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The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded that Google's investment in AI startup Anthropic does not warrant a full investigation under merger rules. The CMA found no evidence of Google gaining material influence over Anthropic, which develops AI models and chatbots.
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Thames Water has secured a loan of up to £3 billion to address its financial crisis, which includes a £1.5 billion initial borrowing and a potential further £1.5 billion. The company, serving 16 million customers, is facing significant debt and has requested steep bill increases to stabilize its finances.
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Oasis will cancel approximately 50,000 tickets for their UK and Ireland reunion tour due to violations of Ticketmaster's terms. The tickets were found on unauthorized resale sites, prompting the promoters to take action against ticket touting. Affected tickets will be resold at face value through Ticketmaster.
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Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a freeze on fuel duty in the Budget, maintaining the existing 5p cut for another year. This decision, costing over £3 billion, aims to alleviate pressure on motorists amid rising living costs. Critics argue this policy continues a long-standing freeze that may hinder environmental progress.
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Thames Water is navigating a financial crisis with two competing rescue packages from creditors. The UK’s largest water supplier, burdened by £15 billion in debt, is at risk of insolvency as it seeks to restructure its finances amid rising public discontent over pollution and high dividends.
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Transparency around this emergency process has been miserable as company looks for approval to borrow £3bn more
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The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally cleared the Vodafone and Three merger, contingent on an £11 billion investment in network upgrades and price protections for consumers. This marks a significant shift from earlier concerns about competition and pricing.
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The UK faces a baby formula crisis as prices soar, prompting calls for government intervention. An interim report by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) highlights the need for regulatory changes to alleviate financial pressure on parents. The final report is expected in February 2025, with potential measures including a government-branded formula.
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The UK government is set to announce reforms aimed at curbing excessive profits in children's social care. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson's measures include financial transparency for providers and new powers for Ofsted to regulate the sector, addressing a crisis exacerbated by rising costs and inadequate placements for vulnerable children.