Author: SKYNEWS

Shareholders in troubled Thames Water have blamed Ofwat for not giving the “regulatory support” needed to help the company’s turnaround plan.The nine shareholders said they had been in talks with Thames Water and the regulator to try and find a way through the “complex challenges” facing the company. But in a statement, they said: “After more than a year of negotiations, Ofwat has not been prepared to provide the necessary regulatory support for a business plan which ultimately addresses the issues that Thames Water faces.”As a result, shareholders are not in a position to provide further funding to Thames Water.”The…

Scientists have trained dogs to recognise the scent of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on people’s breath.A study, published in the journal Frontiers in Allergy, found evidence that some dogs may be able to sniff out volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – which make up a human’s “scent profile”. Certain VOCs are associated with stress, which a golden retriever named Ivy and a German shepherd named Callie both detected when put to the test.PTSD is a mental health condition caused by stressful, frightening or distressing events, with those afflicted often reliving these moments through nightmares and flashbacks.During the study, 26 people -…

Millions of people are being urged to send meter readings to their energy supplier this weekend to ensure they don’t overpay.The regulator’s price cap drops 12.3% on Monday 1 April, from a typical £1,928 per year for a dual-fuel household to £1,690 – an average saving of about £20 per month. Money blog – latest updatesPeople without a smart meter who are on a standard variable tariff (SVT) should send readings so their company has an up-to-date record when the prices change.”If you delay submitting your readings, some of your energy usage could end up being charged under the higher…

A “modest” increase in statutory sick pay (SSP) is overdue, according to a committee of MPs who say it must strike a balance between workers’ needs and what employers can afford.The Work and Pensions Committee recommended a rate in line with the flat rate of Statutory Maternity Pay. That would see SSP rise from the current weekly level of £109.40 to £172.48 per week.The MPs also wanted to see SSP paid in combination with usual wages, in order to encourage phased returns to work.The cross-party committee argued too that all workers should be eligible for SSP, not just those earning…

Up to eight million UK jobs are at risk from the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), according to a report warning that the low-skilled would be worst affected.The effects of generative AI are already being widely felt as 11% of tasks done by workers are currently exposed, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said. It said that back office, entry level and part-time jobs were at the highest risk of being disrupted during the so-called first wave, with women and young people the most likely to be affected as a result.But its analysis showed that as more employers integrate…

First-time buyers are being offered the chance to pay a modest £5,000 deposit and potentially borrow up to 99% of a property’s value.The mortgage from Yorkshire Building Society is valid on places up to £500,000 and comes without a fee – but there are a few key exceptions. Money blog – latest updatesIt’s not available for flats or new-build properties and would-be borrowers must pass strict affordability and credit scoring checks.The task of saving for a deposit is one of the barriers that many first-time buyers struggle with as most lenders like a minimum 10% up front. Yorkshire Building Society’s…

Gogglebox star George Gilbey has died aged 40, a spokesperson for the show said.The reality star appeared on the Channel 4 series alongside his mother Linda McGarry and stepfather Pete McGarry, who died aged 71 in 2021. He also appeared on the 14th series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, reaching the final. Image: George Gilbey. Pic: Shutterstock Gilbey reportedly died following an accident at work on Wednesday.A spokesperson for the show said: “George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and stepdad Pete.”Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda and George’s family…

Barclays has apologised after customers experienced difficulties with payments into and out of accounts, as well as with its app, telephone and online banking services. The problems began on Tuesday evening and continued into Wednesday morning before the bank said, just before 6am, everything was working as it should. Money latest – Eight things that are going up in price next week – and six major boosts to Britons’ pocketsBut customers responded to the post on X with complaints of wrong balances and missing transactions.What happened? Payments hadn’t gone into one user’s account, they said, while another still couldn’t make…

The melting of polar ice due to human-driven climate change has slightly slowed the Earth’s rotation – and it could affect how we measure time, according to a study.Although the disappearance of the ice has reduced the speed of the planet’s rotation, the Earth is still spinning a bit faster than it used to. The overall increase in speed means that for the first time in history, world timekeepers may have to consider subtracting a second from our clocks.This means clocks may have to skip a second – called a “negative leap second” – around 2029 to keep universal time…

Beyonce has released her tracklist for her forthcoming country album Act II: Cowboy Carter. On the superstar’s Instagram account, fans were given a sneak peek of her new songs which included the previously released Texas Hold ‘Em and 16 Carriages. The tracklist also contained American Requiem, Blackbird, Protector, My Rose, Bodyguard, Daughter, Spaghetti, Alligator Tears, Smoke Hour II, Just For Fun, II Most Wanted, Levi’s Jeans, Flamenco, Ya Ya, Oh Louisiana, Desert Eagle, Riverdance, II Hands II Heaven, Tyrant, Sweet Honey Buckin’ and Amen.One song appears to be called The Linda Martell Show, a reference to the groundbreaking country performer who…