jobs

July 12 (UPI) — The State Department on Friday began notifying 1,353 affected workers of their pending job losses as the department reduces its workforce by 15%.

The people losing their jobs amid the downsizing work in positions that are being eliminated or consolidated, a State Department official told media on Thursday, NBC News reported.

“This is the most complicated personnel reorganization that the federal government has ever undertaken,” the official told reporters during a briefing. “It was done so in order to be very focused on looking at the functions that we want to eliminate or consolidate, rather than looking at individuals.”

The State Department notified 1,107 civil service and 246 foreign service workers of their pending job losses, CBS News reported.

The department plans to eliminate nearly 3,400 positions, including many who have already accepted voluntary departure offers this year.

The State Department also will close or consolidate many U.S.-based offices as part of the reduction in force that is being done in accordance with a reorganization plan, which members of Congress received in March.

The Trump administration says the downsizing is needed to eliminate redundancy and better enable the State Department to focus on its primary responsibilities.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio created the downsizing plan, which he said is needed due to the department being too costly, ideologically driven and cumbersome, The New York Times reported.

The downsizing isn’t going unchallenged on Capitol Hill.

All Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Friday opposed the downsizing in a letter sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“During a time of increasingly complex and widespread challenges to U.S. national security, this administration should be strengthening our diplomatic corps — an irreplaceable instrument of U.S. power and leadership — not weakening it,” the Democratic Party senators said.

“However, [downsizing] would severely undermine the department’s ability to achieve U.S. foreign policy interests, putting our nation’s security, strength and prosperity at risk.”

The Senate Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee include Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Chris Coons of Delaware, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Tim Kaine of Virginia.

The Senate committee’s other Democratic Party members are Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and Jacky Rosen of Nevada.

July 11 (UPI) — Glassdoor and Indeed will cut about 1,300 jobs as their sites intertwine and the parent company pushes for more use of artificial intelligence.

Recruit Holdings owns the two sites. The Japanese company said more Glassdoor operations will fold into Indeed, and the companies will use more AI.

The company said in a statement it is focusing on “simplifying hiring by building a better job seeker and employer experience using AI.” It cited its internal figure that AI helps people find a job every 2.2 seconds, TechCrunch reported. “AI is changing the world, and we must adapt by ensuring our product delivers truly great experiences for job seekers and employers,” CEO, Hisayuki “Deko” Idekoba wrote in an internal memo.

Most job cuts would be in the United States in both companies’ research and development, tech, human resources and sustainability departments. But the cuts will affect all functions and countries, the memo said. Six percent of Recruit’s HR technology division will suffer cuts.

Glassdoor CEO Christian Sutherland-Wong is resigning.

In May, Idekoba said at a JPMorgan Chase technology conference, CBS News reported: “[W]hen we think about HR industry, which is $300 billion-plus industry, but it includes like 60% or 65% of human labor manual cost. It’s very difficult to find that big industry with such a high percentage of human labor manual cost. And so what we believe is, basically, how can we simplify hiring with using AI and technology and data to reduce manual work. That’s what we are focusing on.”

Idekoba said that about one-third of the company’s new programming code is written by AI: “It’s going to be 50% pretty soon.”

Recruit Holdings bought Indeed in 2012 and Glassdoor in 2018, securing two popular platforms that jobseekers use.

It’s not clear exactly how the company will use AI to replace workers.

THE number of summer jobs available has fallen to the lowest level for seven years, as cautious firms cut back on hiring.

Figures from job-matching platform adzuna.co.uk show seasonal vacancies down by 13 per cent on 2024, but there are still more than 20,000 roles on offer nationwide.

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The temporary roles can boost your CV, help you learn new skills and even open up a permanent role.

Adzuna’s Andrew Hunter said: “A summer job might not seem like a big deal, but it’s one of the smartest moves a young jobseeker can make right now.

Beyond the extra cash, these roles offer a chance to build up the kind of soft skills that AI can’t replicate — emotional intelligence, communication, interpersonal skills and teamwork.”

Among the roles which are seeing a surge in hiring are lifeguards, festival crew, theme park assistants and hospitality staff.

Here are Sunemployment’s top tips to land a summer job to supercharge your career . . . 

Seek out a summer role which can lead to long-term work: Not all seasonal roles end when the sunny weather does. Big firms will often have year-round opportunities.

For example, start serving drinks in a beach bar, then move on to an apprenticeship or front-of-house role for a pub or restaurant chain.

Try an alternative industry: They may not seem like an obvious choice, but plenty of sectors from trains, airlines, hotels and coaches to gardeners, warehouses and call centres recruit for the summer.

All of these offer permanent contracts to summer staff.

Use a recruiter: Fed up applying for summer roles then getting ghosted? Recruitment consultants can put your CV in front of hiring managers to speed up the whole process.

Zahida Ahmed joined South Western Railway aged 21 as a temporary event supervisor through Adecco.

Although the initial job only lasted a week, she continued to work through the recruiter and is now a contract consultant with the firm.

Zahida, from Sunbury, Surrey, said: “My summer job was transformative and allowed me to step confidently into the working world and discover a career path I hadn’t considered before.”

Neil Carberry, chief executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, said: “Recruiters can offer people from every background a chance at a job by working at a festival, concert or sporting event this summer, or something calmer in an office, shop or construction site.

“Agency work is a fantastic way to get experience over the summer in ways that suit you — and even kick-start your career.”

HOLIDAY park operator Haven has 1,200 roles on offer. There are positions in areas including food and beverage, activities and leisure, security and accommodation services.

Ed Camp, 28, joined the firm in summer 2019 on a seasonal contract as a commis chef at the Littlesea park’s Mash And Barrel restaurant.

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He was later offered a permanent job and put on the Grow to Team Manager talent programme. He is now the restaurant’s kitchen team leader managing 16 staff. Ed said: “I’m excited to see where my journey takes me next.”

Apply at jobs.haven.com.

SIX TIPS RELATIVE TO WORK

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THIS week saw the Gallagher brothers take to the stage together for the first time in 16 years. While working with family isn’t always so stressful, it may still throw up extra challenges.

Peter Duris, co-founder of Kickresume.com, said: “A family member on your team means having a colleague you can really trust.

“But, as in the case of Oasis, it can also mean spending too much time together or making big, stressful decisions with someone who knows how to push your buttons.”

Here, he shares his advice.

1. Set clear boundaries between your work and personal life: If your co-workers are family, it’s a necessity.

You might choose to use email only for work-related communication, while using your phone’s messaging apps for things like planning your dad’s birthday party.

2. Make sure the fact that you’re family doesn’t shape how you treat each other at work, so you don’t favour family members over others.

3. Keep your professional expectations the same: Never expect more or less because someone is family. Expecting more might make things more stressful and harm your personal relationship.

4. Be mindful of your past: Working with someone who knows you really well can be stressful, especially if there is already some tension between you.

For instance, if you’ve always had a bit of a competitive relationship with your sibling, or maybe grew up feeling like you were compared to each other, working together can be very tricky.

