Number of workers on zero-hours contracts hits record high

The government is set to announce its intention to build a new rail link between Birmingham and Manchester, the BBC understands. Previous plans for the HS2 high-speed rail line had included a line between the two cities, but that part of the project was scrapped by Rishi Sunak’s government. On Wednesday, the government is expected…

Carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has confirmed that output at some of its manufacturing sites will resume on Wednesday, as it continues to recover from a serious cyber-attack. Its production lines have been at a standstill since the start of September, following the attack. The phased return of staff will begin at some sites in…

A food bank has said the number of people asking for its help has tripled. Ludlow Food Bank in Shropshire said on average it helped 28 people per week, but last week that had shot up to 84. It is appealing for more donations, particularly of tinned goods like soup and baked beans. “Our poor…

A takeaway owner has delivered a thousand presents to children across his city this Christmas. Arfan Mohammed, the owner of Sizzlers Fastfood, has donated a pound from every order to buy presents for children who might otherwise not receive one on Christmas Day. Pupils at Our Lady and St Benedict Academy are some of the…

Charlotte EdwardsBusiness reporter, BBC News Getty Images Pizza Hut is to close 68 restaurants and 11 delivery sites in the UK with the loss of 1,210 jobs, after the firm running them fell into administration. DC London Pie Limited, which operates Pizza Hut’s UK restaurants, appointed FTI Consulting as administrators on Monday. However, Pizza Hut’s…