Energy firm Igloo, along with two others, have confirmed they are ceasing to trade as the record surge in wholesale energy costs continue to take their toll on small suppliers. Industry regulator Ofgem said the customers of Igloo, Symbio Energy and ENSTROGA would be sheltered through the appointment of a new supplier in due course.
Business
Retailer Next has called for the government to take a “more decisive” approach as it warned a lack of foreign workers could hamper Christmas shopping deliveries. The business, led by Conservative peer Lord Wolfson, suggested that after the “widely predicted” HGV driver shortage crisis it should act to avert further looming problems in areas such
The first “very tentative signs of stabilisation” are being seen on petrol forecourts, the transport secretary has said, following days of long queues and closed pumps at some filling stations across the country. Grant Shapps said the sooner people returned to their normal habits and stopped panic buying petrol and diesel, the sooner the fuel
Oil prices have topped $80 a barrel for the first time in three years – likely to add to pressure on motorists when the higher cost filters through to pumps. Brent crude rose for a sixth day in a row as concerns over supply coincide with more countries, such as Japan, easing COVID-19 restrictions, which
Petrol retailers hoping for a return to normal after motorists drained pumps over the weekend have faced yet more forecourt queues – as parts of the economy started to feel the strain. In some areas, up to 90% of pumps ran dry, according to industry estimates – and there was little sign of the panic-buying
Aldi has revealed plans to create 2,000 jobs over the next two years as it reported a dip in annual profits partly blamed on the pandemic. The German-owned discount supermarket said it would invest £1.3bn, adding 100 new stores and a logistics centre in Leicestershire, as it aims to ramp up further its share of
IWG, the serviced offices giant behind Regus and Spaces, is exploring a multibillion pound break-up that would involve splitting it into several distinct companies. Sky News has learnt that Mark Dixon, IWG’s founder and chief executive, is in the early stages of examining a series of corporate actions that he believes would crystallise significant value
Up to 4,000 people will be trained up as new HGV drivers as part of a package of measures that will help tackle the driver shortage, the government has announced. The government is looking to ease the pressures currently faced by the supply chain, which has seen people queueing for petrol and shops struggle to
Panicked motorists have caused lengthy queues at petrol stations for a second day – as an industry expert predicted the “catastrophic situation” is going to get worse before it improves. Long lines of cars continued to form at forecourts across the country on Saturday after a shortage of HGV drivers forced some fuel retailers to
Octopus Energy is exploring a move to take control of Bulb, its rival challenger brand, amid the crisis in Britain’s residential energy market that has triggered a swathe of corporate casualties. Sky News has learnt that Octopus Energy is among the parties which have requested access to a data room set up by Bulb’s financial
Downing Street is on the brink of a U-turn which will allow overseas HGV drivers to plug the gaps causing emergency shortages, Sky News understands. Ministers met earlier for urgent talks on how to address the shortage – which one industry body estimated at more than 100,000 drivers – but No 10 has not yet
Employers who withhold tips from workers will be breaking the law under government plans to help around two million workers in the hospitality, leisure, and services sectors. It comes after research showing that many owners of restaurants, bars, and cafes add discretionary service charges to customers’ bills but then keep some of the money themselves.
BP says it is “prioritising” fuel deliveries across its network of branded filling stations as some are hit by the national shortage of HGV and tanker drivers. The company told Sky News that “tens” of its 1,200-strong forecourts were experiencing shortages as a result of delays and it would ensure they got re-stocked first. It
The boss of Iceland has told Sky News the “array” of pressures facing the supermarket sector is a worry but there is no need for customers to panic buy in the run-up to Christmas. The grocery chain’s managing director Richard Walker, who had warned earlier this month that shoppers faced a significant increase in costs
Energy supplier Green has become the latest victim of the crisis engulfing the sector as it collapsed, blaming “unprecedented market conditions and regulatory failings”. Green, which has more than 250,000 customers and 185 staff, confirmed that it would cease trading a day after Sky News revealed that it had lined up advisers to oversee a
The government could end up giving tens of millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money to an American company to help it restart carbon dioxide production at two plants, a minister has told Sky News. Speaking to Kay Burley, Environment Secretary George Eustice said that without the “temporary” agreement with CF Fertilisers there would have been