Author: Sam Allcock

Shabana Mahmood, the new Lord Chancellor, has pledged to defend the independence of the judiciary and respect judicial rulings.At the Opening of the Legal Year breakfast, Mahmood addressed judges, emphasising her commitment as the government representative.Highlighting recent unrest, she credited the judiciary for their role in swiftly restoring order through their judgments.She criticised past media portrayals of judges as ‘Enemies of the People’ and promised government support against such narratives.Mahmood assured that neither she nor her colleagues would comment on judicial decisions, marking a clear boundary for governmental conduct.In a significant address at the Opening of the Legal Year breakfast,…

Greggs has announced no further price increases in 2023, despite experiencing a slowdown in sales during the third quarter.CEO Roisin Currie cites stabilising costs as a reason for maintaining current prices, with future increases potentially dictated by minimum wage changes.The bakery chain saw a 5.8% dip in share prices during the summer months due to weather and economic uncertainty.A rebound in sales was observed in September, aided by the launch of Greggs’ autumn menu featuring popular seasonal items.Greggs plans to continue its expansion, with a focus on supermarket, petrol station, and travel hub locations, alongside strengthened delivery partnerships.Greggs, the UK…

In a move to enhance transparency and protect investors, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has mandated that public companies disclose material cybersecurity incidents. The ruling, which came into effect last year, aims to provide shareholders with critical information about cyberattacks that could impact business performance. However, as cyber incidents become more frequent and sophisticated, business leaders and security officers are grappling with the complexity of the regulations. Why Investors Should Care About Cybersecurity For investors, cyberattacks are no longer just technical issues—they’re significant financial threats. A single cyber incident can cost a company millions, erode public trust, and…

M&S has announced the recruitment of 11,000 new customer assistants for the busy Christmas season.The high street retailer is increasing its workforce by over 1,000 roles compared to last year.New recruits will aid in supporting the shop floor and M&S’s Christmas food to order service.The recruitment process opens on 9 October, with employment starting mid-November.M&S highlights the opportunity for seasonal roles to transition into permanent positions.M&S is set to bolster its workforce with the announcement of 11,000 new customer assistant roles for the upcoming Christmas season. This marks an increase of over 1,000 positions from the previous year, reflecting the…

Yorkshire County Cricket Club has signed a significant five-year deal with sportswear brand, Castore, offering a financial lifeline.The partnership marks the first major commercial agreement since Colin Graves’ return as the club’s chairman earlier this year.Despite financial setbacks and internal disputes, Yorkshire remains attractive to big brands like Castore.Castore is set to manage both the club shop at Headingley and its online retail operations, enhancing its influence.The club is still grappling with financial issues, with a recorded loss of £7.1m last year and ongoing debt challenges.Yorkshire County Cricket Club has successfully secured a multi-million pound deal with Castore, providing a…

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is evaluating potential fee increases in response to new and emerging challenges within the legal sector.Recent months have seen the SRA identify rising risks, including increased bulk claims litigation and a need for a consumer protection review.The SRA is currently reviewing its data management practices to better identify future risks and improve consumer protection.Chief Executive Paul Philip emphasises the importance of consumer-focused strategies in their 2024/25 business plan.Any decision on fee increases remains uncertain, with the SRA carefully considering resource allocations and potential impacts on the profession.The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is poised to potentially…

Cryptocurrency markets are experiencing significant turmoil due to escalating geopolitical tensions. Recent military actions in the Middle East have led to heightened fears among investors.This anxiety has triggered notable declines across major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin, illustrating the market’s vulnerability to global events.Bitcoin has seen a decrease of 3.48%, with prices dropping to $61,118.92 and hitting a two-week low at $60,370 before a slight recovery.Ethereum’s value fell more sharply by 5.66% to $2,464.05, marking its lowest point since August, while Dogecoin faced a 6.29% drop to $0.1077. The total market value of cryptocurrencies plummeted by 4.16%, landing at…

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) intensifies its focus on transparency within legal services, affecting nearly 500 firms.Since May 2023, 439 warnings and 36 fines were issued by the SRA for non-compliance with transparency rules.Law firms are mandated to update their websites to reflect accurate pricing and service details.A new voluntary code for comparison websites has been launched to ensure independent and clear information.SRA’s transparency drive aims to build trust and empower consumers to make informed legal choices.The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has taken decisive steps to enhance transparency in the legal sector, significantly impacting close to 500 law firms. Since…

Recent research highlights the crucial role of work-life balance for employee wellbeing.The proposed ‘Right to Switch Off’ aims to tackle unboundaried work demands.A significant percentage of employees struggle to maintain personal boundaries outside work hours.Most employees believe it’s primarily the employer’s responsibility to enforce work-life balance.Comprehensive strategies are needed beyond policies to improve employee wellbeing and productivity.Recent research reveals the pivotal importance of work-life balance in sustaining employee wellbeing. With 93% of employees affirming its significance, the proposed governmental initiative, the ‘Right to Switch Off’, seeks to address the adverse effects of unboundaried work demands on both businesses and their…

Tech Giant Introduces Changes After Backlash Microsoft has announced it will re-launch its controversial AI-powered tool, ‘Recall,’ later this year after addressing privacy concerns raised by critics. Initially unveiled in May 2024, the tool faced significant backlash and was dubbed a “privacy nightmare” due to its potential for harvesting large quantities of sensitive data. The release was subsequently postponed, with Microsoft now planning a relaunch in November 2024, offering a revised version on its CoPilot+ computers. Listening to Feedback: Major Changes to Recall Microsoft says it has “listened to feedback” and introduced changes to the tool, including making it an…