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Fining errant corporations is welcome – but when consumers are also getting shaken down on their local high street, it’s time for a new and boisterous approachIt’s a story that warms the heart and lifts the soul: last week, Virgin Media was fined a record £28m by Ofcom for repeatedly preventing customers from cancelling their contracts. Its methods were insidious: deliberate call-dropping, unnecessary call transfers and constantly putting customers on hold. For anyone who has experienc

Guardian analysis found the removals coincided with the Trump administration’s push to weaken efficiency rulesAs millions of Americans prepare for another brutal heatwave, it’s now harder to find information about ways to stay cool while saving energy and keeping utility costs down.At least 1,662 department of energy webpages offering guidance on protecting the electrical grid during heatwaves have gone dark as of 3 July, according to a Guardian analysis of a list of deleted URLs provi

Vulnerable people more at risk as research finds only half of local authority plans require cooling strategiesEngland risks constructing a new generation of “death trap” buildings that can fatally overheat unless the government tightens standards and prioritises climate safeguards, planning experts have said.Fears are growing about the plight of vulnerable people in heatwaves, with research this week suggesting that 2,700 people had died in the May and June heatwaves in England and Wal

Exclusive: Work and pensions secretary signals possible reform to welfare as ministers await key reviewsLabour must stop “simply writing a cheque” for health and disability benefit claimants and will provide more job support instead, the work and pensions secretary has said.Pat McFadden said the government was preparing to launch a renewed effort at welfare reform with a focus on encouraging more people with health conditions to get into work and off benefits. Continue reading...

Treasury says shoppers will get a ‘fairer deal’ as new rules for BNPL credit are introduced on WednesdayMillions of shoppers will enjoy more rights and protections from Wednesday as new rules for “buy now, pay later” take effect in the UK.The government said it was delivering on its commitment to end the buy now, pay later “wild west”. Continue reading...

Commons health committee also recommends end to junk food advertising on billboards and public transportFast food chains such as KFC should be stopped from opening near schools, and advertising for junk food on billboards and public transport should be banned to help curb obesity, MPs will say today.The Commons health committee will also urge ministers to stop giving in to food industry lobbying and get tough to tackle a problem that costs the UK £74bn a year and causes huge illness.Su

One social media user described the opening of its first outlet in Monterrey as ‘like the dog teaching a duck to fly’A US chain’s plan to sell its version of Mexican food to Mexicans with a first branch south of the border has prompted bemusement, skepticism and anger among local people.Chipotle Mexican Grill, known for its customisable burritos, tacos and bowls, has more than 4,000 locations worldwide and announced on Tuesday that it was expanding into Mexico in what it described as a

IBM issued profit warning after weak second quarter, triggering selloff in software sector including MicrosoftShares in IBM plunged more than 25% on Tuesday after the US tech giant released disappointing preliminary second-quarter results. IBM’s stock was on track for an even steeper single-day decline than it suffered during ⁠the 1987 “Black Monday” crash.IBM had issued a profit warning and blamed shifts in corporate customers’ spending. The company said revenue for the three months e

Gates has denied any ties to Epstein’s crimes and has not been accused of any wrongdoingBillionaire Warren Buffett omitted Bill Gates′ foundation from his annual donations this year after disclosures of the Microsoft co-founder’s ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Buffett will donate about $6bn to four foundations connected to his own family, but did not mention Gates in his announcement Tuesday.Buffett also said in his statement that he wants all of his remaining Berkshir

More than 158,000 items of fake kit seized featuring World Cup semi-finalists England, France and SpainMore than 158,000 fake football strips have been seized in an operation targeting World Cup counterfeit kit and blocking criminals from trying to “cash in on fan demand”.Edinburgh’s trading standards team confiscated 9 tonnes of Scotland, England and other nations’ fake kits, worth an estimated £5.5m. Continue reading...

Brent crude rises over $85 a barrel after US carries out third night of strikes against IranGood morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.Oil prices rose more than 2% after the conflict in the Middle East worsened, with the US carrying out a third consecutive night of strikes against Iran. Two tankers came under fire in the strait of Hormuz.Stasis has taken over markets as investors wait for the latest twist in the Iran confl

Ofwat investigated supplier over supply interruptions, customer failings and for breaching its licenceSouth East Water will pay £30.5m after a series of supply interruptions, customer failings and for breaching its licence, regulator Ofwat has confirmed.The watchdog said the redress package concludes three investigations into the supplier and includes a previously proposed £22m fine for water supply failures between 2020 and 2023 affecting more than 286,000 people. Continue reading...