A bigger bite: Pret hikes team member salaries as commuter coffee favourite vows to invest in workforce March 2, 2023 Pret a Manger will increase the salaries of its workers from the start of next month to avoid falling foul of minimum wage laws, which change on April 1. Sandwich chain Pret said that it would hike pay for its worst-paid staff by 2.9 per cent, from £10.30 an hour to £10.60 an hour. It ensures [...]
Small businesses call on Hunt to tackle ‘childcare crisis’ as economic impact grows March 1, 2023 One of the UK’s leading business groups has called on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to immediately tackle the “childcare crisis” in the upcoming budget as the high cost of childcare is increasingly forcing parents out of the workforce. Childcare providers face insufficient funding, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) told City A.M., and are either having [...]
Labour to reform apprenticeship levy, Angela Rayner tells business leaders March 1, 2023 Labour will reform the unpopular apprenticeship levy, Angela Rayner pledged at a key business summit today. The scheme, which firms have described as a “£3.5bn mistake”, means companies with a payroll of £3m or above have to put aside 0.5 per cent to spend on apprenticeships. But firms say the rules around training types mean [...]
Durex and Lysol owner Reckitt sees revenue top £14bn as consumers continue to choose branded medicine over generic ‘cheaper’ drugs March 1, 2023 Durex owner Reckitt Benckiser has said it was entering the year as a “strengthened business” after reporting a strong sales increase for the year led by its nutrition business. The UK company, which also owns other brands including Dettol, saw net revenue growth for the year up 9.2 per cent to £14.45bn. Revenues in its [...]
Beleaguered estate agent Purplebricks has ‘several credible expressions’ to buy firm March 1, 2023 Bosses at struggling online estate agent Purplebricks launched a formal process to sell the business after several potential buyers expressed an interest in recent weeks. The company said it had received the approaches after saying in mid-February that it would review its future. Then, the business said “the potential of the group may be better [...]
Unexpected green candles appear for Bitcoin, Ethereum and most altcoins March 1, 2023 Bitcoin is trading for $23,740, up by more than 2% over 24 hours while Ethereum is in a similar range at $1,652, also in the green by 1.8%.
Sam Smith posts more revealing body pics and fans are delighted March 1, 2023 Sam Smith has posted more images revealing their body and fans are rejoicing. The singer has spoken recently about feeling more confident in their body, and about not wanting to conform to beauty standards, pushing the envelope for what beauty can and should look like in 2023. In a new set of photos the singer, [...]
Matt Hancock denies claims he ignored Covid care home testing advice March 1, 2023 Matt Hancock has denied claims he ignored expert advice on care home testing during the coronavirus pandemic after leaked WhatsApp messages were published by the Telegraph. Journalist Isabel Oakeshott shared more than 100,000 messages with the newspaper after receiving them while working on Hancock’s Pandemic Diaries book, including text exchanges with Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak [...]
UK risks falling behind in global net zero race if it lowers green ambitions, ex climate minister Skidmore warns February 28, 2023 The UK risks falling behind rival countries in the "international net zero race" if it lowers its climate ambitions.
BP boss defends oil and gas spending and calls for ‘orderly’ green transition amid protests February 28, 2023 BP boss Bernard Looney has called for an "orderly" transition to the renewable energy, defending the company's oil and spending.