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The Wire Thursday 29 October |
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The Wire · Thursday 29 October Good morning. Here is what the sources released 👇 |
Seven items overnight, every one dated, opened at the primary source and checked before it went in, with our read on each. Three minutes with your coffee and you are up to speed. |
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Diesel 199.2p ↓ 0.1p | Brent $115 ↑ $1 | Power £201 ↑ £72 | CPIH 3.6% ↑ 0.3 | Bank Rate 3.75% – | GBP/USD $1.33 ↓ |
The Pulse · figures to 28 Oct · the full board → |
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01 |
 Transport · Department for Transport · 28 October 2026
Government launches 2026 review into what you pay for public EV charging
Released by Department for Transport |
Transport |
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The Department for Transport, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and HM Treasury have published an independent review, led by Philip New, into what drives the price of public electric vehicle charging. It draws on evidence from industry, consumer groups and local government to recommend ways to lower those costs.
| | Our read Watch whether operators act on its recommendations before any change in the price you see at the charger. |
Read the source → |
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02 |
 Energy & Grid · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero · 28 October 2026
Government and Ofgem publish 4-point plan to cut your energy debt
Released by Department for Energy Security and Net Zero |
Energy & Grid |
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The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Ofgem have published a joint strategy to reduce existing household energy debt and prevent new debt building up. It covers targeted relief, reformed payment and billing systems, better consumer engagement and tighter cross-sector delivery.
| | Our read Expect suppliers to shoulder more of this debt-prevention work themselves, before any wider reform changes how your bill is collected. |
Read the source → |
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03 |
Energy & Grid · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero · 28 October 2026
Government considers fixed-price payments for power plants, open for your views until 9 December
Released by Department for Energy Security and Net Zero |
Energy & Grid |
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The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has opened a consultation on a proposed Wholesale Contracts for Difference scheme for existing low carbon electricity plants in Great Britain. It covers eligibility, auction design and possible legislative change, and closes on 9 December 2026.
| | Our read Take note if you already operate a generating asset in Great Britain, since a route into the scheme would change how it gets paid, before any new-build project feels the effect. |
Read the source → |
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04 |
 Rail · Network Rail · 28 October 2026
Network Rail closes Kyle line three weeks for £9m upgrade, check your journey
Network Rail will renew around 7km of track, refurbish platforms at Inverness station and carry out drainage and bridge repairs along the Kyle line in a £9m scheme. The Kyle line closes between 28 November and 18 December 2026, with replacement buses running between Inverness and Dingwall.
| | Our read Expect a full three-week closure rather than staged weekend work, so check your journey before travelling; Network Rail evidently wants this finished in one go rather than phased over several weekends. |
Read the source → |
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05 |
Transport · Construction Enquirer · 28 October 2026
Your A66 upgrade now takes nine years to build, not five
Balfour Beatty, Kier and Aureos will deliver the Northern Trans-Pennine upgrade of the A66, dualling the remaining 18 miles between the M6 at Penrith and the A1(M) at Scotch Corner. Phased main construction starts in November 2026 on a revised nine-year schedule, four years longer than the previous target, on a scheme valued at more than £1.5bn.
| | Our read Treat the delay as proof the old target was unrealistic; watch the contractors, not National Highways, for what you can expect now. |
Read the source → |
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06 |
 Water · Construction Enquirer · 28 October 2026
Welsh Water's £600m scheme replaces two old works, now open for your views
Welsh Water has submitted planning applications to Merthyr Tydfil council and the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority for the £600m Cwm Taf scheme, its largest infrastructure project to date. A new water treatment works at Dan-y-Castell Farm and an upgraded Llwyn-onn works will let the older Pontsticill and Cantref works retire, with the buying process under Ofwat's Direct Procurement for Customers model due to start in early 2027.
| | Our read Watch for a separate delivery company, not Welsh Water itself, to carry the construction risk, as you'll increasingly see regulators require for big new water schemes. |
Read the source → |
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07 |
 Nuclear · House of Commons Public Accounts Committee · 28 October 2026
MPs want 6-monthly, not annual, cost reports on Sizewell C for you to track
Released by House of Commons Public Accounts Committee |
Nuclear |
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The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee has published its 17th report on Sizewell C, calling the government's plan for annual progress reports to Parliament inadequate and demanding six-monthly updates on costs, the construction timetable and milestones, plus investor returns. It said the project's cost range of £40.5bn to £47.7bn could add £9.8bn during construction and a further £12bn over its operating life to consumer bills.
| | Our read Expect this fight over reporting frequency to keep Sizewell C's costs a live political risk for you to track, rather than a settled question. |
Read the source → |
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