Electric cars ‘can be costlier’
August 28, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
27 August 2010 Last updated at 19:01 ET
By Brian Milligan Business reporter, BBC News
Motorists considering buying an electric car are being warned that they can be more expensive to run than conventional petrol vehicles.
Nissan is due to start taking UK orders for what it says will be the world’s first mass-produced electric car.
It says running costs for the Nissan Leaf will be as low as 1p a mile.
But figures given to the BBC by a rival car firm suggest that over three years, electric cars could be more expensive to run than their petrol equivalents.
The figures come from the Japanese car-maker Mitsubishi, which also produces an electric car.
The high purchase price, and the rapid depreciation, are what may make electric cars uncompetitive financially.
Comparative costs of petrol v electric cars.
Fiat 500 Lounge 1.2 petrol
Mitsubishi i-miev electric car
Businesses paying more for loans
August 23, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
23 August 2010 Last updated at 07:25 ET
Bank fees and costs for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have risen since the end of last year.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) says many small businesses are unable to borrow from banks, because their lending criteria are too restrictive.
Banks say demand has fallen as firms focus on paying back existing loans.
A separate report shows commercial lending is still sharply lower than at the height of the boom.
The annual survey from the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) reveals that in the mid-2000s, nearly £20bn was being borrowed, but this went down to under £7bn and is now just over that.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
Everybody understands that banks cannot risk their customers’ cash unless they are absolutely sure it will be returned”
End Quote Angela Knight Chief executive, British Bankers’ Association
Rail route compensation launched
August 20, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
19 August 2010 Last updated at 19:04 ET
By Richard Scott Transport correspondent, BBC News
The compensation scheme for people affected by the proposed High Speed Rail link between London and Birmingham is due to be launched.
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Homeowners concerned about the High Speed Link put their questions to Transport Secretary Philip Hammond
Airports staff vote for strikes
August 12, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
12 August 2010 Last updated at 15:56 ET
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Brian Boyd, Unite: “If strike action goes ahead, BAA faces total shutdown of six airports”
Staff at six UK airports owned by BAA have voted three to one in favour of striking in a dispute over pay, their union says.
Heathrow, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports would have to close if strikes went ahead, BAA said, as key staff such as firefighters were due to take part.
It said the 50% turnout meant the union did not have a clear mandate to act.
Strike dates are expected to be announced next week.
Dreamliner lands at Farnborough
July 18, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
18 July 2010
Last updated at 07:16 ET
By Jorn Madslien
Business reporter, BBC News, Farnborough air show
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The BBC’s Richard Scott watched the plane coming in to land with chief project engineer Mike Sinnett
Next broke online refunds rules
July 9, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
By Susannah StreeterBusiness reporter, BBC News
Next says it will change its policy and will refund postage on returned goods
Next has been breaking consumer law by failing to refund delivery charges on goods bought online but then returned, a BBC investigation has found.
Other mail order companies were also found giving out the wrong information about their refund policies.
A customer returning goods within seven working days is entitled to a full refund and the initial delivery charge, under the Distance Selling Regulations.
Next told the BBC it would change its policy from the start of August.
The Distance Selling Regulations (DSRs) are legally binding rules and were introduced in 2000 to protect customers who, unlike High Street shoppers, are unable to inspect goods before they buy them.
Even if you simply inform a company that you wish to return the goods within the seven working days, you should get a refund of the initial delivery costs.
The law does not cover the cost of returning the unwanted items.
But Next has been breaching the regulations by billing customers for delivery costs - even if goods are returned within the seven working days.
‘Necessary changes’ A spokesman for Next said: ”During the last three years, Next has not offered a refund of the delivery charge.
Union’s Tesco challenge defeated
July 4, 2009 by samsonites · Leave a Comment
Tesco shareholders are facing a call to end "exploitation and discrimination" affecting workers in firms that supply meat to the supermarket group.
The trade union Unite has tabled a motion to be debated at Tesco’s annual general meeting, being held in Glasgow.
Go-ahead for Sahara gas pipeline
July 4, 2009 by samsonites · Leave a Comment
Nigeria, Niger and Algeria have signed an agreement to build a multi-billion dollar pipeline to take Nigerian gas across the Sahara to the Mediterranean.
The giant project, which will cost an estimated $13bn (£8bn), aims to deliver up to 30 billion cubic metres of gas per year for the European market.
Europe nears gas pipeline accord
July 4, 2009 by samsonites · Leave a Comment
European governments are due to sign an agreement on the Nabucco gas pipeline on 13 July, the European Commission has announced.
The Nabucco pipeline will bring Central Asian gas to western Europe via Turkey and the Balkans, bypassing Russia.
Darling issues warning to bankers
July 3, 2009 by samsonites · Leave a Comment
It would be "disastrous" for bankers if they returned to their old ways and repeated past mistakes, Chancellor Alistair Darling has warned.
Speaking as reports suggest a return of the City bonus culture, Mr Darling said some people there were too complacent and "need to be brought back to Earth".
