Travis Perkins: Toolstation owner slashed 400 jobs and 19 branches as slowdown hit construction sector February 28, 2023 Builders’ merchant Travis Perkins has revealed it axed 400 jobs and shut 19 branches at the end of last year as a slowdown in the construction sector hit its bottom line. The group, which owns the Toolstation chain, said it was forced to take some “difficult decisions” to slash costs by £25 million this year. [...]
Parents forced to stay at home as thousands of teachers start three days of ‘unforgivable’ strikes February 28, 2023 Tens of thousands of teachers across England and Wales will strike over three days this week in the long-running dispute over pay. Teachers will walk out across the north of England on Tuesday with the majority of schools expected to either restrict access to some pupils or fully close, the National Education Union (NEU) has [...]
Cost cutting efforts working: AO World’s outlook upped for third time in three months February 28, 2023 Online electricals retailer AO World has hiked it annual earnings outlook for the third time in just over three months as it said cost-cutting efforts were paying off. The Bolton-based group said its profitability has seen a better-than-expected improvement as it drives cost savings thanks to a “resilient” customer base. AO World said price increases [...]
Brexit deal done: Rishi Sunak signs breakthrough agreement with EU over Northern Ireland protocol February 27, 2023 Rishi Sunak has signed a breakthrough deal with the European Union over post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland and will now seek to win the backing of unionists and Tory Eurosceptics. The Prime Minister and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen finalised the long-awaited agreement to ease the trading issues created by the Northern Ireland [...]
‘Constitutionally unwise’: King Charles warned about tea with EU’s von der Leyen over Brexit deal February 27, 2023 The King’s “constitutionally unwise” meeting with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has angered unionists as Rishi Sunak seeks their support over the new post-Brexit deal on Northern Ireland. Leading Conservative Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg said it was wrong to involve Charles in the “immediate political controversy” on the day the Prime Minister will sign a [...]
‘One of a kind’: Heartfelt tributes to former Commons speaker Betty Boothroyd who dies age 93 February 27, 2023 Baroness Betty Boothroyd, the first woman to be elected Speaker of the House of Commons, has died at 93. The current Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle paid tribute to Lady Boothroyd as “one of a kind”. She became the first woman to be elected Speaker in April 1992, staying on in the role until October 2000. Sir Lindsay said: “Not [...]
Begbies Traynor boosted by collapse of Paperchase and host of insolvencies February 27, 2023 Restructuring specialist Begbies Traynor Group says its finances have been boosted by the collapse of Paperchase earlier this year. Begbies Traynor was appointed as administrator after the struggling stationery chain failed to secure any buyers. The retailer’s 106 branches could face closure after Tesco agreed to buy the brand but not its stores or workforce. [...]
Brexit breakthrough? Sunak meets EU’s von der Leyen for ‘final talks’ as Rees-Mogg threatens revolt February 27, 2023 Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen are set to sign off on a new post-Brexit deal for Northern Ireland as Conservative Eurosceptics warn the “devil is in the detail”. The Prime Minister and the European Commission President will hold “final talks” in Windsor, Berkshire, on Monday in what is expected to produce a breakthrough. [...]
Total UK housing wealth breaches £7 trillion for first time amid ‘race for space’ February 27, 2023 Net UK housing wealth exceeded £7 trillion for the first time last year, according to calculations from an estate agent. The total value of UK homes reached £8.68 trillion at the end of 2022, Savills said. With outstanding mortgage debt standing at £1.66 trillion, according to Bank of England records, Savills calculated that net housing [...]
UK drivers could miss out on £9bn in savings without Government backing for electric vehicles, report warns February 27, 2023 UK motorists could miss out on £9 billion of savings unless the Government does more to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs), a new report warns. A slower roll-out of new EVs would reduce the size of the second-hand market, leaving drivers on lower incomes paying more to continue running petrol cars, the Energy [...]
