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Apple invites iPhone users in the UK to do their own repairs

Technology

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06/12/2022

Apple has rolled out its self-repair service to the UK, inviting people to fix their own technology.

The tech giant said the service is now available in eight countries and that genuine Apple parts and tools can be purchased and used alongside repair manuals.

Repairs could include things like battery replacements, screens and phone casings.

However, the warning alongside the announcement was that if a repair goes wrong, an existing warranty will no longer be valid.

Users with iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 line-ups, as well as Mac notebooks with Apple silicon, will be offered tool rental kits for £54.90 with free shipping.

This means that customers who do not want to purchase tools for a single repair still have access to these professional repair tools.

Right to repair

Since last year, manufacturers of appliances have been required to offer spare parts in the UK, offering a “right to repair”.

The moves comes as more people hold onto expensive technology for longer despite waning batteries, due to the cost of living crisis.

An average consumer keeps their smartphone for 4.2 years according to new figures from CSS Insight.

Apple chief operating officer Jeff Williams said that customers should have “many options for safe, reliable, and secure repair”.

But the firm adds that only those who are “comfortable with carrying out their own repairs” should attempt to.

There is an 81-page repair to navigate, with 16 tools and 61 steps required to remove and replace an iPhone 13 screen.

1 in 4 HSBC branches to close next year

Finance
News

Helen Greaney

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05/12/2022

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Britain’s biggest lender HSBC is closing 114 high street branches from next April as customers opt for online services.

Numbers of people using the physical HSBC stores has dipped as they flock to use the mobile banking app to manage their money.

The lender had already said it would close 59 branches in March, bringing the number to shut up to one in four.

Smart phones have enabled Brits to manage their finances without needing to go to a physical branch, making it a better option than working around bank opening times.

Older people

However, the move could be set to upset pensioners – some of whom who still rely on cash – feeling unable to do their banking.

Branches in Bethnal Green, Putney and Surrey are among those set to shut.

Jackie Uhi, managing director of UK distribution at HSBC, said: “People are changing the way they bank and footfall in many branches is at an all-time low, with no signs of it returning. Banking remotely is becoming the norm for the vast majority of us.”

“Not only can we do it anywhere at any time of day or night, many more things can be done at the customers’ convenience and don’t rely on a branch visit.”

“Winter looks bleak” as food price inflation hits new high of 12.4%

Helen Greaney

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01/12/2022

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“Winter looks bleak” as food price inflation hits new high of 12.4%

Basic fridge fillers like eggs and dairy products rocketed in November as food inflation rose to new levels.

Shoppers felt the pinch last month with fresh foods leading the way in the increased prices, with inflation rising from 13.3% in October to 14.3% in November.

The war in Ukraine and Covid have driven up the price of food, energy and fuel over the last year, affecting consumers and businesses.

More rises are expected next year according to the British Retail Consortium and market research firm NielsenIQ.

Making cutbacks

Along with jumps in the price of fuel and energy, these price leaps are likely to hit the poorest households hardest as they already try to make cutbacks.

Shoppers can attempt to offset inflation by reeling in spending on non-essentials such as holidays or meals out or by ditching top labels for non-brands products.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Winter looks increasingly bleak as pressures on prices continue unabated. Food prices have continued to soar, especially for meat, eggs and dairy, which have been hit by rocketing energy costs, and rising costs of animal feed and transport.

“Coffee prices also shot up on last month as high input costs filtered through to price tags. Christmas gifting is also set to become more expensive than in previous years, with sports and recreation equipment seeing particularly high increases.”

Coffee price was another staple that has shot up, while Christmas presents are set to become more expensive with sports and recreation equipment seeing major increases.

Investment package confirmed for pushing UK’s green energy

Helen Greaney

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30/11/2022

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Investment package confirmed for pushing UK’s green energy

Ofgem has sealed a green deal on a five-year funding boost for the UK’s electricity distribution network companies.

The 2023 to 2028 plan aims to boost grid capacity, improve customer service and resilience to prevent power outages.

It also aims to prepare the way for increases in the generation of cheaper, greener, home-grown energy to bring down bills in the long-term, rather than relying on imported fossil fuels.

The watchdog’s aim is to boost green energy by helping six companies covering the country’s 14 local networks.

RIIO-ED2

The RIIO-ED2 package (Revenue = Incentives + Innovation + Outputs for electricity distribution) will set the investment levels that electricity distribution networks can make during the planned period.

Ofgem says the cost of the work is recouped through network charges without adding to consumer bills – this will remain at £100 (on average) per year per bill-payer.

Over the next five years, customers can expect to see:

A more secure and reliable electricity network less at risk of power cuts
A grid that allows for new innovations to give more control to consumers through better data and more regularly updated prices for peak and off-peak demand creating efficiencies and saving money
Support and guidance for vulnerable and low-income households ensuring no one misses out on the benefits of a net zero energy system

Energy demands

The UK unveiled its energy security strategy earlier this year, committing to more efforts in solar and wind power, which are proving cheaper than imported gas.

