InstagramDeputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is under growing pressure to cough up cash for her £836 Ibiza jolly[/caption]
InstagramMs Rayner batted away criticism at the time, insisting she should be allowed ‘down time’[/caption]
The Sun can reveal the Cabinet has taken over £11,000 in freebies since the General Election in July.
Among those is part of Ms Rayner’s holiday, which was registered as a gift from the management firm of the DJ she was seen raving with last month in nightclub Hi Ibiza.
Ms Rayner batted away criticism at the time, insisting she should be allowed “down time” — but failed to disclose she got her trip from a donor.
Reform UK said yesterday: “Labour are making a mockery of trust in our system.
“We now learn that Angela Rayner’s VIP Ibiza trip, complete with an appearance at a DJ’s booth, was a freebie.”
Other Labour top names who accepted big summer outings include Treasury Minister Darren Jones, who bagged Taylor Swift tickets worth £3,400, and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who got Wimbledon tickets with a going rate of £1,600.
Yesterday, YouGov polls found 79 per cent of voters thought Sir Keir was right to pay back some of his freebies.
But he has still not coughed up cash for over £100,000 worth of gifts he got while still opposition leader.
Explaining why not, minister Sarah Jones said: “There’s a difference between what you do in government and what you do in opposition.”
David Lammy and Keir Starmer were given tickets to a football match this summerinstagramLabour top names had also been given expensive tickets to Taylor Swift gigs[/caption]
2 days agoWorld LeaksComments Off on Rachel Zegler looks flawless as she poses in white lacy dress amid Snow White controversy
SNOW White star Rachel Zegler takes it all lying down — despite stirring up controversy when she landed the role.
The US actress, 23, faced a Disney fans’ backlash for querying the princess’s meekness.
OK McCausland for VarietyRachel Zegler stunned as she posed in this number[/caption]
GettyThe Snow White star faced a Disney fans’ backlash for querying the princess’s meekness[/caption]
But she told Variety: “It fell back to another version of Snow White that was told in history, where she survived a snowstorm that occurred when she was a baby.
“And so the king and queen decided to name her Snow White to remind her of her resilience.
“One of the core points in our film for any young woman or young person is remembering how strong you actually are.”
We recently revealed the reboot of Disney’s landmark animation has become the bad apple in the studio’s portfolio after being mired in one controversy after another.
The film is set for release nextspring, yet behind its glitzy trailer, which dropped this month, it has been engulfed by race, sexism and political rows.
Rachel is famously known for starring in The Hunger Games franchise and Steven Spielberg‘s West Side Story.
The Golden Globe winner is reported to be worth millions of dollars.
Rachel’s filmography also includes Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and Snow White.
OK McCausland for VarietyThe actress is the face of Variety[/caption]
2 days agoWorld LeaksComments Off on Benue: Alia grants pardon to 6 inmates
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has granted pardon to six inmates at the Maximum Correctional Center in Makurdi. The governor who granted the pardon when he visited the centre on Tuesday noted that the released individuals would be empowered with skills to help them achieve self-reliance. Alia said that the pardoned inmates had been […]
2 days agoWorld LeaksComments Off on Legacy Circle Breakfast
Donors are welcomed into the Legacy Circle when they make a lasting gift to the Medical Center through their will, retirement plan, life insurance policy or trust.
2 days agoWorld LeaksComments Off on Help to climb the career ladder when you’re from a less-privileged background
CLIMBING the career ladder is tough enough but when you’re working class, it can be even harder.
According to the Government’s Social Mobility Commission, adults with working-class parents are three times as likely to be in a working-class occupation compared to people with professional parents.
GettyThere’s help for you to climb the career ladder when you’re from a less-privileged background[/caption]
SuppliedKevin Sterling faced dozens of job rejections until he signed up for Making The Leap’s social mobility programme[/caption]
Despite 48 per cent of UK adults considering themselves to be working class, half of big-name firms do not actively seek out working-class talent — but for those who do, the rewards can be exceptional.
When a person works their way up to have a higher income or higher status of job than their parents, it’s known as “upward social mobility”.
According to campaign group the Sutton Trust, enhancing social mobility within UK firms to match the average Western European level could lead to a nine per cent boost in GDP, equivalent to £2,620 per person, or a total of £170billion added to the UK economy annually.
This week sees the annual SOMO Awards — known as the UK’s “social mobility Oscars” — which celebrate employers helping working-class people fulfil their career potential.
Set up by charity Making The Leap, this year the awards cover firms employing close to 1.3million people representing 20 business sectors.
While finance, law and professional services make up almost half of entries, there has been a big rise in submissions from the creative and media sectors, plus local authority and Government.
Londoner Kevin Sterling faced dozens of job rejections until he signed up for Making The Leap’s social mobility programme.
Kevin, 23, now works as an engineer for Sky, and says: “Before taking the course, it felt like I was stuck in limbo with no end in sight, and got rejection after rejection. I was at my wits’ end.
