Author: Brian

For the hospitality industry, the last 12 months have been more challenging than anyone could have predicted at the start of the pandemic. Walk down any high street, and the numerous ‘closed’ signs coupled with thin foot traffic help to illustrate the economic impact these businesses have endured. To make matters worse, as more food and drink establishments embrace online ordering and food delivery services, these businesses that are fortunate enough to remain open now…

The Government recently announced that all businesses in England are now able to sign up to receive free rapid coronavirus tests under the government’s workplace testing programme. Businesses of all sizes, including those with fewer than 50 employees, can register to order lateral flow tests for their workers, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said. The department said rapid Covid-19 testing, where results can be returned in under 30 minutes, would help people…

For some time now, nurses have been calling for all UK staff to be given a higher grade of face mask to protect them against new variants of coronavirus. The Royal College of Nursing warned “that inadequate PPE may be putting the lives of nursing staff at risk”. Although some hospitals are offering staff high-grade PPE, many are not – and that is leading to unequal levels of protection depending on where nurses work creating…

GMB Union has evidence underpayment goes back 20 years – it’s ridiculous Yodel has not settled and would rather take its chances at a tribunal  Yodel could face a bill of up to £250,000 as GMB drivers take the company to court.  Up to 500 workers for the logistics giant could have been underpaid for their night shift,  some of them to the tune of £1,000 each.  Initially, a group of 18 night workers found their pay packets short because their overtime allowances were missing.  They contacted their union – GMB…

A voice assistant that supports couriers on their delivery rounds is being trialled in London this month by Hermes UK and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. ‘Neo’ can broadcast or display specific delivery information to the driver, including the type of delivery and the customer’s preferred safe place location to improve efficiencies and provide enhanced support to new or busy drivers with high parcel volumes, in rush-hour traffic or at unknown destinations. The assistant runs on the…

Chancellor Sunak’s promised £65bn spend, at the expense of a new 25% corporation tax, is simply robbing Peter to pay Paul. It’s not enough to save many SME retailers and manufacturers, cautions the home delivery expert ParcelHero The unprecedented national debt created by the impact of the Covid pandemic means Chancellor Rishi Sunak could not produce the Budget to save many struggling SME businesses, fears the e-commerce expert ParcelHero. ParcelHero’s Head of Consumer Research, David…