Government Policy 11 March 2026 - 20 May 2026

M&S chief hits out at UK food price-cap plan as ministers retreat
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M&S chief hits out at UK food price-cap plan as ministers retreat

UK backs away from mandatory supermarket price caps after retail pushback Downing Street stepped back from the idea of forcing supermarkets to cap food prices on Wednesday, after retailers pushed back and Marks & Spencer boss Stuart Machin called the idea “completely preposterous.” Exchequer Secretary Dan Tomlinson told BBC Radio the government will keep talking with supermarkets but is not planning a mandatory cap. Cost of living is back in focus for politicians as prices keep rising. Reuters, citing a Financial Times story it later confirmed, reported that big grocery chains could be asked to hold down prices on basics like eggs, bread and milk if they get lighter regulation in return. Any price ceiling under the plan would not
May 20, 2026
Telstra Shares Trade Higher as $1.25 Billion Buyback Wraps Up, Investors Focus on Week Ahead
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Australia’s A$7.32 Billion Spectrum Sale Raises Questions for Phone Bills

Australia’s communications regulator has set a preferred price of A$7.32 billion for renewing major mobile and fixed-wireless spectrum licences, sticking with higher fees despite efforts by Telstra, Optus and TPG Telecom to get them cut. The move keeps the debate alive over the cost of airwaves, with the focus shifting to phone bills, network spending and how telcos compete. Telstra, Optus, TPG and NBN Co own the licences supporting fixed wireless broadband and over 30 million mobile services, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority. Spectrum covers the radio frequencies used for mobile and wireless internet. Fixed wireless broadband gives homes and businesses internet through radio, not cables.
May 20, 2026
Clean Energy Incentives Return as EU Clears Denmark Wind Aid, France Hydrogen Support Amid Energy Price Shock
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Clean Energy Incentives Return as EU Clears Denmark Wind Aid, France Hydrogen Support Amid Energy Price Shock

The European Commission cleared a €5 billion Danish offshore wind aid package and signed off on French backing for renewable and low-carbon hydrogen this Monday, putting new clean-energy incentives in focus as Europe looks to limit its exposure to imported fuel shocks. The calendar is a factor, with the energy crunch now spilling over into the broader economy. Euro zone consumer confidence slumped this March to lows not seen since late 2023. “One of the largest falls on record,” said Andrew Kenningham at Capital Economics, outside of the pandemic and Ukraine war periods.
March 23, 2026
Telstra Group Limited warns Australia map rules could cut 1 million sq km from coverage claims
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Telstra Group Limited warns Australia map rules could cut 1 million sq km from coverage claims

Telstra Group ramped up its opposition to Australia’s draft mobile coverage-map standard on Wednesday, claiming the plan would wrongly label regions where 1.5 million customers use its network each month as lacking service. The protest followed the release of industry feedback by the Australian Communications and Media Authority on March 10, with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission also throwing support behind stricter mapping requirements. This fight comes to a head with ACMA under deadline—March 31 to lock in the standard, then roll it out by June 30. Telstra warns, if the regulator holds the line on its threshold, it could be forced to slash some 1 million square km from the coverage maps crucial for winning customers and sales
March 11, 2026