Energy price fixing and tax hikes would quickly see economic reality bite September 24, 2013 ED MILIBAND made two big new pledges in his speech yesterday: lower business rates for small businesses, paid for by higher corporation tax on larger firms; and a freeze in energy prices for 20 months from the date of the next election. Economic reality would quickly bite for any government that tried to introduce either [...]
Shale gas downsides must be explored properly, says Green MP July 18, 2013 Shale gas has been attacked as a publicity stunt by the coalition, whose environmental impact, risks, level of public support, and actual economic benefits have not been properly explored. Heading up a debate in Westminster Hall, Green party MP for Brighton Pavilion Caroline Lucas said her opposition was not just environmental – quoting a statistic [...]
Prolonged cold weather and price hike boost British Gas owner’s half year profits July 31, 2013 Centrica, owner of British Gas, has reported a rise in half-year profits after an unusually cold Winter increased gas demand (release). The group’s adjusted operating profit rose by nine per cent to £1.58bn for the period ended 30 June 2013. Adjusted earnings were up two per cent to £767m or 14.8p adjusted earnings per share [...]
Rise in household gas use offsets fall in business demand at Centrica November 15, 2012 BRITISH gas owner Centrica said yesterday the weak UK economy was impacting demand among business customers, though cost cuts were enabling it to stay on track for growth in its residential division. It expected to deliver overall earnings growth in 2012 in line with market expectations, the company said in a trading statement yesterday. This [...]
How Labour can deliver on its pledge and tackle London’s housing drought September 24, 2013 HAROLD Macmillan made his reputation – and became Prime Minister – after delivering on his pledge to build 300,000 houses a year in the early 1950s. As Ed Miliband made clear yesterday, when he promised that a Labour government would ensure that 200,000 new homes were built annually by 2020, we now need similar ambition. [...]
London Report: UK’s corporate calendar packed in results season July 28, 2013 THE CORPORATE calendar is packed this week, as businesses including ITV, BP, Lloyds, Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland update the market amid a swathe of other results. The week begins with figures from Fidessa Group, Hammerson, InterContinental Hotels Group, Intertek Group, JKX Oil & Gas, Keller Group, Senior, Vernalis, Reckitt Benckiser Group, National Grid, [...]
Centrica inks deal with Gazprom September 20, 2012 ■ Utility Centrica yesterday signed a 2.4bn cubic metre, three-year gas supply deal with the UK arm of Russian export monopoly Gazprom, it said in a statement. Gas deliveries will begin from 2014 and will be priced against the UK’s freely traded spot gas market, the National Balancing Point (NBP). “Centrica is at the forefront [...]
Centrica inks deal with Gazprom September 20, 2012 ■ Utility Centrica yesterday signed a 2.4bn cubic metre, three-year gas supply deal with the UK arm of Russian export monopoly Gazprom, it said in a statement. Gas deliveries will begin from 2014 and will be priced against the UK’s freely traded spot gas market, the National Balancing Point (NBP). “Centrica is at the forefront [...]
SAB hires ex-Centrica director September 25, 2012 Centrica’s former communications chief Catherine May yesterday became the latest woman to be hired on the board of a FTSE 100 company after being named as SABMiller’s director of corporate affairs. May will join the brewing giant on 15 October after half a decade at Centrica. She will replace Sue Clark, who was promoted to [...]
SAB hires ex-Centrica director September 25, 2012 Centrica’s former communications chief Catherine May yesterday became the latest woman to be hired on the board of a FTSE 100 company after being named as SABMiller’s director of corporate affairs. May will join the brewing giant on 15 October after half a decade at Centrica. She will replace Sue Clark, who was promoted to [...]