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Government bids to ease work experience scheme concerns |
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The government will meet companies later as it attempts to draw a line under controversy surrounding its unpaid work experience initiatives.
Employment Minister Chris Grayling will hold talks with dozens of firms. Some want a threat to withdraw benefits from those leaving placements early removed.
Public concern has prompted firms such as Waterstones and Burger King to quit.
Critics call the schemes "slave labour" but ministers insist they help prepare jobless young people for employment.
In recent weeks, campaigners have argued that the initiatives are not voluntary amid concerns participants can lose benefits if they quit their placement before it ends.
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ITV profits boosted by Downton Abbey and X Factor |
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Profits at commercial broadcaster ITV rose by 24% last year thanks to strong advertising on hit shows Downton Abbey and the X Factor.
Profits were £398m in the year to December 2011.
The broadcaster said it gained market share thanks to its digital channels, which include ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4.
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Strong UK CBI retail sales data masks mixed sector fortunes |
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LONDON (Reuters) - Retail sales improved more than expected in February, but masked a strongly diverging trend among retailers as shoppers focused on essentials, a survey by the Confederation of British Industry showed on Tuesday.
The CBI's monthly distributive trades survey's reported sales balance rose to -2 from -22 in January, versus economists' forecasts for -19, in a further sign that consumers are cautiously returning to the shops.
The expected sales balance for December climbed to +2 for March from -10 for February.
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Snow can't stop John Lewis sales rise |
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LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's biggest department store chain John Lewis said sales rose last week as heavy snow prompted its shoppers to switch to the firm's internet offer.
The employee-owned retailer said on Friday its sales rose 4.1 percent to 52.3 million pounds in the week to February 11.
"The start of the week saw the cold wind of winter bite with snow across much of the east and south of the country but overall we had a positive week -- an endorsement of our multi-channel approach as customers chose to keep warm and shop online," said director David Barford.
"The start of the week had the biggest snow impact with a 22.3 percent drop on last year. The remainder of the week saw some great bounce backs with Tuesday (February 7) putting on the biggest increase at 12.8 percent."
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UK inflation rate falls to 3.6% in January |
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Inflation fell sharply in January as the impact of last year's VAT rise was no longer shown in the figures.
Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation in the UK fell to 3.6% in January, down from 4.2% in December, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation - including mortgage interest payments - fell to 3.9% from 4.8%.
VAT went up from 17.5% to 20% in January 2011, pushing up the annual inflation rates that year as a result.
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