Shops prepare for Boxing Day sales bonanza
26 December 2017 BBC The Scotsman reports that tens of thousands of Scottish shoppers are set to brave the Boxing Day sales as high street retailers prepare to slash prices to unprecedented levels. The Scottish Daily Express says half of all Scots adults are expected to descend on the sales today, making it the biggest […]
Union anger over plans for big licence fee rises
Getty Images Permits for disposing waste sheep dip to land are among those licences facing big rises Plans for huge fee increases for farmers have been called “astonishing”. The changes, set out in a consultation, would see various hikes such as the cost of one-off application to remove water rising from £135 to £6,327. NFU […]
Tory hopefuls told not to squander UK science progress
Pallab Ghosh Science correspondent, BBC News TEK IMAGE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY Will the next prime minister support efforts to create a high-skills, high-technology strategy? The Conservative leadership candidates have been urged to make a pledge to put scientific research at the heart of their economic policy. Scientific bodies have called on Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson […]
The Ugandan love of grasshoppers
BBC During grasshopper season they can be bought by the handful across Uganda It is grasshopper season in Uganda, where they are seen as a nutritious delicacy – either boiled or deep-fried. They are so popular that some are worried about declining harvests, as the BBC’s Patience Atuhaire reports. It is dusk. Rusty oil barrels […]
Cannabidiol safe daily dose limit cut by food regulator
Michelle Roberts Digital health editor Getty Images UK food regulators have lowered the recommended safe daily dose of cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabis extract present in many different High Street products, including drinks and snacks. The Food Standards Agency says the advice is precautionary, following concerns long-term use might cause liver and other health problems. Adults […]
Why UK exporters are set for a sugar rush
Dan Macadam Business reporter Sugar gets sweeter for UK farmers The UK’s sugar beet industry is looking to ramp up production, as European Union quotas come to an end this week after nearly 50 years. For the first time since 1968 the UK can produce and sell as much sugar around the world as it […]
What’s off and what’s still on in Wales?
NAtional Eisteddfod The National Eisteddfod will now be held in Ceredigion in 2021 Numerous major events in Wales have been called off or reorganised because of coronavirus restrictions. In Caerphilly, the bonfire night fireworks display, Christmas lights switch-on and lantern parade are the latest to be axed. The National Eisteddfod and Green Man Festival in […]
Merz’s conservatives celebrate, far right enjoys record result
Paul Kirby Europe digital editor in Berlin Reuters Friedrich Merz (C) wanted a strong mandate and to form a coalition fast, but it may take time Friedrich Merz’s conservatives have won Germany’s election, well ahead of rival parties but short of the 30% vote-share they had expected. “Let’s celebrate tonight and in the morning we’ll […]
‘I put £2,000 in every week just to stay open’
Getty Images From Saturday, customers will no longer be allowed to go inside to collect food or coffee. Instead, they must be served from a hatch or doorway. The move is aimed at reducing the risk of customers coming into contact indoors with each other, or with staff. We spoke to two businesses at opposite […]
M&S sales jump as food boosts recovery after lockdown
Getty Images Marks and Spencer reported a surge in profits as its food division helped it bounce back after Covid restrictions. Boss Steve Rowe said growth was boosted by pent-up demand after lockdown, but the retailer was also seeing the benefit of its long restructuring. Pre-tax profits for the six months to October were £187m […]