Bulb Energy takeover by Octopus cleared; anger over HSBC branch closures; food inflation at record – as it happened

Octopus Energy’s takeover of collapsed rival Bulb has been given a competion date by a London judge. Photograph: Bulb/PA

4.20pm GMT

Closing summary

Time to wrap up after a busy day… in which Octopus’s takeover of Bulb got the legal green light, HSBC announced plans to shut over 100 branches, and Britons faced a ‘bleak winter’ as food inflation hit a record high.

While eurozone inflation may have peaked, investors also learned that China’s economic downturn worsened this month, while US companies took on fewer new staff.

Here’s our main stories:

4.20pm GMT

More strike news: Rail union TSSA says its members will hold two 48-hour strikes on Avanti West Coast next month, as part of the ongoing dispute over pay, job security and conditions.

Strikes will take place at Avanti West Coast on 13, 14, 16 and 17 December (as well as ASOS from 18 December).

It will involve Avanti who work in a range of operational, station, revenue, on-board and management roles.

In addition, TSSA members will carry out only contractually required duties at other train operators in the run-up to Christmas, which will prevent them covering for other striking staff.

TSSA has announced further industrial action, including strikes, in the union’s ongoing national rail dispute over pay, job security and conditions. Full story 💥👇 https://t.co/zjtt8Az4XX

— TSSA (@TSSAunion) November 30, 2022