Author: INDEPENDENT

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the worldSign up to our free Morning Headlines emailSign up to our free Morning Headlines emailMorrisons has said it will shut 52 of its in-store cafes along with some of its convenience stores, florists, meat and fish counters and pharmacies.Eighteen market kitchens, 17 convenience stores, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters and four pharmacies will also be affected.The supermarket said the closures are part of a shake-up which will result in 365 people facing redundancy.open image in galleryThe supermarket said the closures are part of a…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsThe Co-op has said it is pushing forward with a number of new stores and major refurbishments as it bounces back from a damaging cyber attack.The retailer said 50 stores will be opened or re-opened by Christmas as it urged the Government to reform business rates ahead of the autumn Budget.It said reforms will be “vital” to encourage further high street investment as it continues with its own…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsScotland’s Finance Secretary has requested an urgent meeting with the Chancellor amid reports she will raise taxes in her Budget this month.Shona Robison set out what she said were three tests Rachel Reeves must meet when she delivers her tax and spending plans on November 26.They include ditching her fiscal rules and delivering investment “to grow the economy and support people with the cost of living”, ensuring “every…

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture emailGet the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter John C Reilly eyes me warily as I approach him at the deli in the San Fernando Valley where he’s suggested we meet for lunch. He’s standing near the door, dressed in a tan fedora with black suspenders holding up his slacks, looking like a man out of time. His shirt sleeves are rolled up in acknowledgement of the Southern Californian heat, and he appraises me with…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsThe Government should cut energy bills by removing renewables subsidies, reducing system costs and implementing efficiency standards for landlords, a think tank has urged.Green Alliance says the measures could reduce the typical household fuel bill by £178 a year by 2030 – and much higher savings of up to £587 for families renting draughty, inefficient homes.Reports suggest the Treasury is eyeing up removing VAT from energy and cutting efficiency…

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture emailGet the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Actor Eddie Marsan has claimed people like Laurence Fox are “scared of a level playing field” after being named one of the new vice presidents of a leading UK drama school.The 57-year-old British actor hit out at “posh boys playing working-class characters” and hailed drama Top Boy as “one of the saving graces” for actors from black communities, in an interview with Sky.Marsan’s comments follow his appointment…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsMcDonald’s has agreed a further set of measures with Britain’s equality watchdog to protect the fast food chain’s staff from sexual abuse.The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) had originally signed a legal agreement with McDonald’s to prevent sexual harassment in 2023, following concerns about how complaints made by staff were handled in its UK restaurants.The original agreement was due to end in 2025, but this has now…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsUK interest rates are widely expected to be kept at 4% but policymakers are “deeply divided” about the threat of inflation, economists say.The Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will make its next decision on interest rates on Thursday.Many economists expect borrowing costs to be kept on hold following signs that inflation is continuing to cool, and as the Bank awaits measures announced in November’s autumn Budget.However, some experts,…

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture emailGet the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter One of Shakespeare’s most notorious villains loses much of his malevolence in this starry reimagining of Othello. Here, Machiavellian Iago is played by well-loved screen actor Toby Jones, who gives him all the looming menace of a peevish middle manager leaving a pass agg note on the work fridge. When this Iago makes racist jokes about David Harewood’s statesmanlike Othello, the audience laughs loudly – uncomfortably so,…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsMore than 100,000 obesity deaths could be prevented over 20 years if firms were forced to put nutrition warning labels on the front of food packs, experts have said.Researchers from the University of Liverpool found that warning labels for foods high in fat, salt or sugar – as implemented in several other countries – could save lives across England and cut the number of overweight people.In 2016, Chile…