Author: News Desk

Firms such as Apple, Google and Amazon could harm competition in UK’s sector, Financial Conduct Authority says The UK’s City watchdog is to examine how to regulate “big tech” companies such as Apple, Google and Amazon over fears they could harm competition in Britain’s financial services sector. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said that big tech companies could provide innovations in financial services and drive down costs, but also expressed concerns that they could build dominant positions leading to the “potential exploitation of market power”, according to analysis published on Tuesday. Continue reading… ​Firms such as Apple, Google and Amazon…

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Public inquiry starts on Tuesday into proposals for 90-year-old shop, which campaigners oppose Selfridges’ new owners are backing plans by Marks & Spencer to demolish and redevelop its Oxford Street store, with a planning inquiry into the controversial proposals beginning this week. The two-week inquiry, which starts on Tuesday in Westminster, will pit M&S and its Oxford Street neighbour Selfridges against environmental campaigners and historic building fans, who argue that the 90-year-old landmark store should be refurbished rather than knocked down. Continue reading… ​Public inquiry starts on Tuesday into proposals for 90-year-old shop, which campaigners opposeSelfridges’ new owners are backing…

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Exclusive: Guardian analysis of hospital trust accounts found 101 owe about £50bn in future unitary PFI payments NHS trusts spent close to a half a billion pounds on interest charges from private companies for private finance initiative (PFI) contracts last year – equivalent to the salaries of 15,000 newly qualified nurses. Hospital groups spent £2.3bn on legacy PFI projects in 2020-21, of which just under £1bn went on costs for essential services such as cleaning and maintenance. A third of the remaining PFI spend – £457m – went purely on paying off interest charges. Continue reading… ​Exclusive: Guardian analysis of…

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