53 m. ago ‘Exploited’ migrant farm workers in UK paid for picks, not hours

Call for investigation into unfair payment for labourers on seasonal visa scheme When 26-year-old Ben* boarded a flight in Uzbekistan in June, he was looking forward to more than just a summer job picking fruit and vegetables on a British farm.“I wanted to see new places, cities I’ve never seen before,” he said. “I wanted to make friends, exchange ideas and make new memories.” Continue reading...

Events

11 h. ago New Look shutting another three stores starting from today in latest string of closures

Earlier this year, the Times reported that the chain was looking to "accelerate future store closures" when leases expire due to the tax increases revealed in October’s budget.

Politics

30 h. ago Tax rise fears grow as 'High Street woes start to hit public finances' in new blow to Rachel Reeves

Firms are warning they are having to cut jobs after being hit with higher National Insurance bills

Economics

31 h. ago North Lanarkshire Council confirms 10 per cent council tax rise in budget

The rise outstrips inflation and is one of the higher rates in Scotland.

Economics

31 h. ago Ian Murray says his working class family were 'written off' by Margaret Thatcher's Government

The Scottish Secretarywill speak about his experiences growing up on a council estate in the 80s, watching his mother work multiple jobs in Thatcher’s Britain after his father died.

Politics

32 h. ago Record January tax surplus of £15.4 billion falls short of City forecasts

Government in the black last month but £5 billion less than forecast by the OBR in October

Economics

45 h. ago Susan Hall says she wants to throw Sadiq Khan into a black hole, in row over London's finances

The row began after the mayor sought to blame Boris Johnson for the Met Police’s current funding gap

Politics

47 h. ago ‘Russia has learned nothing’ over Ukraine war, says David Lammy – UK politics live

UK foreign secretary criticises Russia over Ukraine war, saying it ‘faces a test’ over Ukraine war as he speaks at G20 foreign ministerial meetingAs well as appearing on the airwaves this morning to promote Labour’s £270m Arts Everywhere fund, culture secretary Lisa Nandy also supplied some quotes for the press release accompanying the launch.She said:Arts and culture help us understand the world we live in, they shape and define society and are enjoyed by people in every part of our country. They are the building blocks of our world-leading creative industries and make a huge contribution towards boosting growth and breaking down barriers to opportunities for young people to learn the creative skills they need to succeed.The funding we are announcing today will allow the arts to continue to flourish across Britain, creating good jobs and growth by fixing the foundations in our cultural venues, museums, libraries and heritage institutions [and] will ensure that arts and cultural ins...

Politics

49 h. ago Fife Council Budget: councillors vote for 8.2% Council Tax rise

Fifers are facing an 8.2% Council Tax rise after Fife Council set its budget today.

Politics

50 h. ago UK and Norway negotiating ‘ambitious’ new defence pact – UK politics live

Downing Street says the two leaders spoke overnight, after Donald Trump accused the Ukrainian president of being a ‘dictator’As well as appearing on the airwaves this morning to promote Labour’s £270m Arts Everywhere fund, culture secretary Lisa Nandy also supplied some quotes for the press release accompanying the launch.She said:Arts and culture help us understand the world we live in, they shape and define society and are enjoyed by people in every part of our country. They are the building blocks of our world-leading creative industries and make a huge contribution towards boosting growth and breaking down barriers to opportunities for young people to learn the creative skills they need to succeed.The funding we are announcing today will allow the arts to continue to flourish across Britain, creating good jobs and growth by fixing the foundations in our cultural venues, museums, libraries and heritage institutions [and] will ensure that arts and cultural institutions truly are f...

Politics

4 d. ago European defence stocks rise by €18bn to record high ahead of Ukraine peace talks – business live

Shares in BAE Systems, Rheinmetall and Saab soar, as Keir Starmer offers to put British ‘boots on the ground’ in UkraineUK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumpsHere’s Bloomberg on the jump in Rheinmetall’s share price this morning:Rheinmetall AG’s shares surged the most in more than two years as European officials contemplate a major new package to increase defense spending and support for Ukraine.The German manufacturer’s stock rose as much as 11% in Frankfurt. The shares have more than doubled over the past year as military orders increased, especially from Germany. If Europe moves to increase spending further, it could push Rheinmetall to accelerate plans to increase its production capacity. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago European defence stocks soar by £10bn ahead of Ukraine peace talks – business live

Shares in BAE Systems, Rheinmetall and Saab soar, as Keir Starmer offers to put British ‘boots on the ground’ in UkraineUK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumpsHere’s Bloomberg on the jump in Rheinmetall’s share price this morning:Rheinmetall AG’s shares surged the most in more than two years as European officials contemplate a major new package to increase defense spending and support for Ukraine.The German manufacturer’s stock rose as much as 11% in Frankfurt. The shares have more than doubled over the past year as military orders increased, especially from Germany. If Europe moves to increase spending further, it could push Rheinmetall to accelerate plans to increase its production capacity. Continue reading...

Economics

5 d. ago European defence stocks surge to record high; UK economy ‘quite static’, says Bank of England’s Bailey – business live

Shares in BAE Systems, Rheinmetall and Saab soar, as Keir Starmer offers to put British ‘boots on the ground’ in UkraineUK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumpsHere’s Bloomberg on the jump in Rheinmetall’s share price this morning:Rheinmetall AG’s shares surged the most in more than two years as European officials contemplate a major new package to increase defense spending and support for Ukraine.The German manufacturer’s stock rose as much as 11% in Frankfurt. The shares have more than doubled over the past year as military orders increased, especially from Germany. If Europe moves to increase spending further, it could push Rheinmetall to accelerate plans to increase its production capacity. Continue reading...

Economics

5 d. ago Brits face jobs nightmare: A THIRD of firms hit by Labour's Budget tax raid plan layoffs or hiring curbs as business confidence slumps

A closely-watched survey has found a quarter of businesses expect to make redundancies - the highest level in a decade outside the pandemic.

Economics