Business

The hospitality industry is facing a recruitment crisis as it struggles to fill thousands of vacancies. Venues are finding it difficult to hire front-of-house staff and chefs as they experience a shortage of 188,000 workers, according to research by UK Hospitality. Bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes have been able to serve customers indoors in England

Nike says it ended its tie-up with football star Neymar last year because he refused to cooperate in an investigation into sexual assault allegations against him by an employee of the sportswear maker. The Brazilian, who became the world’s most expensive player when he signed for Paris St German for €222m in 2017, denies the

One of the London stock market’s largest exhibition groups is in talks about a big capital injection that would further underline an ongoing frenzy of private equity interest in UK plc. Sky News has learnt that Hyve Group is in preliminary discussions with Carlyle about a so-called private investment in public equity – or PIPE

France has suffered a double-dip recession according to revised official figures that showed it had a worse start to the year than previously thought. Europe’s second biggest economy shrank by 0.1% in the first quarter of 2021, sharply revised from an initial estimate of 0.4% growth, statistical agency INSEE said. It was the second consecutive

New rules banning a “loyalty penalty” on insurance will save consumers £4.2bn over ten years – but could also reduce cut-price switching deals, the UK financial watchdog said. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed a ban on car and home insurance renewal quotes being any more expensive than they would be for new customers,

The biggest reforms to the global taxation system in a century are edging closer to reality, with the group of seven leading industrial economies now on the brink of agreeing to a global minimum corporate tax rate, insiders have told Sky News. The unprecedented plans could mean the UK raises billions of pounds in taxes

A surge in pet ownership during the pandemic has helped Pets At Home grow annual store sales to more than £1bn for the first time. Puppy blankets and pet paddling pools were among the products in demand as lockdowns prompted more people to make the “emotional and financial investment” in an animal companion. Britain’s pet

Uber has struck a landmark deal with GMB that will allow at least 70,000 drivers to join the trade union. It is the first time a ride-hailing company in the UK has formally recognised a trade union and entered into a collective bargaining agreement, marking a huge shift from Uber’s position just a few years

Marks and Spencer is stepping up plans to shrink its store network after it plunged to a £201m loss following a year of lockdowns. The retailer, which currently has just over 250 “full line” sites selling clothing and home as well as food ranges, said it was aiming to cut this number to around 180.

Ireland has no plans to increase its corporate tax rate – one of the lowest in the developed world -  the country’s finance minister has told Sky News, which could scupper Joe Biden’s radical scheme for a global minimum rate. Paschal Donohoe said that he had “significant reservations” over plans floated by the US president

Britain notched up £31.7bn of borrowing in April as the costly impact of the COVID-19 crisis stretched into a new financial year, official figures show. The deficit was £15.6bn smaller than in the same month last year – when chancellor Rishi Sunak turned on the spending taps as the first full month of lockdown crushed

Britain must avoid an inflation spike “like the plague”, according to the Bank of England’s chief economist. Andy Haldane’s comments at the Treasury Select Committee come amid evidence of prices surging on many consumer and manufacturer goods throughout the UK economy. The Bank’s chief economist, who is standing down later this summer, voted to curtail

The new Peter Rabbit film has helped UK cinema chain Cineworld enjoy a better than expected reopening weekend, the company said. Cinemas, together with indoor hospitality venues, reopened following lockdown a week ago, subject to social distancing and face mask rules. Chains such as Cineworld, Odeon and Vue have been closed for much of the

A former Brussels lawmaker will on Monday be appointed to a key City post as Britain’s financial services industry strives to maintain its international competitiveness after Brexit. Sky News understands that Dr Kay Swinburne, a former vice-chair of the European Parliament’s influential Economics and Monetary Affairs Committee, is to be named as the next chair

Ian King speaks to the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, about plans to extend the Northern Line Tube service. Plus, hear from PwC’s leader of industry for consumer markets, Lisa Hooker, about figures which suggest retail sales are on the rise. And Nationwide’s chief executive, Joe Garner, joins the show to discuss how the COVID-19

Six English clubs which sparked uproar by secretly agreeing to play in a European Super League (ESL) are braced for showdown talks with the Premier League next week over a punishment that could include forfeiting part of next season’s broadcast income. Sky News has learnt that the clubs and English football’s top flight will hold