All Policy & legal articles
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NewsBurnham pledges to review National Insurance Contributions
Andy Burnham has proposed reviewing the increase in employers’ national insurance contributions and cutting business rates for independent firms in his first significant policy move during the Makerfield by-election campaign.
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NewsMarks & Spencer launches youth training scheme amid rising unemployment
Marks & Spencer is launching a paid training scheme aimed at tackling what it calls the “growing youth unemployment challenge”, creating 1,000 places for 16 to 24-year-olds across the UK and Ireland over the next 18 months.
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NewsRetail sector calls on government not to ‘regulate flexible jobs out of existence’
Retail industry leaders have urged the government not to regulate flexible jobs out existence, as it pushes forward with reforms which would scrap zero-hours contracts.
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Retail VoiceNavigating retail’s challenges: Costs, crime and changing consumer trends
Rising employment costs, fragile consumer confidence and retail crime are weighing heavily on the sector, but there are still opportunities for growth and innovation. Business insurer NFU Mutual examines the key challenges and opportunities shaping retail’s future.
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AnalysisWhat is going on with Oxford Street pedestrianisation?
Earlier this month, it seemed like the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street could be under threat after the Conservatives, who promised a legal challenge as part of their local election campaign in Westminster, retook the council from Labour
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Opinion‘It’s nonsensical to make hiring harder as youth unemployment climbs’
Retail is the biggest private employer in the country. As rising youth unemployment stokes concern, retailers could help more if the government would let them, says George MacDonald
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NewsTemu fined €200m for allowing sale of illegal products
Temu has received a €200m (£173m) fine from the European Union for selling illegal products on its platform.
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NewsNumber of young people not in work or education to hit 1.25 million in five years
The number of young people set to be not in work, education or training will rise to 1.25 million by 2031 without “urgent” government action, a major report has warned.
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NewsGovernment releases list of ‘everyday essentials’ targeted for tariff reductions
The government has announced a list of 125 everyday essential food items it has targeted for tariff reductions, alongside announcing measures to help people with the cost of travel.
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NewsGrocery inflation eases as Lidl leapfrogs Morrisons as fifth-largest grocer
Grocery inflation eased in early May, as discounter Lidl’s consistent growth saw it finally leapfrog supermarket chain Morrisons.
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NewsMango vice chair steps down amid criminal investigation
Mango’s executive vice chair Jonathan Andic has temporarily stepped away from his responsibilities amid the ongoing investigation into his father’s death.
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NewsNext boss Wolfson warns of ‘crisis is in youth unemployment’
Next chief executive Lord Simon Wolfson has signalled alarm over a “dramatic fall” in entry-level job opportunities.
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NewsMorrisons blames government for planned c-store closures
Supermarket giant Morrisons has blamed government policy and rising costs for plans to close 100 of its Daily c-stores in the next few months.
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NewsMake work experience mandatory for young people, argues Amazon UK boss
Amazon UK boss John Boumphrey has proposed obligatory work experience for young people, who he said should not be blamed for suffering high levels of joblessness.
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Opinion‘Forget about price caps. Retailers are already doing their bit for consumers’
Continually hammering retailers financially isn’t just bad for them; it will ultimately undermine wider government ambitions, too, says George MacDonald
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NewsGovernment to cut food import tariffs as grocery price cap proposal abandoned
Chancellor Rachel Reeves intends to reduce tariffs on a range of imported food as she attempts to lighten the cost of living for consumers.
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AnalysisRefund fraud could cost retailers £2.3bn annually, with scammers taking 30% cuts
A new report by the University of Portsmouth, funded by Cifas, estimates that refund fraud could be costing UK retail dearly.
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NewsRetailers fund £23m security investment into the West End
Hundreds of retailers and local businesses across London’s West End are injecting £23m into strengthening security operations and infrastructure in the area, Retail Week can reveal.
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AnalysisM&S boss Machin on ‘preposterous’ price cap proposal, Middle East impact and coming back from cyber attack
Despite disruption from cybercrime and now conflict in the Middle East, Marks & Spencer chief executive Stuart Machin believes the business has “come out stronger” as he posted full-year results
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NewsChancellor unveils ‘anti-profiteering powers’ as Treasury walks back mooted price cap talks
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has today unveiled new measures “to protect people from unjustified price hikes” and giving consumer watchdogs new powers, even as the Treasury has attempted to distance itself from reports of planned supermarket price caps.