1 week ago Half of workers have already spent their wages for the month

Spending often spikes during the Christmas period, as people pay for gifts, expensive food and alcohol, and entertainment.

Economics

1 week ago Toby Carvery owner Mitchells & Butlers cheers record Christmas Day sales but warns on labour and food cost spike

Mitchells & Butlers posted record sales on Christmas dayin the face of 'significant' headwinds driven by soaring operating costs.

Events

2 w. ago UK shoppers buy less food and drink as experts blame 'fat jab Christmas'

Grocery sales hit £19.6billion over the four weeks to December 27 - up 2.5% compared to the previous year - but sales on a volume basis fell 0.2%

Economics

2 w. ago Food wins, fashion loses in UK retail’s underwhelming Christmas

Cautious spending in ‘golden quarter’ exposes divide between the UK’s stronger retailers and those that have failed to adapt

Politics

2 w. ago Retailers dish up strong Christmas food sales but fashion lags behind

Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer were among those to deliver good news about their festive grocery sales.

Politics

2 w. ago M&S cheers record number of Christmas shoppers as food sales swell

Christmas food ranges helped lift spending over the period, the retailer said.

Economics

2 w. ago Tesco and M&S ring up strong Christmas food sales as Asda struggles

Retailers extend run of strong performance stretching back several years

Politics

2 w. ago Chilling New Year 'health MOT' reveals EXACTLY what 12 days of Christmas did to my body

How many of us are still gently nursing what feels like a full body hangover from all the stodgy food and alcohol of the Christmas and New Year ­endurance race?

Science

3 w. ago Mum and daughter die in Christmas food poisoning tragedy as five doctors under investigation

The pair are believed to have eaten a meal containing fish, mussels and mushrooms and died within hours of each other after developing symptoms including nausea and abdominal pain

Events

3 w. ago January isn’t for reinvention – it’s for dishes we know by heart

There’s something quietly radical about indulging in nostalgia – not because the past was better, but as a counterpoint to all that future planning• Sign up here for our weekly food newsletter, FeastOur friend Bridget is serious about Christmas, and she does it spectacularly: come 1 December, her tree will be up, beautifully lit and decorated, her nearest and dearest (us included, thankfully) will get their bespoke Advent calendar (this year it was a cheesy one for me and a puzzle for Sarit – perfect) and a month of fun activities will ensue, culminating in a magnificent day. She is so serious about it, in fact, that her planning for next year starts now: she hits the January sales for everything that’ll keep for the next Christmas holiday – stocking fillers, festive candy, decorations, jumpers and socks – and it’s all stored neatly in a cupboard in anticipation of another gloriously executed December.We may not be quite as organised and foresightful as Bridget, but we are looking a...

Politics

4 w. ago Mum shares how she managed to snag £445 of Christmas food from Tesco for only £14

The supermarket shopper was left 'well chuffed' when she managed to slash over £400 off her Christmas shop.

Economics

4 w. ago Festive finger food: how to use Christmas leftovers to make New Year’s Eve canapes | Kitchen aide

From ham and chicken croquetas to potato-filled fishcakes, there are plenty of interesting ways to use up the bits you have left over from the festivitiesWhat canapes can I make for New Year’s Eve with my Christmas leftovers that will still feel special?Ella, via email Finger food needn’t be fancy, so New Year is a good opportunity to clear the decks. The only real rule is to keep things to just one bite – no one wants to be manoeuvring a fork, after all. “People just want a big hug of comfort food with a decadent twist,” says Max Bergius, founder of Secret Smokehouse in east London. “If you’ve got a bit of smoked salmon left, get that on blinis and top with lumpfish caviar, which is only £2-£3 per 50g pot.” Mini fishcakes would also be just the ticket: “Whether you’ve got leftover smoked haddock or hot smoked salmon, fold it through mashed potato, mix with dill, lemon and fried leeks, then roll in panko and deep-fry.”Ella could also have a ball with croquetas, too, says Nieves Barr...

Politics

4 w. ago Mum and daughter 'die of food poisoning after Christmas dinner' as doctors probed

Antonella Di Ielsi, 50, and her 15-year-old daughter Sara Di Vita died within hours of each other after eating a Christmas dinner with their family in Italy

Society

4 w. ago Christmas dinner food poisoning tragedy as mother and daughter die after eating traditional dish

Antonella Di Ielsi, 50, and 15-year-old Sara Di Vita passed away within hours of each other over the weekend at Cardarelli hospital in Campobasso, southern Italy.

Events

4 w. ago I'm a skincare obsessive and these are the best moisturisers for dry skin I can't live without in winter

There's a lot to love about the winter - namely Christmas parties, indulgent food and cosy nights in. However, when it comes to skincare, the colder months bring with them a set of challenges.

Politics

4 w. ago What happened to my body after I quit Mounjaro, by CLAUDIA CONNELL. I lost four stone and slimmed to size 10. But after Christmas, the consequences for my skin, looks and weight are truly astonishing

The average person is likely to have gained about 3lbs over the festive period and gorged on 6,000 calories on Christmas Day.

Politics