News
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Mar- 2016 -10 March
Zero-hours contracts rise to record level
The number of workers on zero-hours contracts has increased by more than 100,000 over the past 12 months. The Office for National Statistics said the figure had breached 801,000 – the highest since records began. The figure represents 2.5% of the UK workforce, up from 2.3% in the same period…
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10 March
Houlden celebrates 40th anniversary at annual buyers’ event
Houlden Jewellers has celebrated its 40th anniversary at its annual buying event for members, held on Monday 23 February to Tuesday 24 February at the Waldorf Hilton in London. The two day event included a ‘Members Day’, allowing members to network and share past experiences in a bid to improve…
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10 March
MPs reject Sunday trading hour extension
The government’s proposed plan to extend Sunday trading hours has been rejected after MPs voted against the bill. The plans were rejected as MPs voted 317 to 286 to scrap the proposal. The Labour Party and the Scottish National Party (SNP) voted against the plans, along with 27 Conservative rebels.…
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9 March
Hatton Garden raiders sentenced to combined 34 years in prison
Five of the men involved in the Hatton garden raid have today been sentenced to a combined time of 34 years behind bars. John “Kenny” Collins, 75, Daniel Jones, 61, and Terry Perkins, 67, who all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary last September, have each been sentenced to…
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9 March
SNP vote threatens extension to Sunday trading hours
A proposed bill to extend Sunday trading hours is under threat after the Scottish National Party (SNP) said it will vote against the plans. Under the government plans, Sunday trading hours for high street shops would be devolved to local authorities. Local councils would be given the power to extend…
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9 March
Six men to be sentenced over Hatton Garden raid
Six men convicted for their part in last year’s Hatton Garden raid will be sentenced for their involvement in the crime today (9 March). The gang face jail terms of up to 10 years each after pleading guilty or being convicted of the raid, in which £14m worth of jewellery…
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8 March
Retailers can be liable for assaults by staff, warns law firm
Retailers can be liable for assaults on customers by staff following a recent and well-publicised case, a law firm has warned. Bond Dickinson LLP issued the warning after the Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeal’s decision in the Mohamud vs WM Morrison Supermarkets case, deciding Morrisons was vicariously liable…
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8 March
Retail sales slow in February
Retail sales slowed to a near standstill in February, as like-for-like sales grew by just 0.1% compared with the same month last year. That’s according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG Retail Sales Monitor which found on a total basis sales were up 1.1%, against a 1.7% rise…
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7 March
UK Fairtrade gold volume sales up 440% in 2015
Volume sales of Fairtrade gold increased by 440% in the UK in 2015, according to new figures from the Fairtrade Foundation. The foundation also said Fairtrade mining co-operatives in Latin America sold 170kg of Fairtrade gold to the global market, generating a ‘Fairtrade premium’ of $340,000 (£240,000) on top of…
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3 March
Five arrested: 90-mile police chase after jewellery store raid ends in dramatic crash
Five men whose failed smash-and-grab bid on a jewellery store in Taunton, Somerset, have been arrested after a 90-mile police chase ended in a car crash. The raid took place on Wednesday, 2 March, when a masked gang attempted to rob Michael Spiers Jewellers on North Street at 10:30am. It…
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