If you find yourself getting wound up, it might help to stop and think, “What am I really annoyed about?” When working on a project together, focus on your shared goals.

5. Consider your policies: Many UK companies have policies relating to family members, such as banning direct relatives being line managers over each other. These help you prevent a conflict of interest when it comes to issues like pay rises or performance reviews.

6. Sort your succession planning: If you work for a family business where multiple generations are involved, take professional advice on succession planning to avoid damage down the line.

MAKE FAST ‘BUCKS

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Starbucks has opened applications for its accelerated leadership programme – a fast track for future store managers.

The course offers a Level 3 management qualification which usually takes three years to achieve – but 20 trainees will be able to get it in 13 months.

Positions are available in major cities including London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Glasgow. No previous hospitality or work experience is required.

Alex Rayner, general manager of Starbucks UK, said: “Whether you’re leaving school or exploring a fresh start, Starbucks is a place where you can work with great people.”

Apply by July 21 at corndel.foleon.com/starbucks/starbucks-learner-hub.

As college athletic departments across the country brace for a new era of sharing revenue directly with their athletes, USC is eliminating a dozen jobs in its athletic department in an effort to reduce costs in the wake of the House vs. NCAA settlement.

Six athletics employees were told late last week that their roles in the department had been eliminated, a person familiar with the decision not authorized to disucss it publicly told The Times. The most senior among them was Paul Perrier, an executive senior associate athletic director, who spent two six-year stints at USC working under three different athletic directors.

Six other vacant roles have also since been eliminated, the person said.

USC is planning to share the maximum of $20.5 million with its athletes that’s permitted by the settlement in 2025, the vast majority of which will go to the football program. That’s no small expenditure — especially for a university in the midst of serious financial issues.

USC, like other schools, continues to explore other revenue streams to help pay for the costs associated with this new landscape of college athletics. USC recently signed a 15-year multimedia rights deal with Learfield that should help ease some of the burden of revenue sharing. Last season, the school sold ad space in the Coliseum end zone to DirecTV.

Some schools have opted to cut sports, in an attempt to reduce costs. But USC has yet to choose that route. Instead, athletic director Jennifer Cohen announced last month that USC would invest revenue-sharing dollars, in some form or fashion, with all 23 of the school’s athletics programs.

A BOSS has been branded as being “beyond diabolical” over the text messages they sent to an employee regarding her maternity leave.

Ben Askins, a UK career expert, regularly shares videos calling out questionable workplace behaviour to his social media sites.

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In a recent post, Ben highlighted an “ugly” response to a pregnant woman’s “reasonable” request for maternity leave where he branded her employer as being in “the top three of the worst bosses I’ve come across”.

Ben shared the text exchange to his TikTok account which has since notched up nearly 590,000 views.

The text message exchange begins with the pregnant employee confirming that her manager had received her “email about maternity leave requests for February”.

The boss then replied: “I saw it, and I wanted to talk to you about it.

“Is there any way you’d consider reducing how long you want to take?

“If you are sure you are going to go ahead with it, would you be open to discussing it all. I am just a bit worried about the costs from our side.”

Clearly taken aback by her manager’s reaction, the female employee tried to justify her reason for taking her legally-entitled maternity leave.

To help ease the situation, she offered to be as helpful as possible to the person who would temporarily filling her position.

She wrote in reply: “Oh ok, um I was kind of hoping to take as much time as possible.

“This is my first child and wanted to get as used to being as parent as possible, especially as my family lives quite far away.”

She added: “I will ensure all my responsibilities are handed over seamlessly and help interview for mat cover but I really do want to take the full amount.”

The boss though continued to badger his employee over the “burden” she was allegedly creating by going on maternity leave.

He wrote: “The challenge is that this is a small company, and it’s quite a burden to have to pay both your mat leave and your mat cover.

“I am just not sure how we can cope.”

The woman though continued to advocate for her rights and even offered to assist her employer while she was off on leave.

She said: “I appreciate that but this isn’t fair to put on me, I am happy to support but I am well within my rights to do this.

“I will try and support however I can, make sure everything is in place for a smooth handover and can also be on call for emergencies if that helps?”

The concerned employee then ended the message by saying: “Is my pregnancy going to be a problem for my role in the company?”

The boss then responded: “Not at all! Your pregnancy is absolutely fine by me, we are a family company.”

However, they then continued: “[J]ust not ideal timing for me that is all. But if you are not going to help out and reduce the time then nothing really further for us to talk about I guess.”

As Ben read out the series of text message in the video, he couldn’t help interject with his own comments about the situation, calling the manager out for their “disgusting” behaviour.

Ben also claimed the boss in this case was “fully aware of what he’s doing”.

He said: “He’s trying to use guilt to basically get her to kind of waive her rights [to take the full length of maternity leave]… because you can then sort of go, ‘Oh no, she agreed with it.”

Ben also added the woman’s request was perfectly “reasonable” and noted she had gone above and beyond by offering additional assistance in regard to the recruitment and handover to her replacement.

The expert also added that it was not the woman’s “problem” the business may struggle financially due to her leave entitlement and it was her right to take maternity leave.

Ben said: “That is not her f**king problem, that is your problem.

“If she’s not an equity holder, she’s not a director in the business, it’s not her company, that is a YOUR problem.”

The clip has gained a lot of attention, along with nearly 1,000 comments, many outraged by the behaviour of the boss.

One person wrote: “This is the kind of boss that makes you start looking for another job while you’re on leave.”

Another added: “She should not even have to justify anything.”

A third said: “The gaslighting and guilt is beyond diabolical.”

Others took issue with the manipulative language used by the boss in the text exchange.

One commenter said: “’Not ideal timing for me.’ Yea, I mean sheesh, couldn’t think of your boss while conceiving your baby?”

Another asked: “Did they just suggest she get an abortion for the sake of the company’s bottom line?!?”

While a third posted: “’If you’re not going to help out’ is an insane thing to say especially after she already stated she’s more than happy to arrange cover and everything else before she leaves.”

From the video, it is unclear what jurisdiction the worker was in, but many commentators noted that maternity leave was a legal employment right in a number of countries, including Australia, and the employee may have grounds to take legal action.

One commentator wrote: “Wow… save this, go to an employer lawyer. Get settlement, enjoy!”

Another opined: “This is a slam dunk mat discrimination case. Employers need to understand that claim awards are potentially unlimited.”

Other commentators used the opportunity to relate their own horror stories about requesting maternity leave.

One person wrote: “I had a line manager refuse to discuss it with me because ‘your baby could still die right up until the end’.”

Another commentator added: “My old manager tried to convince me to have an abortion… they wondered why I didn’t want to go back after having my baby.”

While a third said: “My old boss tried to tell me I only got half maternity time with my second child cos I’d already done the full maternity bonding time with my first.”

While most comments expressed outrage by the response of the boss, there were some commentators who said they understood where the employer was coming from.

One reply said: “Whilst he’s being improper, you can’t avoid the fact that small companies will avoid employing women of childbearing age to reduce costs.”

