Author: News Desk

Nay said her family ‘weren’t thrilled’ by her plan.

CITY AM SAYS New figures out on Friday are expected to show that the economy contracted in the third quarter, raising the possibility that the UK is already in a recession.

Three new expansions for World Of Warcraft and a new Overwatch 2 hero are amongst the announcements at BlizzCon 2023.

Joe’s back in action.

‘People are struggling this year and as these results suggest, some household budgets are becoming severely stretched.’

Energy secretary admits Rishi Sunak’s north sea oil expansion plans ‘won’t bring bills down’ The Independent says The energy secretary has admitted that Rishi Sunak’s flagship energy policy will not bring household bills down. Claire Coutinho was quizzed about the government’s plans to expand North Sea oil and gas exploration expected to be announced in the King’s Speech tomorrow. The prime minister will declare the drive, which would invite annual applications for new licences to drill for oil and gas, will protect jobs and boost energy security “without adding undue burdens on households”. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/energy-bills-oil-gas-sunak-net-zero-b2442312.html

Annual oil and gas licences planned with net zero commitment required BBC News says Licences for oil and gas projects in the North Sea are set to be awarded annually, under government plans. There is currently no fixed period between licensing rounds – but this would change under a bill to be announced in Tuesday’s King’s Speech. Ministers said projects would have to meet net zero targets and claimed the policy would “bolster energy security”. Greenpeace said encouraging oil and gas production was “backward-facing” and vowed to fight new licences in court. The plans draw a dividing line between the…

Rishi Sunak to unveil North Sea annual oil and gas licensing bill FT says New legislation to mandate annual North Sea oil and gas licensing rounds will be at the heart of the King’s Speech on Tuesday, as Rishi Sunak looks to exploit a policy divide with Labour ahead of the next UK general election. The prime minister insisted the bill, which would allow companies to bid yearly for new licences to drill for fossil fuels in the North Sea, would protect jobs and strengthen Britain’s energy security by reducing its exposure to volatile international markets. The announcement, which comes…

New push on North Sea oil licences as Rishi Sunak opens fresh front in net zero battle The Independent says Rishi Sunak will push forward the expansion of North Sea oil and gas exploration in the King’s Speech – as he widens the divide with Labour over environmental policies. The prime minister will declare the drive will help the UK meet its green targets “without adding undue burdens on households”. Ministers will legislate to ensure new licences can be awarded every year, despite pledges to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/north-sea-oil-sunak-king-speech-b2442054.html

British Steel plans to shut furnaces putting up to 2,000 jobs at risk More than 2,000 jobs are at risk as British Steel announces its plans to close down its blast furnaces in Scunthorpe. The business, owned by China’s Jingye Group, wants to replace them with two electric arc furnaces – one at Scunthorpe and one at Teesside. The construction is expected to take between two and three years. British Steel said it aimed to transform the firm into a “green and sustainable company” and had to look at different scenarios to help it do this. The shift could lead…