Shell has revealed a surge in quarterly profits on the back of the Middle East conflict but also given an update on costly war damage to its output.
UK employers are facing more employment tribunal claims involving ADHD and autism as awareness, diagnosis rates and expectations around reasonable adjustments rise. A Lidl case awarded Ryan Toghill more than £45,000 after the tribunal found his ADHD was not properly considered.
Centrica, owner of British Gas, plans to cut 1,300 jobs (800 new, 500 confirmed) from call centres and back office over two years, citing changing customer behaviour towards digital channels. This comes as retail profits rose despite falling customer numbers and an expected £112m compensation payout.
The Scottish government welcomed the US lifting tariffs on Scotch whisky exports, a move reciprocated for US bourbon and casks entering the UK. This follows an agreement after a state visit, benefiting an industry that lost £150m due to previous levies.
Volkswagen reported a 9.5% drop in Q2 operating profit and cut its annual revenue forecast by up to 3% due to a significant sales slump in China. The German carmaker is implementing a cost-cutting program, including plans to axe up to 100,000 jobs globally, facing union opposition.
Tesla's stock plunged 13.5% after its Q2 earnings missed analyst expectations, revealing lower-than-anticipated profitability and negative free cash flow due to heavy investments in Robotaxi and Optimus, impacting the broader "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks.
Online sales in Great Britain reached a five-year high in June, rising 1% month-on-month, driven by a heatwave boosting demand for air conditioners and outdoor products, and World Cup spending, according to the ONS.
