Johnson eyes measures to help families deal with rising energy bills January 31, 2022 Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak are set to agree upon a package of measures this week designed to ease the burden of incoming energy bill hikes next month for low-income households. The pair are expected to only target support for millions of low-wage workers, pensioners and unemployed people, with three existing schemes to be extended [...]
National insurance doesn’t deserve its dishonest name nor the money of the poorest January 31, 2022 National Insurance is misnamed. It is not an insurance, nor is it hypothecated for any specific welfare benefits. It is a tax, the proceeds of which go into the general revenues that finance government expenditure. At its outset in 1911 it was regarded as insurance against sickness and unemployment, and even when enlarged in 1948, [...]
Boohoo opens first owned factory in ‘new chapter’ amid international market challenges January 26, 2022 As Boohoo opens its first owned factory in Leicester, the company will be hoping to take a positive step forward after a miserable two years. The fast fashion retailer said its new 32,000 sq ft factory in Thurmaston Lane, Leicester, was “proof of its commitment to the city of Leicester and ethical British manufacturing.” The [...]
Getir to create 6,000 more jobs as UK expansion gains pace January 24, 2022 Rapid grocery delivery firm Getir has announced plans to create 6,000 fresh jobs in the UK this year as it continues its national rollout. The start-up currently has 4,000 staff across the UK after expanding rapidly since it launched in London at the start of last year. Getir said its new recruits will be hired [...]
Firms have no choice ‘but to raise prices’ to absorb NI hike January 24, 2022 The looming national insurance tax hike will leave British businesses with no choice “but to raise prices,” a leading business group has warned. Firms will have to pass on the cost of the 1.25 percentage point hike to consumers in a bid to offset severe margin pressure, according to the Institute of Directors (IoD). Nearly [...]
Getting on the property ladder: Here are the most affordable places in Britain for first-time home buyers January 21, 2022 In London, Bromley is the most affordable borough for first-time buyers, while Kensington is unaffordable for those trying to get onto the property ladder. Nationwide, Scotland remains the cheapest place to snap up a property. First-time buyers face spending at least six times their annual wages to get on the property ladder in nearly half [...]
Brits to shoulder worst cost of living squeeze since 1991 January 20, 2022 Brits are set to shoulder the worst cost of living squeeze since the early 1990s, ignited by swelling energy bills and food prices compounding to spike household budgets. This week’s higher than expected inflation reading bounced one the world’s top investment bank’s cost of living forecasts. Wall Street titan Goldman Sachs lifted its expectations for [...]
Letters: A living wage up to scratch January 20, 2022 [Re: Inflation accelerates to 30-year high, yesterday] With this sharp rise of inflation, it’s even more concerning that wages are not matching the accelerating cost of living. Every worker deserves a living wage – to earn enough to support their family and meet their basic needs. A living wage is critical for supporting decent work [...]
Britons, your country needs you. It’s time to take out your wallet and spend January 20, 2022 What stupid purchases have you made since Covid-19 arrived on these shores? Perhaps you bought a hot tub, some garden furniture or even a new shed. Perhaps you are more frugal minded, opting instead to squirrel away cash that would have otherwise been spent in the pub into your savings account. If you are the [...]
Manufacturing deals rocket as businesses lock in wages amid inflation January 17, 2022 Pay settlements of up to 14 per cent have been agreed with manufacturers, as business and investors gear up for fresh inflation figures, with prices rising at more than double the Bank of England’s target rate.