From water to council tax: How the bill rises (and one drop) in April affect you

“Bio-based polymers, bamboo fibres and organic cotton all come with higher raw material and processing costs than traditional plastics, while the supply chains for these sustainable inputs are still immature, making prices volatile and challenging for mass market brands,” she says.

Emer Moreau,Business reporter and Katy Austin,Transport correspondent Getty Images The backlog of driving tests grew after the covid-19 lockdown Only learner drivers will be able to book driving tests in plans aimed at reducing long waiting lists and preventing slots being sold at inflated prices. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said limiting third parties from reselling…

Rachel ClunBusiness reporter PA Media The UK’s economy shrank unexpectedly in the lead up to the Budget, according to the latest official figures. The economy contracted by 0.1% in October, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, whereas economists had been expecting it to grow by 0.1%. The economy also shrank by 0.1% in the…