If you find this podcast useful please give it a rating and review on iTunes by clicking here
5 Things You Need To Know, Today, on Thursday 4th August 2022
5. Marks & Spencer has stopped selling disposable barbecues in its stores across the UK.
The supermarket said it wanted "to help protect open spaces and reduce the risk of fires".
4. Independent garages are calling on big chains to slash petrol prices as the cost of living crisis continues.
RAC figures show unleaded petrol dropped nearly 9p in July.
3. British services sector activity grew in July at the slowest pace since early 2021 when the country was under a coronavirus lockdown, although there was an easing of surging price pressures.
The UK Services PMI dropped to 52.6, a 17-month low that was down from 54.3 in June and lower than a preliminary July estimate of 53.3 as the economy struggled under nearly double-digit inflation.
2. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for oil and gas companies to face special taxes.
His comments come as surging energy prices sparked by the war in Ukraine push industry profits to new highs.
1. The Bank of England will announce its latest decision on interest rates today, and is widely expected to raise them for the sixth time in a row.
Interest rates currently stand at 1.25%, but the central bank could increase by 0.5% to as much as 1.75%. If so, that would be its highest level since December 2008.