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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

Thames Water says it has £515m cash in the bank as its debts swell to £18.5bnGood morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.China grew 4.3% in the quarter to 30 June, one of the slowest rates on record, as sluggish domestic demand outweighed a surge in exports.While operationally the business is improving, we are also working with our creditors, regulators and government to complete our recapitalisation.10am BST: Eurozone indu

Watchdog says about 1,700 people were affected during a price surge triggered by the Middle East crisisHeating oil customers whose deliveries were cancelled when the war in the Middle East caused a price surge are to receive compensation of up to £350 each following an investigation by the UK competition watchdog.As the crisis unfolded, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it was investigating heating oil suppliers after complaints that existing orders were being scrapped,

In the UK, these scams have become an epidemic, rising 147% between January and March, compared with the same time last year. Why are they suddenly so common? And what can you do if you’re charged thousands for a quick, easy job?Sarah was alone in her flat with her three-month-old baby when a man put a card machine in her face and demanded she pay £2,209. A few hours earlier Sarah, 30, had been for a walk with her daughter when it dawned on her that she had left her keys at home. She d

Recent strikes have sent oil prices climbing again, with average gas price per gallon up by 70 cents on last yearInflation cooled to an annual rate of 3.5% in June as the brief US-Iran ceasefire, which has since ended, brought energy prices down, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.The consumer price index (CPI), which measures a basket of goods and services, has been elevated since the start of the war, largely because of higher energy prices. After mostly stayin

Stock markets fall as analysts price in two quarter-point UK rate rises by the end of the yearBusiness live – latest updatesOil and gas prices have jumped and expectations of interest rate rises in Europe have increased after the US carried out a third night of military strikes against Iran.Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, rose by as much as 4.6% to $87.08 a barrel on Tuesday, its highest level in just over a month. Continue reading...

Country risks new tariffs from US and EU as it looks likely to match or beat last year’s record surplus of $1tnBusiness live – latest updatesChina’s monthly car ‌exports topped 1m for the first time in June as overall overseas shipments from the world’s second biggest economy rose 27%.Official Chinese customs data showed that a stronger-than-expected trade performance kept China on track to match or beat last year’s record trade surplus of $1tn (£748bn), achieved despite Donald Trump’s

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

A bipartisan group argue in lawsuit that $110bn merger would hurt competition and lead to thousands of job lossesA bipartisan group of US state attorneys general are seeking to block the $110bn merger of Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery, arguing in a lawsuit filed on Monday that it would hurt competition and lead to higher prices for consumers.The coalition behind the lawsuit is led by the California attorney general, Rob Bonta, who has been a staunch critic of the merger s

Brent crude jumps 3.4% and European markets drop, with airlines including Ryanair among hardest hitBusiness live – latest updatesOil prices jumped and stocks fell after the US launched a fresh wave of attacks against Iran amid an escalating standoff over the strait or Hormuz.Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, rose 3.4% to $78.59 a barrel on the renewed hostilities in the Middle East. It had been trading at $72.48 before the outbreak of the war in February, and hit

From harvests dampened by El Niño to wage and tax rises, getting coffee beans from crop to cup costs more than everDrinkers across the UK were shocked when a pint in some London bars hit £10, and now a cup of coffee is facing a similar inflationary rate. Some baristas are now charging £6.50 for a flat white.Higher energy bills, inflated by the war in the Middle East, as well as government policies which have increased tax and wages, are filtering through into coffee prices, experts sai

Asian shares tumble with South Korea’s Kospi down nearly 10%Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.It’s a gloomy start to the week as attacks between the US and Iran in the Gulf continue. Tehran said it had closed the strait of Hormuz, while Donald Trump insisted the key shipping passage remained open and US officials said 20 ships were escorted through the waterway in the past 24 hours.For now, we remain hopeful that