Another commentator said: “For small businesses, maternity leave – even if protected by law – can have a massive impact on the company, especially if it’s not performing well financially.”

Someone else posted: “[S]o many companies like this don’t like hiring young women because the potential for taking maternity leave is high.”

One comment from a disheartened female worker gained more than 1,600 likes which said: “We’re judged by society if we don’t want kids and then punished by work when we do.

“We’re judged for working 9-5 and having a career with kids but then also judged if we stay home full time with kids. Women can’t win.”

Under the Fair Work Act, all employees in Australia are able to get up to 12 months unpaid parental leave, if they have completed at least 12 months of continuous service with their employer.

The Paid Parental Leave scheme is run by Services Australia which provides financial support to eligible working parents to take time off work so they can care for a newborn or recently adopted child.

Some employees are able to receive parental leave payments from the Australian Government Parental Leave Pay, while others will get employer funded parental leave payments.

In some cases, it is possible a person can receive both.

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July 3 (UPI) — The U.S. economy added seasonally adjusted 147,000 jobs in June despite lower predictions, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Thursday.

The BLS’ monthly jobs report showed a slight uptick over May’s 139,000 increase. The estimate for the July report was 110,000 nonfarm jobs added.

The unemployment rate dipped to 4.1%, which is lower than the expected increase of 4.3%. The rate that includes discouraged workers and part-time workers slid to 7.7%. There are 7 million unemployed people in the United States. The jobless rate dropped due to fewer workers looking for jobs. The unemployment rate has stayed between 4% and 4.2% since May 2024.

According to the BLS, there were job gains in health care (39,000) and state government, while the federal government keeps losing jobs. The government lost 7,000 jobs in June, and employment is down by 69,000 since its January peak. (Those on paid leave or getting ongoing severance are counted as employed.)

People who work part-time for economic reasons was at 4.5 million, which changed little in June. These are people who want full-time work. Those not in the labor force but who want jobs stayed at 6 million.

The number of discouraged workers, those who believed no jobs were available for them, increased in June to 637,000, an increase of 256,000.

Other major industries, like mining, retail and transportation, showed little change over last month.

In response to the news, the stock market rose Thursday.

“The solid June jobs report confirms that the labor market remains resolute and slams the door shut on a July rate cut,” Jeff Schulze, head of economic and market strategy at ClearBridge Investments, told CNBC. “Today’s good news should be treated as such by the markets, with equities rising despite the accompanying pickup in interest rates.”

The U.S. Federal Reserve is likely to leave interest rates as they are.

Nine months ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom pledged to more than double the annual amount of funds allocated to California’s film and television tax credit program.

Flanked by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, legislative leaders and union representatives, Newsom said the state “needed to make a statement and to do something that was meaningful” to stop productions from leaving the state for more lucrative incentives in other states and countries.

Though Hollywood was born in California and the entertainment business became the state’s signature industry, “the world we invented is now competing against us,” he said at the time.

On Wednesday, Newsom signed a bill that will increase the cap on California’s film and TV tax credit program to $750 million, up from $330 million. Industry workers say the boost will help stimulate production that slowed due to the pandemic, the dual writers’ and actors’ strikes of 2023, a cutback in spending by studios and streamers and the Southern California wildfires earlier this year.

“We’ve got to step up our game,” Newsom said in a speech before he signed the bill. “We put our feet up, took things for granted. We needed to do something more bold and significant.”

The bill was passed by the state legislature last week and came after intense lobbying from Hollywood.

Rebecca Rhine, Directors Guild of America executive and Entertainment Union Coalition president, credited Newsom for staying committed to the production incentive boost even after the wildfires in Southern California, federal funding cuts, the state’s budget deficit and the deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles.

“You understand that our industry is vital to the state’s economy and cultural vibrancy, while also sustaining thousands of businesses and attracting visitors from around the world,” she said during the signing ceremony. “Now, let’s get people back to work.”

Critics of the program and taxpayer advocates have said, however, that the tax credit is a corporate giveaway that doesn’t generate as much economic effect as promised. California’s increase also comes as states like Texas and New York have also ramped up their own film and TV tax credit programs.

But the fight isn’t over yet. Lawmakers and Hollywood industry leaders are gearing up for a vote Thursday in the legislature on a separate bill that would expand the provisions of the film tax credit program, which they say is key to making production more attractive in California and must pair with the increased program cap.

That bill, AB 1138, would broaden the types of productions eligible to apply for the program, including animated films, shorts, series and certain large-scale competition shows. It would also increase the tax credit to as much as 35% of qualified expenditures for movies and TV series shot in the Greater Los Angeles area and up to 40% for productions shot outside the region.

California currently provides a 20% to 25% tax credit to offset qualified production expenses, such as money spent on film crews and building sets. Production companies can apply the credit toward any tax liabilities they have in California.

The bump to 35% puts California more in line with incentives offered by other states such as Georgia, which provides a 30% credit for productions.

“This bill is the second step,” Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur said during Wednesday’s press conference. “It’s about maximizing economic impact, prioritizing equity and turning the tide on job loss.”

Newsom also held out hope for the possibility of a federal film and TV tax incentive, which he had floated in May after President Trump called for tariffs on film produced overseas.

“We’d like to see [Trump] match the ambition that we’re advancing here today in California with the ambition to keep filmmaking all across the United States, here in the United States,” Newsom said. “I am hopeful that we, in the hands of partnership, continue to work with the administration.”

The twins who played Ross and Rachel’s baby on Friends have shared where they are now 22 years after the iconic show ended – and they’ve gone down very different career paths

The unforgettable episodes of Friends that took us on an emotional journey with Ross and Rachel, played by David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston. The couple who were famously ‘on a break’ and each other’s ‘lobsters’, also brought us the joy of baby Emma Geller-Green.

Twin sisters Athena Conley and Alexandra Conley were just six months old when they took on the role of the beloved baby from the end of season 8 through season 9. So what actually happened to the actresses who played the tiny tot?

Fast forward to today, and the twins are now 23 years old and thriving. And they look part on their sitcom experience very fondly.

Hailing from Long Beach, California, the sisters landed the part after their mother learned of the audition through a friend in a twins club.

In an interview with People, Athena revealed: “So she told my mom about it and she was like, ‘You should just take your daughters to L.A. just for one day.’ And it wasn’t far from us at all, so she did.”

After having their photos taken at the audition, the twins and their mother were on their way out when they received the news that they had been cast.

They went on to appear in 10 episodes, before being replaced as the show required an older actress to portray Emma as she grew.

Alexandra opened up to People, revealing: “It’s actually crazy because growing up, I always just knew I was on Friends, but I didn’t really know what that meant.

“It didn’t hit me, I think until like maybe like middle school or even like early high school, how big that was.”

The twins have since become “obsessed” with the iconic sitcom and are regular viewers.

Despite their early brush with fame, they’ve stepped back from acting to focus on their new careers as recent university graduates.

Alexandra has made Los Angeles her home, where she’s carving out a career in social media and marketing for a cosmetics company. Her Instagram is a vibrant collage of travel snapshots and snippets of social gatherings with mates.

