How are your pre-tax profits this year; not as good as expected? If not, then the news that M&C Saatchi’s profits for the six months to 30 June increased 17% to £6.3m year on year, will make you feel better I’m sure. David Kershaw, chief executive, M&C Saatchi, said: “The group has started the year well in what remains a challenging market. These results have been driven by both new business wins and continued cost control. While the agency won accounts including Network Rail, the Olympic Delivery Authority, Bathstore, the Conservative Party, Ikea and Netjets, it also lost major...

Can you get your head round your energy bill? Watchdog Consumer Focus has warned that new annual energy statements are likely to confuse the customers of some gas and electricity suppliers.   Companies were ordered by the regulator Ofgem to send a statement to every customer, with information about their energy use and how to switch suppliers. Consumer Focus says that in the worst cases the statements look like bills.   The Energy Retail Association which represents suppliers, says the statements are “a work in progress” – that’s good to know then. To be fair, energy supplies seem...