The Government’s pro business reputation and rhetoric is under pressure as small businesses face up to the new reality of business rates. Two policies are converging to cause new headaches for SMEs, firstly April 2015 will see the end of transitional relief for small businesses and secondly comes the postponement of a revaluation of the […]
EDF cleared to build new nuclear plant
The nervous wait for UK energy policy is over, that is one element at least, with the news that the European Commission has judged that EDF Energy’s proposed £24.5bn Hinkley Point C nuclear plant does not break state aid rules. The project, the first of its kind for two decades and due to start operations […]
ASA rules on the ownership of the uSwitch for Business portfolio from 2011 to 2014
ASA rules on the ownership of the uSwitch for Business portfolio from 2011 to 2014 Following an investigation by the Advertising Standards Authority, the ASA council have found that Business Juice owned and continue to own the sole rights to the customer portfolio built under the uSwitch for Business brand from January 2011 to April […]
Oil Price Falls and the cost of UK energy
Oil prices have slipped below $89, their lowest levels since 2010. That’s the headline but why the falls and what impacts will it have on the cost of energy? The why? Abundant supply Burgeoning shale reserves A strong dollar Weak demand & a continued poor economic outlook Abundant supply Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil […]
Lord Digby Jones Speaks Up for SMEs
Long Live the SME Lord Digby Jones, former Director General of the CBI has thrown his weight behind improved support for SMEs and an acceptance that failure is not to be feared but exploited to take businesses with potential to greater heights. Digby Jones believes commercial culture changes are required if SMEs are to continue […]
EU decision heralds new UK nuclear plant
According to a leaked document the EU has agreed to render multi billion pound state support for new UK nuclear plant construction as legal. Whilst that news has been met with celebration for some, suggesting the first new nuclear plant to be built in 20 years at a time when the balance of supply is […]
ENERGY UK Angela Knight to Step Down
Announcement for Year End In a surprise announcement at a critical time for the energy industry and with the suppliers she represents under unprecedented political and social pressure, Energy UK have announced that Chief Executive Angela Knight will step down at the end of 2014. Knight has led Energy UK since May 2012 having […]
DECC Launches CfD Exemption Consultation
Contracts for Difference have already proved controversial. Whether it was the awarding of the first round of funding under the scheme to offshore rather than onshore wind, the legal battle between DECC and Drax Energy to secure subsidy or the failure for energy suppliers to agree a uniform application of the levy on their energy […]
Fracking Remains Light Years Away for the UK
With the news still resonating that DECC have moved to secure an amendment to the Infrastructure Bill absolving fracking companies from seeking permission from landowners to drill below their land, British householders can only look on with envy and no little trepidation when seeing America’s recent shale experience. The US has seen and delivered a […]
DECC Stops Trespass Protection to Allow Fracking
It’s difficult to know where to start on the list of controversies associated with shale gas and the process of fracking. Perhaps the most emotive issue since the appearance of nuclear warheads at Greenham Common in the 1980s, fracking has prompted a groundswell of activism and concern. But David Cameron in his speech to the […]