Energy bills for households and businesses are facing upwards pressure from a surge in wholesale natural gas costs, according to market experts. Both day-ahead and month-ahead contracts rose further on Monday as high demand and supply disruption in the storm-hit United States take their toll on prices across Europe, crucial not just for gas supply
Business
The British operations of Claire’s, the accessories retailer, have collapsed into administration just four months after their last brush with insolvency, putting more than 1,000 high street jobs at risk. Sky News understands that insolvency practitioners from Kroll were formally appointed as administrators to Claire’s UK and Ireland earlier on Monday. It comes three weeks
The price of gold has surged past the record $5,000 per ounce level and shows little sign of easing back as investors continue to seek shelter from uncertainties connected to Donald Trump. The commodity – a traditional safe haven for investors in troubled times – has been in high demand during the US president’s second
One of Britain’s most prominent online beauty retailers is exploring options to raise new funding through a process that could lead to an outright sale. Sky News has learnt that Beauty Bay, which is based in Manchester, has appointed advisers to undertake a strategic review. Sources said a process to seek new investment was likely
A wealthy US-Saudi investor who expressed an interest in buying Chelsea Football Club four years ago has been in talks with one of the founding members of the English Football League about a potential investment. Sky News has learnt that Amr Zedan, who has business interests spanning sectors from energy to horseracing, has held a
The sports vehicle backed by CVC Capital Partners, the former owner of Formula One motor racing, is close to striking a $300m deal to buy a majority stake in Equine Network, a US-based equestrian sports league. Sky News has learnt that Global Sport Group (GSG), which owns stakes in assets such as women’s professional tennis
Switzerland has been neutral ground in the heart of Europe for more than 500 years. This week, Davos provided a safe space for a full-frontal assault on the continent’s economic and political model that will be felt long after the canapes are cleared. The World Economic Forum has always relied on a political presence to
TalkTalk Group has kicked off talks with prospective bidders for divisions including one of Britain’s biggest consumer internet providers. Sky News has learnt that TalkTalk, which supplies landline and broadband services to about 1.7 million UK customers, has begun discussions with potential buyers in the last few days. The initiation of talks comes about four
The US and China have signed off on a deal for TikTok’s Chinese owner to hand over the company’s American division to investors backed by Donald Trump. It means the US version of TikTok will become majority-owned by a group of investors that includes American tech giant Oracle, California-based private equity fund Silver Lake, and
JP Morgan Chase, the US-based banking giant, has swooped to buy a British pensions technology company as it tries to augment its retirement planning services to personal investing clients. Sky News has learnt that JP Morgan has agreed to snap up WealthOS, which was founded in 2019. Chaired by former Google executive John Herlihy, WealthOS
The brewery group behind brands such as Black Sheep and Fourpure is to be rescued from the brink of collapse by Saltaire Brewery, a Yorkshire-based rival. Sky News has learnt that the future of Keystone Brewing Group, which has filed a series of notices of its intention to appoint administrators in recent weeks, is close
A workplace lender which counts the FTSE 100 companies Experian and Legal & General among its shareholders has secured a £460m financing war chest as it seeks to roll out its products to millions more British employees. Sky News understands that Salary Finance will announce on Thursday that it has lined up the expanded debt
Microsoft, the $3.4trn computing behemoth, will this week unveil a partnership with the Mercedes Formula One team that will underline the sport’s resurgent appeal among the world’s biggest technology companies. Sky News understands that Microsoft will be announced as a major sponsor of the Brackley-based outfit when it unveils its 2026 car livery and design
Next is closing in on a deal to add Russell & Bromley (R&B) to its stable of brands as another prominent retail name prepares to disappear from the high street. Sky News has learnt that the fashion chain and its bidding partner, the stock clearance specialist Retail Realisation, could strike a deal to buy R&B
This time last year Donald Trump was beamed into Davos from Washington to deliver a virtual address that put business and political leaders on notice; the free-trading, liberal economic model, reaffirmed and celebrated every January at the World Economic Forum, was over. Back then, shell-shocked European leaders and central bankers emerged from the hall wondering
More than 5.6 million people overpaid tax in the 2023/24 financial year, new figures from HMRC reveal. In total, taxpayers overpaid £3.5bn in income tax, with experts blaming tax code issuing errors and complicated rules. Tax codes are issued by HMRC and are used by employers or pension providers to work out how much income