Britain faces tight electricity supplies this winter on rising demand and capacity constraints, National Grid said today.

The grim outlook comes amid record high energy prices, which contributed to nine energy suppliers going bust last month, caused some industrial firms to curtail production and warnings over some food shortages this winter.

Travel giant Tui is the top riser, with shares up almost 7 per cent. Yesterday, the company unveiled plans for a £936million cash call to cut debts as it said bookings had bounced back after travel restrictions were lifted.

FTSE 100 miners like Antofagasta, Anglo American and Rio Tinto were also higher, with share price increases between 2 and 5 per cent.

Workspace Group climbed 3.8 per cent after the office space provider said the number of people using its centres in London peaked at over half of pre-pandemic levels by the end of September.

But the FTSE 250 is up by less than 0.1% at 22,406

Intel has ruled out putting a huge new computer chip plant in Britain because of Brexit, it was revealed today.

The head of the US firm, Pat Gelsinger, said it would have considered the UK but was now looking at 'getting support from the EU' for sites.

The global energy crisis has not thrown up many winners so far but oil giant Royal Dutch Shell revealed today it expects its third quarter revenues to be boosted by soaring gas and electricity prices.

Shell is the world’s biggest seller of liquefied natural gas, accounting for around 20 per cent of global demand.

LNG and electricity prices have soared in recent weeks amid a clash between tight supply lines and booming demand as the global economy recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic.

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House prices have risen at the fastest pace since the housing boom of 2007 to new record highs as the 'race for space' continues, despite the end of the stamp duty holiday.

The average UK house price jumped by around £4,400 between August and September, or 1.7 per cent, marking the fastest growth since February 2007, figures by mortgage lender Halifax show.

The Belgian government has agreed to vote on a countrywide introduction of a four-day working week.

The federal government will consider the proposal next week in what is the latest move towards a more flexible working future in Europe.

The FTSE 100 has clawed back some of yesterday’s losses in early trading this morning, rising 0.9 per cent, while the FTSE 250 is up 0.6 per cent.

Gains in travel and heavyweight mining stocks led the index, with Glencore and Rio Tino the top risers.

Homebuilder stocks climbed 0.7 per cent after mortgage lender Halifax said British house prices rose by the most in almost 15 years in September.

Ministers have admitted that 'Levelling Up' wages will take 10 years - and Boris Johnson wants to stay in power longer than Margaret Thatcher to see it through.

The PM has staked his political career on reforming the economy after Brexit, insisting in his conference speech yesterday that there is 'no alternative'.

Demand for wholesale gas has soared as economies recover from the pandemic, while supply has been squeezed, pushing up prices.

The UK imports much of its gas from the EU, Norway and Russia. We have become more reliant on gas after a series of disruptions.

The end of the £70billion furlough scheme did not lead to the wave of job cuts many expected after the massive Covid financial support scheme was wound down last month, early data suggests.

Figures from the Insolvency Service show that the number of redundancies proposed by employers in September was close to record lows, with many businesses with large numbers of furloughed workers saying they have taken everyone back.

Vladimir Putin was today accused of turning energy 'into a weapon' by suggesting he will pump more gas into Europe if Brussels approves Russia's controversial pipeline bypassing Ukraine as Britain's looming energy crisis got worse for millions who face paying between £500 and 800-a-year more for their energy in 2022.

Wholesale gas prices surged to a record 400p yesterday - a 37% increase in 24 hours and 600% up on January - but dropped to around 274p after the Russian President's intervention yesterday.

The Saudi takeover of Newcastle United is set to be approved after the Gulf state settled its piracy dispute with Premier League broadcast partner beIN Sports and gave assurances over who will control the club.

Sources close to the process have indicated that the lifting of a four-year ban on Qatar-based beIN Sports being shown in Saudi, as well as the removal of all forms of piracy in the country, will pave the way for the £300million deal to be signed off, ending Mike Ashley’s 14-year ownership.

Britain's second largest building society has placed itself at the top of the independent This is Money best buy easy-access savings table with a deal paying 0.65 per cent.

Coventry Building Society's Four Access Saver can be opened with as little as £1 and will enable savers to deposit up to £250,000 in the account.

Industry chiefs last night accused Boris Johnson of setting Britain on the path to rampant inflation as the Prime Minister stepped up his battle with business.

Firms warned labour shortages – which have triggered empty shelves and queues at petrol stations – will lead to spiralling prices unless the Government intervenes.

Rocketing gas prices and rising inflation are threatening to blow a hole in Rishi Sunak's Budget plans.

The cost of UK gas for November delivery shot up 40 per cent yesterday morning following a steep increase over the past month prompted by a shortage of gas flowing into Europe and the UK.

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