Tuesday newspaper round-up: Energy bills, supermarket sales, SFO, fracking, TSB
Brexit could drive up energy bills, power companies have said, because trade barriers threaten to increase the cost of importing gas and electricity across the Channel. EDF and Engie of France and the UK’s energy industry body urged politicians to avoid imposing tariffs or barriers on energy trading across borders. In a letter to Jean-Claude Juncker, the European commission president, and UK prime minister Theresa May, they said imposing costs on the use of interconnectors – electricity and gas cables between the UK and its European neighbours – would hit consumers and set back the battle against global warming. – Guardian
Supermarket sales of organic food and drink in the UK have risen by 4% this year, new figures reveal, marking seven consecutive years of growth. Despite an exceptionally cold winter and a hot, dry summer which have played havoc with crops, organic fresh produce and dairy sales remain the main drivers fuelling growth of the overall market, now worth a record £2.2bn. Supermarket shoppers spent £1.5bn on organic food and drink, including baby products, in the 52 weeks to the end of June, according to new independent data. – Guardian
The new boss of the Serious Fraud Office has warned fraudsters hoping to take advantage of the computer failures of banks that she will make the UK an "inhospitable" place for them to conduct crime. Former FBI lawyer Lisa Osofsky used her first speech in the role to flag that the type of crime which stemmed from this year's TSB meltdown, which left many customers vulnerable to fraud attacks, should not happen under her watch. – Telegraph
Anti-fracking activists have been banned from disrupting shale developers at fracking sites in Sussex and Surrey, home to the so-called ‘Gatwick Gusher’. A high court judge agreed on Monday to grant an interim injunction against unlawful protest at the sites operated by UK Oil and Gas which in recent weeks have been dogged by protest. The judge warned protestors that are no longer allowed to ‘slow walk’ along roads used by Ukog and its contractors to disrupt their work. – Telegraph
TSB has had to apologise after becoming mired in difficulties with its computer systems, with some customers unable to access their online accounts over the past few days. The latest difficulties have affected a relatively small number of customers, albeit possibly a few thousand, but are a blow to the bank as it tries to get back on its feet after one of Britain’s most serious data failures. – The Times
Buying your child a property in the town or city where they attended university could have covered the cost of their tuition, research by an online estate agent suggests. House prices in Britain’s top 50 university towns and cities have risen by an average of £28,725 since 2015, enough to cover the tuition fees on a three-year degree, Housesimple.com, said. – The Times