FTSE 100 opened higher, climbing 57 points to 7,529, following in the footsteps of some of the other markets across the globe as talks about a ceasefire in Ukraine seemed to be making some headway.
April’s energy price hike will cause the biggest shock to incomes since the 1950s. Using the Office for Budget Responsibility's own projections, the bills would represent 8% of household spending on average.
A second P&O ferry, The Pride of Kent, has been kept at port after failing safety checks. P&O has been under fierce criticism after its unlawful sacking of 800 workers without any notice earlier this month.
Deliveroo has struck a partnership with WH Smith. Its customers will be able to receive books, stationery, phone chargers and toys to name a few via fast-track delivery.
Among the small caps, AfriTin Mining produced record annual tin concentrate from its flagship Uis mine in Namibia. Production from the mine jumped 70% from the previous year to 804 tonnes.
DeepVerge is to develop and manufacture a range of lateral flow tests in partnership with Abingdon Health. DeepVerge's water contamination arm will devise a handheld device to enable households to detect dangerous pathogens and chemicals in drinking and wastewater.
Pharma services specialist Ergomed said the new year had started "well" as it delivered 2021 results that were ahead of market expectations. Its prelims revealed a 37% rise in 2021 revenues to £118.6mln, which translated to underlying earnings of £25.4mln, up 31.2%.