We wish to make wholesalers and veterinarians aware that Alvetra u. Werfft GmbH has issued a batch recall of Alvegesic vet. 10 mg/ml Solution for injection for Horses, Dogs and Cats (Vm 32802/4000) due to contamination during production.

The following batch is affected:

• Product: Alvegesic vet. 10mg/ml, 10mI – Batch No. PO0545 EXPIRY: 03-2019

For further information regarding the recall, please contact Mette Thulstrup Bruhn: mette.bruhn@dechra.com

Female tourist uses a smart city device to get directions in Barcelona.

Innovate UK has up to £20 million to invest in cutting-edge ideas that could have an economic impact.

Projects can work on disruptive and game-changing ideas in any sector of the economy or any field of technology.

They can be of various kinds from small feasibility studies to longer industrial research or experimental development projects.

Alongside this competition, there is also an opportunity for businesses to apply for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs).

• the competition opens on 10 May 2018, and the deadline for applications is at midday on 11 July 2018
• it is open to businesses working alone or with other businesses and researchers
• projects must include at least one micro, small or medium-sized enterprise
• we expect projects to range in size between £25,000 and £2 million and for them to last between 6 and 36 months
• businesses could attract up to 70% of their project costs
• a briefing event will be held on 14 May 2018

Published 26 April 2018

A £5.3 billion sale of Bradford & Bingley (B&B) mortgages acquired by the taxpayer during the financial crisis has been authorised by the Chancellor, Philip Hammond. The sale will enable the full repayment of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) loan to B&B, marking a major milestone in the plan to recover taxpayers’ money.

Following a highly competitive auction, two portfolios of mortgages will be sold to an investor group led by Barclays Bank PLC. The proceeds from this sale will be used to repay the FSCS’s loan to B&B in full and in turn reduce the national debt.

There will be no changes to the terms and conditions of the mortgages sold. Borrowers do not need to take any action.

The Chancellor, Philip Hammond said:

We are determined to recover the money the taxpayer invested during the financial crisis as soon as we can. The sale of these Bradford & Bingley loans is yet another significant step in putting the crisis behind us.

The proceeds of this sale will go towards reducing our national debt and securing a brighter future for the next generation.

B&B’s and NRAM Limited’s (formerly part of Northern Rock) closed loan books are managed by UK Asset Resolution (UKAR) on behalf of the taxpayer. Following today’s (26 April 2018) transaction, UKAR now owns c.£14 billion worth of assets, down from £21 billion in September 2017 and from £116 billion in 2010.

This sale will raise sufficient funds for B&B to repay its loan from the FSCS – made at the time of nationalisation to finance the transfer of customers’ deposits to Santander UK – which will, in turn, allow the FSCS to repay its own loan from HM Treasury. Repayment of these loans will end the need for a special levy on deposit-taking banks and marks the end of a legacy of the 2008 financial crisis.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been assessing whether SSE Retail and Npower’s proposal to create a new energy company for domestic retail customers could reduce competition.

Its initial Phase 1 investigation has found that the rivalry between the large energy companies, including SSE and Npower, is an important factor in how they set tariffs. The removal of such competition could therefore lead to higher prices for some customers.

Rachel Merelie, Senior Director at the CMA, said:

We know that competition in the energy market does not work as well as it might. However, competition between energy companies gives them a reason to keep prices down.

We have found that the proposed merger between SSE Retail and Npower could reduce this competition, and so lead to higher prices for some customers. We therefore believe that this merger warrants further in-depth scrutiny.

SSE and Npower now have until 3 May to offer measures to address the CMA’s concerns. If they do not provide such ‘undertakings’, the CMA will refer the merger for a Phase 2 investigation.

Further details are available on the investigation case page.

The CMA has identified competition concerns following an investigation into the proposed purchase of concrete plants by a leading building materials company.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been investigating Tarmac Trading Limited’s (Tarmac) proposal to acquire 27 ready-mix concrete (RMX) plants from Breedon Group Plc (Breedon), and Breedon’s plans to acquire 4 aggregate plants and 1 asphalt plant from Tarmac.

Following its initial ‘Phase 1’ review, the CMA has found that the proposed merger gives rise to competition concerns in the supply of RMX in the Cardiff, Bridgend and Carnforth areas, where both companies are close rivals.

The lack of other strong suppliers of RMX in these areas could mean that customers would face increased prices or a worse quality of service as a result of the proposed merger.

With regard to Breedon’s plans to acquire 4 aggregates plants and an asphalt plant from Tarmac, the CMA found no competition concerns and has cleared that part of the deal.

Tarmac now has until 3 May to address the concerns outlined otherwise the merger will be referred for an in-depth Phase 2 investigation by an independent group of CMA panel members.

All information relating to the merger is available on the project case page.