World of Business

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Childminder warns of 'severe burden' as heating oil costs surge in Northern Ireland

Childminder Rachel Jeffers describes heating oil costs as creating a "severe" financial burden as prices in Northern Ireland have more than doubled year-on-year. With 62.5% of homes relying on oil for heating, the unregulated market means global price rises pass directly to consumers.

6 min read

Healey to unveil 'new age of industrialisation' vision at Labour conference

Chancellor John Healey will outline a vision for British industrial renewal in his Labour conference speech, announcing investment in Royal Navy shipbuilding and a marine research vessel alongside a revived union training scheme.

6 min read

Building a £17,000 deposit: Four expert strategies for first-time buyers

First-time buyers need approximately £16,850 for a deposit and costs. Experts recommend treating savings like a bill, using government-backed Lifetime ISAs for bonuses, starting early to benefit from compound interest, and exploring low-deposit mortgages. New schemes are also being introduced to ...

6 min read

Heathrow's third runway delayed until 2039, four years behind original target

Heathrow Airport has warned its planned third runway could be delayed until 2039, four years behind the original 2035 target, citing planning and regulatory challenges. The airport now aims for planning permission by 2029 and opening within a decade thereafter.

4 min read

Starmer ally Kyle says Burnham's government must act with greater urgency on growth

Peter Kyle, former business secretary under Sir Keir Starmer, has told the BBC that Andy Burnham's government must act with greater urgency on economic growth. Speaking two months after his removal from cabinet, Kyle called for faster action while the party gathers in Liverpool for its annual con...

5 min read

Trump and Xi End Summit With Limited AI Accord, Extend Trade Truce

Trump and Xi Jinping concluded their three-day summit without major breakthroughs on AI, extending only a two-month trade truce. Critics say the leaders missed an opportunity to establish guardrails on artificial intelligence development.

8 min read

Diesel prices exceed £2 a litre at hundreds of Scottish forecourts

Diesel prices have exceeded £2 per litre at over 226 Scottish petrol stations, driven by Middle East and Ukraine conflicts. Hauliers report £250-£400 weekly cost increases, while farmers and charities struggle with rising fuel expenses. The UK average approaches a 2022 record high.

7 min read

Scottish Government Withholds £4.1m Furlough Payment as Alexander Dennis Misses Conditions

The Scottish government has withheld a £4.1 million furlough package from bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis after the firm failed to meet agreed conditions requiring evidence of sufficient orders and commitment to retain Scottish operations. The company has instead restructured, closing its Falki...

4 min read

BBC Wales to shed 45 jobs as corporation pursues £500m cost-cutting drive

BBC Wales is eliminating 45 jobs as part of a £500m corporation-wide savings plan. The cuts will reduce television output by 20 hours annually and cancel several radio programmes, including the 35-year-old football discussion show Ar y Marc.

5 min read

Dangote funds $660m fuel pipeline linking Ethiopia and Djibouti

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote is backing a $660m fuel pipeline connecting Djibouti's port to Ethiopia, reducing transport time from five days to one day. The project, formally launched on 24 September 2026, will feature over 1 million cubic metres of storage and begin operations within 18 mo...

4 min read

US government backs Musk's legal fight against €120m EU fine on X

The US Department of Justice has filed a request to intervene in X's legal challenge against a €120 million EU fine over paid blue verification badges, arguing the Commission overreached its regulatory authority over American companies.

4 min read

NI economy grows 2.3% but firms brace for cost pressures

Northern Ireland's economy grew 2.3% annually to June 2026, outpacing UK growth, but businesses warn rising energy and fuel costs threaten further expansion.

6 min read