Together with more nuclear and hydrogen fuelled power, these renewables could contribute to a lower carbon energy mix.

However these sources would need to be connected to an expanded electricity network to meet growing demand for electricity.

This includes millions more electric heat pumps in homes.

There will now be a statutory consultation on the licence modifications required to implement the RIIO-ED2 settlement in December.

Price controls for RIIO-ED2 begin in April 2023.

Michigan billionaires to bring pizza the action to London

Helen Greaney

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29/11/2022

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Little Caesars – the third biggest pizza chain in the world – is bringing new business to London with the opening of two new stores next year.

The Ilitch family will also open stores in Liverpool and Derby as part of its mega expansion plans.

First opened in 1959 by husband and wife Marian and Michael using their £10,000 life savings to open their first restaurant.

The business is now booming with an impressive $4 billion turnover.

And those dining out on the new city menu can enjoy firm favourites including ‘Hot N Ready large pizzas, Mushroom Deluxe, Italian Sausage and Bacon, Three Meat Treat and more.

Important new market

Chief operating officer for the brand, Paula Vissing, said: “The UK is an important new market for us given how influential it is.

“We expect to open several new sites in this market over the next few years, and we are excited to be entering with such strong franchisee groups in Derby, London, and Liverpool.”

The brand welcomed entrepreneurs who are interested in franchising with Little Caesars to the NEC in Birmingham in October, where members of the development team discussed franchise opportunities.

According to IBISWorld in 2022, the UK’s pizza delivery and takeaway market was valued at over $3 billion and is expected to grow by over 6%. It has had an average annual growth rate of 3.4% since 2017.

Wood Group says cashflow will “return to black” as it refreshes targets

Finance
News

Helen Greaney

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29/11/2022

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Wood Group is refreshing its strategy including new targets, as its shares plummeted by 13.5% this morning.

The engineering and consultancy London-listed group told investors it would not return to positive free flow next year.

Today at 2pm, the group is holding a capital markets day to outline its plans: ttps://cmd.woodplc.com/

Wood Group said it would now focus on “attractive end markets where we are differentiated”, such oil, gas and chemicals, which are large markets with solid growth; hydrogen and carbon capture, which are small markets with substantial growth potential; and minerals and life sciences, which are large markets where the company aims to grow its share significantly.

Bosses said cashflow would be profitable from 2024 and that they expected adjusted earnings before interest, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to be “flat in the nearer term” as the company reinvests to secure growth.

Refreshed strategy

Ken Gilmartin, CEO, said: “Today is an important moment for Wood as we set out our refreshed strategy. There is huge potential in Wood – we have over 35,000 highly skilled colleagues, long-term client relationships and leading engineering and consulting capabilities.

“We are now taking a more focused approach to growth, targeting specific priority markets across energy and materials that best match our competitive strengths. This tighter focus will help ensure we can grow both profitably and sustainably.

“Our turnaround is progressing well… we have addressed legacy issues and our strong balance sheet will allow us to deal with the defined schedule of resulting cash outflows.

“Our strategy will deliver returns for our shareholders and today we have set out new financial targets, including to grow EBITDA by mid to high single digit CAGR over the medium term, with momentum building over time as our strategy delivers. Most importantly, based on the highly cash generative nature of our underlying businesses, we expect positive free cash flow (after the impact of legacy cash outflows) from 2024 onwards.”

Damning review recommends London firefighters wear body cameras

News

Helen Greaney

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28/11/2022

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Firefighters in the city will wear body cameras following a toxic report which found horrendous revelations regarding racism, sexism and homophobia in the London Fire Brigade.

Former chief crown prosecutor Nazir Afzal OBE created the report which includes testimonies from 2000 staff and found major evidence of bullying.

Commissioning the review was a recommendation of the internal investigation into the death of a firefighter on development, Jaden Matthew Francois-Esprit, who took his own life in August 2020.

The outcome of the review was that firefighters should wear body cams during home visits.

In one reported case of horrendous racial abuse, a black firefighter had a noose put above his locker and a Muslim man said he had been constantly bullied about his religion, and had bacon and sausages put in his
coat pockets and a terrorist hotline sign posted on his locker.

Meanwhile women reported being groped in training exercises and having to run a daily gauntlet of sexist
abuse, again frequently euphemised as ‘banter’. Many were routinely referred to as “woman” or “front bottom”
by colleagues and, more seriously, some were punched and attacked.

Some endured the indignity of having photos of them taken without their consent, which were then passed on to colleagues with misogynistic comments written on them. Many were sexually taunted and one woman, after making complaints about this, received video calls from a man exposing his private parts.

“Absurdity”

One account from a gay firefighters said he felt shunned by colleagues who told him, “I’m not going into a
fire with you in case you try it on.” and said that was the kind of absurdity he had to deal with on a daily basis.

The report also said that the senior leadership team is predominantly white males. There is evidence of poor progression of people of colour and women to senior positions within the service and there are no openly gay male officers above the rank of group commander.

