Transport giant FirstGroup has said it will sell off its Greyhound business and review "structural alternatives" to spin off its UK bus arm under plans to focus on the North American market.

The group, which includes the South Western Railway (SWR) and Great Western Railway lines, said it will continue to manage its rail franchises but warned that it has concerns over "risk and rewards" in the sector.

It added that it is waiting for the outcome of the Government's review into the rail industry and said "any future commitments to UK rail will need to have an appropriate balance of potential risks and rewards for our shareholders".

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The firm - one of the largest operators in the UK with a fifth of the market outside of London - said it believes "now is the right time" to separate out its bus division, which it added has "limited synergies" with its other operations.

It said the formal sale process for Greyhound is now under way in a move to deliver "best value for shareholders".

The group's break-up plans come as part of a move to focus on its North American businesses - the First Student school bus division and First Transit, which account for nearly two-thirds of annual earnings.

Matthew Gregory, the recently-appointed chief executive of FirstGroup, said: "We see significant potential to generate long-term, sustainable value and growth from the solid platforms these businesses provide in the North American mobility services sector.

"We are intent on executing this strategy at pace, having full regard to the regulatory and stakeholder procedures and approvals that will be required."

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The chief executive of De La Rue, Martin Sutherland, has announced plans to step down from the bank note and passport maker after five years.

The announcement was made as the FTSE 100 firm also revealed it has launched a three-year strategic review of its business following the loss of its contract to print British passports.

De La Rue also blamed "growing competitive pressure in the bank note print market" for a downturn in performance, as profits dived over the past year.

Operating profits for the year to March 2019 plunged 74% to £31.5 million, down from a £123 million operating profit the previous year.

Revenue jumped 14% to £564.8 million, significantly driven by growth in its currency division.

Three energy companies have been slapped with £870,000 in combined fines by the industry regulator after breaking competition rulels.

Ofgem found that E (Gas and Electricity) Limited, Economy Energy, and Dyball Associates had an anti-competitive agreement.

Anthony Pygram, director of conduct and enforcement at Ofgem, said: "E and Economy Energy agreed not to target each other's customers with the assistance of Dyball Associates, leaving some customers potentially worse off by being unable to access deals from the other supplier."