BRITISH PRESS REVIEW =6

Price comparison website uSwitch.com on Thursday forecast that gas and electricity bills could increase by a further ten percent this year. It said that the wholesale price of gas would most likely jump an extra 22 percent in the coming months, though the increase is unlikely to be absorbed by suppliers, indicating that consumers will have to foot the bill. Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) has become the last of the UK's six largest energy suppliers to lift its fuel bills, with gas and electricity tariffs to be more expensive from the start of next month.

BOLLORE THOUGHT TO BE PREPARING FRESH AEGIS BID

WPP (WPP.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) head Sir Martin Sorrell believes that Havas chairman Vincent Bollore could "at some time this year" launch a bid to acquire Aegis (AEGS.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz). Bollore on Thursday responded to suggestions from Aegis chief executive Robert Lerwill, that there was an "open pipeline" to working more closely together, by saying that benefits could be gained from such a relationship. Bollore has already noted this year that "all doors are open" vis-à-vis increasing his Aegis stake, which currently stands at 29.9 percent; a move of that nature could spark a full-scale bid.

Prepared for Reuters by Durrants