The controversy continues around Hinkley Point C, the UK’s first new build nuclear plant in a generation. Rebuke The European Commission, fresh from ruling that government support for the new build reactor did not contravene state aid rules, has rebuked Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne for failing to disclose all costs associated with the […]
CMA Criticises Banks for Failing SMEs
Ahead of the Competition and Markets Authority investigation into the energy market, the CMA has concluded that another critical market for SME businesses has failed them. The CMA has ruled that HSBC, Barclays and RBS had breached or whose lack of awareness led to a potential breach of undertakings. HSBC were found to have breached […]
The Oil price collapse – what it means for UK business and beyond
Weakening global demand and a glut of supply has seen Brent Crude prices fall below $80 per barrel this month, similarly US crude dipped to just $76 per barrel Reacting to the news and the impending meeting of OPEC on 27th November, Commerzbank said: “We believe that the downside risk to prices is still greater […]
Hiding Deals and Disclosing Commissions – the Arguments
It has been an interesting few weeks for price comparison websites. As a business energy broker, we take, what we believe to be, a very principled stance. Whilst we are not a price comparison website, we share many of the fundamental commercial characteristics. As such we are able to take an objective view of how […]
Guide to Fixed Energy Deals for Company Electricity and Gas
Leading gas and electricity broker for companies, Business Juice, is committed to providing clear and transparent information in order to help their clients to get the best deal with the minimum of hassle. Now Business Juice has introduced a free Business Guide to Fixed Energy Deals to clarify for company energy buyers what the concept of […]
Scottish Power on notice of total sale ban
Scottish Power, the second most complained about supplier amongst the Big 6 has suffered a collapse over recent months rivalled only by the oil price. Ofgem, the energy regulator, fresh from their chastisement of nPower, the most complained about supplier amongst the Big 6, has set Scottish Power an ultimatum: Improve or you will no […]
The Short and Medium Term Outlook for Coal and Gas
National Grid, fresh from announcing a long term low in capacity margins for the coming winter has highlighted the expectation that coal will be playing a more prominent role in power generation over the coming season. In the year to date, gas-fired power stations have dominated the generation landscape however the rising cost of gas […]
FSB’s Small Business Energy Supplier Folly
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has some funny ideas at times. Whether it be painting all small businesses as victims, all big businesses as bullies, and in doing so seemingly not realising that all businesses start out small and some grow big. Or whether it is warning off their members from using the services […]
Russia, Ukraine & EU agree gas settlement
Phew, that was close. The long running gas supply dispute between Russia and Ukraine has taken another, more positive twist. Talks, brokered by the EU, have seen the two parties agree to reopen commercial arrangements with the EU themselves acting as a guarantor for Ukraine’s on-going payment obligations. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, announced: […]
The IPCCs 5th Climate Change Report
Another month, another view on climate change. Happily however this one, for once, does not advocate apocalyptic cost scenarios. Indeed the report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has countered common assumption in claiming that tackling climate change can be done without severely impacting economic growth. That said the report follows more […]