Press Round-Up Short (Premium)
Thursday newspaper round-up: Gambling, HSBC, Phones4U, GSK
The value of food exports to the EU dropped by £2. 4bn in the first 15 months after Brexit, according to analysis of HMRC data. However, overall exports, which were hit by the double whammy of Brexit red tape as well as decreased demand in hospitality due to the pandemic in 2021, recovered in the first three months of this year, the figures show. Data tracking exports since 1 January 2021, when the Brexit transition year ended, show UK food exports dropped by 19% to £10.
Wednesday newspaper round-up: Missed bills, interest rates, CureVac, M&S
More than 2m households have missed a bill payment every month this year as people struggle to keep their heads above water in a “relentless cost of living crisis”, according to new research from consumer group Which?. In June an estimated 2. 1m households missed or defaulted on at least one mortgage, rent, loan, credit card or bill, according to the consumer champion’s monthly insight tracker. This figure has been above 2 million every month so far this year, it said.
Tuesday newspaper round-up: Customer service complaints, floating windfarms, Halifax
Customer service complaints have hit their highest level on record and are costing British businesses more than £9bn a month in lost staff time, research has found. As firms struggle to cope with global supply issues and a staffing crisis, the Institute of Customer Service found more consumers were experiencing service issues than at any point since its customer satisfaction index began in 2008. – Guardian.
Monday newspaper round-up: Russian assets, Amazon, City banks
Truss told MPs last week she was supportive of the idea that the government could seize frozen Russian assets in the UK and redistribute them to victims of Russia’s war in Ukraine. She said: “I am supportive of the concept. We are looking at it very closely. The Canadians have in fact just passed legislation This is an issue that we are working on jointly with the Home Office and the Treasury, but I certainly agree with the concept. We just need to get the specifics of it right.
Sunday newspaper round-up: Rolls Royce, Crude oil, AO World
Rolls Royce failed to sell its Spanish unit ITP last week as planned, although Spanish regulators are expected to sign off on the transaction in the next few weeks. The engineer's proposed £1. 5bn sale of the unit to US private equity outfit, Bain Capital, is a "crucial" part of its recovery plan. Holding up the deal is the Spanish government's desire to bring local investors on board. Talks between officials in Madrid and Bain are ongoing. The delays come even as Rolls Royce is facing a leadership vacuum due to the impending exit of its chief executive officer.
Friday newspaper round-up: Macron, Bulb Energy, Thames Water
Customer service standards have fallen to record lows at energy companies, with suppliers Utilita and Ovo Energy among the worst offenders, according to a new report. Customers have had to wait longer for their calls to be answered and have regularly been unable to get hold of their supplier, research by Citizens Advice has found. – Guardian.