Government must end post-referendum workplace uncertainty, says ACAS boss
The Government must do more to end uncertainty for employees across the UK by explaining what impact Brexit will have on workplaces, the head of employment relations service Acas has warned.
Sir Brendan Barber said in his New Year’s Day message that he is also keen to make sure companies are prepared for new rules forcing businesses to reveal the differences in pay between men and women from April.
Acas was particularly busy in 2016, mediating in both the public and private sectors.
Barber said the organisation “continues to conciliate in disputes between groups of employees and their employers, and 2017 looks set to be another busy year”.
He also believes the gig economy – where workers at firms such as Deliveroo and Uber are classed as “self-employed” but must follow strict rules – will be a major issue for workplaces this year.
Domino’s set to deliver the goods
As the hangovers from celebrating the start of 2017 begin to kick in, the UK’s biggest pizza delivery chain Domino’s is expected to cook 300,000 pizzas for one million customers, while food delivery firm Just Eat predicts half a million homes will order a takeaway.
Both companies believe today will be the busiest day of the new year, with Just Eat expecting Manchester to be the takeaway capital of the UK.
Man has Dominos Pizza delivered to his train
The firm will be particularly keen to win over hungry customers, with the business facing stiff competition from rival delivery businesses Uber Eats and Deliveroo, although last month it went on a £300million spending spree, snapping up rivals Hungry House and Skip The Dishes.
Domino’s had a strong 2016 and hopes the 416 pizzas expected to be ordered every minute today will not dampen expectations. Chief executive David Wild said: “We always find New Year’s Day to be one of our busiest days of the year, as millions of people put their feet up to unwind after ringing in the new year.”
Spencer reflects on mixed year
Former Tory Party treasurer Michael Spencer has seen his private investment vehicle IPGL suffer a third year of losses, ending a mixed year in which his inter-dealer brokerage ICAP merged with Tullett Prebon, but during which he was also blocked for a peerage.
Spencer’s IPGL, which has a 16 per cent stake in ICAP, saw a £4,000 loss in 2015 spiral into a £15.8million loss in the year to end of March 2016, according to the latest accounts filed with Companies House. Turnover also fell from £80million to £32million.
A major donor to the Conservatives, Spencer may not be so generous in future after David Cameron’s resignation honours list recommended him for a peerage, only for parliament to block the appointment.