Author: INDEPENDENT

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 emailsSir Keir Starmer is set to announce a major investment in apprenticeships on Monday in an effort to tackle rising youth unemployment.Some 50,000 young people are expected to benefit from the £725 million investment, in which more apprenticeships will be created in sectors including AI, hospitality and engineering.The Government is aiming to reverse a decline in the number of young people starting apprenticeships, which has fallen by almost…

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 announcement that England’s group stage matches in the World Cup will kick off before midnight is a “welcome boost” for pubs and bars, the boss of an industry body has said.There had been some concerns among fans that late fixtures could curtail celebrations as next summer’s tournament will take place in the US, Canada and Mexico, meaning some games will not start until 3am UK time.Dates, kick…

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 Billy Crudup is in an echoey east London rehearsal room, practically vibrating as he unpicks one of the best scenes in one of the year’s best films. The star of Almost Famous and The Morning Show, dressed in a grey quarter-zip fleece, looks faintly horrified by his own enthusiasm. “It’s the nerdiest job I’ve ever had,” he says, eyes lighting up.In Jay Kelly, Noah Baumbach’s Fellini-like meditation…

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 emailsBlue chip stocks in London underperformed European and US peers on Friday, despite stable inflation data in the US, as falls in oil majors BP and Shell weighed.The FTSE 100 index closed down 43.86 points, or 0.5%, at 9,667.01. The FTSE 250 ended just 7.04 points lower at 22,063.95, but the AIM All-Share closed up 1.87 points, 0.3%, at 751.30.For the week, the FTSE 100 fell 0.6%, the…

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 FTSE 100 closed higher on Thursday, despite downbeat construction data, amid growing conviction of a US interest rate cut next week.Matt Britzman of Hargreaves Lansdown said: “Investors are leaning into the idea that easier policy is coming, which is fuelling appetite for risk and lifting everything from blue chips to small caps.“Still, with inflation data and Fed decisions ahead, the path is far from set in stone.”He…

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 emailsGreat British Energy has vowed to generate enough clean energy to power almost 10 million homes, under new spending plans that it hopes will attract £15 billion worth of private finance.The publicly owned energy body published its first strategic plan since being launched last year.Based in Aberdeen, GB Energy was created with the aim of speeding up the transition to clean energy by investing in the country’s infrastructure…

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 Eric Idle, a founding member of the iconic comedy group Monty Python’s Flying Circus, often contemplates whether extraterrestrial life possesses a sense of humour. “I think the answer must be yes, because it’s about self-awareness,” he muses. “It’s about laughing at yourself and your own death and your inevitable end, which you can do nothing about.”Until such an intergalactic encounter, Idle’s earthly mission remains to elicit laughter,…

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 emailsPremier League football clubs are set to face sharp rises in the taxes on their stadiums next year, with Arsenal and Manchester United among those facing much higher bills.Analysis of official Government data has revealed a significant increase in the valuations of the biggest football venues in England and Wales.Global tax firm Ryan’s analysis of Valuation Office Agency (VOA) data found that the rateable values of stadiums across…

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 When I think of Tom Stoppard, I think first of a rather trivial moment in his 1982 play The Real Thing, when the protagonist worried about the possibility that he might be asked to appear on Desert Island Discs. He didn’t like worthy classical music. And guests who did choose pop tended to choose something arty, like Pink Floyd. But he knew, to his despair, that he…

Sign up to our free money newsletter for investment analysis and expert advice to help you build wealthSign up to our free money email for help building your wealthSign up to our free money email for help building your wealthVehicle hire company Zipcar is in consultation over closing its UK business by the end of the year, an email sent to customers has revealed.The company, which offers by-the-hour rentals as well as longer lets for cars and vans, has more than 650,000 clients across the nation – but is discussing options to shut down entirely after the new year.An email…