“With Making The Leap I took part in activities including networking and mock interviews, which really helped, and I learned how to evaluate myself.
“I’d always been focused on the future, never taking the time to reflect on how far I’ve come, what I’m lacking, and how I can turn my weaknesses into strengths.”
Tunde Banjoko, from Making The Leap, said: “By adopting social mobility initiatives, organisations demonstrate to their staff and customers that they are committed to creating an inclusive workplace while helping to unlock the full potential of talent from all walks of life in society.”
Firms including Sky, Linklaters, Nationwide, KPMG and PWC have all entered and the awards are open to organisations of all sizes.
A Nationwide spokeswoman said: “We believe the circumstances of a person’s birth shouldn’t determine their outcomes in life. We are dedicated to equitable progression.”
Find out more at somo.uk
How to be a social mobility supportive business
THESE are Making The Leap’s tips to be a social mobility supportive business:
Involve senior leaders: Bosses need to buy-in. It is essential they are involved in order to arrange organisation commitments, budgets and targets.
Social Mobility Networks: Work with people in your organisation who have lived experiences in social mobility and consider setting up an internal network.
Collect Data: Gather information on employees’ socio-economic background to measure diversity at work. It will highlight the potential to make a positive changes.
Have a clear purpose and strategy: This will enable you to report and measure the impact of specific initiatives such as early careers or recruitment. Add it into your DEI, ESG and CSR policies too.
Partner with external organisations and charities: To help you gain expertise and widen reach.
TIPS FOR CAREER YOU WANT
COMPETITION to secure a job is at its fiercest in three years, so how to stand out?
Here Jan Hendrik von Ahlen, from Jobleads.com, shares his tips on securing the job you want.
SuppliedJan Hendrik von Ahlen shares his tips for securing the job you desire[/caption]
Network, Network, Network: Successful networking is all about building relationships.
Reach out to people in your field with a simple message, like asking for advice or sharing something interesting. Be authentic, follow up, stay in touch and help when you can.
Join a club: Many UK cities have networking groups and business clubs. Chamber of Commerce groups and Business Network International also host events.
These gatherings are great for building connections.
Customise Applications: Read the job description thoroughly and focus on skills and experiences that match what the employer is after.
If you have limited experience, showcase your transferable skills on your CV.
Build a professional Online Presence: Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date with your skills, experiences, and career goals and follow industry trends.
Keep Learning: The job market is always changing, so keep your skills up to date. Take online courses and attend workshops. Showing potential employers you’re committed to growth can make you a more attractive candidate.
Stay Positive, Be Persistent: Every rejection is a step closer to the right opportunity. Keep applying, and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback. Persistence will pay off in the end.
FULL STEM AHEAD
GO full steam ahead for a STEM career with a visit to New Scientist Live.
The interactive exhibition, which takes place at ExCel London on 12-13 October, features talks and demonstrations from more than 70 leading experts including Neil Lawrence, professor of machine learning at the University of Cambridge.
Also among the speakers is Ayo Sokale, who is one of the UK’s youngest chartered civil engineers.
She said: “New Scientist Live is an excellent opportunity to explore amazing STEM careers like these that often work behind the scenes to shape our world and future.”
The event will also be streamed online. Find out more at live.newscientist.com.
OCTOBER BLUES?
FORGET the January blues, October is the month when we are ill the most.
Figures from BrightHR show while one third of all sickness occurs in the last three months of the year, it’s October when staff most frequently call in sick.
Typically, October illness rates are 122 per cent above the monthly average, with a 157 per cent spike in flu cases and 164 per cent leap in common cold cases. Mental health-related absences rise by 112 per cent, the highest of any month.
Alan Price, chief executive at BrightHR, said: “Encouraging a culture of openness where employees feel comfortable discussing their health, and reminding employees of any support in place . . . can also make a significant difference.”
Jobspot
BLUEBIRD CARE is recruiting now for care assistants and customer care managers. Search for opportunities at bluebirdcarecareers.co.uk.
NEXT is recruiting for team managers, team member and van drivers nationally. Find out more at careers.next.co.uk/
2 days agoWorld LeaksComments Off on Universities on verge of collapse over huge electricity bill – ASUU
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that most Nigerian universities are on the verge of shutting down over “unbearable cost of electricity”, saying the electricity bills of some universities run between N200m to N300m monthly. President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, stated this on Thursday during the opening session of a two-day […]
2 days agoWorld LeaksComments Off on ‘Es mi hijo perdido’: Julio César Chávez sobre Lazy Boy
A través de sus redes sociales, Julio César Chávez, conocido como el ‘Campeón Mexicano’, compartió un divertido momento junto a Ronaldo Rodríguez, mejor conocido como ‘Lazy Boy’, donde con humor aseguró que el joven peleador es su “hijo perdido”. En una amena reunión entre ambos deportistas, el legendario boxeador, conocido como el “César del Boxeo”, […]
2 days agoWorld LeaksComments Off on Tesco profits up 20% as shoppers move back to premium brands
The boss of Tesco exuded confidence about the economy yesterday as he claimed shoppers were getting back to treating themselves.
