Josie Clarke
Business News
Poorest families must spend 85% of disposable income to get healthy diet – study
Healthier food is nearly twice as expensive per calorie as less healthy alternatives, according to the Food Foundation’s annual Broken Plate report.
By Josie Clarke
11 Jun 2026
Business News
Consumer confidence records ‘sharp slide’ in expectations for general economy
Expectations for the economy fell two points to minus 32, a sharp fall from the minus 11 recorded for the same measure 15 months ago, GfK reported.
By Josie Clarke
19 Sept 2025
UK
Fake Labubu dolls seized amid warnings they could pose fatal hazard to children
The fake ‘Lafufu’ dolls have feet that easily detach and eyes that pop out, posing a choking hazard, Westminster City Council said.
By Josie Clarke
17 Sept 2025
UK
Grocery price inflation falls slightly for second consecutive month
Prices are 4.9% higher than a year ago, according to latest figures.
By Josie Clarke
16 Sept 2025
Renting
Two in five renters forced to ration energy to afford bills
People took measures such as skipping hot meals, wearing gloves inside and limiting heating to just one room last winter
By Josie Clarke
15 Sept 2025
UK
Illegal car seats still sold online 10 years after they were first identified
Which? has found illegal car seats still being sold on online marketplaces a decade after it first found similar models on sale.
By Josie Clarke
15 Sept 2025
Business News
400 of Britain’s largest shops at risk, industry leaders warn
The BRC said 400 large stores were at risk of closure if they were included in the Government’s new business rates surtax on premises.
By Josie Clarke
12 Sept 2025
Business News
One in five struggled to pay water bill in last year – Citizens Advice
Over a third of those struggling (35%) were rationing water, including by cutting showers, toilet flushes and clothes washing, the charity found.
By Josie Clarke
12 Sept 2025
Tech
Ofcom launches age-check investigations into at least 22 more pornography sites
The investigations follow new online safety protections for children coming into force on July 25.
By Josie Clarke
11 Sept 2025
Money
British household energy debt triples in a decade – report
Close to a million electricity and a million gas customers were now behind on their bills, Resolution Foundation research suggested.
By Josie Clarke
11 Sept 2025
Business News
Games such as Omaze and McDonald’s Monopoly ‘normalising gambling’, says charity
GambleAware said survey findings suggested a link between prize draws such as Omaze and McDonald’s Monopoly and gambling harm.
By Josie Clarke
11 Sept 2025
Business News
Co-op and Barnardo’s call for 16 and 17-year-olds to get loyalty card deals
Retailers tend to offer loyalty deals to shoppers who are over 18, meaning younger students are forced to pay higher prices.
By Josie Clarke
10 Sept 2025
Business News
Household complaints to water watchdog soar to highest level in nine years
The increasing number of complaints comes amid the steepest bill rises since the privatisation of the industry.
By Josie Clarke
10 Sept 2025
Business News
Mitchum apologises after customers report deodorant irritation
Mitchum UK confirmed that the problem was linked to a change in the manufacturing process affecting one of the raw materials used.
By Josie Clarke
9 Sept 2025
Business News
Retail sales up 3.1% in August to round off ‘solid’ summer
Food sales increased by 4.7% year on year, although this was largely down to rising prices.
By Josie Clarke
9 Sept 2025
Business News
Household energy bills to rise by 2% despite falling wholesale prices
The energy bill for the average household paying by direct debit for gas and electricity will rise to £1,755 per year from October 1.
By Josie Clarke
1 Sept 2025
Business News
Bluey and scented slime tipped as top toys for Christmas
Argos said toys that bring TV and movie characters to life will dominate this year’s list
By Josie Clarke
1 Sept 2025
Interiors
Typical household energy bill to rise by about £35 a year from October
Ofgem, which sets the limit on what energy companies can charge customers, confirmed its latest price cap on August 27
By Josie Clarke
29 Aug 2025
Business News
Millions struggle through heatwaves in homes not built to cope – Citizens Advice
Almost half of people reported difficulty sleeping as four heatwaves hit the UK this summer and 11% said their health deteriorated.
By Josie Clarke
29 Aug 2025
Business News
Baby sleeping bags being sold online ‘pose suffocation risk’, Which? warns
A common characteristic of the products it found were hoods which could cover a baby’s head and face while it sleeps.
By Josie Clarke
28 Aug 2025
Money
Why are energy bills rising again and what can I do about it?
Ofgem’s price cap is rising to £1,755 from the current £1,720 for an average household per year from October 1.
By Josie Clarke
27 Aug 2025