London Fire commissioner Andy Roe confirmed that work would “start immediately” to implement the report’s recommendations.

He added: “We have begun the procurement of body-worn cameras. We will be the first service in the country to issue body-worn cameras to our crews, both to protect them but also to ensure public safety and reassurance. Those are immediate changes, and that change has started now.”

Government to launch £25m public energy-saving campaign

Helen Greaney

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24/11/2022

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The government is planning a £25m public information campaign in a bid to conserve Britain’s energy supplies.

As families around the country continue to grapple with extortionate food and energy bills, the government is planning to roll out a public information scheme to assist people through the cost of living crisis.

People will be encouraged to turn down boilers, switch off radiators in empty rooms and shower instead of having a bath.

The scheme is to be led by ministers and celebrities via adverts, social media messaging and online tips.

Former prime minister Liz Truss blocked plans for a public information campaign as she was opposed to it, according to The Times, despite being advised it was a good idea by colleagues.

“Planned outages”

In an update on the UK’s state of readiness for the cold months ahead, the National Grid warned of a worst-case scenario in which families and businesses could face planned outages to ensure that the grid does not collapse.

If there were insufficient energy supplies, the system operator said, emergency measures would be “necessary to ensure the overall security and integrity of the electricity system across Great Britain”.

National Grid also warned that gas imports from Europe may be at risk because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, potentially jeopardising Britain’s energy security.

Barclays signs mega Wimbledon sponsorship deal

Helen Greaney

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23/11/2022

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Barclays is to become the official banking partner of tennis’ favourite championship, Wimbledon.

The banking giant has signed the dotted line for the deal with The All England Lawn Tennis Club and will also make an annual contribution to its charity, the Wimbledon Foundation – the biggest donation ever made by an official partner.

This partnership once again unites two iconic British institutions. The first Barclays bank opened 330 years ago and, as the world’s oldest tennis tournament, Wimbledon was first staged in 1877.

The pair teamed up previously in the 1960s when a sub-branch was built under Centre Court.

Frances Tiafoe

And to help the process along, Barclays has enlisted the help of a tennis player who is no stranger to the SW19 courts.

Tom Corbett, Group Head of Sponsorship and Media at Barclays, says ‘We’re incredibly honoured and excited to be working in partnership with one the world’s most prestigious sporting events and to announce that we’ve signed Frances Tiafoe as our tennis ambassador.

“Our joint commitment to create legacy, through Barclays community programmes and the Wimbledon Foundation, means through this partnership we can deliver lasting impact and continue to create opportunities through Sport.”

Changing lives

Frances said: “I’m thrilled to be working with Barclays to help change the lives of young people who typically wouldn’t have the opportunity to experience the game of tennis.”

“Growing up, playing at Wimbledon was my dream, so to be an Ambassador for Barclays, the new banking partner for Wimbledon, is very special.”

Sally Bolton, chief executive of The All England Lawn Tennis Club, welcomed the “commitment to creating access to sport for all”.

OFGEM finds five energy suppliers with “severe weaknesses”

News
Energy

Helen Greaney

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22/11/2022

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Industry regulator Ofgem has identified five suppliers who have shown failings in supporting vulnerable customers.

Good Energy, Outfox, SO Energy, TruEnergy and Utilita were judged as having “severe weaknesses” and told to do more to help customers in the colder months.

Although some good practice was identified, failings included not giving free gas safety checks to customers, no support offered to vulnerable people and not ensuring those using prepaid meters were identified.

Weaknesses identified

Severe weaknesses mean it “either found that a significant proportion of the supplier’s processes and policies were missing or inadequate, or their data indicated that they are not achieving good consumer outcomes”.

Moderate weaknesses – which means expected processes were not in place or there was not adequate training for staff – were found in Ecotricity, Green Energy UK, Octopus and Shell.

Minor weaknesses were identified in British Gas, Bulb, EDF, E.ON, Ovo, Scottish Power and Utility Warehouse. This means Ofgem did not find any evidence of significant concern.

“Suppliers need to do more”

Director of retail at Ofgem, Neil Lawrence, said: “From eligible customers who are missing out on free gas safety checks through to companies not identifying vulnerable customers to be offered obvious support on the Priority Services Register, this robust review has highlighted that suppliers need to do more to support consumers.

“We welcome the cooperation from suppliers and action taken so far, and, although we are seeing some very good practice in parts of the industry, we can see there is still much more to be done.

“Most suppliers take the protection of vulnerable customers seriously, and several good initiatives to support customers have been launched recently.”

“While it’s encouraging to see the engagement on this Market Compliance Review, with some improvement actions already taking place, we’ve seen a number of failings across the board which need to be urgently addressed,” Mr Lawrence added.

“It’s going to be a very challenging winter for everyone, and customers must be confident they are getting the help and support they need.”

Right to repair

Older people

Making cutbacks

RIIO-ED2

Energy demands

Important new market

Refreshed strategy

“Absurdity”

“Planned outages”

Frances Tiafoe

Changing lives

Weaknesses identified

“Suppliers need to do more”

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