Monday newspaper round-up: Construction vacancies, Tesla, UK manufacturing
By Michele Maatouk
Date: Monday 17 Mar 2025
(Sharecast News) - Rachel Reeves will meet UK regulators on Monday after calling for more action to restrict red tape and spur economic growth. The chancellor argued that government plans would reduce costly delays and disputes, saving businesses billions, and said regulators must accept a more streamlined decision-making process. Reeves is expected to use the meeting to announce more detail on how the government will cut the cost of regulation by a quarter and set out plans to slim down or abolish regulators themselves. - Guardian
Vacancies have increased in the construction industry as well as for gardeners, teachers and maintenance workers, according to a new report. Research by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and data firm Lightcast showed a recent fall in demand for veterinary nurses, delivery drivers and train and tram drivers. - Guardian
Elon Musk's Tesla has been forced to halt sales of its electric Cybertruck pickup amid mounting concern about metal panels falling off the supposedly indestructible vehicles. Customers posting on the Cybertruck Owners Club website - as well as on Mr Musk's own X, formerly Twitter - said they had been told by agents that deliveries were on hold. - Telegraph
A former colleague of Mike Ashley is facing arrest in a long-running dispute with the tycoon over a £3m payment linked to a French golf course. The High Court said it would issue a warrant for Tony Jimenez, who was vice president at Newcastle United football club when Mr Ashley was chairman. Mr Ashley gave the money to Mr Jimenez in 2008 for the purchase of a shareholding in the Les Bordes golf course in the Loire valley, 100 miles south of Paris. - Telegraph
Output in the UK's manufacturing sector fell in the first three months of the year for the first time since 2016 as the industry was battered by escalating global trade tensions and rising business taxes. The industry said production fell for most businesses between January and March, an "ominous" and "highly unusual occurrence" at the start of a calendar year when output is traditionally higher than in the fourth quarter. - The Times
A slowdown in hiring suggests the UK economy could be heading for a recession, blowing a near £15 billion hole in Rachel Reeves's fiscal plans, according to a leading think tank. The Resolution Foundation has calculated that the 0.5 per cent drop in employment over the year to January is consistent with a slowdown "only seen during a recession". It followed the government's decision to raise payroll taxes and lift the minimum wage, causing businesses to hold back on hiring in anticipation of the changes on April 1. - The Times
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