PRESS DIGEST - British business - April 9

The Times

BRITISH ENERGY MONOPOLY "UNACCEPTABLE"

The government warned potential bidders for British Energy (BGY.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) by saying it will not tolerate the emergence of a single monopoly player in Britain's drive to build a new generation of nuclear reactors. Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks said: "We wouldn't be happy, we wouldn't really allow just one company to have a monopoly of nuclear in Britain." Wicks' comments are thought to be a signal the government will not accept a single bidder such as EDF (EDF.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) or RWE (RWEG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) to buy British Energy on its own.

TESCO DIPS ON TALK OF WAL-MART FIGHT IN U.S.

Shares in Tesco (TSCO.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) fell 8.5 pence to 401 pence on fears that Wal-Mart (WMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) is awakening from its slumber in the United States to try to see off its British rival from its own backyard. Tesco has already lost ground on concerns that its Fresh & Easy business in the western United States is not doing so well as hoped.

COST-CUTTING DRIVE BY GLOBAL RADIO

Global Radio, which acquired the former Chrysalis radio stations last year, is implementing a cost-cutting drive across its networks. The move will see local programming reduced and a big increase in networked shows. Global Radio also agreed to buy GCap, the owner of Capital 95.8, last week.

The Daily Telegraph

LIVINGSTON TAKES OVER HELM AT BT