HadNews.com

The boss of a British supermarket has claimed that the “era of cheap food is over”. But what he calls cheap, many people still find expensive. Rising food costs have been one of the key drivers of soaring UK inflation over the last few years, and some products, like olive oil, have reached record prices. For the most deprived fifth of UK households, it is estimated that they would need to spend an 50% of their disposable income to eat a healthy diet. But whether or not you think food is too expensive or too cheap, the reality is that neither customers nor retailers are paying the true price of food. For what we eat now incurs signi...... Read Full article on HadNews

China’s automotive industry has revolutionised over the past decade, from producing basic western clones to making cars that equal the world’s best. As the manufacturing powerhouse of the world, China is also producing them in huge volumes. However, Chinese cars are facing difficulties in finding buyers in Europe. Imported cars, many of which are Chinese electric vehicles, are piling up at European ports, with some spending up to 18 months in port car parks as manufacturers struggle to get them onto people’s driveways. Why is this, though? Chinese electric vehicles in particular are getting positive reviews. Having driven them myself...... Read Full article on HadNews

During the long, solitary days of lockdown, I found solace in raising houseplants. Suddenly stuck at home, I had more time to perfect the watering routine of a fussy Swiss cheese plant, and lovingly train our devil’s ivy to delicately frame the bookcases. But I started noticing that these plants, sourced online, often arrived in the post with a passport. Most had travelled from all over Europe, with one common tagline: contains peat. As a peatland scientist, these labels instantly filled me with horror. Hidden Peat, a new campaign launched by The Wildlife Trusts, is now highlighting the presence of peat in all sorts of consumer produ...... Read Full article on HadNews

Despite most businesses around the world returning to some form of normal after the pandemic, supply chain problems continue to disrupt the manufacturing and availability of new and second hand cars. This disruption has caused vehicle prices to sky-rocket, adding to cost-of-living pressures already being experienced by most Australians. Car prices in Australia rose throughout 2023 with an average increase of almost 20% since April 2020, even faster than the consumer price index. The increase has varied depending on the model, but the biggest increases – of about 25% – have been in the small car sector. This resembles the situation...... Read Full article on HadNews