Chief exec Ken Murphy said consumers were “in good shape” and noted sales of its more expensive Finest range had risen by almost 15 per cent in the past six months.
Tesco profits are up 20 per cent as it reports more confident shoppers are moving back to premium brands
The boost in sales of upmarket products is a sharp reversal from the trend during the cost-of-living crisis when sales of cheaper budget and own-brand products rocketed.
Mr Murphy said that shoppers had a “willingness to spend a little bit more to treat themselves… While they’re not doing cartwheels down the aisles, they’re in reasonably good shape.”
He acknowledged there was a “lot of uncertainty in the world” but said Tesco was preparing for a strong Christmas.
“We see customer sentiment improving before Christmas,” Mr Murphy said. He added that Tesco was expecting a record-breaking Halloween, with three million pumpkins forecast to be sold at its stores this month.
Tesco Chief exec Ken Murphy acknowledged there was a ‘lot of uncertainty in the world’ but said Tesco was preparing for a strong Christmas
His upbeat comments come despite a slew of economic data showing falling consumer confidence as Brits worry about what may be in this month’s Budget.
Mr Murphy’s tone is also at odds with remarks made by Sainsbury’s chief exec Simon Roberts, who a day earlier cautioned that shoppers were holding back on spending due to worries about what Labour will announce.
However, Tesco, Britain’s biggest supermarket chain, is already riding high after boosting its profits by a fifth to £1.9billion on the back of its sales rising by 3.5 per cent to £31.46billion in the half-year.
The boost gives Tesco its highest market share since January 2022. Mr Murphy said its Aldi Price Match and Clubcard promotions had made it more competitive.
Around 23 million British households, 80 per cent of the country, have a Tesco Clubcard.
ANALYSIS: GIANT IS WARY OF REFORM
As one of the country’s biggest employers, with more than 330,000 staff, Tesco has carefully watched Labour’s radical plans for worker reforms.
The government is desperate to get it onside too.
The message from Britain’s largest supermarket yesterday suggested the proof would be in the pudding.
Boss Ken Murphy urged the government to ensure that its overhaul of workers’ rights didn’t end up being a drag on the economy.
He said the Employment Rights Bill needed “to make sure that whatever the government decides to put forward has the intended consequence of stimulating productivity and growth and protecting workers at the same time.”
He was pleased the government would consult on its proposals before legislation — suggesting that there would still be more lobbying behind the scenes for many months to come.
Privately, business chiefs say that Labour is warming to the idea of longer probation periods, after realising that firms need to be comfortable in taking risks when hiring.
Plea on electric car VAT
PAAs EV sales lose out to diesel, top car makers have written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of her October 30 Budget, calling for VAT cuts on electric vehicles and public charging points[/caption]
Private buyers are increasingly choosing dieselcars ahead of electric ones — prompting the motor industry to call for more support in hitting its Net Zero targets.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said private diesel registrations in September were up by 17.2 per cent on last year — an increase of 1,369 units.
That compared with a rise of just 430 pure battery electric registrations — 3.7 per cent — despite huge discounting.
Bosses from Ford, Honda, Kia, Mercedes, Nissan, VW, Jaguar Land Rover and Vauxhall-maker Stellantis have written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of her October 30 Budget, calling for VAT cuts on electric vehicles and public charging points.
These cost an average of 80p per kilowatt hour — so drivers pay more to recharge electric cars than petrol and diesel drivers do to fill up the tank.
£666m hell of a sale
Investors dumped a devilish £666million worth of UK shares last month, amid fears the Budget could push up capital gains taxes.
Figures from global fund network Calastone show that UK funds were out of favour while other markets saw inflows of cash.
Capital gains tax on shares being sold is currently at 20 per cent but the Chancellor is reportedly considering increasing this to 45 per cent.
Mulberry help
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group is backing Mulberry’s £10million cash call to investors — just days after having an £83million hostile takeover bid rejected.
Frasers, which owns a 37 per cent stake in the luxury bag brand, will put £3.9million into the share sale to avoid being diluted. It has also not ruled out a further bid offer.
But sources say that is unlikely to be successful, with the company being backed by its majority shareholder Challice, owned by Singaporean billionaire Christina Ong.
Upper Crust owner SSP enjoyed a 9 per cent rise in UK sales in the last three months.
Its railway station shops have benefited from fewer rail strikes while its airport cafes have been boosted by more holidaymakers.
Chat for £118bn
ChatGPT owner OpenAI is now worth £118billion after its latest funding round.
The artificial intelligence firm has raised another £5billion from investors, including tech giant Microsoft and AI chipmaker Nvidia.
Only four companies on London’s FTSE 100 are still worth more. It also has a new £3billion credit facility from big Wall Street banks.
It comes amid speculation that the Californian firm’s boss, Sam Altman, is restructuring the company into a for-profit entity, rather than non-profit.
