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National News

Ikea announces 2024 pay rises for UK staff worth 10 million

Ikea has revealed plans to hike pay for UK staff as part of more than £35 million of investment in higher wages and bonuses. The furniture retailer said its hourly paid employees will get a 10% pay rise in 2024, split into two 5% uplifts, based on their current pay. The uplift will take hourly wages to £12, rising to £13.15 for staff in London. The Swedish retail giant has 20 shops in Britain, as well as a smaller cityRead More

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National News

FSA warns consumers to avoid fake Prime and Wonka branded chocolate bars

The food safety watchdog has warned consumers not to buy or eat fake and potentially unsafe Prime or Wonka chocolate bars. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said it had received reports of fake branded chocolate on sale and was working with Trading Standards to protect consumers. Prime, the popular drinks brand, has told the FSA that it does not manufacture any Prime-branded food products, meaning the chocolate bars are fake and could be unsafe. The FSA also said any WonkaRead More

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National News

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer denies Government ripping up licence fee deal

Over the weekend, Rishi Sunak said the BBC needs to be 'realistic' about what people can pay Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has denied that the Government is “ripping up” a licence fee deal with the BBC, following reports that Rishi Sunak is set to block a 9% hike in the annual charge. For the past two years the licence fee has been frozen at the price of £159 but it was previously agreed it would rise in line with inflationRead More

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National News

Government faces Tory rebellion over infected blood compensation

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said this morning that ministers are unlikely to shift position The Government faces a rebellion by Tory MPs over calls for a new body to help infected blood victims, with backbenchers set to join forces with Labour on payouts over the scandal. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer indicated on Monday that ministers are unlikely to shift position, insisting that it was “appropriate” to wait until the ongoing inquiry has concluded. Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed Labour willRead More

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National News

Spotify to axe 1500 jobs to cut costs

Spotify is to cut almost a fifth of jobs at the music streaming business in a move affecting about 1,500 posts. Bosses at the technology firm said in a note to staff that it will axe 17% of the workforce in a bid to be more efficient in the face of a growth slowdown. The company employs around 9,300 people globally. It did not disclose how many roles would be affected in the UK but employs 881 people in theRead More

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National News

Giant Pandas start journey back to China

They've been delighting visitors to Edinburgh Zoo for the last 12 years The UK’s only giant pandas will depart for China on Monday after spending 12 years in Scotland. Yang Guang and Tian Tian came to Edinburgh Zoo in 2011 as part of a 10-year agreement between the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and the China Wildlife Conservation Association, which was later extended by two years. Visitors were given a final chance to say farewell to the bears on Thursday NovemberRead More

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National News

40 million social care boost to free up hospital beds this winter

The fund will help 54 local authorities provide care for vulnerable people outside of hospital, but critics say it is a “sticking plaster” Councils across England will receive a £40 million cash boost to provide social care and free up hospital beds this winter, the Government has announced. The fund will help 54 local authorities provide care for vulnerable people outside of hospital, but critics say it is a “sticking plaster” concealing a deeper crisis of funding. Councils can alsoRead More

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National News

British merchant ship struck by missile in Red Sea attack

The Bahamas-flagged 'Unity Explorer', owned by a British company, was one of three commercial vessels targeted A British-owned ship has been hit by a missile in the Red Sea as part of an assault by Iranian-backed rebels, the US military said. The Bahamas-flagged Unity Explorer, owned by a British company, was one of three commercial vessels targeted in the drone and missile assault on Sunday. US military Central Command said the Unity Explorer sustained minor damage in the attack. Two other ships registered inRead More

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National News

Warning of very treacherous conditions as thawed snow refreezes

A yellow weather warning for ice is in place across much of the north of England until midday Drivers have been warned they face “very treacherous icy conditions” in parts of the UK on Monday after another night of sub-zero temperatures. A yellow weather warning for ice by the Met Office is in place across much of the north of England until noon on Monday, with further warnings for snow covering the eastern side of Scotland, high ground in WalesRead More

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