EXCLUSIVE The sinister taxi driver loophole being exploited by grooming gangs all over the country so they can abuse young girls... as councils admit they have 'no power' over the drivers and can't track them: SUE REID
In Portsmouth, 240 miles to the south, the minicab trade was thriving too. The bustling Royal Navy seaport boasts a historic dockyard, where Admiral Nelson's HMS Victory attracts thousands of visitors who use the same type of 'private-licensed taxis' to reach the 18th-century flagship from the town centre.
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South Wales Argus
9 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
When is the best time to go to the supermarket in the UK?
It could be that you're gearing up for a BBQ, doing the weekly shop or already preparing for the back-to-school return. However, for those of us who prefer a less crowded supermarket trip, then the summer chaos can be off-putting. Richard Price, supermarket shopping expert at Britsuperstore, has analysed in-store patterns and shared the best (and worst) times to shop during the summer break. The retail expert has also looked at which days and times are best to shop and what to avoid, including the "danger zones" like bank holidays and sunny Friday afternoons. What is the best time for shopping? Mr Price says that Tuesdays to Thursdays, 7–9am, are the quietest windows, and contrary to popular belief, Sundays aren't always the worst. In fact, late Sunday afternoons can be 'surprisingly calm', especially during hot weekends when families head outdoors. He explained: 'During the school holidays, the usual rhythm of supermarket shopping changes significantly. "Without the structure of school drop-offs and work routines, footfall becomes more unpredictable and often increases in volume. 'Families are more likely to shop together, which can slow down the overall pace in-store, while better weather and spontaneous days out mean more last-minute purchases.' Below, Britsuperstore details the best time to go the supermarket for low crowds during the school holidays: Monday 7-9am Tuesday 7-9am or 7-9pm Wednesday 7-9am or 7-9pm Thursday 7-9am or 7-9pm Friday - avoid after 3pm, early morning if needed Saturday - avoid - busy most of the day Sunday - late afternoon (3-5pm), but limited stock UK Supermarket Rankings 2025 Worst time to go to the supermarket in the UK On the other end of the spectrum is the crowded periods, where families may be stocking up for a weekend getaway or garden party. High-risk times to avoid during the school holidays, according to retail experts: Midday to early afternoon (11 am–2 pm) This is prime time for families heading out to shop after a slow summer morning. Expect queues, buggies, and kids in tow, especially in supermarkets near parks, leisure centres, or popular day-out spots. Late afternoons (3–6 pm) With no school run, this time becomes a key window for after-nap or post-activity shopping. Parents often pop in for dinner bits, and teens on summer break head out for snacks and drinks. Friday evenings and weekends Still peak times for big shops and BBQ/pre-weekend stock-ups. In summer, warm weather adds to the rush as people prep for garden gatherings and last-minute staycations. Recommended Reading: Summer bank holidays (like late August) Expect reduced opening hours, packed aisles, and more people shopping ahead of family events or mini-breaks. The Saturday and Sunday before a bank holiday Monday are especially busy. Mr Price added: 'Planning your food shop around these shifting patterns, rather than sticking to your usual schedule, can help avoid queues, reduce stress, and even lead to fresher stock and better availability.'