She’s also quite the dancer, often teaming up with her sister for dance videos. Alexandra’s influence extends to a collaboration with Kim Kardashian’s Skims, which she promotes on her TikTok account.

Athena, on the other hand, has settled in Denver and seems to be thriving in her busy life.

Her professional path has led her to a role as an investment control reconciler at a financial firm. Impressively, she’s also a cheerleader for the NFL’s Denver Broncos.

Alexandra doesn’t hold back in expressing her admiration for Athena, proudly supporting her from the stands and declaring herself her sister’s number one fan.

CHEAP Chinese firms could soon be cut out from government contracts under new rules championing British industry, The Sun can reveal.

Ministers want to prioritise UK-based firms in critical sectors like steel, energy, and cyber, putting them at the front of the queue.

The shake-up would allow the public sector to sidestep foreign tender bids, giving homegrown heroes a bigger slice of Whitehall’s £400bn procurement pot.

Currently, foreign suppliers can undercut British businesses with cheap labour and rock-bottom prices.

But in a push to bolster national security and create jobs across the UK, the likes of British Steel would be prioritised.

Under the new blueprint, now up for consultation, Whitehall departments would also favour British Steel for the £725bn of infrastructure spending earmarked for the next decade.

Meanwhile, firms slow to pay small and medium businesses will be kicked out of the procurement race.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, said: “Strong industry is essential to our national security.

“The new rules being considered will give us the power to protect our national industries, ensuring more money goes to them as we buy goods and services in government.

“Our reforms will boost growth and ensure British industry is supported to deliver national security and our Plan for Change.”

Gareth Stace, UK Steel boss, hailed the move as a game-changer, saying: “The publication of this guidance for steel procurement and the launch of the consultation are unequivocally positive news for the UK steel industry.

“These changes rightly recognise the strategic importance of steelmaking to national security and the vital role of resilient domestic supply chains.”

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KANYE West has resorted to paying wife Bianca Censori to wear her head-turning outfits, a source close to the couple has told The U.S. Sun. 

Bianca, 30, is never shy and has continually shocked onlookers with her barely-there outfits.

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BUSINESS PROPOSITION

But when she stepped out in New York City at the weekend in a scarcely believable candy bra and thong set paired with silver stilettos, Bianca took her wild wardrobe to the next level.

An insider, however, has told The U.S. Sun said that the controversial rapper’s “obsession” with outfit ideas for his wife has forced him to fork out up to $400,000 to make it all happen. 

The sugary set ended up costing Kanye $100,000, per the source. 

The source claimed the idea was pitched earlier in the week and Bianca refused point-blank unless her husband paid up.

Ye, added the insider, is dressing her up in the most extravagant outfits to not only keep his “edgy persona” firmly in the public eye, but to make sure everyone thinks “she’s the sexiest woman alive.”

It’s not the first time Bianca’s body has doubled as a billboard.

Last week in Los Angeles, she strutted through the streets in a sheer nude bodysuit with no bra and furry white boots. 

The outfit left little to the imagination—and jaws on the floor.

“Bianca has figured out how to turn all this into her advantage,” the source told The U.S. Sun. “A lot of the outfits aren’t to her taste. But she tells him she will wear them – if she’s paid.”

PAY TO PLAY

Kanye was reportedly upset initially but is now happy to oblige.

He allegedly wanted to offer his wife of two years a yearly salary. 

But the Australian born beauty prefers to be paid on a “per look or event” basis.

“She’s essentially monetizing her image,” added the source who believes she has made almost $3 million since the arrangement started and was paid $120,000 to join her husband in a naked dress at the Grammys in February.

Bianca allegedly draws the line at anything political and some ideas have been turned down.

She doesn’t want to be tied to some of the distasteful social media posts which have effectively seen Kanye cancelled in most parts of the world.

There was an alleged attempt to wear something with a political message tied to his disgraced friend Sean “Diddy” Combs – but it was shut down immediately.

But the 30 year-old knows just how valuable she is to keeping him relevant and in the spotlight. 

“She knows she’s essential to his image,” the source continued. “She wants her slice of the cake. She’s being smart about it.”

The U.S. Sun revealed in April that Bianca was being approached by numerous fashion houses to work in ambassadorial roles, only for the advances to be knocked back by Kanye. 

And we also disclosed earlier this month that she officially launched her first U.S. company, Bianca Censori Inc.

The paperwork was filed in California, but Bianca registered her full name as a business entity in her hometown of Alphington, one of Melbourne’s wealthiest suburbs.

“She knows exactly what she’s doing,” a second insider says. “She’s turning every outfit into a paycheck. Kanye’s obsessed with styling her, but she’s the one calling the shots. 

“Bianca is a celebrity in her own right now. The truth is he needs her. Without her bold looks and presence, people wouldn’t pay nearly as much attention to him. 

“She is in control and making serious money doing it.”

The U.S. Sun contacted a representative for Kanye and Bianca.

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GRADUATES are facing the toughest jobs market in eight years but some industries are bucking the trend and paying big.

New data from the Indeed Hiring Lab reveals graduate job ads are down 12% compared to last year and even worse than during the pandemic.

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In fact, grad roles are now at their lowest point since at least 2018, as employers hold onto staff and cut back on new hires.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Indeed’s mid-year labour market update shows there are sectors hiring and they’re paying some seriously high wages, with top jobs offering up to £200,000 a year.

Expert Jack Kennedy, senior economist at Indeed, said: “The UK labour market started 2025 with serious headwinds but rather than crash, it’s seen a gradual softening.

“While hiring appetite is weak, job losses have remained modest. The big challenge now is for new entrants like graduates, who are finding it tough to get a foot in the door.

“But sectors like education and real estate are still hiring in big numbers and roles offering flexibility, like hybrid or remote jobs, are holding up too.”

Here, we reveal the fastest-growing job sectors in the UK right now and the top salaries workers could earn.

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Education & instruction – up 49%

The education sector has seen the biggest increase in job postings, with demand up by 49% compared to pre-pandemic levels. Top earners in this field can make up to £77,250.

This surge is largely due to a national shortage of teachers, particularly in subjects like science, maths and special education.

With government initiatives encouraging more people to enter teaching, there are more opportunities than ever, not just for qualified teachers but also for teaching assistants and support staff.

Entry-level roles such as teaching assistants, cover supervisors, and graduate trainee teachers are also in high demand,

Social science – up 48%

Closely following education, social science roles have grown by 48%. The top 1% of salaries reach £82,500, with many positions available in areas like policy research, community development, psychology, and criminology.

Graduates with degrees in sociology, psychology, and public policy are finding more roles in local government, charities and think tanks.

Real estate – up 45%

The real estate sector has posted a 45% rise in job listings. It’s a lucrative industry too, with top earners bringing in £109,513.

The UK property market remains resilient, with growth in both commercial and residential lettings.

Many graduates can break into the industry through roles like lettings negotiators, property administrators, and junior estate agents, where commissions can quickly boost take-home pay.

