Oxford News
E.ON and Ovo set to announce huge update for customers
Energy giant E.ON is reportedly close to a deal to acquire Ovo, a move that would create a UK energy giant serving nearly 10 million customers.
The two companies are targeting next week to officially announce the deal, with an agreement expected in the coming days.
The merger would combine E.ON’s 5.7 million customers with Ovo’s 4 million.
Ovo has recently faced major challenges, warning of a “material uncertainty” over its future in its latest financial accounts.
The company was reprimanded by Ofgem last year for failing to meet capital requirements, resulting in significant cost-cutting and job losses.
Ovo has spent several months seeking a buyer or new investment.
The situation became more precarious after former chief executive David Buttress stepped down during the funding search.
The deal is not yet guaranteed and could still be delayed, according to industry sources.
Ovo was founded in 2009 by Stephen Fitzpatrick as a challenger to the big energy companies.
Its rapid growth was fuelled by the 2020 acquisition of SSE’s household energy business.
E.On boss calls for energy bills support to be ‘targeted’
The boss of E.On UK has urged the Government to target any energy bills support to those most in need, as he insisted the supplier was “working really hard” to limit the price shock facing households over the summer.
Energy bills are expected to increase substantially from July when Ofgem sets its next price cap, due a recent spike in oil and gas prices caused by war in the Middle East.
Chris Norbury, chief executive of E.On UK, one of the UK’s biggest energy suppliers, told the Press Association: “It is a picture that moves every day.
“We spend a lot of time anyway, and particularly at the moment, with the energy markets team looking at what’s happening to wholesale markets through the observation window for the price cap.”
Charlie Matthews appeared at Oxford Crown Court on August 27.
The 25-year-old is charged with two counts of rape.
The allegations are said to have taken place in Oxford in April and October 2021.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire data centres call to ‘pause’ expansion
The complainant for both counts is the same woman.
Matthews, of Langney Road, Eastbourne, pleaded not guilty to both counts.
A trial date, with a time estimate of four to five days, was set for August 21, 2028.
Judge Ian Pringle KC said that this is some seven years after the offences are alleged to have taken place.
The judge said: “Unfortunately, that’s the situation.”
Matthews was released on bail, with the condition not to contact the complainant.
Islandfarm Viscount is a 13-year-old gelding from Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell near Wallingford.
He took the top title at the 2026 Donkey Breed Society National Championship Show, held on August 22 at Pickering Grange Equestrian Centre in Coalville.
He is the offspring of East Lodge Bryony, a donkey left to the sanctuary by the late Alex and Sue Horn.
Mr Horn was a respected figure in donkey showing and won numerous awards during his lifetime.
Viscount has built an impressive record of his own, with championship wins at the Mid Somerset Show and the New Forest and Hampshire Show.
He was named Reserve Champion at the Ellingham and Ringwood Show, placing just behind stablemate Perehill Magical Moments.
Both donkeys qualified for the national finals, where Viscount claimed the Senior Gelding Class and went on to be named British Champion Gelding for the fifth year in a row.
He then competed against other class winners and took home the Supreme Champion title and trophy.
Perehill Magical Moments earned her place at the finals after wins at the Heckinton Show and Ellingham and Ringwood.
At the national event, she won the Senior Mare class and was named Reserve Mare Champion.
There are severe delays on the A34 between Oxford and Junction 9 for Bicester due to a traffic incident this afternoon on the Bank Holiday Monday.
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