Naman Ramachandran The proposed privatization of U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 could become a reality by the spring of 2023 as the government has decided to go ahead with the process.
18.03.2022 - 23:09 / dailyrecord.co.uk
P&O Ferries has been blasted in an scathing letter by the UK Business Secretary who has warned the company they could be facing "criminal" offences and an unlimited fine for laying off hundreds of workers.
Kwasi Kwarteng told the firm that it acted "appallingly" in its treatment of its staff.
The letter, also signed by business minister Paul Scully and addressed to chairman Robert Woods, accused P&O Ferries of being happy to receive a pay out from the British taxpayer from the Furlough scheme but unwilling to abide by employment rules.
P&O Ferries sacked 800 workers over a video call on Thursday to replace them with agency crews.
The UK Government is now looking into whether it broke the law.
Downing Street today warned of "ramifications" and warned it was "too early" to say whether the firm acted lawfully by replacing workers with agency staff.
Asked by the Mirror if it broke the law, P&O today insisted it followed "standard industry practice" by offering "enhanced severance terms" to those affected and "properly compensating them for the lack of warning and consultation.".
The Business Secretary's letter stopped short of saying the company would have to pay back £10m of furlough cash it received during Covid.
But it warned: "It is particularly depressing that this should happen given the millions of pounds of British taxpayer support P&O companies received from the furlough scheme.
"It cannot be right that the company feels tied closely enough to the UK to receive significant amounts of taxpayer money but does not appear willing to abide by the rules that we have put in place to protect British workers."
Firms must by law notify the Insolvency Service - and consult with staff - if they plan to make more than 20 staff redundant
Naman Ramachandran The proposed privatization of U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 could become a reality by the spring of 2023 as the government has decided to go ahead with the process.
CANBERRA, Australia -- An eclectic array of celebrities including singer Elton John, golfing legend Greg Norman and champion surfer Kelly Slater paid tribute on Wednesday to their friend, former Australian cricketer Shane Warne, at a star-studded state memorial service.More than 50,000 mourners chanted their hero’s nickname “Warnie” at the outset of the service at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as they used to do when he took to the pitch for a match.It was his hometown pitch where he cemented his sporting legend in 2006 by becoming the first bowler in the world to take 700 test wickets.Warne’s death at a Thai resort of a suspected heart attack on March 4 at the age of 52 made headlines around the world.The pain was felt far beyond the cricket world. Tributes came from the fields of music, acting, business, golf, politics, surfing, comedy, poker and others.Elton John dedicated a rendition of “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” to Warne’s children — Brooke, Summer and Jackson — who were among the crowd that included Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.John and fellow British musicians Ed Sheeran, Robbie Williams and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin appeared on a large screen via video.
Video: Will Smith punches Chris Rock at the Oscars (The Independent)China in 'significant jeopardy' if it aids Russian attack on Ukraine, says BidenUkrainian orphans arrive in the UK from PolandHarrowing drone footage shows extent of Tornado damage in LouisianaWatch live as Boris Johnson speaks after NATO leaders meetingPrince William expresses ‘profound sorrow’ at slavery during Jamaica visitPrince William sets up Raheem Sterling goal as pair enjoy kickabout in JamaicaPensioner says she's 'frightened to put the heating on' amid cost of living crisisWar in Ukraine: One month on from Russia's invasionVolodymyr Zelensky urges millions to protest as he calls for worldwide Ukraine supportGay couple adopts dog abandoned for ‘being gay’Harry Styles announces new album 'Harry's House'Trump dismisses climate change as 'a thing called weather'Warehouse worker panics as he realises he's live on BBC BreakfastPrince William and Kate Middleton scuba dive along world’s second-largest barrier reefAsh Barty: world number one announces shock retirement from tennisNasa video shows global temperatures rise over last 140 years Read more MasterChef fans call for show to 'stop using' phrase about Solihull's Pookie "If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report. "About 45 minutes later, when accepting his first Oscar for best actor for his role in King Richard, Smith apologized to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and his fellow nominees in a tear-filled speech, but not to Rock.
P&O Ferries has made 800 members of staff redundant with immediate effect, the firm has confirmed. The company said that it was not currently a “viable business”, facing losses of £100m.
Former glamour model Katie Price has been charged for allegedly harassing Kieran Hayler’s wife-to-be, Michelle Pentecost. In the wake of the charges, the 43 year old will appear in court when she returns to the UK from Thailand, where she’s currently holidaying with fiance Carl Woods. Kieran and Katie were married between 2013 and 2018, and share two kids together; eight year old son Jett and daughter Bunny, seven.
Australian cricketer Shane Warne had just completed a 14-day 'extreme' liquid diet before he died of a suspected heart attack, friends say. The 52-year-old was with pals at the luxury Samujana Villa resort in Koh Samui, Thailand, when he was found unresponsive in his room about 5pm local time on Friday.Thai police earlier confirmed an autopsy found he died of "natural causes" and a full summary will follow.
WATCH: Summer Warne makes a TikTok with her dad ShaneAs the country mourns his incredible life, we are looking back at his whirlwind love story with British actress Elizabeth Hurley."I feel like the sun has gone behind a cloud forever. RIP my beloved Lionheart," Liz penned on Instagram in the wake of his death.The pair met at the races in July 2010, and when pictures surfaced of them kissing in London their love became official to the world.Fans of the actor and cricket player witnessed their flirty Twitter exchanges, including a particularly sweet one where Liz tweeted, "Oooh … you're such a caveman.