84 m. ago Amazon under UK investigation over alleged failure to pay suppliers on time

Regulator says it has ‘reasonable grounds’ to suspect company breached groceries supply code of practiceBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK’s grocery industry watchdog has launched an investigation into Amazon over allegations that the retail and technology company is failing to pay its suppliers on time.The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) said it had “reasonable grounds” to suspect that Amazon had breached a part of the groceries supply code of practice, which mandates that there should not be delays in payments made to suppliers. Continue reading...

Events

4 h. ago UK grocery watchdog investigating Amazon over alleged supplier payment delays; company insolvencies jump – business live

Groceries Code Adjudicator calls on suppliers to share their experiences of working with AmazonThe number of companies collapsing across England and Wales jumped last month, in a sign of the economic pressures hitting firms.There were 2,238 company insolvences in England and Wales during the month, which is 8% higher than in April and 15% more than in May 2024.“This latest rise in corporate insolvencies reflects the harsh reality many businesses face: fragile demand is not keeping pace with rising costs. Even the increasingly-likely prospect of rate cuts in August won’t do much to fix this – insolvency levels will remain elevated for the foreseeable future.“Sectors like hospitality are having a particularly challenging time in this environment, in no small part due to the impact on labour costs of April’s National Insurance and minimum wage increases. These businesses are now approaching what are some of their peak months and will be hoping for strong trading to bolster their resili...

Economics

4 h. ago Grocery watchdog investigates Amazon over late payment to suppliers

It comes almost a year after the GCA told Amazon it must take ‘swift and comprehensive action’ to improve its compliance with industry rules.

Economics

5 h. ago Amazon UK under investigation for delaying supplier payments

Groceries Code Adjudicator is probing whether company’s food retail business has been failing to pay suppliers on time

Economics

5 h. ago Amazon UK under investigation for delaying payments to food suppliers

Groceries Code Adjudicator is probing whether company’s food retail business has been failing to pay suppliers on time

Economics

4 d. ago New State Pension payment delays for older people due to retire this year

The first State Pension payment might also be higher or lower than expected even with full National Insurance contributions.

Economics

9 d. ago How to save the Amazon part two: the magic and mystery – podcast

As a companion to the Guardian’s Missing in the Amazon, Jon Watts, global environment editor, goes in search of answers to the question Dom Phillips was investigating when he was murdered: how can we save the Amazon?In episode two, Jon meets the people trying to make sure the rainforest is worth more standing than cut down – from a government minister attempting to establish Brazil’s ‘bioeconomy’ to a startup founder creating superfood supplements and a scientist organising night-time tours hunting for bioluminescent fungi. Jon explores new ways of finding value in the forest and asks whether they will be enough to secure its future survivalListen to Missing in the AmazonSupport the Guardian: theguardian.com/sciencepod Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Rachel Reeves is like Steve Jobs and will rescue the UK economy in the same way that he saved Apple, insists minister ahead of Spending Review

Peter Kyle likened the Chancellor's stewardship of the public finances to the late Mr Jobs' role at Apple when the company was on the brink of insolvency in the late 1990s.

Politics

2 w. ago Chelsea’s Jadon Sancho loan was not disastrous but they need an upgrade | Jacob Steinberg

Winger flickered during his time at Stamford Bridge but failed to provide consistency and Maresca is thinking biggerThe best way to respond to Chelsea having to pay a £5m penalty fee because of their failure to meet a £25m obligation to buy Jadon Sancho from Manchester United is with a shrug.There is no tale of excess, no evidence of scattergun thinking from the recruitment team at Stamford Bridge, no stick with which to beat Todd Boehly. In fact it is not even much of a punishment. A penalty clause is one way of framing it; another is that it is the equivalent of a standard loan fee and that all Chelsea are doing is making a delayed payment after not being asked for one when the deal to borrow Sancho went through on the final day of last summer’s transfer window. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago ‘We carry on with the sadness’: new projects honor life and legacy of Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira

Friends and colleagues of Phillips, killed in the Amazon in 2022, completed his book, which coincides with launch of investigative Guardian podcastThree years after the British journalist Dom Phillips and the Brazilian activist Bruno Pereira were murdered in the Amazon, two major new projects will celebrate their lives and work – and the Indigenous communities and rainforests both men sought to protect.Friends of Phillips have completed the book he was writing at the time of his death – How to Save the Amazon – which will be published in the UK, the US and Brazil on 27 May. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Retail sales jump in April as sunny weather boosts food shopping

The Office for National Statistics said overall retail sales volumes rose by 1.2% in April.

Economics

4 w. ago Tax rises ‘feel inevitable’ after jump in Government borrowing

The Office for National Statistics said public sector net borrowing rose to £20.2 billion, its fourth-highest April figure on record.

Politics

last month Tradespeople targeted by tool thieves every 21 minutes – and one place had massive jump

Almost four in five grafters said they had been victims of tool theft since starting out in business and Derbyshire has recorded a huge 36% year-on-year jump in the crime

Events