The Competition and Markets Authority said fuel margins remained higher than historic levels, and it remained concerned about weakened competition.

The tie-up, announced in May, will create a banking giant with millions of customers and about £89 billion worth of assets.

The UK’s asylum system now costs £5 billion – the highest level of spending on record and up by more than a third in a year. Home Office spending on asylum rose by £1.43 billion, up 36% from £3.95 ...