Several companies from the hospitality sector have said that they will work with the government to provide paid employment as well as work experience and training opportunities for 18 to 24 year olds who are not in education, work or training. Companies including Whitbread, Marriott, Parkdean Resorts, Haven, Fuller’s, and De Vere, will commit to 100,000 paid jobs over three years, offering young people the chance to gain skills, confidence and experience. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat...

Consumer card spending grew 1.8 per cent year-on-year in September – the smallest uplift since February 2021, and well below the 9.9 per cent rise in consumer price inflation – as Brits cut back on discretionary purchases in response to rising living costs. However, the arrival of autumnal weather has encouraged Brits to spend more time enjoying evenings at home, resulting in a boost for at-home categories such as takeaways and digital content. Data from Barclaycard, which sees nearly half of...

After decent growth in the first fortnight of the month, average sales in managed venues in the week to Saturday 26 September were down by 0.9% from the equivalent period in 2025. The following seven days, to Saturday 3 October, brought a year-on-year drop of 1.1%. The latest figures indicate that millions of consumers remain cautious about their spending amid concerns over rising costs. Sales in the second half of last month may also have been softened by patchy weather in some parts of the...