Govt says it won’t lower employment rights in Brexit wake January 15, 2021 The government has rejected a report that it plans to tear up EU employment protections, which include the 48-hour working week. The deregulation is being put together by the business department with Downing Street’s blessing, the Financial Times reported, but has not yet been agreed by ministers. The main areas of focus were reportedly on [...]
Weinstein prosecution of A&O partner scrapped because of ill health January 14, 2021 Proceedings against an Allen & Overy partner that relate to an NDA agreement he helped negotiate on behalf of Harvey Weinstein have been scrapped. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) has permanently stayed proceedings against Mark Mansell because he is suffering from ill-health. Medical experts on both sides agreed the continuation of proceedings, and in particular [...]
SRA backs down on high profile sexual misconduct case January 14, 2021 The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has decided not to appeal a High Court ruling that followed a high-profile case featuring jagerbombs, a magic circle law firm and alleged sexual misconduct. The SRA will not appeal a High Court ruling in favour of an ex-Freshfields partner who allegedly took advantage of a junior colleague. The SRA [...]
EY gender pay gap shrinks as ethnicity pay gap widens January 14, 2021 Ernst & Young has reported a 32.4 per cent gender pay gap among its staff, as at April 2020, and a nearly 37 per cent ethnicity pay gap. EY UK chairman Hywel Ball said the gender pay gap at the Big Four firm had improved by 4.7 per cent in the last year, which was [...]
Boohoo enjoys strong growth but admits Brexit will drive up costs January 14, 2021 Brexit is likely to drive up prices at Boohoo, with additional costs largely relating to distribution and administration to blame. In a market update this morning the online retailer said it had implemented a system that was designed to minimise the impact of Brexit on its European customers, and it would try to mitigate extra costs [...]
Pandemic cycling boom drives growth at Halfords January 14, 2021 Halfords saw sales growth of nearly 12 per cent in the third quarter, boosted by a pandemic-driven rise in cycling. Growth in Halford’s cycling department jumped more than 35 per cent in the third quarter, boosted by a surge in sales for cycling products, e-bikes and e-scooters. The firm’s performance cycling business Tredz grew more [...]
New Covid travel testing rules delayed until Monday January 14, 2021 Pre-departure testing will now come into force on Monday, three days later than initially planned. Transport secretary Grant Shapps tweeted the last minute change of plan was to give international travellers time to prepare. Shapps also reminded travellers to complete a Passenger Locator Form before travelling. The form helps to contact travellers if they have [...]
Singapore audit reform stresses need for UK action, IIA warns January 13, 2021 Recent changes to rules surrounding audit in Singapore have highlighted why action on audit reform in the UK is crucial, the CEO of the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors has warned. CEO John Wood said reform of the UK’s audit sector was necessary to protect the UK’s leading reputation in corporate governance. The Singapore stock [...]
Staff returning to offices three days a week would be ‘royal result’ post-pandemic January 13, 2021 If staff who have been working from home during the pandemic return to the office for three days a week post-Covid, it will be a “right royal result”, David Buik has said. Buik, who has worked for more than 50 years in the City of London and contributes to the Great Wave of Change podcast, [...]
Covid drives £30m loss at William Hill betting shops January 13, 2021 William Hill suffered a £30m loss in its retail business in 2020, with all 1,414 of its shops affected by coronavirus restrictions. When open and trading without restrictions the retail side of the betting business traded well, and at the end of the third quarter it was on course to break even for the year. [...]