Legal – up 27%

Legal roles have seen a 27% increase in demand, with the best-paid positions offering up to £96,348.

This growth is being driven by a backlog of court cases and rising demand for legal advice in areas such as employment, family law, and corporate compliance.

Law graduates, paralegals and legal support staff are in demand across both private firms and public sector bodies.

The legal sector has also seen growth in remote roles, making it more accessible for early-career professionals.

Mechanical engineering – up 18%

Mechanical engineering continues to be a growth area, with a hiring increase of 18%. Top salaries in this field can reach £84,775.

As the UK focuses more on infrastructure, robotics, and renewable energy projects, mechanical engineers are needed in sectors ranging from automotive to aerospace and manufacturing.

Those at the start of their careers might look at field service technician roles, control panel engineering, or graduate engineer positions, especially as the UK invests in EV infrastructure and smart grids.

Insurance – up 16%

Insurance roles have grown by 16%, with elite earners making around £106,125. The industry is modernising rapidly, with tech and data transforming how insurers assess risk and handle claims.

There’s strong demand for underwriters, analysts, and customer service professionals.

In particular, graduates with business, finance or maths degrees are in high demand in this sector, which offers clear career progression and high long-term earning potential.

And while that figure might be reserved for senior underwriters and actuaries, graduates can start out as claims handlers, underwriting assistants, or admin support staff, with many firms offering structured progression and paid qualifications.

Electrical engineering – up 16%

Also seeing a 16% growth in hiring, electrical engineering is a thriving sector thanks to the UK’s transition to smart technologies and renewable energy.

The best-paid roles can command salaries of £79,832. This field is vital to the roll-out of electric vehicle infrastructure, energy storage systems and smart homes.

Engineers with experience in circuit design, automation or grid systems are particularly sought after, making it a smart career move for STEM graduates.

Dental – up 14%

The dental profession has surged by 14%, and it tops the salary chart with the highest pay of any occupation listed: £200,726 for the top 1%.

Both NHS and private practices are struggling to recruit and retain dentists, dental nurses and hygienists due to a backlog of patients and a shortage of qualified staff.

This shortage has turned dentistry into one of the most lucrative and in-demand fields in the country right now.

There are also entry-level routes such as dental nurse apprenticeships, receptionist roles, and dental technician traineeships, especially in larger NHS or private clinics.

Physicians & surgeons – up 13%

Medical professionals are also in high demand, with physician and surgeon roles up 13% compared to pre-pandemic levels.

These roles offer some of the highest salaries, with top professionals earning up to £175,181.

This field remains highly competitive and requires years of training, but the financial and societal rewards are significant.

Installation & maintenance – up 13%

Installation and maintenance roles are booming, with postings up 13% and top salaries reaching £191,100.

This includes jobs in facilities management, HVAC systems, smart home installation, and more. As buildings become more complex and technology-driven, skilled tradespeople are crucial.

Production & manufacturing – up 12%

The production and manufacturing sector has grown by 12%, although it offers lower top salaries, maxing out at £56,965.

Still, it remains an essential part of the UK economy, especially with the rise of local manufacturing and automation.

There are growing opportunities in logistics, factory management and machine operation.

Cleaning & sanitation – up 10%

Although it may not be the highest paying sector, with top salaries around £31,607, cleaning and sanitation have seen a 10% rise in job postings.

Hygiene has become a permanent priority in the post-Covid world, driving consistent demand across hospitals, offices, schools and transportation.

These roles are often stable and provide entry-level access to the workforce.

Loading & stocking – up 7%

Loading and stocking jobs have increased by 7%, with top salaries reaching £35,604.

Warehouses and logistics centres are scaling up operations, especially with the continued growth in online shopping.

These roles are essential for ensuring supply chains run smoothly and are often available with minimal qualifications.

Construction – up 5%

Construction hiring is up 5%, and top earners can make around £54,508.

While this is a smaller increase than in other sectors, the construction industry remains key to the UK’s infrastructure goals, including new housing and public transport projects.

Tradespeople, site managers and qualified builders remain in steady demand.

Industrial engineering – Up 1%

Industrial engineering has only seen a 1% increase in job postings but still boasts high potential salaries, with the top 1% earning £152,152.

This field involves optimising systems and processes in industries like manufacturing, logistics and energy. It’s a niche but highly specialised career path that tends to reward experience and technical expertise significantly.

Where the jobs are drying up

Not every sector is faring as well. Graduate jobs in media, marketing, and nursing are way down, with job ads in those fields dropping as much as 66% since before Covid hit.

The fall in nursing roles is particularly stark, which is likely a result of tough working conditions and recruitment struggles within the NHS.

Likewise, industries with strong remote-working potential like media and marketing have seen some of the sharpest declines.

Across the UK, there were 818,000 job vacancies between September and November 2024, but fewer of those are entry-level.

The ratio of unemployed people to vacancies has more than doubled in the last two years,  from 1 in 2022 to 2.2 per vacancy as of April 2025.

London and the South East have seen the biggest drops, with job ads down 29% and 32% from pre-pandemic levels.

With jobs harder to find, some are questioning whether university is still worth it.

Going to uni now costs an eye-watering £68,000, and the average grad in England leaves with £43,700 of debt.

Many students will be paying their loans back for up to 40 years under the new Plan 5 and Plan 2 schemes.

And while some degrees can lead to six-figure careers, others lead to average pay of just £19,000 – meaning graduates may struggle to get on the property ladder or start a family.

However, you don’t always need a degree to land a top-paying job.

Recent research by Adzuna found that some of the highest-paying roles in 2025, including air traffic controllers, train drivers and project managers  can pay over £77,000 a year without a degree.

And with sectors like AI, trades, and real estate booming, there’s plenty of opportunity for career changers or school leavers to cash in.

A UK airport has closed for good after 95 years to make may for thousands of homes – despite fears the area is “contaminated”.

The privately-run airport shut on June 6 after a developer served notice on the operator of the site.

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The Vistry Group, which owns Tollerton Airfield In Nottingham, plans to build 1,600 homes and a school at the site.

Home to Nottingham City Airport and a number of other businesses, the site also provides a landing zone for the air ambulance.

Vistry served notice on operator Truman Aviation to vacate the site, but said it would continue to provide a landing zone for the air ambulance during the initial phase of development.

The site’s closure follows a year-long battle from campaigners against Vistry.

Campaigners believe that more than 1,200 aircraft containing radioactive materials were burnt and buried at the ex-RAF base leading to contamination.

Concerns were raised after campaigners found evidence that the ex-RAF base in Nottinghamshire had been used after the Second World War to dismantle hundreds of Lancaster Bombers and other aircraft that contained glow-in-the-dark dials made out of radium -226.

Site owner Brian Wells, who was sent notice to vacate the area in March, previously said developers were “determined to have everywhere shut down for when they came to planning”.

“We agreed we’d have two to five years here before they would take over,” he told NottinghamshireLive. “They even suggested they could keep one runway open for us.

