Sir Robert Chote, chairman of the UK Statistics Authority, looked into the comments later quoted by Rishi Sunak in May.

National Grid’s Electricity System Operator said the average surplus supply would be higher this winter.

The blue-chip index rose after new data showed growth in the UK’s services sector slowed last month.

The Centrica boss Chris O’Shea’s pay deal was called ‘fundamentally wrong’ by campaigners, and comes after years of high energy bills across the UK.

Centrica boss Chris O’Shea said in January there was ‘no point’ trying to justify his salary before it nearly doubled to £8.2 million.

The Treasury-owned coin maker has seen its US customer base more than double in last two years.

The figures preceded a flurry of interest in UK-listed companies in recent months, including Royal Mail and Anglo American.

Embattled sector squeezed further after impact of Brexit, Covid and the cost-of-living crisis

The FTSE was initially boosted by gains for retailers and property giants, with JD Sports and Ocado among the top risers.

Production grew at the quickest rate since April 2022 amid surges in business confidence and new work.

The tech giant says parts of its search engine were still experiencing ‘disruption’ after problems started early on Friday.

The rise comes after slight increases in mortgage rates since the start of the year slowed the housing market through March and April.

The Government had planned a public share sale this summer but that has been pushed back because of the upcoming General Election.

Mike Ashley’s retail conglomerate now owns about 13.9% of Hugo Boss, worth £305 million.

The company wants to cut £25 million in spending next year, but warns revenue on the continent will fall again in 2025.

The businessman, known as the ‘Czech sphinx’ because of his quiet, inscrutable style, could take over the 500-year-old organisation.

A fifth of parents questioned said they have been left with no money for emergencies during the crisis.

Research shows upgrading average home insulation could save hundreds of pounds a year per household under the new price cap.

The retailer said it has grown market share after buying a rival, but turnover dipped as customers sought cheaper items.