Author: SKYNEWS

The minimum price for alcohol in Scotland is to increase by 30% under refreshed plans to tackle deaths and hospital admissions. After a raft of legal challenges were defeated, the Scottish government introduced a world-first policy in 2018 banning retailers from selling alcohol below 50p per unit. At Holyrood on Thursday, Deputy First Minister Shona Robison announced the minimum unit price (MUP) will be increased to 65p.The increase will be subject to parliamentary approval and is expected to come into force on 30 September.Ms Robison said: “Research commended by internationally-renowned public health experts estimated that our world-leading minimum unit pricing policy…

A serial chair of government-sponsored agencies is to become the new head of Britain’s bank compensation scheme as the Bank of England prepares to widen its scope after last year’s string of industry crises.Sky News has learnt that Lesley Cowley, who chaired the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for nearly a decade, is the frontrunner to take the same post at the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). City sources said that her appointment could be announced within days.If confirmed, Mrs Cowley would replace Marshall Bailey, who has served two three-year terms at the helm of the FSCS.Money latest:Dutch lender…

Taylor Swift appears to have sold one of her two private jets, while her lawyers have threatened legal action against a student tracking her movements.The singer’s Dassault Falcon 900 jet had been listed under SATA LLC, a company with the same address as Taylor Swift Productions in Nashville, until 30 January, according to Business Insider. Federal Aviation Administration data shows the jet, which had been listed under Swift’s holding company since 2009, is now registered to Triangle Real Estate LLC, a company based in Missouri.Swift still has a Dassault 7X jet, which many fans and media outlets have predicted she…

Finland’s flagship airline has announced it is now weighing passengers – not just their luggage.Finnair said the weigh-ins are “voluntary and anonymous” and will help to ensure the airline does not exceed the set maximum weight for a safe take-off. Volunteer passengers will be weighed with their carry-on baggage, and only the customer service agent working at the measuring point will be able to see the total weight.The collected data will not be linked in any way to a passenger’s personal data, the airline said.The voluntary weigh-ins have started taking place at the departure gates at Helsinki Airport. Read more…

Santander UK has filed a formal complaint with advertising watchdogs over a Nationwide campaign which “discredits and denigrates” Britain’s high street banking industry.Sky News has learnt that the Spanish-owned lender has told the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) that the Nationwide television commercial – featuring the actor Dominic West as an arrogant bank boss – is misleading about its rivals’ approach to closing branches. The complaint was filed during the autumn, soon after the building society campaign launched, according to insiders, but has not been publicly disclosed.The ASA has yet to adjudicate on it.Money latest: Dutch lender introducing new type of…

Hit animated film Moana is getting a sequel which is due to hit screens in November.Originally planned as a TV series, Disney boss Bob Iger revealed on Wednesday that it would now be a second movie, adding, “we can’t wait to give you more of Moana and Maui”. The first film made more than $680m (£538m) at the global box office and has been streamed for over one billion hours on Disney+. It was also nominated for two Oscars.In the first film, Moana – who lives on the fictional Polynesian island of Motunui – goes on a journey across the…

The state-backed lender NatWest Group has raided the Swiss banking giant UBS to replace a top Coutts executive who was forced out during last year’s ‘debanking’ row involving Nigel Farage.Sky News has learnt that NatWest has lured Emma Crystal, who has also worked for Credit Suisse, to become the next chief executive of its wealth management division, which includes Coutts. Ms Crystal, who is expected to join later this year, will replace Peter Flavel, who left NatWest last summer.The role is one of the most senior executive positions at NatWest, which is 36%-owned by the government but is now on…

Kate Garraway has thanked Good Morning Britain viewers for the “incredible” love and support she has received since her husband Derek Draper’s death – having returned to presenting the show less than a week after his funeral.The TV presenter returned to host the ITV breakfast show following an emotional appearance on the programme on Monday when she discussed how her children have been handling the loss of their father.Derek Draper, a former political adviser, died at the beginning of January after several years of serious health complications due to coronavirus.The 56-year-old was said to be one of the UK’s longest-suffering…

Sainsbury’s has refused to rule out job losses under a strategy update that aims to save £1bn over the next three years and focus more heavily on food.The company, which also owns Argos, said its plans included an overhaul of its supermarket offering that would see general merchandise and clothing space reduced across many of its main stores to make way for more groceries. The decision reflects recent sales trends at the chain, which trails only Tesco in terms of grocery market share.Money latest:How much you need to retire ‘comfortably’The new £1bn savings target would include savings from reduced deliveries,…

Labour “will” spend £28bn a year on green plans in the next parliament if they enter government, according to a shadow minister.The party has been mired in uncertainty over the commitment, with the Conservatives repeatedly attacking Labour – saying the current opposition’s plans would mean they would need to borrow extra money to meet the target. Sir Chris Bryant, a shadow digital minister, was speaking to Sky News this morning.Asked about the pledge, he said that “we are doing it” – adding that “it will be £28bn”.Politics latest: ‘We should all calm down’ over King’s cancer diagnosis Politics Hub with…