Monday newspaper round-up: NatWest, economic slowdown, EU tariffs, Conduit Pharma, HS2

NatWest hired private detectives to look into the health of borrowers who owed money to its notorious Global Restructuring Group, it has been claimed. A “tracing agent” convicted of illegally obtaining personal information of bank customers has alleged that NatWest instructed him to report on debtors’ health conditions during the scandal at GRG. - The Times

Britain’s slowing economy has cost families £1,400 a year, the Resolution Foundation has said. The think tank said households have borne the brunt of Britain’s economic decline over the past 15 years, which has been fuelled by shocks such as the financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. - Telegraph

Car giants including Renault, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have called on EU leaders to “act now” and delay plans for a 10% tariff on electric car exports from Europe. Renault’s chief, Luca de Meo, led the calls, saying that if the EU did not take action, then policymakers would simply be “handing a chunk of the market to global manufacturers”, including Chinese companies, which are making significant inroads. - Guardian

A British biopharmaceuticals business has completed a deal to list on the Nasdaq, delivering a further blow to the London Stock Exchange, which has struggled to persuade fast-growing companies to float in the UK. Conduit Pharmaceuticals completed its merger with Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp, a Nasdaq-listed special purpose acquisition company after the US market closed on Friday. The deal placed a value of $1.2 billion on the business. The new combined company has been named Conduit Pharmaceuticals. - The Times

Gas and electricity suppliers have been accused of profiteering and discrimination by businesses, including Iceland and Burger King. British businesses have raised concerns over the behaviour of gas and electricity companies in submissions to the energy regulator. The sector has come under increasing scrutiny since the energy crisis sent bills spiralling. - Telegraph

It would be “crazy” not to reassess whether the full HS2 rail project remains viable, Grant Shapps has said, amid signs the government could axe the northern leg. After nearly a week of briefings that ministers are preparing to ditch the Birmingham to Manchester section, the defence secretary refused to rule out such a move. - Guardian