“But the main board of developers say they’ve had enough of all these people protesting and decided to shut it down sooner rather than later.”

He added that “it’s very sad” how things have developed much quicker than hoped for, and said the closure will mean “numerous redundancies”.

The airfield dates back to the 20th century, when it was home to several flying clubs, and then as a commercial airport until the late 1940s.

During World War 2 it was acquired by the Air Ministry and became RAF Tollerton.

What would happen if the site is contaminated?

Campaigners for the airport have referred to other cases where ex-RAF airfields like Tollerton were used as “burn, bash, and bury” sites and then deemed potentially hazardous.

If the grounds were disturbed, an extensive clean-up process would have to be done.

An example of this is Dalgety Bay, Fife, Scotland, a stretch of coastline used for the same purposes as Tollerton AIrfield.

Traces of radium-226 found in the ground required a two-year clean-up project at the site. Other examples include RAF Newton, RAF Carlisle and RAF Kinloss.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “Our Environment Agency officers advised Rushcliffe Borough Council (the planning authority) in May 2024 that a condition of planning permission is that developers have a plan in place to identify and deal with the risks associated with potential contaminants.

“In addition, we have advised that the site will need to be assessed for potential contaminants at routine stages as the development progresses.”

Rushcliffe Borough Council has confirmed applications for the site include initial land contamination assessments.

A spokesperson for Rushcliffe Borough Council said: “We are aware of the previous uses of the wider site, including the airfield and the potential for land contamination associated with these uses.

“Both current applications for the site include initial land contamination assessments”.

APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions.

Here, Karren gives her expert career advice to a reader who wants to sell their artwork.

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Q) At the age of 53, I’ve taken up painting, and I think I’m pretty good.

I mainly paint landscapes, and would like to see if I could make some money out of selling art.

My dream would be to retire early and live off the proceeds of my paintings before drawing my pension, though I don’t know how doable that is.

My biggest problem is that I don’t know where to start with selling paintings.

I use a computer for my office job, but I’m not very technically minded and I realise I need to create a website if I want to get my artwork seen.

But what else do I need to think about?

Pamela, via email

A) It’s fantastic that you’ve discovered a real passion for painting, and even better that you’re dreaming big and thinking about turning it into something profitable.

Don’t worry about jumping into building a website just yet – there are easier, more approachable ways to get your art seen.

Start small – take some good photos of your work (make sure you use natural light) and open an Instagram account.

The platform is free, simple to use and a great way to test the waters and see what reaction your paintings get.

I’d also suggest joining local art groups on Facebook, as I’ve seen so many people connect, sell their work and get advice that way.

Platforms like Artfinder and Etsy are also worth looking into, plus don’t underestimate the value of a local craft market to get face-to-face feedback and build your confidence.

Most importantly, make sure you sign your work and keep a log of each piece.

Finally, try to speak to other artists whenever and wherever you can – people are often more helpful than you might expect.

Ryan Losasso and Jade Beaty, 30, are now known as Live The Dash and travel across the world filming their exploits for their TikTok account, which is followed by 505,000 people

A couple quit their desk jobs and now travel the world full-time after discovering what they had captured on holiday.

Ryan Losasso and Jade Beaty, 30, are now known as Live The Dash, one of the biggest UK travel creators with 505,000 followers on TikTok. They live a life many dream of, getting paid to whizz around the world to intriguing destinations.

The advertising workers had not planned to become full-time TikTok content creators. In fact, it wasn’t until they returned from a big six-month trip at the turn of the Covid lockdowns that they realised what they were sitting on.

“We had all this video content when the world shut down, and we had a lot of time on our hands. So we turned to this huge stock of footage,” Ryan told the Mirror. “We set ourselves a challenge of posting a video every day for 30 days. Then when some of that did really well, it spurred us on. We continued to post every day for six months.”

Do you have a travel story to share? Email [email protected]

READ MORE: Tourist warning to 10 million as Europe’s hottest capital on alert

Jade added: “It was surprising how quickly we got through that content. On a walk in Spain, the videos were doing quite well, and we realised we were going to run out of content soon. We started joking that we’d start going on trips.”

At first, the couple juggled their desk jobs with travel, booking themselves onto the cheapest flight out after they clocked off on a Friday and returning on Sunday. Two years ago, they decided to go full time. The risk has clearly paid off, as Jade and Ryan are among the most watched travel TikTok channels and won the platform’s Travel Award for 2024.

Part of the secret to their success is putting in the research hours before they go on a trip and then only travelling when they’ve landed on a great idea. That might be heading to New York to see if the hallowed ‘dollar slice’ of pizza can still be purchased, or around the UK in search for a genuine 99p 99 whippy.

They’ve also spent the night on the fastest sleeper train in the world, which rushes snoozing passengers from Hong Kong to Shanghai. “Was it amazing? The tech is amazing, but you’re sharing with three other strangers. It reaches 270 mph, but it’s super smooth,” Ryan explained. “For TikTok specifically, we have our hooks before we go. We film all we can, we film the journey, we film two intros, two hooks. We bet on all the horses.”

The search for something new that will engage their audiences takes the pair to places they might otherwise not have visited, which often turn out to be the most enjoyable.

READ MORE: Brits warned of travel chaos as European airport hit by 10th walkout in 45 daysREAD MORE: Huge number of Brits face holiday chaos as travel firm loses licence

“Somewhere I wasn’t expecting much from was Weston-super-mare. It had a lot of cheap whippies. It is obviously a faded Victorian seaside town, but the beach is gorgeous,” Ryan said.

Jade added: “We also like to hunt out weird hotels. We stayed in a cow cabin with unlimited free milk, near Ed Sheeran’s hometown, called Easton Farm Park. We also stayed in these huge tree houses in Derby.”

The old adage of ‘if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life’ seems true in the couple’s case. They still have the travel bug and are hugely excited by their trips. Part of that means pushing themselves to engage with people they meet along the way.

“We have this rule that whenever we’re on the plane, we have to speak to the person next to us. One guy told us ‘do what excites you’. Six years later, we still tell ourselves that. We call it Conrad’s message.”

The couple also recommends running every day and practicing good communication for travelling couples who want to avoid arguments while on the road.

In terms of finding inspiration, they recommend using the adjustable ‘For You’ feed on TikTok. It is now possible to customise content preferences so you can see more or less of certain content in topics from over 10 categories – including travel, sports, nature, and food and drink

An AI-powered ‘smart keyword filter” that allows users to limit content they don’t want to see’.

“The For You feed is the heart of TikTok, a way for us to discover new content. We use the new features, manage topics, and think it’s really cool that you can filter which topics you want to see more or less of.”

BANISHING mould from your home can feel like a never-ending chore.

From constant bleaching to pricey products that don’t work, there’s loads of stuff out there, but more often than not the mould returns.

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That was cleaning whizz Nicola’s experience until she discovered a product that actually works and stops mould from coming back.

Taking to Instagram, Nicole explained how the Mould Magic gel worked wonders in her new home.

“If you haven’t seen this before you need to get some, it works on so many different surfaces but I used it mainly on grout in the bathroom,” Nicola explained.

