Author: SKYNEWS

A crackdown on so-called fire and rehire tactics by employers has been criticised as “tinkering around the edges” by the leader of the Trades Union Congress (TUC). Its general secretary spoke up as the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) confirmed the creation of a new statutory code covering the practice, also known as dismiss and re-engage. Fire and rehire refers to when an employer fires a member of staff and offers them a new contract on new, often less favourable terms.It said the code, subject to parliamentary approval, would prevent rogue use of the tactic by employers as employment…

Actor Jeremy Renner was met with a standing ovation at an awards ceremony in LA at the weekend, just over a year on from a serious snowploughing accident that left him with more than 30 broken bones.On stage at the People’s Choice Awards, the Marvel star reflected on a “heck of a journey” since the incident on New Year’s Day in 2023. Renner, 52, presented the first award of the night, and was met by rapturous applause and a standing ovation from the audience. Image: Renner attended the premiere of his docuseries Rennervations in April 2023, his first public appearance…

The owner of the London Stock Exchange is plotting a multimillion pound pay rise for its chief executive amid a debate about whether FTSE 100 bosses’ incentive packages are damaging the competitiveness of Britain’s economy.Sky News has learnt that London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) is consulting with its major shareholders about a revised pay policy that would give boss David Schwimmer the opportunity to earn almost double his current maximum package of £6.25m. Last year, Mr Schwimmer was paid just over £4.7m, of which £1m was his base salary, £1.4m his annual bonus and nearly £2m in the form of…

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has hit out at the former Post Office chairman after he alleged he was told to “stall” spending on compensation for Horizon scandal victims ahead of the next general election.Henry Staunton, who was ousted by the business secretary last month, used an interview with The Sunday Times to suggest that the alleged request from a senior Whitehall civil servant was linked to concerns about the cost of the payouts. He also told the paper that Ms Badenoch told him that “someone’s got to take the rap” for the Horizon scandal and that he discovered his sacking…

A bidding war for Currys could be on the cards after a second declaration of takeover interest.China’s e-commerce platform JD.com, not to be confused with UK-based JD Sports Fashion, confirmed on Monday it had held preliminary talks with the electricals retailer. Its statement said that “it is in the very preliminary stages of evaluating a possible transaction that may include a cash offer for the entire issued share capital of Currys.”Money latest:The bad habits that cause most argumentsIt followed confirmation at the weekend that a possible cash offer by US-based Elliott Advisors, that valued Currys at £700m and was first…

Trisha Goddard, best known for hosting the talk show Trisha, has revealed her cancer has returned after previously being diagnosed in 2008 and recovering from the illness. The 66-year-old has been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer – meaning the disease started in the breast and spread to another part of the body – for which there is treatment but no cure. In her case, the cancer is in her bones, specifically her right hip, she said in an interview with Hello! magazine.Goddard was told of the news 19 months ago but has only now opened up about it.The presenter, who…

Hospitality industry bodies have united to demand action from the chancellor as firms continue to struggle under a weight of costs in the tough economy.A survey by UKHospitality, the British Beer and Pub Association, British Institute of Innkeeping and Hospitality Ulster found that a quarter of operators have no cash reserves left after years of challenges. They began with Brexit hitting the ability to hire and retain staff and have been further complicated by COVID disruption and the effects of the cost of living crisis.The groups warned that their members would need help to bring down costs at the budget,…

Want to know which films and stars won BAFTAs at this year’s awards?The star-studded BAFTA ceremony at Royal Festival Hall in London was hosted by David Tennant, and featured special performances from Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Hannah Waddingham. Image: Cillian Murphy stars as J Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer. Pic: Universal Pictures Here’s the full list of the stars and films to take home prizes.Best film – OppenheimerAnatomy Of A FallThe HoldoversKillers Of The Flower MoonPoor ThingsOutstanding British film – The Zone Of InterestAll Of Us StrangersHow To Have SexNapoleonThe Old OakPoor ThingsRye LaneSaltburnScrapperWonka Image: Zone Of Interest. Pic: A24 Film not…

Hosted by a sparking David Tennant, the BAFTA ceremony was packed with Hollywood A-listers, warming up ahead of next month’s Oscars.Atomic bomb epic Oppenheimer was the big hitter of the night winning seven gongs, Frankenstein-inspired Poor Things bagged five and unsettling Holocaust drama The Zone Of Interest took three. The show featured musical performances from Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Hannah Waddingham, as well as a comedy skit from Nick Mohammed’s alter ego Mr Swallow. Plus, there was a surprise appearance from Michael Sheen’s dog’. Image: BAFTAs host David Tennant. Pic: Joe Maher/BAFTA/Getty Images ‘Bark Ruffalo’First-time host David Tennant opened the show…

Oppenheimer is the winner of the night at this year’s BAFTAs, taking home seven awards, including the big one – best film.Cillian Murphy, who stars as “father of the atomic bomb” J Robert Oppenheimer, was named best actor – the first Irish star to win the award – while co-star Robert Downey Jr was honoured in the supporting category. Accepting his trophy, Murphy thanked his “Oppen-homies” and described his character as “colossally knotty,” adding: “We have a space to debate and interrogate and investigate that complexity and it’s a privilege to be a part of this community with you all.”…