News Category
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Changes for car insurance finalised
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published new measures aimed at increasing competition in the UK car insurance market and reducing the cost of premiums. Having surveyed the market the CMA found that some price parity clauses in contracts between price comparison websites and motor insurers prohibit insurers from making their products available more cheaply on other online platforms, with the effect of restricting competition. The measures include: a ban on agreements between price comparison websites ...
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Extra help to get farmers online for BPS
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has announced a package of measures to help farmers get online for the new Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) including the launch of regional digital support centres offering appointments for one-to-one sessions for those most in need. Farmers applying in 2015 for the BPS, which replaces the current Single Payment Scheme (SPS), will need to use the new Common Agricultural Policy Information Service online system. Letters are going out this week to thousands ...
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“Perfect storm” sees attractiveness of UK renewables fall
The UK’s appeal as a destination for renewable energy investment is at its lowest level for almost five years as a result of a combination of domestic and international factors, according to EY’s Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index. The sector is currently weighing the impact of a recent consultation on solar subsidies that will see the UK Government withdraw Renewables Obligation support for solar projects above 5MW two years earlier than planned. In addition, the Government has ...
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SME cyber security champion appointed
The Government has appointed a cyber security small business champion alongside new funding for projects aimed at driving growth and innovation in the UK cyber security sector. Andy Williams, an industry expert from technology trade association tech UK, will be responsible for mapping cyber security small businesses and setting up a UK wide growth project to encourage them to work closer together. His role also involves showcasing the capabilities of small and medium-sized cyber businesses at UK ...
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New planning laws tackle unauthorised traveller sites
Proposed new measures aimed at travellers who flout planning rules have been announced by Housing Minister, Brandon Lewis. Currently, when travellers set up unauthorised sites, local authorities can either take early enforcement action - meaning they are required to meet the needs of travellers being moved on - or leave them to continue living on sites without planning permission. Under today’s proposals, there would be no assumption that councils facing this problem would have to plan to ...
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UKTI launches online exporting package
UK businesses of all sizes now have access to a new suite of services to help boost their international trade through online channels. UKTI’s new e-Exporting Programme has been created to ensure firms are best placed to tap into the huge opportunities that exist online - the offering includes detailed information for over 400 of the world’s e-marketplaces to help companies plan their sales strategies. In particular, the programme encourages UK exporters to reach out to ...
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New Food Crime Unit announced
All the recommendations in the Elliott report on food integrity and assurance of supply networks have been accepted by the Government, Environment Secretary, Elizabeth Truss, has announced. Professor Elliott’s review examines ways to prevent food fraud and improve the culture of our food supply chain so that the industry takes responsibility for the traceability of its products. As a first step, the minister intends to set up a Food Crime Unit to protect shoppers from food fraudsters. She ...
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Badger culls resume
Natural England has today confirmed that all the criteria have been met to allow the second of four years of badger culling to start in west Gloucestershire and west Somerset, to prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis. Operations in these areas where bovine TB is rife will be carried out under the existing four-year licences which allow six weeks of culling to take place every year between 1st June and 31st January. Start dates for culling ...
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Cable: no loopholes in zero hours exclusivity ban
Business Secretary, Vince Cable, is calling on business, unions and individuals to help identify and close potential loopholes in plans to ban the use of exclusivity clauses in zero hours contracts. Exclusivity clauses prevent workers on zero hours contracts from taking work elsewhere, even when their employer provides no work, and the Government wants to find out whether employers may attempt to circumvent the proposed ban on such clauses. They may try to do this by ...
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World’s biggest tidal array to be built in Scotland
The world’s biggest tidal array is to be built in the North of Scotland, bringing jobs and energy security to the Pentland Firth region. The UK Government has provided £10 million worth of grant funding to the Meygen project which will provide enough electricity to power 175,000 homes and secure up to 100 jobs, when fully completed. Other funders include the Scottish Government and The Crown Estate. According to ministers, the £51 million scheme could inspire further ...
