Power surge: law changes could soon bring balcony solar to millions across US

The upmarket bakery chain Gail's has announced plans to open 40 additional outlets following a significant sales increase of 20% last year, bringing total sales to £278 million. Despite the growth, the company reported a widening pre-tax loss of £7.8 million, attributed to rising staff and energy costs as well as expenses related to the expansion of new locations.

Research in England indicates that water shortages could significantly hinder the UK's plans to achieve net zero emissions, particularly affecting carbon capture and hydrogen projects. The Environment Agency has raised concerns about potential widespread drought conditions in the coming year, intensifying tensions among government, water suppliers, and regulators.

Small business owners in the U.S. are expressing concern over the impact of Donald Trump's tariffs on holiday sales, which have raised prices on popular goods and led to a significant number of businesses closing. Despite hopes for strong holiday sales, many owners remain skeptical about alleviating the financial strain experienced throughout the year.

Research indicates that the UK has at least 8,000 illegal waste sites, containing around 13 million tonnes of rubbish, leading to an estimated £1.63 billion in avoided landfill taxes. This alarming situation raises significant concerns regarding public health and environmental safety.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that individuals relying solely on the state pension will not be subject to income tax, a move that could create a two-tier system for retirees. The new state pension is set to increase to £241.30 per week in April, just below the personal tax allowance threshold.

Premier League clubs are set to face increased wage bills following the government's budget announcement that image rights payments will be taxed at 45% starting April 2027. This change will significantly impact many top-flight players, as several already have clauses that make clubs liable for these payments.

Asda has reported a 3.8% decline in total sales to £5.1 billion for the three months ending September, attributing the drop to both government actions that have undermined consumer confidence and internal IT issues that led to product shortages. Comparable store sales also fell by 2.8% during this period.

Ryanair is discontinuing its frequent flyers members’ club after just eight months due to excessive exploitation of its benefits by customers. The airline reported that while 55,000 individuals signed up for the Prime membership, passengers benefited from discounts totaling over €6 million, surpassing the €4.4 million generated from the scheme.