Train operators given ‘revised mandate’ for latest union talks, Mark Harper says January 15, 2023 Train company bosses will be working with a “revised mandate” which could include a better pay offer as they enter the latest round of talks with unions, the transport secretary has suggested. Mark Harper said train operators have been given his “permission” to make a new offer to the trade unions. The minister claimed he [...]
More strikes: 100,000 civil servants WILL walk out next month after talks with government dubbed ‘total farce’ January 13, 2023 A strike by 100,000 civil servants is to go ahead next month after talks with the Government aimed at resolving a bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions were dubbed a “total farce”. Cabinet Office Minister Jeremy Quin met with union leaders to discuss growing industrial unrest after weeks of stoppages across the country, including [...]
Magners cider owner says cost of living and strikes help sink its profits as Brits stayed away from pubs January 13, 2023 The company behind Magners cider and Tennent’s lager disappointed investors on Friday as it said that strikes and cost of living pressures had eaten into its performance in recent weeks. C&C Group said that it expects operating profit to reach between €84m and €88m (£75 million to £78m) in the financial year. The company had [...]
UK economy shockingly grows in November on back of World Cup pub boost, raising hopes of shallow recession January 13, 2023 The UK economy expanded in November, smashing downbeat market expectations and signalling the coming recession could be short lived, official figures out today reveal. Gross domestic product (GDP) climbed 0.1 per cent in November, defying analysts’ bets on a 0.2 per cent contraction, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said today. The expansion was driven [...]
Luton’s busiest Christmas not enough as passenger levels lag behind pre-Covid glory January 12, 2023 Luton’s busiest Christmas day on record was not enough to return the airport to its former glory, with passenger numbers still significantly lagging behind pre-pandemic levels. The Bedfordshire hub said that 1.1m passengers passed through its gates in December, 87.9 per cent up on last year’s levels. Luton also reported its busiest Christmas day ever, [...]
Elizabeth line: No service to the City and the Wharf TODAY as strike goes ahead despite Khan’s attempts to avert it January 12, 2023 No trains will operate on the Elizabeth line today between Paddington and Abbey Wood as staff are walking out over salaries and pensions. The industrial action will also lead to reduced service on the east and west ends of the line, between Liverpool Street and Shenfield as well as between Paddington, Reading and Heathrow. Members [...]
London holding off UK recession but businesses sweat over inflation January 12, 2023 London appears to be withstanding the UK’s wider economic decline, with businesses hiring at a record pace and expecting their finances to fatten up over the coming year, a new survey out today reveals. The capital’s jobs market is running at red hot levels, according to the London Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (LCCI) latest [...]
Change of luck on the cards for Hewitson and Happy Soul January 10, 2023 FORMER South African Champion Jockey Lyle Hewitson finally looks set for a change of luck when he renews his association with the Danny Shum-trained HAPPY SOUL in division three of the Great George Handicap (12.45pm) over six furlongs. Hewitson is presently lying fifth in the jockeys’ championship table with 16 victories, but has had a [...]
Sadiq Khan says ‘talking is better than walking’ as he urges unions to call off Elizabeth line strike January 10, 2023 Sadiq Khan has urged rail unions to call off their planned strike on the Elizabeth line this week and encouraged them to get back to the negotiating table, saying that “talking is better than walking.” Rail platform workers on the line from unions TSSA and Prospect are set to down tools on Thursday after rejecting [...]
Rail strikes: Huw Merriman praises ‘constructive’ meeting with unions January 9, 2023 A meeting between the biggest rail workers’ union, train operators and the government, aimed at resolving the bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions, has been described as “constructive”. Leaders of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) met employers and rail minister Huw Merriman following the latest industrial action, which crippled services last week. Merriman said: [...]