The future of Homebase, Britain’s second-biggest DIY chain, will be decided within days as its Australian owner nears the end of its cataclysmic foray into the UK retail sector, casting fresh doubt over thousands of jobs. Sky News has learnt that advisers to Wesfarmers, the Sydney-listed company, received final …

Another set of results from Marks & Spencer (M&S), almost inevitably, brings with it talk of ‘transformation’ or stepping up the ‘pace of change’ in the business. Luc Vandevelde, the former executive chairman, spoke at the half-year results in September 2000 about the need to “step up the pace …

Uber says it is to provide a range of protections for its drivers and couriers as it tries to demonstrate it is a responsible member of the so-called gig economy. The ride-hailing app, which is battling to secure its operating licences in London, York and Brighton amid safety concerns, …

Marks and Spencer (M&S) has revealed steep falls in annual sales and profits, hours after accelerating its store closure programme. The chain reported pre-tax profit in the year to 31 March came in 62% down on the previous year at £66.8m. While its bottom line was hit by £321.1m …

It is not just in the workplace that women suffer from the gender pay gap – girls also lose out when it comes to being rewarded for helping around the home. A survey of 500 people by Santander found that a third of parents pay children for doing household …

Marks & Spencer is braced for a financial hit of up to £300m from an expanded store closure programme that reflects brutal trading conditions on the British high street. Sky News has learnt that the retailer will announce as part of its annual results on Wednesday a huge charge …

Tesco is to close Tesco Direct, its non-food website. Tesco Direct sells a range of general merchandise, including technology, homeware, clothing and toys for delivery or collection. The supermarket giant has determined “there is no route to profitability for this small, loss-making part of the business”, according to a …

Mark Carney has claimed the Brexit vote has left households £900 worse off, describing the sum as “a lot of money.” The governor of the Bank of England made his remarks while giving evidence of a committee of MPs, stating his belief that the effects of the EU referendum …

A London-listed investment firm is on the brink of winning a £1.2bn race to participate in Britain’s biggest-ever software takeover deal. Sky News understands that Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) is likely to strike a joint agreement to buy Iris, which supplies software to GP surgeries across the UK, in …

Prokil, Franchise Manager Alex Marsango, himself a qualified surveyor talks to BBC Radio Solent about the growing trend in housing to add further value by going down into the basements of houses and commercial properties when space around is limited. Prokil not only work on damp and timber problems, …