Immersive dining brand Six by Nico has launched ‘Six by You’, a new community-first crowdfunding initiative giving loyal customers the chance to become co-owners of the business. The scheme, now live on Crowdcube, follows an early access phase in which more than 3,800 community members invested over £1.75 million in just five days. From today, the offer is open to ...
Virgin Media O2 has launched a £1 million talent fund to help charities, local authorities, small businesses and social enterprises train apprentices in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), aiming to break down the financial and structural barriers that prevent smaller organisations from investing in early careers talent. The scheme will allow eligible organisations to draw on Virgin Media O2’s ...
The government should introduce an apprenticeship guarantee for all 16 to 24-year-olds to help young people into work as the UK labour market continues to cool, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Responding to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) labour market data, James Cockett, senior labour market economist at the CIPD, warned that rising ...
UK consumer spending rebounded in July as the “lipstick effect” and major entertainment events, including the Oasis reunion tour, encouraged shoppers to splash out on affordable luxuries, according to Barclays. The bank, which tracks 40% of UK card transactions, reported that sales increased 1.4% year-on-year last month, recovering from a 0.1% decline in June. The rise was driven by entertainment, ...
The government must act urgently to close the widening pensions gap between employees and self-employed workers or risk fuelling a future retirement crisis, the Social Market Foundation (SMF) has warned. In a new report commissioned by digital bank Monzo, the think tank said the self-employed are “at most risk” of inadequate retirement provision and should be given targeted, personalised prompts ...
The UK labour market showed further signs of cooling in the three months to June, with wage growth slowing, vacancies falling and payroll numbers declining, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Average weekly earnings, including bonuses, rose 4.6% in Q2, down from 5% in the previous three-month period and slightly below economists’ forecasts. Private ...
The Entertainer, the UK’s largest toy shop chain, is set to become employee-owned after founder Gary Grant announced plans to transfer 100% of the family business to its 1,900 staff by the end of September. The retailer – which also owns the Early Learning Centre and Addo toy brands – will be placed into an employee ownership trust (EOT), with ...
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have signed a new multi-year film and television deal with Netflix, defying speculation earlier this year that the streaming giant would not renew its contract with the couple. Harry and Meghan first agreed a five-year partnership with Netflix in 2020, reportedly worth $100 million (£78 million), after stepping back from their roles as senior ...
HMRC has admitted for the first time that it uses artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor taxpayers’ social media accounts as part of criminal investigations into tax fraud. The tax authority said AI tools are used alongside the department’s traditional checks to analyse online posts, including those about expensive holidays or large purchases, if they appear inconsistent with a person’s declared ...
Rajesh Nair, chief executive of Tata Steel UK, has been appointed as the new Chair of UK Steel, the trade association representing Britain’s steel sector. He will take on the position alongside his current role leading Tata Steel’s UK operations. Nair brings more than 36 years of experience across the Tata Steel Group to the role. Since joining Tata Steel ...