Miliband would be ‘disaster’ as Chancellor, says Labour cost of living chief Politics Keir Starmer’s cost of living champion has warned that Ed Miliband would be a “disaster” as Andy Burnham’s Chancellor. Lord Richard Walker, who is also executive chairman of budget supermarket Iceland, told BBC Newsnight that the current energy secretary’s net-zero policies are putting an undue burden on household bills. He said: “Climate change is real, [...]
Nearly half of retail workers considering quitting over mental health Retail Nearly half of the UK’s millions of retail workers are considering quitting the sector over concerns for their mental health, as the majority report facing abuse at work. Retail is the sector in which the most workers (52 per cent) have faced verbal abuse in the past year, as 44 per cent mull quitting the [...]
Supermarkets round on Aldi and Lidl over ‘rigged’ system Retail A host of leading British supermarkets have rounded on German discounters Aldi and Lidl over fears competition is being “distorted” by a “rigged” system. Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Iceland are ramping up pressure on the competition watchdog to crack down on Aldi and Lidl’s ability to block rivals from opening new stores on nearby land. The [...]
Delay fuel duty hike or risk stalling major transport projects, Labour warned May 1, 2026 The government risks stalling key road and rail infrastructure projects unless it extends the freeze to fuel duty, a leading construction industry body has warned. The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA), which represents more than 2,000 firms providing construction machinery and expertise, told City AM “nothing will get built” if its members pull back from projects [...]
Iceland boss offers job to Waitrose worker who tackled shoplifter April 7, 2026 The boss of Iceland has offered a job to a man who was sacked by Waitrose after he prevented a shoplifter from attempting to steal luxury Easter eggs. Richard Walker, boss of the budget supermarket chain, posted on LinkedIn telling Walker Smith, the shop assistant sacked by Waitrose: “You’re welcome to a job with us. [...]
Iceland boss calls for profit cap on energy firms as prices surge March 22, 2026 Richard Walker has urged the government to consider imposing a temporary cap on energy company profits, warning that households risk bearing the brunt of another price shock linked to the Middle East conflict. The Iceland boss, recently appointed as a Labour peer and cost of living adviser, said ministers should examine limiting earnings for producers [...]
Iceland versus Iceland: Trademark feud put on ice March 4, 2026 The decades-long trademark dispute between UK retailer Iceland and its Nordic namesake looks to be thawing as the supermarket’s boss offered discounts for shoppers in Reykjavik. Executive chair Richard Walker has signalled an end to the frosty dispute between Iceland and Iceland which was kicked off by his father, the retailer’s co-founder Malcom Walker. The [...]
Iceland boss thanks medics who ‘saved his life’ after collapse in London Marathon April 22, 2024 "I collapsed and fell unconscious less than 2 miles before the London Marathon finish line with hyperthermic shock - body temp was 42 and rising."