Industry News
6th November 2007
Retailers Call on EU to Cut Card Fees
Top brass at 14 major retail companies - including Asda/Walmart, IKEA, Kingfisher, M&S and Tesco - have written to the European Commission over payment card fee fixing. The group has called on EU officials to order cuts in the fees levied on retailers by Europe's payment card companies.
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5th November 2007
Tory Hopeful Quits over Race Row
Tory Parliamentary hopeful Nigel Hastilow has resigned as the candidate for Halesowen and Rowley Regis after comments that appeared in his column in the Wolverhampton Express & Star newspaper. Mr Hastilow had been commenting on Enoch Powell's 1968 "rivers of blood" anti-immigration speech saying that Powell "was right" ["that uncontrolled immigration would change our country irrevocably"]. Read the article below
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5th November 2007
Renewable Fuels Agency Created
The Department for Transport has announced the creation of a new Agency that will manage the UK's commitment to biofuels. The Renewable Fuels Agency will officially start work in April 2008 and will be responsible for the day to day running of the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation.
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2nd November 2007
Public & Business Positive towards Smokefree
The Department of Health reports that the general public is pleased with better atmosphere, cleaner air and no smoky clothes due to the new smoking ban. The report summarises public opinion research, business research and compliance data for the first three months after the July ban entered into force in England. Research has found high levels of smokefree support for both the general public and from businesses. Of over 275,000 businesses inspected between the start of the ban and the end of September, compliance stood at 98%, whilst 84% were displaying the correct signage. Minister of State for Public Health, Dawn Primarolo, said: "Today's encouraging report confirms that smokefree law is not only popular, but that the vast majority of the general public believe it is good for public health...I'm especially proud to hear that nine out of ten businesses say that implementation went well and that the majority of people, smokers included, are supportive of the new legislation."
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2nd November 2007
New Treasury Head of Comms
Steve Field has been appointed Head of Communications at HM Treasury. Taking up the post from 20th November, Field is currently Head of the Treasury's European Economic Reform team.
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1st November 2007
New BERR Comms Director Appointed
The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) has announced the appointment of Russell Grossman as the new Director of Communications. Grossman moves from HMRC and previously worked at the BBC and Royal Mail. He is set to take up the new post in the New Year.
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31st October 2007
Lib Dem Leadership a 2-horse race
With nominations now closed, the Liberal Democrat leadership election will be fought between Chris Huhne and Nick Clegg.
31st October 2007
Competition Commission findings on Groceries Market
The Competition Commission has published its provisional findings report in the 'Groceries Market Investigation' concluding that the UK groceries market is 'delivering a good deal for consumers but action is needed to improve competition in a number of local markets and to address relationships between retailers and their suppliers'. The Commission will now consider measures to address concerns before deciding on final remedies.
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31st October 2007
Lords confirms consumer protection for overseas purchases
In a landmark House of Lords ruling, UK consumers will continue to be protected overseas when purchasing goods using credit cards. The Lords rejected an appeal by High Street Banks against a similar ruling by the Court of Appeal, confirming that credit card issuers are individually and jointly liable with suppliers in claims against the supplier for breach of contract or misrepresentation. Cardholders will therefore be able to claim against the credit card issuer as well as, or instead of, the supplier. From a practical perspective, this concerns overseas purchases between £100 and £30,000.
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30th October 2007
Political Party Funding Reform Talks Suspended
Talks have been suspended without agreement between the three main political parties on measures to reform political party funding. Sir Hayden Phillips, the Chairman of the Talks, said "I remain convinced that an agreement to reform party funding would be in the general public interest, and I hope that all possible efforts will be made to achieve some consensus on a comprehensive package of reform." The original Draft Agreement text that had been put to Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats in August can be downloaded here
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