The US Federal Reserve has increased its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point, moving the target range to 3.75%-4%. This marks the first such rise in three years, as the central bank aims to address persistent inflation.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is set to instruct the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to investigate hidden fees imposed by childcare providers. The move follows concerns that additional charges, such as non-refundable deposits and costs for meals or nappies, undermine government-funded childcare schemes.
The UK brewing industry recorded a net loss of 150 companies last year, with 320 closures against only 170 openings. This downturn marks a significant contraction from a 2022 peak of 2,594 breweries, with the total now standing at 2,320.
Over one million individuals in the UK are now working multiple jobs, a direct consequence of escalating living costs, precarious employment conditions, and fundamental shifts within various industries, pushing more into the gig economy.
