UK unemployment rate falls as lockdown easing drives up hiring July 15, 2021 The UK unemployment rate dropped in the latest quarter as the easing of coronavirus restrictions continues to spark a gradual economic recovery. Between March and May the unemployment rate fell 0.2 percentage points to 4.8 per cent, while the employment rate was up 0.1 percentage point at 74.8 per cent. “As we approach the final [...]
Water firms turn on taps with £2.7bn investment pledge July 15, 2021 The UK’s water companies will pour a total of £2.7bn into environmental improvements over the next five years, it was announced this morning. On top of £1.9bn of pre-planned spending, sector regulator Ofwat has this morning approved an extra £793m of investment. The watchdog said that the additional spending would “allow water companies to take [...]
Food strategy review calls for £3bn sugar and salt tax July 15, 2021 The UK could introduce a new £3bn tax on sugar and salt as part of a string of reforms aimed at improving the health of the nation and helping to tackle climate change. A government review by Leon co-founder Henry Dimbleby published today said Covid had provided a “painful reality check” and warned that poor [...]
DEBATE: Should we have ID verification for social media? July 15, 2021 England football stars Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancha were targeted with horrific racist abuse on social media after the team lost to Italy in the Euros 2020 final. The abuse was loudly condemned by all sides of politics, with Boris Johnson slamming the “disgusting” comments. It has prompted another disgusting: should there be [...]
Freedom Day is forcing an unnecessary burden on small businesses by removing all legal Covid rules July 15, 2021 July 19th is coming up fast. So-called “freedom day” is here, unburdening society from the constraints of the last sixteen months and opening up the gates to a wondrous new beginning. Except if you are a small business, that really is not the case at all. The concept of freedom day, is in itself, misleading. Many [...]
The time is now for organisations to refresh their culture and values July 15, 2021 In 2015, ICAS launched its business ethics initiative – The Power of One – which highlights ethics is at the heart of the professional responsibilities of ICAS Members. ICAS has since published a series of publications, guidance and resources as part of The Power of One initiative. The Power of One publication ‘Organisational culture and [...]
UK marketing budgets grow for first time since start of pandemic July 15, 2021 UK marketing budgets have grown for the first time since the outbreak of Covid-19, marking the first signs of recovery for the country’s battered advertising industry. Between April and June this year total ad budgets expanded for the first time since the last three months of 2019 and to the sharpest extent since the first [...]
MPs call for probe into record labels amid music streaming overhaul July 15, 2021 MPs have urged regulators to probe major UK record labels and Youtube as part of a radical overhaul of the music streaming market aimed at tackling “pitiful returns” for artists. In an eagerly-awaiting report published today, the culture select committee called for comprehensive reform to existing legislation as well as new regulations to “reset” the [...]
Boris Johnson promises not to ‘decapitate’ London as a part of levelling up agenda July 14, 2021 Boris Johnson will today vow not to “decapitate” London and other “tall poppies” during the government’s levelling up agenda as he gives further details of his government’s trademark policy programme. Johnson will say that we “don’t think you can make the poor parts of the country richer by making the rich parts poorer” and that [...]
Covid: Balearic Islands added to amber travel list July 14, 2021 The Balearic Islands will be moved onto the government’s amber travel list on Monday over fears that Covid cases are rising rapidly in the region. Ibiza, Majorca, Menorca and Formentera will be added to the list at 04.00 BST on Monday, two weeks after the group of islands was moved onto the green watch list. [...]
