Latest news with #RayCollins
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Thousands of ex-Wilko workers to get £100s cash after chain collapsed into administration, union claims
Do you have a money story? We'd love to hear from you please email: money@ PAY OUT Thousands of ex-Wilko workers to get £100s cash after chain collapsed into administration, union claims Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of former Wilko workers will share a payout of £2million following a legal case. The case was taken on by GMB on behalf of thousands of members who lost their job when the discount store went into administration. 1 Wilko employees are set to receive a payout Credit: Ray Collins The GMB union said a judgment handed down by the Employment Tribunal ruled that Wilko had failed to properly consult with workers prior to going bust in 2023. As a result, around 9,000 former staff who worked in a store with 20 or more people will get four days' pay while roughly 1,100 who worked in a distribution centre or support centre role will get 13 days' pay, the union said. It works out at around £200 each. The GMB took the case on behalf of thousands of its members who lost their job when the discount store went into administration. David Bartlett, former Wilko worker and GMB rep, said: 'It has been a long, hard slog getting this money – the very least Wilko workers deserve after the way they were treated. 'In no way will this make up for the stress and anxiety they faced during those dark days in 2023. 'But GMB hopes it will give them a much-needed boost as they move on with their new lives and careers.'
Scottish Sun
12-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Wilko's slashes price of summer garden ‘must-have' that transforms your barbecue into ‘restaurant quality perfection'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WILKO has slashed the price of a summer garden "must-have" that transforms your barbecue into "restaurant quality perfection". With the recent hot weather, outdoor pizza oven sales have soared as garden party hosts look to make amazing meals in the sun. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Wilko has slashed the price of a summer garden 'must-have' Credit: Ray Collins 2 Wilko now has on offer the BBQ Pizza Oven attachment Credit: Supplied But instead of splashing out on a bulky, expensive pizza oven, there's a smarter solution that Wilko now has on offer - the BBQ Pizza Oven attachment. Priced at just £29.99 at the moment instead of £39.99, the attachment amazingly transforms your existing barbecue into a mini pizza oven. Pizza ovens often cost hundreds, making it a great alternative if you're still wanting "restaurant-quality pizza" without "the hefty price tag," Wilko says. Additionally, it works with both gas and charcoal cooking, and it can also be used to prepare meat, fish, and other dishes. The oven comes with a pizza stone and insulation to ensure quick and even heat distribution, resulting in perfectly cooked meals. It's also said to be lightweight and easy to clean with its stainless steel interior. The attachment also comes fully assembled, so there's no hassle in setting it up. But shoppers are warned that the whopping £10 discount on the item won't last, so hurry if you want to buy. Remember, it's always worth shopping around for deals to make sure you get the best price. Similarly, Lidl sells a Grillmeister Barbecue Pizza Oven for the bargain price of £29.99. Stag party orders £150 of Dominos pizza to a moving train The oven can be used on charcoal or gas barbecues and the budget supermarket claims its perfect for creating pizzas with a delicious crispy base. The design features a removable pizza stone and integrated thermostat. For comparison, premium kitchen appliance manufacturer Ninja is selling an artisan electric outdoor pizza oven and air fryer for £299.99. Its pizza oven is a similar size to Lidl's but uses electricity rather than the heat of a barbecue to cook the pizza, with several cooking settings available. The dupe became available in Lidl stores from April 17 for a limited time only. When shopping the supermarket's special deals remember to always check prices against other retailers to ensure you really are getting the best deal. To do this you can use online tools such as or Google Shopping. But you should always have a quick shop around first as you might be able to find a similar product cheaper elsewhere. Prices vary by model, size and retailer so it's worth having a browse elsewhere before you make a decision. Ooni is one of the most popular manufacturers of pizza ovens, but depending on the model you buy it'll set you back between £299.99 and £799.99 - so it's an investment. B&Q's Livingandhome Black Portable Pizza Oven is the cheapest we've found and it costs £141. And remember, it's only a good deal if you were wanting an air fryer in the first place - if you get it just because of the offer, you aren't necessarily saving money.
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pahalgam attack: UK appeals for measured approach, de-escalation
London: The UK has called on all parties involved to take a measured approach and urged de-escalation in the aftermath of the 'despicable' terrorist attacks in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives last week. After an urgent question in the House of Commons, the issue of 'Kashmir: Increasing Tension' was debated in the House of Lords this week with peers from across parties voicing their condemnation of the 'atrocious attacks' and seeking the Labour Party government's stance on rising tensions between India and Pakistan in the region. Provocative incidents during anti-terror protests in the UK were also raised in the House, echoing fears raised in the Commons over community relations between Indian and Pakistani diaspora. 'On Sunday, the Foreign Secretary [David Lammy] spoke to both the Indian Foreign Minister and the Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister. We encourage all parties to take a measured approach,' Lord Ray Collins, a minister in the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), stated on behalf of the government. Follow live updates on Pahalgam attack news: Pakistan to allow stranded nationals cross Attari-Wagah border 'We are urging all international organisations to urge de-escalation and proper engagement to de-escalate the situation... We are aware that India and Pakistan have said they will hold certain diplomatic treaties in abeyance. We continue to monitor the impact of that on the ground in both states. It is critical for all actors and international partners to work to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Indus river system, and we will continue to urge that,' he said. British Indian Conservative peer Baroness Sandy Verma pressed the minister on scenes of a Pakistani diplomat's 'throat-slitting gesture towards Indian demonstrators' outside the country's high commission in London. 'It would be useful for the UK to send a very clear signal that inciting violence by gestures is not acceptable. We would like to know what the UK government will do,' she said. The minister stressed that the purpose of such actions was to divide communities. 'That is why we have to respond in a positive way... we condemned any instances of vandalism and called for protesters to protest in a peaceful and law-abiding way. We urge all to de-escalate the situation. We will communicate that at all levels, diplomatically and with local community leaders,' Lord Collins said. Labour peer Lord Krish Raval asked the minister to spell out and expand on what 'standing shoulder to shoulder with India' would look like following the atrocity in Pahalgam on April 22. 'We are going to work with all international and regional partners to ensure that we try to de-escalate and create the conditions where there can be dialogue, which is not taking place at the moment,' the minister reiterated. Former Foreign Office minister Lord Tariq Ahmad called for more "direct intervention" because the issue involves two nuclear powers that are 'possibly on the brink of not just escalation — let us not mince words — but a real risk of war'. 'The situation is incredibly dangerous, which is why it requires all allies to come together to ensure that we de-escalate and do not get to the situation that the noble Lord described,' the minister responded.
