Business

The restaurant empire founded by Sir Terence Conran is to change hands for the first time in nearly a decade after its owners entered exclusive talks with a little-known private equity investor. Sky News has learnt that D&D, which owns prominent London restaurants such as the Bluebird in Chelsea, Coq d’Argent in the heart of

Army tanker drivers are to start delivering fuel to petrol stations from Monday in an emergency government move prompted by the continuing crisis at the pumps. Senior ministers have been alarmed at how slowly the fuel supply disruption is improving, with motorists still forced to queue for hours for fuel after more than a week

Some 400,000 more lorry drivers are needed to plug a shortfall across Europe, according to consultancy Transport Intelligence. The same estimates suggest that Poland needs at least 120,000 drivers, while Germany and France also have a shortage of more than 40,000 each. The industry estimates that the UK needs 100,000 drivers to partly alleviate supply

Motorists could face another “week or so” of long queues at the filling stations, a minister has said, because of an “unprecedented demand” for petrol and diesel. Policing minister Kit Malthouse said on Friday if the crisis does not ease in the coming days, Boris Johnson stands ready to review the situation, which has been

Pre-departure tests for anyone travelling to the UK are being reintroduced as the government continues to gather information on the new Omicron COVID variant. The move coincides with Nigeria being placed on the red travel list – and represents the biggest change to the UK’s travel rules in quite some time. What’s the latest? All

A 12% rise in the energy price cap has taken effect amid warnings further increases are inevitable in the months ahead as wholesale costs surge in a time of “chaos” for the wider economy. Labour, which has claimed a “winter of discontent” looms, accused the government of complacency over “the fuel crisis, energy costs crisis,

The fuel crisis is “back under control” as more is now being delivered to petrol stations than is being sold, a minister has told Sky News. After days of long queues at petrol stations and with many running out of fuel, Simon Clarke, chief secretary to the Treasury, said the main message today is “there

The UK economy grew more strongly than previously thought in the second quarter as consumers curbed their savings to fuel a spending splurge. Gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 5.5% in the April-June period, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which had initially estimated growth of 4.8%. It means that by the middle

Energy firm Igloo, along with two others, have confirmed they are ceasing to trade as the record surge in wholesale energy costs continue to take their toll on small suppliers. Industry regulator Ofgem said the customers of Igloo, Symbio Energy and ENSTROGA would be sheltered through the appointment of a new supplier in due course.

Retailer Next has called for the government to take a “more decisive” approach as it warned a lack of foreign workers could hamper Christmas shopping deliveries. The business, led by Conservative peer Lord Wolfson, suggested that after the “widely predicted” HGV driver shortage crisis it should act to avert further looming problems in areas such

The first “very tentative signs of stabilisation” are being seen on petrol forecourts, the transport secretary has said, following days of long queues and closed pumps at some filling stations across the country. Grant Shapps said the sooner people returned to their normal habits and stopped panic buying petrol and diesel, the sooner the fuel

Oil prices have topped $80 a barrel for the first time in three years – likely to add to pressure on motorists when the higher cost filters through to pumps. Brent crude rose for a sixth day in a row as concerns over supply coincide with more countries, such as Japan, easing COVID-19 restrictions, which

Petrol retailers hoping for a return to normal after motorists drained pumps over the weekend have faced yet more forecourt queues – as parts of the economy started to feel the strain. In some areas, up to 90% of pumps ran dry, according to industry estimates – and there was little sign of the panic-buying

Aldi has revealed plans to create 2,000 jobs over the next two years as it reported a dip in annual profits partly blamed on the pandemic. The German-owned discount supermarket said it would invest £1.3bn, adding 100 new stores and a logistics centre in Leicestershire, as it aims to ramp up further its share of

IWG, the serviced offices giant behind Regus and Spaces, is exploring a multibillion pound break-up that would involve splitting it into several distinct companies. Sky News has learnt that Mark Dixon, IWG’s founder and chief executive, is in the early stages of examining a series of corporate actions that he believes would crystallise significant value

Up to 4,000 people will be trained up as new HGV drivers as part of a package of measures that will help tackle the driver shortage, the government has announced. The government is looking to ease the pressures currently faced by the supply chain, which has seen people queueing for petrol and shops struggle to

Panicked motorists have caused lengthy queues at petrol stations for a second day – as an industry expert predicted the “catastrophic situation” is going to get worse before it improves. Long lines of cars continued to form at forecourts across the country on Saturday after a shortage of HGV drivers forced some fuel retailers to

Downing Street is on the brink of a U-turn which will allow overseas HGV drivers to plug the gaps causing emergency shortages, Sky News understands. Ministers met earlier for urgent talks on how to address the shortage – which one industry body estimated at more than 100,000 drivers – but No 10 has not yet

The government is expected to clear the way for a visa change that would allow thousands of foreign lorry drivers to work in the UK. The temporary measures would be aimed at HGV truckers from abroad plugging the gaps that have been blamed for causing queues at petrol pumps and shortages in some food items.

Employers who withhold tips from workers will be breaking the law under government plans to help around two million workers in the hospitality, leisure, and services sectors. It comes after research showing that many owners of restaurants, bars, and cafes add discretionary service charges to customers’ bills but then keep some of the money themselves.