Pret a Manger job cut fears as sales plunge
Vivienne Nunis Business reporter, BBC News Getty Images A leaked video revealing how sales have plunged at Pret a Manger during the coronavirus crisis has raised fears about job cuts at the sandwich chain. Boss Pano Christou told staff in a recent online meeting that an announcement about the “job situation” would be made on […]
Richard Branson to launch investment fund
Getty Images Sir Richard Branson is to become a partner in a private equity fund that will seek out consumer goods firms to invest in. The fund will be co-managed by Metric Capital, an investment firm based in London. It will look for investment opportunities in areas such as luxury goods, leisure, food and drinks. […]
Food poisoning fells Iranian migrating birds
News from Elsewhere… …as found by BBC Monitoring Tehran Times Migrating birds nest in the nature reserve Thousands of migratory birds have been found dead at an important nature reserve on Iran’s Caspian coast, prompting alarm among environmentalists. Seyed Hossein Razvani, Mazandaran province’s chief vet, told the paper that the number and variety of migratory […]
Leisure centres lower pool temperatures to reduce energy bills
Getty Images The pool temperatures were still within industry guidelines, operators said Leisure centres are reducing the water temperature in swimming pools in order to save money after costs to keep them heated had skyrocketed. Councils in North Kesteven and South Kesteven said the water temperature in their pools was lowered by 1C (1.8F). GLL, […]
Why would someone hide a needle in fruit?
QUEENSLAND POLICE Why are needles being inserted into strawberries? Australia is currently searching for a saboteur (or saboteurs) amid a national scare involving the hiding of sewing needles within strawberries. In one case, a consumer who swallowed a needle had to be treated in hospital. Children and others have reported narrow escapes. What could compel […]
Pricey broadband ‘locks poorest out’ of key services
Getty Images One in six households is struggling to afford broadband during the current UK lockdowns, according to a survey by Citizens Advice. The charity warned that the poorest people were effectively being “locked out” of access to key services. Only three of the 13 largest broadband providers offer affordable tariffs for those on low-income […]
Key workers explain their pandemic working year
BBC Key workers consider the impact the pandemic has had on their lives “Stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives” was Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s message during the national broadcast announcing the country’s first coronavirus lockdown a year ago. His speech from behind a desk in Downing Street on 23 March 2020 meant […]
India’s booming population needs more women at work
Getty Images The number of working women in India has fallen to record lows in the past two decades Last month, India surpassed China as the world’s most populous country, prompting analysts to point out the potential benefits of its significant young demographic. However, a major obstacle to realising this potential is the insufficient representation […]
‘I was forced into prostitution by Universal Credit’
Jess Quayle & Dan Box BBC News BBC Women are being forced into sex work, often in exposed red light areas, charities say The Universal Credit benefits system is forcing some women to turn to sex work, charities say. The BBC has spoken to five charities and organisations in England who say there are increasing […]
Brexit and Covid cause big jump in pay for lorry drivers
Dave Harvey Business Correspondent, BBC West BBC This Somerset haulage firm has seen many of its European drivers leave the UK since Brexit Freight companies are reporting a “massive” shortage of lorry drivers, which is pushing up wages, and will increase prices of goods in the shops. It is partly because of the pandemic, which […]