3 hours ago Rudolph’s never going to get a very shiny new role in Santa’s family firm | Torsten Bell

Workers in family-run businesses earn less on average and have fewer opportunities to progress into senior jobsSanta has a great reputation. Generous, jolly, snazzily dressed. But he’s obviously a terrible employer. The elves are entirely unpaid for their gruelling manual labour. Their fixed smiles and constant singing are evidence of a culture of fear. Does anyone believe he’s keeping the Lapland workplace temperature above the Health and Safety Executive’s 16C minimum? And the reindeer’s 24-hour shift this week will be a clear breach of the working time directive.The complete lack of progression (not to mention a highly segregated workforce) is another warning sign. Everyone has been doing the same job for centuries – which works for Santa at the top, but means few opportunities for others to move on up. Continue reading...

Politics

4 hours ago Faced with Trump and Farage, Britain’s natural ally is Europe | William Keegan

The Labour party’s determination to stick to Brexit simply condemns the UK to fight a lone hand against the far-right forces ranged against itThe sight of other world leaders toadying up to the US president-elect – the criminal Donald Trump – and his henchman Elon Musk is distasteful enough, but in the world of realpolitik they probably feel they have no option.The great American journalist HL Mencken did not live to see the fulfilment of his 1920 prophecy that “one day the White House will be occupied by a downright fool and complete narcissistic moron” but he is no doubt turning in his grave. Continue reading...

Politics

5 hours ago How Scotland and Trident would benefit the most from 2.5% defence spending rise

Labour has committed to increasing defence spend, but Sir Keir Starmer has not said when the target of 2.5 per cent of GDP will be achieved

Politics

7 hours ago Only one in three Scots schools running programme to tackle gender based violence

Labour made the call as it has been revealed only a third of schools have signed up for a programme aimed at stopping gender based violence.

Events

7 hours ago Scots Labour received Cammy Day sexual harassment complaint years before suspension

SUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: The complaint from a constituent alleged Day had sent persistent and unsolicited intimate images which made the person feel uncomfortable.

Events

7 hours ago Councillor under investigation for inappropriate conduct has Labour whip removed 9 months after complaint

SUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: Bryan Pottinger has had the whip removed from the council group weeks before a disciplinary hearing.

Events

10 hours ago Labour slammed for focusing too much on 'selling out' on Brexit and not enough on compensating victims of the worst mistreatment scandal in NHS history

Campaigners for people infected with contaminated blood have accused Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds of focusing too much on Brexit and not enough on securing compensation.

Events

10 hours ago Keir Starmer's aides 'revive Dominic Cummings idea of unit to cull Treasury power'

Advisers to the Prime Minister have discussed reviving Dominic Cummings' idea of setting up a Downing Street economic unit to curb the power of the Treasury.

Politics

11 hours ago New laws taking ‘major strides’ to improving people’s lives, Lucy Powell claims

The Commons Leader said the ‘unrelenting legislative agenda’ would have a ‘tangible positive impact’.

Society

11 hours ago Labour has started 'turning the tables towards ordinary people' says Lucy Powell

Writing for the Mirror, the Commons leader highlighted new protections for renters and workers as evidence Labour is working to put “ordinary people at the front of the queue”

Events