Left in the dark: Business chiefs fear redundancies after energy relief update delayed December 20, 2022 Business leaders have accused the government of leaving firms in the dark over energy bill support, after ministers push back an announcement of what aid will be on offer later next year. The government had previously said it would update businesses before the end of the year on energy bill relief from April 2023, when [...]
Bunzl acquires four firms and sells healthcare arm December 20, 2022 Bunzl has acquired four businesses and has agreed to sell its UK healthcare division. The specialist distribution group, which sells global businesses a variety of products from coffee cups to cafes, food wrap to supermarkets, and cleaning materials to hospitals, said the transactions would be profit neutral. The FTSE-100 firm said it would sell its [...]
Network Rail slams RMT for ‘needless’ Christmas strikes December 19, 2022 Network Rail’s chief executive Andrew Haines has accused the union RMT of “causing needless misery” to its members and the UK wider economy as workers strike during Christmas. RMT members working at Network Rail will down tools from 6pm on Christmas Eve to 6am on 27 after rejecting a nine per cent offer. “RMT suggestions [...]
Border force to walk out this week as Christmas chaos to hit UK airports December 19, 2022 Millions of Britons will need to brace for additional chaos during the festive season as Border Force staff at several UK hubs are set to down tools. Around 1,000 members of the union PCS will strike at the likes of Heathrow and Gatwick between 23 and 26 as well as 28 and 31 December after [...]
Rail strikes had ‘deeper than expected’ impact on bars December 19, 2022 Rail strike chaos over the past week had a worse impact than anticipated on clubs and bars, according to one industry group leader. Rail staff walked-out over pay and conditions last week, with dates falling on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and Saturday. Hospitality bosses had urged union leaders and rail firms to hash out a [...]
London City Airport submits revised expansion application to Newham December 19, 2022 London City Airport has submitted its revised planning application to the borough of Newham. Aiming to expand its annual passenger cap to nine million by 2031, the airport said the revised proposal incorporates feedback from a 10-week consultation it launched earlier this year. Following backlash from residents, the hub decided to reduce the proposed operating [...]
Government must ‘work night and day’ so UK doesn’t lose out on green jobs to other countries December 19, 2022 There is a critical five-year window to attract businesses in green sectors such as renewable energy and electrical cars to set up factories in Red Wall areas, a report has claimed. Think tank Onward said the government has a short timeframe to bring green jobs to parts of the Midlands and the North being targeted [...]
Stuck in traffic: Highway workers and Border Force to strike in London December 19, 2022 The winter of discontent is set to continue this week, with both traffic officers and Border Force staff planning to strike, causing travel havoc on the roads and in the air. National Highways South East Regional Control Centre in Godstone, 20mi south of London, will hold strikes on 22 December between 12:00 and 3:30 pm. [...]
Gov stumps up £60m to cap bus fares at £2 with 130 operators signing up December 19, 2022 A new £60m government fare cap scheme will be rolled out next year ensuring bus tickets stay at £2. The initiative has the backing of 130 bus operators across the country including National Express and Stagecoach, who have agreed to charge no more than £2 for singles. The ‘Get Around’ scheme is designed to help [...]
AA issues amber warning as 17 million cars to join Christmas exodus December 19, 2022 The AA has issued an amber warning for 23 and 24 December as 17 million drivers are expected to join the Christmas exodus. Routes linked to the M25 will carry most of the traffic – in particular interchanges connecting the M25 with the M3, M4, M1, M11, M20 and A1(M). Congestion – which will also [...]