Press Digest: British Business - April 22

Duolingo

22/04/2026 05:17

April 22 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories on the business pages of British newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

The Times

- Royal Mail has pledged to invest 500 million pounds($675.30 million) over the next five years as part of its universal service improvement plan to better cater to customers, parent company International Distribution Services said.

- Some British-made foods such as crisps and cakes could be barred from sale under a future UK-EU trade agreement, as post-Brexit rules may prevent products made with pesticides approved by Brussels from reaching the market once production is complete.

The Guardian

- Airlines are urging the British government to loosen environmental and noise rules and cut taxes on flights as they prepare for higher costs and a possible jet fuel shortage linked to the war in the Middle East.

- About 500 Welsh farmers have taken green energy developer Green Gen Cymru to the High Court, accusing it of improper conduct over plans to run electricity pylons across their land.

The Telegraph

- British finance minister Rachel Reeves said the government would allow new oil and gas fields to be developed near existing North Sea projects, even as energy secretary Ed Miliband warned that expanding fossil fuel exploration risks undermining climate goals.

- Duolingo's DUOL.O online English proficiency test, which gained traction with universities during the pandemic, is used by some British institutions for international admissions but remains unapproved for the Home Office's primary immigration language requirement.

Sky News

- Lufthansa LHAG.DE has said 20,000 short-haul flights are being cut from its schedule this summer, allowing it to save on the soaring cost of jet fuel.

- The chairman of British sportswear retailer JD Sports Fashion JD.L, Andy Higginson, will step down from his role.

($1 = 0.7404 pounds)

(Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)

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