New research suggests that children who started primary school during the Covid-19 lockdowns suffered the most lasting developmental impact. The study, led by the University of East Anglia and published in Child Development, tracked 139 children aged 2.5 to 6.5 over several years, assessing cognitive skills such as memory, focus, impulse control, and adaptability –…

BrewDog has been acquired by US cannabis producer Tilray in a £33m deal after the company was put up for sale. AlixPartners said the sale meant 38 venues will close, with the loss of 484 jobs. The future of BrewDog’s 60 UK pubs remains uncertain as negotiations continue for its assets in the US and…

Children could face mandatory night-time social media curfews under plans being explored by Labour, alongside possible age bans and tighter controls on online platforms. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall will launch a consultation examining measures such as switching off addictive features like autoplay and infinite scrolling overnight, strengthening age verification, and restricting access to AI chatbots…

Swiss food giant Nestlé is overhauling its bonus system to reward top performers. The company is introducing six rankings for its employees to determine payouts. Employees deemed “exemplary” will be eligible for a payout of as much as 150% of the bonus target. Those employees given an “unsatisfactory” rating will receive between 0% and 50%…

Tesco plans to cut 180 roles at its Welwyn Garden City headquarters as part of a restructuring aimed at adapting to changing shopping habits and improving efficiency. The supermarket said the proposals will also create around 250 new roles within existing teams, although details have not been disclosed. Chief executive Ken Murphy said the business…

Office landlords in Australia’s major cities are experiencing a boost as over 80% of workers in Sydney and Melbourne are now in the office at least three days a week, exceeding mandated levels. Factors such as enhanced collaboration opportunities and improved office amenities, including gyms and cafes, have motivated employees to return to the workplace…