In the viral clip she showed what the bathroom looked like when she first moved in, and sure enough the walls were covered in mould.

The formula is especially easy to apply because it comes in a tube with a nozzle designed to get into those hard to reach places.

Not only that, but according to Nicola the formula is also non-drip, so you don’t have to worry about it slipping and sliding away.

After a couple of hours the product can then be wiped away, leaving your bathroom mould free.

“The mould never comes back,” the cleaning whizz added.

Unsurprisingly, fellow cleaning fans were wowed by the before and after snaps of the bathroom.

One commented on the clip: “It’s brilliant for washing machines too.”

“Oo, thanks I’ll be getting this,” another said.

“Omg we recently got mould in out shower and it’s right in the grout so this will be great,” a third chimed in.

Meanwhile, others wanted to know if the product would work on painted walls and Nicola revealed she’d tried Mould Magic there too and was impressed with the results.

The product can be bought online for as little as £9.95 too, so it won’t break the bank.

More mould cleaning tips and tricks

Use household items

If it’s too late, and any condensation has had a chance to flourish and turn into mould, you can start removing it for nothing.

Natalie, from Which?, said: “A few drops of washing up liquid mixed with warm water can work on smaller areas of mould on hard surfaces like walls or floors.

“Use a sponge, cloth, or brush to work the soapy solution in small circular motions over the mould.

“If you’re trying to remove particularly stubborn mould, try a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and warm water and pour it into a spray bottle to target the affected area.”

If you’ve got a bit more in your budget, you can try buying mould or mildew remover from your nearest supermarket or retailer.

You can get it as cheap as £1.20 from B&M or £2.50 from Dunelm, at the time of writing.

Call in the professionals

You can usually treat smaller patches of mould yourself, but if the problem has gotten out of hand, you might need to call someone in.

Natalie said: “If you find new mould growing quickly in other areas of your home, or the affected area becomes too large to handle, it may be time to get professional help.”

Checkatrade says it costs £25-£35 per hour or £200-£400 per room to call someone in for mould removal.

Meanwhile if you want a specialist to come and take a look to inspect for any mould, that will cost you around £50-£300.

PIZZA Hut is rolling out new digital ordering screens across all 136 of its dine-in restaurants, a move that could make over 100 staff members redundant.

The pizza chain, which employs 3,000 staff, is set to cut 120 front-end roles as part of the shake-up.

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The new terminals at the front of restaurants will make it quicker for customers to order.

A letter to staff at risk of redundancy said: “Over the coming months we are introducing new customer-facing technologies across our restaurants, including digital ordering through QR codes and the installation of in-store kiosks.

“These changes are designed to enhance the customer experience and allow guests to be more self-sufficient when dining with us.”

Other chains such as Wetherspoons and Nando’s have already installed similar screens or offer QR code ordering from the table. 

Emily Curtis from DC London Pie, which owns Pizza Hut UK’s dine-in restaurants, explained that the decision to cut jobs is due to more than 60% of in-store orders now being placed digitally.

She said the company has invested heavily in new technologies to keep up with changing customer preferences.

“As part of this journey, we are adapting our staffing model, particularly in our front-of-house teams,” she added.

“While these decisions are never easy, they are necessary to ensure we continue meeting customer expectations and stay competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace.

“We are committed to supporting affected team members and will work closely with those impacted to help them find new opportunities within the wider Pizza Hut network.”

The dine-in arm of the restaurant was rescued by private equity firm Directional Capital, which created DC London Pie Ltd to take over the franchise.

It saved 3,000 jobs and saw the closure of one restaurant.

It is separate to the delivery side of the chain, which is owned by Yum! Brands, the US firm that owns KFC. 

Pizza Hut first arrived in the UK in 1973 and quickly became a favourite with diners.

At its height, the chain operated over 260 restaurants nationwide, employing 10,000 staff and welcoming three million customers each month.

Some of its most notable creations include the introduction of the pan pizza in 1980, the stuffed crust in 1995, and the re-launch of the pan pizza as the grand pan in 1998.

Pan pizzas are baked in a deep, oil-coated dish, giving the crust a deliciously crispy, golden edge and a lightly fried texture on the bottom.

Like many businesses, Pizza Hut faced challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. 

To manage its financial difficulties, the company entered into a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) – a deal with lenders to cut costs and stay afloat.

At the time, Pizza Hut had over 240 locations across the UK but was forced to close 29 branches as part of the restructuring plan.

HOSPITALITY WOES

The hospitality sector has struggled to bounce back after the pandemic, facing challenges including soaring energy bills, inflation and staff shortages.

In January 2023, Byron Burger fell into administration with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.

Around 12 branches were saved in a rescue deal with Tristar Foods, which is owned by Calveton.

The Restaurant Group (TRG), which owned Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquito and Wagamama, shut dozens of sites in the same year.

It then went on to sell its Frankie & Bennys and Chiquito brands to Cafe Rouge owner The Big Table group in September 2023.

Italian restaurant chain Prezzo also closed dozens of sites in the same year.

In April 2024, Tasty, the owners of Italian restaurant Wildwood and Dim T, a pan-Asian restaurant, announced plans to exit 20 loss-making restaurants.

In the same month, Whitbread revealed plans to slash its chain of branded restaurants across the UK.

Meanwhile, TGI Fridays was forced to close 35 locations immediately after falling into administration last October.

However, 51 restaurants were rescued through a last-minute pre-pack deal with private equity firms Breal Capital and Calveton UK.

SUPERMARKET chain Iceland is closing two stores starting in days as shoppers share their devastation.

The frozen food specialist is shutting a location in Margate on the Kent coast on June 21.

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Meanwhile, a further branch will close for good in Inverness, Scotland, on July 12.

The retailer said in a statement that staff at both sites have been offered roles at surrounding stores “where possible”.

But news of the closures has still been met with heartbreak from locals and shoppers.

One, posting on Facebook about the Margate closure, said: “Margate is losing everything bit by bit.”

Another added: “Can the town centre get any worse with empty buildings.”

Commenting on the Inverness branch shutting, one shopper said: “Very sad to hear this news.”

Another chipped in: “I’m so gutted.”

The closure of the Inverness branch means there will no longer be any Iceland stores in the Scottish city.

The nearest Iceland store will be in Aberdeen while there is a Food Warehouse, run by Iceland, in Inverness’s Telford Street.

It’s not the first store closure made by Iceland in the past few months.

It pulled down the shutters permanently on its site in Welling at the start of the year.

A site in Borehamwood and another in Exeter permanently shut around the same time.

The latest closures means Iceland has shut more than 20 stores since the start of 2023.

It’s worth bearing in mind retailers often shut branches in underperforming areas and open them where they think they’ll get more footfall and sales.

For example, it’s not all bad new for Iceland as in 2024 it announced plans to open more of its Food Warehouse format stores across the UK.

Food Warehouse stores, run by the Iceland Foods Group, are generally larger than Iceland shops and usually found in retail parks.

