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The Telegraph is reporting - No 10's new priorities risk clashes with ministers over workers' rights and NET ZERO.

Sir Kier is "hard wiring growth into all the decisions of the Cabinet", in a move that risks clashes with ministers over policies such as employers rights and NET ZERO. (I think the article meant "employees rights not employers rights) - it goes on to say.

"Rigorous assessments" will be carried out on the growth impact of each new measure before collective agreement on it is reached, allowing any measure which HARMS the economy to be vetoed if the Prime Minister wishes.

The article is much longer - IMO (in fact in anybodies option except Miliband's) all of the measures (old and new) relating to NET ZERO are harmful to the economy, energy security and potential growth. It will be interesting to see how this all pans out.

Https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/01/26/global-shift-forcing-labour-change-course-net-zero/?WT.mc_id=e_DM501940&WT.tsrc=email&etype=Edi_FAM_New_ES_Sun&utmsource=email&utm_medium=Edi_FAM_New_ES_Sun20250126&utm_campaign=DM501940

Https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/01/24/screeching-about-turns-wont-save-doomed-rachel-reeves/

The final paragraph of Malcy's blog on Serica - no direct mention of Buchan, but reading between the lines, positive.

Indeed CFO Martin Copeland, without any tongue in cheek tells us that ‘he is quite keen to help the Government achieve a course correction’ which could actually result in a higher take over the longer term. My own view is that whilst we know that the Secretary of State has got blinkers on even he can’t have failed to see the mass exodus of the world’s finest energy companies leaving these shores and taking their cheque books with them.

Serica will without doubt be in the upcoming Bucket List, it has strength, growth both organic and inorganic and a whopping yield which gives both capital and income growth to be expected this year.

Surety

"It could cost a fair bit more in 6 months £4 vs £3? Most would sell at the latter right now I would guess PI wise given the share holder base.."

The earlier post from DU highlighting the cash flows and available tax losses was excellent. The problem, should a T/O materialise is that the directors have lots of shares and well paid jobs (and potentially big bonuses) which would most probably come to an end. Getting to the point I think they would put their own interests/greed ahead of any shareholder considerations.

CUPHALFULL

What on earth have those last 2 post got to do with JOG, stick to the narrative.

Oh yes 9 SQZ for 4 JOG comes out around 353p and a juicy divi to keep Mrs MPO on her toes.

"and I quite like to buy at the bottom of the cycle."

JOG are at/close to that point, and we are all ears.

Please get your cheque book out

Tuned in late (44 mins) overslept. They had started to discuss Buchan. They said there are 3 consultations in progress and that any decision would only be made once the results of those became available. They expect 2025 (for Serica) to be better than 2024, they will continue to focus on returns for shareholders via dividends and buy backs, all in all very positive. DU will have been more focused and awake and may offer a better insight. As a guess Buchan will get the green light.

IMO BP are dressing themselves up to be take over. It been mentioned many times in the press and their home may not be in the UK.

For 37 years I was stressed out every morning when the alarm went off at 6.10am, you just got up and carried on. Incidentally I only got a mobile phone when I retired, can't remember when it last rang.

"Some 35pc of employees aged 18 to 24 reported feeling so unwell as a result of stress that they had to take time off from work last year, according to charity Mental Health UK."

Perhaps spending significant time on mobiles using social media has a part to play - kids in schools being "groomed" by their mobiles.

Surety

With NEO in the driving seat (so to speak) this would be a pure gamble by SQZ.

IMO it may be more likely for NEO to make a move, however, with their future somewhat up in the air this also seem unlikely.

To add, the directors of JOG have plenty of skin in the game and would be unlikely to accept any low ball offer, after all should NEO proceed (which I think they will) value will be reflected in the share price. Then the directors will put their salaries back to what they were before the trimming to £1.5m, and probably put their feet up. A win win for the BOD. All just IMO.

Will be interesting to hear DU's thoughts.

Whatever, the future for SQZ no matter what happens with Buchan appears bright.

The crunch for inflations is yet to come:

Energy price cap will rise - the UK has been aggressively importing power and consumers will foot the bill.

The greater than inflation increases to minimum wages kicks in from 5th April.

The employers increase in NI also impacts post 5th April, hitting all businesses big and small. The hospitality industry will certainly increase prices.

All households will be hit with 5% increases to council tax.

Locally fuel prices have just (yesterday) jumped up by a couple of pence, 3%+ looks on the cards in the coming months.

Disappointing program - Petrol wins hands down for me.

Making an issue on speed (especially in the UK) crazy. - boy racers will cause havoc.

As for boot capacity, if you have that much junk, buy a petrol/diesel van.

Interesting destination, Colwyn Bay, we went there in December after visiting a national trust - in medium traffic it is a 70/90 minute run from home, waiting 30+mins to charge battery is a real turn off added to the anxiety of perhaps not making it to the plug. At 75 will never have the problem.

Somewhat related to JOG:

Channel 5 tonight - Petrol vs Electric Cars - Which is Better

Elphi

"Here's hoping the winter freeze is short-lived—for both the weather and BP’s share price. DYOR"

IMO the winter freeze and it's impact on commodities (oil and gas) will/could be the biggest driver of the BP share price.

"The interesting question is: will Miliband go before Reeves?"

Well Reeves is upsetting Miliband, jetting off to China - The Chinese could cheer him and the UK public up by cancelling the return flight and locking her up - then there is only Miliband to deal with.

Cyril2 - Yes, I have now seen a few presentations with similar content to the one posted by DU yesterday. Why haven't these been picked up on by either or both TV political shows or journalists and Miliband confronted to explain why UK policy is so out of line with the vast majority of nations and at such huge cost to the UK. The proposed Carbon Capture projects have been tried and then abandoned by several countries, no critics have picked up on this either. The failures the UK (at enormous cost) has suffered with the HS2 project, an over land (with a tunnel) railway line should be a guide as to the outcome likely attempting to store Carbon below sea level.

Excellent post DU. Very interesting content, almost an idiots guide to climate issues, even Ed may understand how stupid his approach really is, but I wouldn't bet on it.

All best wishes to you DU for Christmas and New Year, and to all patient Joggers.