Union membership among young workers is experiencing a significant decline, marking a global trend known as the de-unionisation of the young. In the UK, government statistics reveal a sharp decrease, with only 4.3% of workers aged 16 to 24 being union members in 2021, compared to 19.8% in the 25 to 34 age group. This decline is part of a broader shift that has seen collective bargaining coverage decrease from 80% of the British workforce in 1980 to around 30% in the 2000s. The drop in union membership is not necessarily due to young professionals viewing unions more negatively than…
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The allure of social media influencing has captured the aspirations of up to 1.3 million young individuals in the UK. A 2019 poll revealing that children preferred being YouTubers to astronauts brought attention to the growing desire to earn a living through creating online content. However, beneath the glossy exterior of the influencer lifestyle lies a landscape of precarious income, pay disparities based on gender, race, and disability, and a range of mental health issues, according to research conducted by experts in the field. The global influencer market, estimated at $13.8 billion (£11.2 billion) in 2021, has seen individuals like…
A team of scientists at Harvard University has made a significant breakthrough in battery technology that could revolutionize the electric vehicle (EV) industry. The researchers from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have developed a groundbreaking “solid-state” battery that boasts swift charging capabilities, lasting at least 6,000 cycles, and is considered a potential game-changer for the electric transportation sector. The recent Arctic weather in the United States highlighted challenges faced by some EV owners, such as fast-draining batteries, slow charging, and concerns about performance in sub-zero temperatures. Despite these issues, new research from a Norwegian breakdown service indicates…
The iconic Woolworth brand, which ceased operations in the UK in 2009 amid the financial crisis, might be poised for a comeback. Roman Heini, the Chief Executive of HH Holding, the company that rescued Woolworth in Germany, has expressed intentions to explore the possibility of bringing the beloved retailer back to UK high streets. HH Holding played a pivotal role in saving Woolworth in Germany after the closure of its British shops in 2009. Mr. Heini, who has an extensive background in executive positions at Aldi and Lidl, took the helm as Woolworth’s Chief Executive in 2020. Despite the challenges…
Tech giant Apple is currently embroiled in a legal battle in the United Kingdom, as it seeks to dismiss a significant lawsuit valued at approximately $1 billion. The case, filed by over 1,500 app developers and estimated to be worth up to £785 million ($998 million), alleges that Apple imposed unfair commissions, reaching up to 30%, on third-party developers for app and content purchases through its App Store. The legal challenge is being led by Sean Ennis, a competition law professor and former economist at the OECD, and has been presented before the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) in London. Ennis…
In a recent Fox News town hall, former President Donald Trump openly expressed his satisfaction at overturning Roe v. Wade, attributing this significant move to the appointment of three conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court. Trump, who is making his third bid for the Republican presidential nomination, engaged in a discussion about his anti-abortion stance and its potential impact on the upcoming 2024 election. The town hall, held in Des Moines, Iowa, featured Trump responding to a voter’s question about his commitment to opposing all abortions and how his stance compared to that of his campaign rival, Florida Governor…
Tensions flared on ITV’s ‘Peston’ programme as Ian Hislop, a familiar face on ‘Have I Got News For You,’ confronted former Tory chairman Jake Berry regarding the government’s sluggish response to the Post Office IT scandal. The scandal, arising from the faulty Horizon computer system, led to the unjust conviction of numerous sub-postmasters for fraud and false accounting. The atmosphere grew heated when Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced emergency legislation to clear the names of those affected by the scandal. However, this move prompted scrutiny over the government’s delayed actions and the timing of their intervention. Hislop, renowned…