The Sun
10 minutes ago
- The Sun
Save 55% off viral Trip drink former Made In Chelsea star Sophie Habboo is obsessed with
THERE is a new drink flying off the shelves and dominating Tik Tok feeds... TRIP's Wild Strawberry drink has become a must for fridges across the UK, and even by Made in Chelsea favourites Sophie Habboo and Millie Mackintosh say they are obsessed. The new TRIP Wild Strawberry drink isn't just getting hype from celebrities, since its launch in partnership with Calm (the world's leading mental wellbeing app), it's become a bestseller on TikTok shop across Europe. The tasty blend of wild strawberry is infused with magnesium and lion's mane, an ideal go-to for anyone looking to unwind, switch off, or simply swap their usual lunchtime Diet Coke. For a limited time, you can save 55% off your first TRIP Wild Strawberry drink purchase when you sign up for a subscription using the code: SUMMER55 at the checkout at until midnight on August 13. For every can of TRIP you buy, you'll also get a free Calm Premium membership, a feel-good bonus that makes your drink choice more than just a summer refreshment. By signing up for a subscription, you can opt to get a 12-, 24- or 48-pack delivered to your doorstep every four, six or eight weeks, and can cancel at any time. The mindful TRIP range also includes cucumber mint and blood orange rosemary flavours. You can also find cans in major retailers like M&S, Selfridges, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Waitrose. Former Made In Chelsea stars Sophie Habboo and Millie Mackintosh are among the drink's biggest fans. Millie has been spotted sipping hers during work breaks, and Sophie has taken things a step further, not only shouting about it online but backing it financially too. The reality TV star and podcaster announced that she had invested in the brand at the end of last year, making it safe to say she's all in with TRIP. Other notable fans include UK influencer Grace Beverley and model Ashley Graham. Online, fans have taken to the reviews to share their thoughts. One happy customer shared: "Love it! Absolutely the best of the Trip range - in my opinion. "Although, I do like the others, this is the one for me." Another wrote: "It has a lovely flavour and helps me relax in the evenings instead of a couple of glasses of wine!" While another commented: "Yummy! This is my new favourite TRIP flavour. Drinks brand TRIP has teamed up with leading mental wellbeing app, Calm, to create the new TRIP Wild Strawberry drink. The refreshing drink is a mix of juicy wild strawberries, botanicals, magnesium and sparkling water, for the perfect summer tipple. You can save 55% off when you sign up for a regular subscription, which provides an initial 45% off and an extra 10% on top. You'll then get 35% off future orders. Use code: SUMMER55 at checkout before 11:59pm on 13/08/2025 to claim the deal. Terms and Conditions: Use this code to get an extra 10% off your first subscription, across all of our products on our UK website. This means that you can get up to 55% off our drinks. Only applies to your first subscription product.
Telegraph
10 minutes ago
- Telegraph
WFH makes us productive, civil servants claim
The majority of civil servants have claimed that working from home makes them more productive, a new poll has found. Seven in 10 mandarins have said that they believe remote working has had a positive effect on Whitehall, according to a YouGov survey of civil servants. Respondents said that working from home had a particularly positive impact on the ability to 'attract and retain talent' as well as on employee satisfaction More than three-quarters of civil servants (79 per cent) said they believed it had a positive impact on employee productivity. YouGov conducted a survey of 101 civil servants about how they felt Whitehall was working, with a particular focus on working from home practices. When asked to suggest a working from home policy they felt most appropriate, half said that Whitehall should mandate one or two days in the office. Nearly a third (30 per cent) believed that the most appropriate policy is to allow all civil servants to work from home as much as they want. The rules for office attendance within the civil service mean that mandarins should spend at least 60 per cent of their working hours in the office or on official business elsewhere. The rule was brought in under the Conservatives, but has continued under the Labour Government. Over half of civil servants also told YouGov that remote working has had a positive impact on public service delivery, and 50 per cent said it had benefitted policy development and decision-making. The demand for civil servants to be working face-to-face with colleagues for three days a week was met with criticism from some civil servants. A survey conducted by the FDA union found that more than three quarters felt an enforced turn to the workplace was not 'beneficial'. Chancellor prefers office Rachel Reeves has previously said that she 'leads by example' in the Treasury by going into the office, claiming that she was 'reaping dividends' from face-to-face working. It comes amid ongoing concerns about the productivity of the public sector, which fell by 0.3 per cent in 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The Telegraph revealed in April that more than 2,000 public sector workers were allowed to work from foreign holidays in order to extend holidays or visit partners abroad. YouGov also found that 59 per cent of respondents to their survey said that the Whitehall civil service is performing well, more than the 40 per cent of MPs who answered similarly in a previous YouGov poll. Last December, the Government awarded a 2.8 per cent pay rise to senior civil servants, along with teachers and NHS staff.
