Author: Blake Foster

The pilot, which involved 17 companies, ended with a 100% success rate. All of the companies that took part have decided to continue working a shorter working week at the end of the trial. One chief executive praised the pilot and said they “expect that most organisations will be doing this in the next 10 years”. New four-day working week trial has perfect success rate The six-month trial began last November and was organised by the 4 Day Week Foundation. According to a report on the trial, organisations involved were able to maintain service levels and key performance indicators whilst observing several benefits for…

Now Barnet residents are being asked to share their views on the council’s new domestic abuse and violence against women strategy. The draft strategy was developed with Barnet victims and survivors and it attempts to ensure men, boys, transgender and non-binary people also benefit. A Barnet Council consultation, which closes on August 4, outlines the definition of ‘abusive behaviour’ as well as the number of cases reported to the police in Barnet in the last three years.  The draft strategy cites data showing 9,437 domestic abuse cases were reported to the police between April 2022 and March 2025.  During that…

The entrepreneurial youngsters are displaying the fresh fruit and vegetables they have grown at their schools for shoppers at Barking Market on Friday (July 4) if you’re looking for bargain healthy produce. They have been taking part in food education programmes run by the School Food Matters charity, with the blessing of Barking and Dagenham Council’s trading standards team. The two programmes, called Know our Onions and Young Marketeers, give children a chance to grow food from seed with the help of expert gardeners, before harvesting and selling it to the public. MORE NEWS: Children pitch ideas for social change at…

The Elephant Hackney, located off Mare Street, is set to open its doors on July 9. The pub will be offering a menu created by chef Francesco Sarvonio, known for his work at “nose-to-tail” Shoreditch Italian-inspired restaurant Manteca. Hackney’s Elephant pub relaunches with Rum Kitchen’s Stevie Thomas and Chef Sarvonio (Image: lateef.photography) Dishes will include regional Italian favourites and British seasonal produce such as frittatina with peas and basil, ox cheek croquettes with anchovy mayo, and rotating specials like ziti Genovese ragù. Neapolitan pizzas will also feature prominently, with options like the elephant marinara with caper leaves and confit garlic,…

Leah Detheridge from Bartholomew School who won two awards, said: “The award ceremony was amazing. I have really enjoyed this whole process and was excited to be a winner. “This experience has helped me to discover my strengths as a journalist and non-fiction writer and develop my skills in the industry.” Amelie Myhill from Colchester Sixth Form, added: “Having the opportunity to attend the 2025 Young Reporters awards was such a proud moment for me, to be recognised alongside such talented people and a real reminder that young voices do have a place in the big league of journalism.” The ceremony…

As Love Island’s tenth anniversary series heats up in sun-drenched Mallorca, two contestants from London continue to cause a stir, and they’re not just turning heads, they’re turning the whole villa upside down. With shock dumpings, bombshell arrivals, and an all-new ‘Sleepover Villa’ twist, this summer of love has already proven unpredictable. But through it all, two familiar faces from the capital – Dejon Noel-Williams and Helena Ford – are still in the running, and there’s plenty of drama surrounding both. Dejon Noel-Williams – the personal trainer with famous roots Dejon Noel-Williams (Image: Love Island/ITV) Since entering the villa on…

John was found unresponsive by his son, Christopher, on Christmas morning and died days later – a post-mortem did not link his death to the incident but Christopher said he believes Olagunju’s actions contributed to his sudden death.  It has now emerged that Olagunju went on to be employed on a stroke ward at Homerton University Hospital just months after her sacking, with the trust acknowledging it was unaware of the criminal investigation.  Last week Olagunju was given a six-week suspended sentence after Woolwich Crown Court heard she subjected John to violent and degrading treatment including dragging him around by the…

John was found unresponsive by his son, Christopher, on Christmas morning and died days later – a post-mortem did not link his death to the incident but Christopher said he believes Olagunju’s actions contributed to his sudden death.  It has now emerged that Olagunju went on to be employed on a stroke ward at Homerton University Hospital just months after her sacking, with the trust acknowledging it was unaware of the criminal investigation.  Last week Olagunju was given a six-week suspended sentence after Woolwich Crown Court heard she subjected John to violent and degrading treatment including dragging him around by the…

The Priory Tavern, in Belsize Road, Kilburn, will reopen on Saturday (July 5) with former head chef Glyn Bell at the helm. Glyn had opened the pub alongside landlord Joe Smee in August 2023, but Glyn will now be running the watering hole with the support of his brother Gareth and a new bar manager. The change in the management structure sparked the decision to go for a “fresher” new look. Glyn said: “We’ve been running the pub for about two years and have built up an amazing and loyal customer base, but we felt it was time to take a look at what we…

The United Colleges Group (UCG) 2025 Student Awards, held at City of Westminster College and the College of North West London, celebrated a year of achievement, growth and success. The awards honoured students in categories such as Improving Student of the Year, Study Programme Student of the Year, Adult Learner of the Year and a range of Excellence and Impact Awards. Honorary Alderman Jan Prendergast attends the CWC Student Awards (Image: The United Colleges Group) Winners from City of Westminster College in the Improving Student of the Year category were Chelsea Nanat, Samad Iqbal, Tilum Patel, Maria Fernanda Posada Jaramillo, Adnand…