Financial news

I pay staff in my small bookshop more than the living wage, so why can’t big businesses? | Letter

14-02-2024 19:02

Marie Moser, the owner of a bookshop in Edinburgh, responds to the withdrawal of Capita and BrewDog from the real living wage schemeYour article (‘It’s sad’: is the UK real living wage under threat as Capita and BrewDog pull out?, 6 February) highlighted that both Capita and BrewDog are withdrawing from the real living wage scheme and queried if the underlying principle is sustainable.The real living wage calculates the minimum that staff require to live on when working full-ti

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Signs of UK housing market recovery as price falls ease

14-02-2024 13:52

Price of average property decreased by 1.4% in 12 months to December, says ONSBusiness live – latest updatesThe housing market is expected to stage a recovery in 2024 after average UK house prices fell by only £4,000 last year, according to official figures.The price of the average home decreased by 1.4% in the 12 months to December 2023, an improvement on an annual fall of 2.3% recorded in November, the Office for National Statistics said. Continue reading...

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Drone video shows farmers occupying India highroad in pay dispute protest – video

14-02-2024 13:31

Drone video shows hundreds of farmers’ trucks parked on a highway in India on their way to march on Delhi in a protest about pay. Security forces at the Shambhu border that divides Punjab and Haryana fired teargas and water cannon in an attempt to block the farmers' protest.Protesters are calling for the government to honour a promise it made in 2021 to pay more for crops. Police have now banned large gatherings in Delhi and have blocked major routes leading to the capital from Punjab Cont

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I deliver food to your door, but not this Valentine’s Day. Here’s why we are on strike in the UK | Anonymous food courier

14-02-2024 11:00

Food delivery drivers work long hours in gruelling conditions for very little pay from firms such as Deliveroo and Uber Eats. We are walking out because we are desperateToday, on Valentine’s Day, delivery riders working for platforms such as Deliveroo and Uber Eats will be on strike, demanding higher wages. It will probably be the largest platform worker strike ever seen in the UK. I’m one of the organisers.I live in south London. I spend most of the day on the road. I ride 80 miles

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I told Ovo Energy my bills were low – now it wants £1,500

14-02-2024 08:00

I’m so worried we’re not using our heating and trying to cut the electricity we useIn December I received a distressing letter from Ovo apologising for a significant billing error and revealing that I owed £1,500.It followed up with an email indicating a drastic increase in my direct debit from £215 to £600 a month. This rise is beyond my means and when I called, the still unmanageable £370 was suggested. I’m genuinely worried and need your help to resol

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