OTHER RETAIL CLOSURES

The retail sector has struggled in recent years due to the onset of online shopping and lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic.

Higher inflation since 2022 has also hit shoppers’ budgets while businesses have struggled with higher wage, tax and energy costs.

The Centre for Retail Research has described the sector as going through a “permacrisis” since the 2008 financial crash.

Figures from the Centre also show 34 retail companies operating multiple stores stopped trading in 2024, leading to the closure of 7,537 shops.

This was the highest number of stores affected in a calendar year since the Centre started collecting this data in 2007.

On top of these more than 7,500 stores, over 11,000 independent shops closed in 2024.

This is in addition to almost 7,800 independent stores that closed in 2023.

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A BELOVED cafe that served customers classic English breakfasts for nine years has been forced to close due to the cost of living.

The owner said it is “impossible to carry on” in the current climate.

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Traditional cafe Deb’s Diner in Birmingham posted the sad update on Facebook.

“It is with great sadness that Deb’s Diner has closed it doors for the very last time.

“Due to ill health and the current cost of living crisis, it has become impossible to carry on so we have decided not to renew our lease.

“We would like to thank all of our customers for their continued support over the last nine years, it’s been a wonderful journey.”

Customers commented to express their sadness and to send best wishes.

It comes after the Chancellor’s hike to national insurance contributions and minimum wage for firms kicked in at the start of April.

The NI rise has hit investment, recruitment and prices.

Businesses were dealt the £25 billion ‘Jobs tax’ raid at the Budget with the increased contributions as confidence among entrepreneurs taking a hit.

From April 6, businesses  have to pay a higher rate of employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) of 15% from 13.8%.

The threshold at which they are paid is also being lowered from £9,100 to £5,000.

The Government confirmed it was making the changes in its Autumn Budget last October in a bid to increase revenue.

It also said the move meant it wasn’t increasing taxes for working people.

However, it will have an impact on shoppers and everyday consumers as businesses look to pass on the additional costs.

Figures show that almost a third of businesses affected by the hike are planning to cut jobs or freeze hiring.

It comes on the back of 160,000 part-time retail jobs are on the cusp of going in the next two years due to a rise in Labour costs.

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A MAJOR fashion chain is preparing to close another store ahead of a restructuring which has placed up to 230 stores at risk.

River Island will shutter a branch in Banbury on June 28, giving customers just a few days to say their goodbyes.

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A social media post revealed the tragic news, with locals in the area branding the move as “depressing”.

One resident of the area said: “Soon won’t be any big shops open in Banbury, getting like a ghost town.”

Another shopper added: “If people stopped buying online it wouldn’t happen.”

While a third added: “Gutted…..love River Island.”

The fashion brand, which has been sported by Paris Fury and Cat Deeley, has quietly closed a number of stores in the past few months.

A branch in Willows Place, Corby closed in April and a separate site in Vicar Lane Shopping Centre in Chesterfield closed in the same month.

The Sun has contacted River Island for a comment.

News of the closure comes days after it was revealed that up to 230 of the retailer’s stores are at risk.

The retailer is set to undergo a restructuring due to tough trading conditions.

The owners of River Island have brought in advisers from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to come up with money-saving solutions, reports Sky News.

The proposals are expected to be finalised in a matter of weeks, though sources have reportedly claimed no decisions have been approved on the retailer’s future.

Accounts for River Island Clothing Co for the year ending December 30 2023 showed the firm made a £33.2million pre-tax loss.

Then the turnover during the following 12 months fell by more than 19% to £578.1million.

In January, River Island hired consulting firm, AlixPartners, to undertake work on cost reductions and profit improvement.

However it is now understood PwC has now taken over.

TROUBLE FOR BRITISH FASHION BRANDS

A rise in online shopping coupled with Brits having less money to spend at the till has created problems for fashion brands.

New Look has closed a number of stores in the UK and it’s entire estate in the Republic of Ireland.

Bosses at the women’s fashion brand have blamed hikes to National Insurance for the move.

Earlier this year, Select Fashion closed 35 branches across the UK after it entered into liquidation.

Ted Baker was also forced to close over 30 stores last year after it went bust.

HOBBYCRAFT will shut nine stores in days with huge closing down sales launched.

Sites across Bristol, Dunstable, Borehamwood and Basildon are all set to close on June 21, The Sun can reveal.

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A further two sites in Essex and one in Gloucestershire are also set to close, with a site in Kent closing earlier this year.

The impacted stores are part of at least nine Hobbycraft stores that have been earmarked for closure this year.

News of the closures has come as a blow to locals in the area, with Bristol residents describing it as a “shame”.

While another said the store would be missed and they needed to find another “rainy day activity”.

A Kent local said: “Oh noooooo it’s the only one I go to regularly as the rest are too far away!”.

Another resident said they would “need therapy” following news of the closure.

Closing down sales have also been launched across the stores, with up to 70% off on some items.

It comes as new owner Modella Capital is launching an overhaul after buying Hobbycraft in August last year.

Modella also agreed to purchase WHSmith’s high street business earlier this year.

The move is set to impact between 72 and 126 jobs.

It is said the shake-up will help secure the future of 99 stores and around 1,800 jobs across the arts and crafts business.

You can check out the full list of stores earmarked for closure below.

• Canterbury, Kent – closed 
• Basildon, Essex – June 21
• Borehamwood, Hertfordshire – June 21
• Bristol, Imperial Retail Park – June 21
• Dunstable, Bedfordshire – June 21 
• Epping Forest, Essex – June 21
• Lakeside Shopping Centre, Essex – June 21
• Cirencester, Gloucestershire  -June 21
• Bagshot, Surrey – June 21

OTHER STORE CLOSURES

Hobbycraft is not the only retailer facing hard times.

Up to 11 Original Factory Shops stores are to set to close this month, including sites across Worcestershire, Durham and Cumbria.

Meanwhile, another five stores across Nairn, Market Drayton, Troon, Blairgowrie and Castle Douglas have been put up for sale.

It comes as part of a major restructuring carried out by new owner Modella Capital with a number of loss-making stores having to close as result.

You can see the full list of store closures here:

• Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire – June 26
• Perth – June 28
• Chester Le Street, County Durham – June 28
• Arbroath, Angus – June 28
• Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire – June 28
• Pershore, Worcestershire – June 28
• Normanton, West Yorkshire – June 28
• Peterhead, Aberdeenshire – June 28
• Shaftesbury, Dorset – June 28
• Staveley, Cumbria – July 12
• Middlewich – TBC

The following stores are also up for sale:

• Nairn
• Market Drayton
• Troon
• Blairgowrie
• Castle Douglas

It comes after pivate equity firm Modella bought The Original Factory Shop back in February and has since launched a restructuring effort to renegotiate rents at 88 TOFS stores.

At the end of April, Modella drew up plans to initiate a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) for TOFS.

Companies often use CVAs to prevent insolvency, which could otherwise result in store closures or the collapse of the entire business.

They allow firms to explore different strategies such as negotiating reduced rent rates with landlords.