Business & Technology
RECCo picks Raidiam & PayPoint for consent framework
RECCo has appointed Raidiam and PayPoint to develop the trust framework for the Consumer Consent Solution in the GB retail energy market, advancing work on a common system for managing consumer consent over energy data.
Under the appointments, Raidiam will provide digital trust infrastructure input for the framework’s design and implementation, while PayPoint will deliver the operational service model and service management needed to support the scheme as an ongoing service.
The Consumer Consent Solution, or CCS, is intended to create a standard way for consumers to control how their energy data is accessed and used. The framework is designed to set clear rules for participation across the market and support the secure, transparent handling of consent.
Consent model
The work forms part of broader efforts to build what the sector calls Consumer-Led Flexibility, under which households can take up flexible tariffs and other energy services that depend on access to usage data. A standard consent model is intended to reduce fragmentation between market participants and improve interoperability across the system.
For suppliers, service providers and other participants, the aim is to provide a dependable basis for joining and operating within the consent framework. For consumers, the focus is on maintaining control over who can access data and for what purpose.
Raidiam is known for developing trust frameworks and data-sharing systems in sectors including open banking, open finance and digital identity. Its technology is used to manage authorised access to data for approved purposes and support testing environments for digital data projects.
According to company-released details, its systems support open data initiatives in markets including Australia, Brazil and the UAE, and process more than 12 billion API calls each month. That experience appears to have informed its selection for the energy market project, where standardised governance and identity controls are central to the design.
PayPoint’s role is different but complementary. It is set to provide the service management structure needed to move the framework from design into day-to-day operation, part of building an enduring service rather than a limited-term programme.
Market development
The CCS programme marks an operational milestone for RECCo as it seeks to put in place the infrastructure needed for data consent in the retail energy market. The organisation will continue working with Ofgem, industry stakeholders and consumer bodies as the framework develops.
That engagement is expected to shape the design around practical use cases in the sector. It also reflects the regulatory and consumer protection issues tied to energy data sharing, particularly as retailers and service providers seek to build new products around household consumption data.
Standardising consent processes has become a recurring issue in industries where personal data must move between multiple parties. In energy, it is tied to the rollout of more dynamic pricing, home energy services and flexible demand arrangements, all of which can depend on timely, permissioned access to customer information.
Without a common framework, market participants can face differing technical standards, governance arrangements and assurance requirements. RECCo’s approach aims to address that through a single trust structure backed by operational oversight.
John Heaton-Armstrong, Head of Business and Commercial Strategy at Raidiam, said: “We’re pleased to be working with RECCo and PayPoint on this important step for the Consumer Consent Solution in the GB retail energy market. Trusted consent infrastructure is essential to Consumer-Led Flexibility, and the decisions made now will help shape a market that is more secure, interoperable and consumer-led.”
Business & Technology
Rosa’s Thai is giving away 4000 free Pad Thais to students
Celebrating both GCSE and A-Level Results Days, the chain will offer the popular dish to students who buy one of its bubble teas.
The free offer is available at all 42 Rosa’s Thai restaurants across England and Wales.
To avail of the free noodles, students need to register on Rosa’s Thai website for a unique code, which they should present at the restaurant together with a copy of their results.
Rosa’s Thai has a new range of bubble tea flavours, including Ube-Taro, Matcha-Coconut, Mango Sticky Rice, and Milo Chocolate Milk, as well as favourites like Home-brewed Thai Tea with Tapioca, and Lychee Mango with mango boba.
Students can sign up for their free Pad Thai at rosasthai.com/result-day-free-pad-thai and find their nearest restaurant at rosasthai.com/locations.
Business & Technology
Historic coin company enters administration after 20 years
The London Mint Office, which distributes commemorative coins and medals, appointed administrators on July 31 after 20 years in business.
The company’s website now displays a message confirming the appointment of Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP as joint administrators.
A spokesman for Alvarez and Marsal said: “On July 31 2026, Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators of The London Mint Office Limited in administration (the “Company”).
“Regrettably, the Company’s liquidity challenges have led to a number of immediate redundancies. We are supporting the affected employees through the redundancy process.
What Happens When a Company Goes Into Administration?
“The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators who act as agents of the Company and without personal liability.”
The announcement confirms that it is no longer possible to purchase coins or medals through the company’s website.
The London Mint Office operates a distribution centre in Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where it employs a significant number of people.
Administration is a formal insolvency process triggered when a business cannot meet its financial obligations.
An insolvency practitioner is appointed to manage the company’s affairs and may attempt to restructure the business or sell off assets to repay creditors.
What happens when a company goes into Liquidation?
Founded in 2006, The London Mint Office describes itself as “one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers of historic, commemorative, and collector coins.”
It is part of Samlerhuset AS, a Norwegian company based near Oslo and one of Europe’s largest distributors of commemorative coins and medals.
Samlerhuset’s website states that it offers “provide a wide range of coins from ancient to modern, originating from virtually every country in the world.”
The London Mint Office has advised anyone with an interest in the company’s assets to contact the administrators at INS_THLMOL@alvarezandmarsal.com.
Business & Technology
Warning of new rules for Aldi and Lidl after watchdog review
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally decided that both discounters should be added to the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010, which currently applies to Asda, Co-op, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose.
This order is designed to prevent large grocery retailers from using land agreements to block competitors from opening nearby stores, often through restrictive covenants or exclusivity terms.
Juliette Enser, executive director of competition enforcement and markets at the CMA, said: “We want everyone to have the best choice of supermarket and range of prices when buying their groceries.
“To ensure this happens, we put rules in place to prevent big supermarket chains blocking rival stores from opening nearby – and now we propose applying those rules to Aldi and Lidl too.
“This is about allowing shoppers to choose where they spend their money and levelling the playing field for all major supermarkets.
“Today’s proposals are provisional and we welcome views before deciding the best way forward.”
The CMA’s review found that Aldi, Lidl GB, and Lidl NI now meet the criteria of ‘Large Grocery Retailers’ (LGRs) due to their store footprint, nationwide presence, procurement model, and the breadth of their grocery range.
Aldi and Lidl were originally excluded from the 2010 order as ‘limited assortment discounters’, offering a smaller selection of products compared to traditional supermarkets.
However, the CMA’s provisional findings indicate that this is no longer the case.
All three now operate large grocery stores, each with more than 1,000 square metres of shop floor space, and offer a full range of products, though with less category choice than some competitors.
They also purchase goods directly from suppliers through integrated wholesaling.
With the UK grocery market estimated to be worth £215 billion, Aldi and Lidl are now ranked among the top five retailers by market share.
The CMA is seeking feedback from stakeholders before reaching a final decision.
Aldi and Lidl could join the other supermarket chains later this year.
The CMA is inviting views until 5pm on Monday, September 7, 2026, and will issue its final decision in the autumn after reviewing responses.
If the discounters are included under the order, they will be prevented from using land agreements to limit competition from other supermarket chains.
The CMA aims to ensure competition across the grocery sector to give shoppers more choice and competitive pricing by removing obstacles to new store openings.
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