UK jobless claims soar by a record 856,000 to 2.1m in April May 19, 2020 UK jobless claims soared 69.1 per cent – or by 856,000 – to 2.1m in April, unemployment data showed today to illustrate the staggering impact of coronavirus on the economy. And the UK unemployment number increased by 50,000 to 1.35m as lockdown started in March, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The ONS [...]
Calls to ‘send Philip Green the bill,’ as pension lifeboat fund begins Topshop assessment February 4, 2021 There have been fresh calls for the government to step in and demand retail tycoon Philip Green to plug Arcadia’s pension deficit, as the pensions lifeboat fund begins assessing the scheme. Earlier this week online retailer Asos said it had bought Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT brands from Arcadia, which fell into administration in [...]
Government to ease lorry driver qualification requirements to tackle shortage July 20, 2021 Ministers have today proposed easing driver qualification requirements in order to ease the current shortage of lorry drivers, which has left supermarket shelves empty around the country. Retailers are battling an estimated shortfall of around 100,000 hauliers as a result of Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic. In a letter to the logistics sector today, the [...]
Sir Iain Duncan Smith: ‘Sub-crisis’ emerging as loan sharks capitalise on rising cost of living March 28, 2022 With more than 1m Brits in debt to predatory illegal lenders, a “sub-crisis” may emerge as soaring costs of living heap added pressure on those with fragile finances. Former Conservative leader and ex minister at the Department for Work and Pensions, Sir Iain Duncan Smith has been campaigning. But not for an election. The veteran [...]
As it happened and live reaction: Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Budget 2022: UK is now in recession November 17, 2022 Welcome to City A.M.’s live updates as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, delivers the government’s Autumn Budget for 2022. Here the news team will bring you all the key points, policy changes, opinion, analysis, responses from experts, industry reaction and more. Get in touch and let us know your views via news@cityam.com or [...]
Want to improve the civil service? Get rid of poor performers and hire some fresh talent January 7, 2020 Dominic Cummings has, once again, taken aim at the establishment — this time the civil service. In an unorthodox job advert last week, he declared his intentions to hire “an unusual set of people” to revolutionise government. Predictably, retired grandees of the profession are up in arms. Whenever anyone calls for Whitehall reform — and [...]
Half-life crisis: Can Sizewell C revive the UK’s nuclear ambitions? June 20, 2022 The hovercraft, radar, Sutton Hoo treasure…Ed Sheeran - Suffolk has a colourful track record of innovation and discovery.
Govt urges employers to hire UK-based workers rather than rely on foreign labour August 30, 2021 The Government wants employers to invest in UK-based workers rather than relying on labour from abroad as businesses contend with a shortage of HGV drivers. Supermarkets and suppliers are struggling to meet demand following an exodus of drivers from EU countries, who returned to the continent during the pandemic and remained there. This is coupled [...]
Transport for London secures £1.08bn emergency funding deal June 1, 2021 Transport for London has secured a £1.08bn emergency funding deal with the government to provide financial support during ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. The latest cash injection, agreed with the Department for Transport, will cover the period from 29 May until 11 December. The funding package is designed to contribute to the organisation’s revenue loss due to [...]
Johnson and Hunt emerge as frontrunners in race for Number 10 June 10, 2019 Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt have emerged as the frontrunners in the race to replace Theresa May as Tory leader. Johnson is currently favourite to succeed May, but Hunt has emerged as his main challenger with two senior cabinet colleagues coming out to back his bid today. Defence secretary Penny Mordaunt, a convinced Brexiter, and [...]