Author: Loveworld UK

A plumber has won a landmark legal case that is likely to have widespread implications for workers on self-employment contracts. Gary Smith, who worked for London-based Pimlico Plumbers full-time for six years, took his case to the Supreme Court, over his entitlement to rights such as sick pay.The five Supreme Court justices rejected an appeal by Pimlico Plumbers against a number of court rulings that determined he could claim “worker” status, even though he was described in his contract as a “self-employed operative”.Announcing the decision in London, Lord Wilson said an employment tribunal was “entitled to conclude” the firm could…

The rate of inflation was unchanged last month at 2.4% despite a surge in fuel costs, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said higher transport costs exerted the most upwards pressure on the Consumer Prices Index measure during May amid steep rises in oil costs this year.However this effect was offset, the number-crunchers added, by easing prices for games, domestic electricity, food and non-alcoholic beverages, and furniture and furnishings. Image: The ONS said some food costs are falling back ONS head of inflation Mike Hardie said: “Recent large rises in the cost of crude oil have…

Dixons Carphone says it has been the victim of an “unauthorised data access” in which millions of customer bank card details were targeted over the past 12 months. The company believed there were attempts since last July – only discovered over the past week – to compromise 5.9 million cards in one of its processing systems for Currys PC World and Dixons Travel stores.It said there was currently no evidence of any fraudulent use of the information – with the vast majority of the cards having chip and pin protection.However, Dixons Carphone said it had notified card providers to 105,000…

Perhaps now the international community will admit just how badly it underestimated Kim Jong Un. When the almost unknown young man ascended the throne of North Korea in 2011, his hair awkwardly styled to resemble his grandfather’s, he was laughed at and some wondered how long he would last.The patronising grins started to fade when the senior officials that Mr Kim had inherited from his father began to disappear and were replaced by younger men close to the new leader. They faded further when he began to test missiles. By the time he had had both his uncle and his…

North Korea’s state media has reported that Donald Trump has “expressed his intention” to lift crippling sanctions against the country – despite the US president saying that they will remain until “nukes are no longer a factor”. Donald Trump met Kim Jong Un for a historic summit at a luxurious Singapore hotel on Tuesday, with both leaders signing a deal regarding the “complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula”.But it had always been Mr Kim’s goal to rid his country of US sanctions and, according to the state-run KCNA news agency, that is exactly what he achieved.Following the “meeting of the…

Wage growth weakened to 2.8% in the three months to April though there was a strong increase in the number of people in work, official figures show. The data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show pay is still increasing more quickly than inflation.But the pace of regular wage growth – excluding bonuses – has slipped back after reaching 2.9% in the previous month’s set of figures – which was the best increase since 2015.It could further douse expectations of an interest rate hike this summer – already dampened by indications of sluggish economic growth after a first quarter…

Former EastEnders actor Leslie Grantham is reported to be in a critical condition in hospital. The 71-year-old actor has recently returned from Bulgaria where he has lived for several years.Doctors are now said to be treating him, and close friends from the industry have been visiting his bedside, according to The Sun. Image: Grantham pictured with his on-screen wife – Angie Watts, played by Anita Dobson A spokeswoman told The Sun: “It’s true that Leslie is very poorly.”When contacted by Sky News, a representative for Grantham asked for the privacy of family and friends to be respected.The actor played EastEnders’…

Troubled high street retailer New Look has slumped to a £234m annual loss but says its turnaround is on track as it seeks to switch focus from edgy fashion to offer basic cheaper clothes. New Look’s results also showed an 11.7% fall in UK sales, underlining the difficulties facing the business after it earlier this year agreed a rescue plan with creditors that will see 60 stores close.The figures for the year to 24 March showed that losses widened compared to the year before when the business was in the red by £17m.Executive chairman Alistair McGeorge said the period had…

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has updated its official position on breastfeeding and says mothers who choose not to breastfeed should be ‘respected.’ In its new position statement it says: “If, after being given appropriate information, advice and support on breastfeeding, a woman chooses not to do so, or to give formula as well as breastfeeding, her choice must be respected.”The college has, for many years, insisted that women who have chosen to artificially feed their babies should have their decision respected but now they want that approach to be more prominent.The RCM’s main ‘Breast is Best’ position has…

Donald Trump was “desperate to be seen to be in charge” as he met Kim Jong Un in Singapore, according to a body language expert. Analysing the historic handshake between the two leaders and the moments they shared afterwards, Paul Boross said the US president “tried to take over” during their “very, very staged” first encounter.He told Sky News: “Trump and Kim – they are not playing to each other, they are playing to their audiences back at home, they’re very clear about the messages they wanted to give.” 1:07 Video: The final pat: Trump-Kim power play Mr Boross spoke…