Wednesday newspaper round-up: HMRC, CMA, Santander

(Sharecast News) - Parliament's spending watchdog has accused HM Revenue & Customs of deliberately running down its phone services to force people to go online after finding the average call waiting time has passed 23 minutes - almost double the figure of two years earlier. With people across the country working to finish their self-assessment return before the 31 January deadline, the public accounts committee (PAC) said it was "concerned that HMRC has degraded its own phone services" in the hope that taxpayers choose other ways to get in touch. - Guardian The chair of the competition watchdog has been forced to step down after an intervention by Labour ministers, as they try to send a pro-growth message to businesses gathered at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos. The business department confirmed that the Competition and Markets Authority chair, Marcus Bokkerink, was stepping down on Tuesday evening, just two years after being appointed. Most CMA chairs are expected to serve for up to five years. - Guardian

Britain is at risk of entering a bidding war with Europe for electricity, as countries race to lock in supplies after a sharp drop in wind power. Cold temperatures combined with calm weather have increased energy pressures across Europe, as dwindling domestic generation has led to traders competing to buy electricity. - Telegraph

A particle accelerator in Oxfordshire is to rip up atoms to generate a crucial element for nuclear fusion, under plans proposed by the Government. The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) wants to construct a particle accelerator that will generate powerful neutron beams capable of breaking down atoms of lithium, turning them into tritium fuel. - Telegraph

Santander remains committed to the UK, one of its "core markets", the head of the Spanish banking group has said amid speculation that the lender is preparing to quit Britain. Ana Botín, executive chair, said: "We love the UK, it is a core market, and will remain a core market for Santander for the future. Punto [full stop]." - The Times