The Hindu
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pahalgam attack: UK appeals for measured approach, de-escalation
The UK has called on all parties involved to take a measured approach and urged de-escalation in the aftermath of the 'despicable' terrorist attacks in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives last week. After an urgent question in the House of Commons, the issue of 'Kashmir: Increasing Tension' was debated in the House of Lords this week with peers from across parties voicing their condemnation of the 'atrocious attacks' and seeking the Labour Party government's stance on rising tensions between India and Pakistan in the region. Provocative incidents during anti-terror protests in the UK were also raised in the House, echoing fears raised in the Commons over community relations between Indian and Pakistani diaspora. 'On Sunday, the Foreign Secretary [David Lammy] spoke to both the Indian Foreign Minister and the Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister. We encourage all parties to take a measured approach,' Lord Ray Collins, a minister in the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), stated on behalf of the government. 'We are urging all international organisations to urge de-escalation and proper engagement to de-escalate the situation... We are aware that India and Pakistan have said they will hold certain diplomatic treaties in abeyance. We continue to monitor the impact of that on the ground in both states. It is critical for all actors and international partners to work to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Indus river system, and we will continue to urge that,' he said. British Indian Conservative peer Baroness Sandy Verma pressed the minister on scenes of a Pakistani diplomat's 'throat-slitting gesture towards Indian demonstrators' outside the country's high commission in London. 'It would be useful for the UK to send a very clear signal that inciting violence by gestures is not acceptable. We would like to know what the UK government will do,' she said. The minister stressed that the purpose of such actions was to divide communities. 'That is why we have to respond in a positive way... we condemned any instances of vandalism and called for protesters to protest in a peaceful and law-abiding way. We urge all to de-escalate the situation. We will communicate that at all levels, diplomatically and with local community leaders,' Lord Collins said. Labour peer Lord Krish Raval asked the minister to spell out and expand on what 'standing shoulder to shoulder with India' would look like following the atrocity in Pahalgam on April 22. 'We are going to work with all international and regional partners to ensure that we try to de-escalate and create the conditions where there can be dialogue, which is not taking place at the moment,' the minister reiterated. Former Foreign Office minister Lord Tariq Ahmad called for more "direct intervention" because the issue involves two nuclear powers that are 'possibly on the brink of not just escalation — let us not mince words — but a real risk of war'. 'The situation is incredibly dangerous, which is why it requires all allies to come together to ensure that we de-escalate and do not get to the situation that the noble Lord described,' the minister responded.
Scottish Sun
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Greengrocer flogging UK's most expensive apples for eye-watering sum as rival scoffs ‘are you serious?'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A GREENGROCER is flogging Britain's most expensive apples — for £15 each. The fruit, flown in by Notting Hill Fish + Meat Shop from Japan, costs the equivalent of nearly £42 a kilo — 14 times the price at a market stall within half a mile. 4 Notting Hill Fish + Meat Shop is selling £15 apples flown in from Japan Credit: Ray Collins 4 Sun man Tom Seaward forked out for the fruit, loved by celebs like David Beckham Credit: Ray Collins 4 The apples weigh about 12oz, roughly twice the size of a braeburn Credit: Ray Collins A melon — also imported from the Far East — will set shoppers back almost £100, while a punnet of extra-large grapes is £80. Despite the eye-watering cost, the West London shop is a favourite with celebrity locals, including David Beckham, 49, and Margot Robbie, 34, while singer Dua Lipa, 29, is also said to be a fan. But Meraj Eshagh, 59, who runs a stall at nearby Portobello Road Market, scoffed at the sky-high prices, saying: 'You must be joking "Are you serious? I have no clue why they'd be selling them for that. "We sell apples for £3 a kilo.' Grown in the Aomori prefecture, 400 miles north of Tokyo, the apples weigh about 12oz, roughly twice the size of a braeburn. They are thought to be Fujis, which usually cost a few pounds online. Yet the fruit is proving a hit — Becks is said to be a regular at the shop, loading his basket with the pricey produce, including the £15 apples and £50 punnets of strawberries. A source said: 'He spends an absolute fortune on the Japanese apples and other fruit — I suppose he can afford it.' One shopper, 56, who comes in three to four times a week to buy groceries and salmon for her dog, said: 'It's delicious. "I would rather spend the money and have a memorable experience." Consultant Kirill Voronin, 30, who travelled from Richmond to pick up his £300 haul, said: 'We've got a lot of stuff. "It's convenient and it's good.' Additional reporting: Harriette Boucher The real reason why supermarkets always put the fresh fruit and veg right by the door
