Author: News Desk

New look to shut stores as Labour’s Budget bites Fashion retailer New Look is set to accelerate store closures and “Chicken King” Ranjit Boparan is pushing supermarkets to swallow big cost increases, as large employers across different sectors grapple with the fallout from Labour’s tax-raising budget. About a quarter of New Look’s 364 UK stores are said to be at risk of closure when leases expire, raising the prospect of significant job losses across its workforce of about 8,000 staff. https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/new-look-to-speed-up-store-closures-as-budget-fallout-spreads-057pcj7fx

Wall Street set for listings rush as private equity sheds holdings Wall Street bankers are gearing up for a revival in initial public offerings as private equity groups seek to tap buoyant US equities markets to offload some of their flagship holdings. Several private equity-backed groups have already filed paperwork with securities regulators for IPOs, including medical devices company Medline and software maker Genesys. https://www.ft.com/content/5dcf3d4e-8e16-470b-b33d-fc73d3043f58

The Daily Telegraph – Musk turns on Farage The Telegraph reports US billionaire Elon Musk has turned on Reform UK leader Nigel Farage – just a few weeks after meeting in the US, where a potential $100 million donation to the party was discussed. Musk seemingly turned on Farage after he failed to back Musk’s calls for far-right activist Tommy Robinson to be released from jail.

The Independent – Starmer to set out plan to end waiting list backlogs The Independent reports the prime minister is set to pledge to get patients faster treatment by creating millions more appointments thanks to greater access to community diagnostic centres and new surgical hubs. The front page features a large image of snow noting it brought travel chaos. Liverpool were held at Anfield last night in the latest Premier League match. A blow for Farage as Elon Musk calls for him to be replaced as leader.

The Times – Starmer’s big plan to slash NHS waiting lists  The Times reports the prime minister will set out plans to ensure that community diagnostic centres are open 12 hours a day, seven days a week, in a bid to slash NHS waiting lists. The front page also reports Elon Musk has called for Nigel Farage to be replaced as leader of Reform UK. The paper also reports on the cold snap and wind farms.

Metro – Transplant cured me of cancer A 32-year-old woman is now cancer-free after undergoing the UK’s first liver transplant to treat advanced bowel cancer, Metro reports. The front page features a dramatic image of both Nigel Farage and Elon Musk. The headline reads: “Musk calls for Farage to be fired.”

The Guardian – Musk says Reform UK needs new leader as he takes aim at Farage The Guardian leads on the epic falling out between Elon Musk and Nigel Farage. The paper notes Musk called for Farage to be replaced as leader of Reform after Farage failed to back Musk on Tommy Robinson. The cold snap has brought travel chaos and some fun to the country, the paper reports.

Daily Mirror – Arctic blast hits Britain  The Daily Mirror leads on the wintry weather conditions hitting the UK and warns that more chaos may be on the way. Elsewhere, Elon Musk’s surprise U-turn on his support for Nigel Farage also makes the front page. The US billionaire has called for Farage to be replaced. The front page has coverage of last night’s Liverpool draw against United.

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes admitted Manuel Ugarte had ‘surprised’ him with his ‘quality on the ball’ after the side’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool. Ugarte produced arguably his finest performance yet in a United shirt as Ruben Amorim’s side came away from Sunday’s Premier League thriller on Merseyside with a valuable point. The visitors carved out a golden opportunity to seal an unlikely victory deep into stoppage time, only for Harry Maguire to balloon his effort over the crossbar from ten yards out. After a goalless first half, Lisandro Martinez sent United’s away support into raptures with an emphatic strike…

Paul Scholes believes Joshua Zirkzee made the ‘wrong decision’ passing to Harry Maguire in the dying moments of Manchester United’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool, denying himself of a Diego Forlan-esque winner. After a difficult start with United, Forlan made himself an overnight hero with a pair of second-half goals at Anfield, which consigned Liverpool to their first home loss in almost a year midway through the 2002/03 season. Zirkzee’s struggles in the early stages of his Old Trafford career have often been compared to those experienced by Forlan, with the Dutchman managing just three league goals since his summer arrival…