The UK Pulse The Pulse of the UK

Family calls for ‘Adrian’s law’ after former Vodafone manager’s death

Adrian Howe’s family are urging the government to introduce “Adrian’s law” after he was found drowned days before his Vodafone franchise was due to open.

4 min read

Kirsty-Anne Holmes with a photo of her father which is in a frame on a tabletop beside her. She is 39 and has long, curly blond hair. Adrian Howe is smiling in the black and white photo.

Primark cuts prices to lure shoppers in online price war

Primark is cutting prices on hundreds of items as it faces pressure from Shein, Temu and other rivals. Analysts say the move is meant to pull in value-focused shoppers.

5 min read

Shoppers, not in focus, walk past a Primark store in London

Rental searches for pet-friendly homes fall after law change

Rightmove data shows searches for pet-friendly rentals fell by more than 50% in May and June after England changed rules on pets in rented homes.

5 min read

A domestic cat peeks out from behind some furniture

ADHD is reshaping workplaces, and employers are under pressure

A tribunal award to a Lidl manager with ADHD highlights how rising neurodiversity diagnoses are reshaping workplace disputes and employer obligations.

13 min read

A retro modular style office set-up showing four desks and computers partitioned. The image has a red square background, a beige frame and a green dot

BuzzBallz packaging labelled unrecyclable despite green claims

BuzzBallz packaging has been described as unrecyclable by experts, despite the brand’s website claims. BBC reporting found the plastic-and-metal format cannot be recycled in the UK.

6 min read

A young woman with long strawberry-blonde hair wears sunglasses and pouts at the camera, she is holding a white BuzzBallz container to her face. She is wearing sunglasses and a lace top with multiple necklaces on. Behind her is a London Transport Tube station sign and a pink brick wall.

Water bosses’ pay rises despite bonus ban and public anger

Water company bosses’ pay rose to £25.3m despite a government bonus ban, with Anglian, United Utilities and others using retention and allowance payments.

7 min read

The South West Water Countess Wear sewage treatment works in Devon

Democrats attack Trump’s new tariffs as a tax on Americans

Democrats and some Republican allies criticized Trump’s new tariffs on more than 80 countries, while Brazil, markets and US officials reacted to the move.

15 min read