Image copyright Getty Images Small energy suppliers have beaten the so-called Big Six in a customer satisfaction survey by Which? The consumer group surveyed 8,000 UK energy users about their provider and issues such as value for money, customer service and accurate billing. The top five were small suppliers: Octopus Energy, Robin Hood Energy, So …
Mike Ashley reportedly in talks to buy music chain HMV
Image copyright Getty Images Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley is reportedly in talks to buy music chain HMV. HMV collapsed last month, its second administration in six years, risking 2,200 jobs at 125 stores. Mr Ashley, who owns several high-street retailers has held talks with suppliers of music and entertainment products, Sky News has reported. …
Heathrow: Man charged with flying drone near airport
Image copyright PA Image caption George Rusu is accused of using a drone on a field near the runway (file picture) A man has been charged with flying a drone near Heathrow Airport on 24 December. George Rusu is accused of using a drone on a field near the runway just days after a scare …
Edinburgh pays top share of property tax
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Edinburgh has a large number of expensive properties Edinburgh home-buyers are paying nearly a third of all Land and Buildings Transaction Tax, according to new data from Revenue Scotland. The agency has broken down takings from different council areas. No other area pays more than 9% of the total. …
Ticket resale company ‘determined to sit outside the law’
Image caption Last year Arctic Monkeys manager Ian McAndrew called for Viagogo to be shut down Campaigners say ticket resale company Viagogo is not fully complying with a court order to reform its practices. In November, the firm was required to improve the information it gives to consumers, including details of the seller and seat …
Single-use coffee cups: Wales urged to bring in ‘latte levy’
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption City to Sea said its research showed big public support for a “latte levy” A “latte levy” on disposable coffee cups should be introduced in Wales to reduce waste, campaigners have said. UK ministers rejected calls for a 25p charge per single-use cup in the Autumn Budget, proposing a …
Patisserie Valerie seeks bank lifeline
Image copyright Getty Images Troubled cake chain Patisserie Valerie is facing a crucial few days after a deal with its banks expired on Friday. The UK firm said in October it had uncovered “significant, and potentially fraudulent, accounting irregularities”. The company’s biggest shareholder, Luke Johnson, is now in talks to extend its cash lifeline from …
China’s slowdown and what it means for the UK
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Exporters and investors will be looking at China’s GDP figures closely Monday sees the release of China’s GDP figures, and they’ll be even more closely watched than usual. Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, blamed cautious Chinese consumers in part for his company’s failure to sell as many iPhones as he …
Girl Scouts of America offer badge in cybersecurity
Girl Scouts of America are now offering girls as young as five a badge in cybersecurity. It’s part of a drive to get more girls involved in science, technology engineering and mathematics from a young age. An event in Silicon Valley gave scouts an opportunity to earn the first patch in the activity, with the …