Homes for Ukraine scheme: Less than 10 per cent of visa applications approved March 31, 2022 Less than one tenth of visa applications have been approved through the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme, it has been revealed. The Home Office said it is “moving as quickly as possible” to make the process more efficient, as the UK handed out just 2,700 passes through its initiative, according to The Times. The programme pairs [...]
London arm of Russia’s VTB on brink of collapse as sanctions bite March 30, 2022 The London arm of Russia’s VTB Bank is on the brink of insolvency proceedings after sanctions have curbed its ongoing operations. As reported by Mark Kleinman for Sky News, British banking regulators have called in advisers to help address Russia’s second-largest lender’s presence in the capital. Sources told Sky that the bank could fall into [...]
UK prohibits maintenance on Russian oligarchs’ planes and ships March 30, 2022 The UK Government announced today it has prohibited maintenance works on aircraft or ships belonging to Russian oligarchs sanctioned over ties with Putin. Laid in Parliament today as a Statutory Instrument, the new legislation hit already Russian businessmen Eugene Shvidler, whose aircraft have been detained since last week, and TCS Group founder Oleg Tinkov. Foreign [...]
Oil prices recover as Russia demands rouble requirements for gas payments March 30, 2022 Oil prices have rebounded nearly four per cent on both major benchmarks, as the economic conflict between the West and the Kremlin escalated.
Netherlands stops short of emergency gas plans amid supply shortage fears March 30, 2022 The Dutch government will advise citizens and businesses to use less gas but has stopped short of activating emergency energy plans.
Germany raises prospect of power rationing with emergency gas plans March 30, 2022 Germany has triggered emergency plans to manage gas supplies following the Kremlin's demand for contracts to be paid in roubles.
Energy analysts welcome renewable plans but warn support for households still needed March 30, 2022 Onshore wind will provide the UK with long-term energy security but won't resolve this winter's energy crisis, according to energy experts.
Russian promise to ‘drastically reduce hostilities’ may be bid to ‘deceive people and deflect attention’ March 30, 2022 Ukraine and the United States have cast major doubt on Russia’s reported promise to “drastically reduce hostilities”, with and secretary of state Antony Blinken warning it could be a bid to “deceive people and deflect attention”. Following “constructive” ceasefire negotiations held in Turkey between officials from the two warring sides, it has been reported that [...]
Russia refuses to back down from rouble demands March 29, 2022 The dispute over gas payments has become "a case of which side will blink first" argues Craig Erlam, senior markets analyst at OANDA.
Good Energy boss warns renewable ramp up will not ease this year’s cost of living crisis March 29, 2022 Profits and gross margins at renewable specialists Good Energy have taken a hit from the crisis, but its asset sale has steadied the ship.