News

Tesco’s new deal: Good or bad?

Published

10 years ago

June 22, 2016

TESCO, who have 2,620 stores throughout the UK and 14 within the Herald’s coverage area, are to slash wages for many employees by the time they receive their next pay cheques, which is hidden by a blanket increase to wages nationally, staff say.

The Herald was contacted by a current employee of the retail giant who found out about the cuts earlier this year after working for the company over the last two decades.

They explained that although across the board staff are to receive very slightly higher wages, those who work unsociable hours and Sunday shifts will be detrimentally effected.

THE CUTS

The cuts will come in the form of bonus reductions; staff will no longer receive double time for Sundays and Bank Holidays, and those working night shifts and overtime hours will no longer receive the same increases, with some staff claiming they’ve been told overtime will be paid at the standard hourly rate.

On Sundays and Bank Holidays, the formerly doubled pay will be reduced to just time and a half, a reduction of 25%.

The employee who contacted The Herald notified us that they thought the increases to staff wages were only being implemented to mask the reductions which the retailer is making, to allow the national media to hide that staff are going to suffer from the changes.

THE INCREASE

Nearly a quarter of a million Tesco store staff will receive a 3.1% increase in basic pay this year under a new ‘deal’ that includes the cuts to holiday and night-time bonuses.

Established staff at Tesco will qualify for the increase and will get £7.62 an hour starting from July, some 42p over the £7.20 minimum wage for over-25s.

New employees to the company will see their pay rise £7.20 to £7.24 in July, which was increased from £7.04 to fall in-line with the national minimum earlier this year.

SOFTEN THE BLOW WITH A PAY-OUT

The Herald was told that as a sweetener, employees who were to be most affected by the bonus changes would be receiving a sum of money to make up the difference for a short period of time.

We were told that compared with the length of time they and others had been at the company and how long they intended to stay, the payment for the short period was not good enough.

Tesco have said that 85% of staff would be better off under the pay deal and that those who had been negatively affected would be handed a lump-sum payment worth 18-months of the difference in pay.

HOW DOES THE RETAILER’S PAY COMPARE?

Online statistics show that Tesco’s pay increase will put them above Sainsbury’s and Asda who currently pay national minimum wage (£7.20), but compared with companies like Lidl, Aldi and Morrison’s all of whom offer around £8/hour, the retailer falls short.

Matt Davies, the chief executive of Tesco in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, said: “We’ve spent a lot of time working with [trade union] Usdaw and colleague representatives to understand what’s important to colleagues.

“Together, we have agreed one of the highest pay and benefits packages in retail for store colleagues, and introduced a simpler and fairer pay structure, including one approach to premium payments.

“As well as an increase in pay, which puts our hourly rate well above the government’s national living wage, we remain absolutely committed to rewarding our colleagues with a pay and benefits package they really value, including a pension, colleague discount and 5% turnaround bonus.”

Pauline Foulkes, a national officer at Usdaw, said the total package for Tesco staff, including a 5% turnaround bonus that employees are on track to receive this year, was well ahead of the living wage and was one of the best in retail: “We believe the deal is the best that could be achieved in the circumstances and represents a significant investment in pay and benefits.”

Business

Freeport chief steps down less than two years after taking the job

Published

11 seconds ago

April 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE of the Celtic Freeport has stepped down less than two years after taking up the post.

Luciana Ciubotariu left her role on Wednesday (Apr 16), the Celtic Freeport confirmed.

No reason for her departure has been given. However, a spokesperson for the Celtic Freeport Board thanked Ms Ciubotariu for her work and said the organisation would provide an update on the recruitment of a new chief executive in due course.

Ms Ciubotariu, who previously served on the senior management team at Thames Freeport in London, joined the Celtic Freeport in May 2024. She oversaw the project during its early development and through key stages of approval.

Her departure comes only weeks after Neath Port Talbot Council agreed to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the UK Government, Welsh Government, Pembrokeshire County Council and Celtic Freeport Company Limited.

That agreement was designed to formalise Neath Port Talbot Council’s role as the accountable body for the freeport as the scheme moves into what has been described as its delivery phase.

The Celtic Freeport was officially launched in November 2024. It is a partnership involving Associated British Ports, Neath Port Talbot Council, Pembrokeshire County Council and the Port of Milford Haven.

Freeports are designated zones within the UK where different economic rules apply, including tax incentives for qualifying businesses, with the aim of encouraging investment and job creation.

In a statement, the Celtic Freeport said: “During her time as Chief Executive, Luciana led the organisation through the approval of its Full Business Case and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the UK Government and Welsh Government.

“This will unlock £25 million of public investment for the Celtic Freeport and represents a significant milestone in the wider investment programme across the region.

“The Celtic Freeport Board would like to thank Luciana for her contribution to the development of the Celtic Freeport and wishes her every success in the future.

“Further updates regarding the recruitment of a new CEO will be shared in due course.”

Local Government

Milford Haven launches search for Citizens’ Awards 2026 nominees

Published

5 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Residents invited to honour people who make the town proud

MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL is calling on residents to nominate local people for its Citizens’ Awards 2026.

The annual awards recognise individuals who make a positive difference in the community and help make Milford Haven a place people feel proud to call home.

In a public appeal, the council asked: “Who makes you feel proud of Milford Haven? Please let us know. It’s time to celebrate those who really need to be celebrated.”

Residents are being encouraged to put forward the names of people they believe deserve recognition for their contribution to the town.

The council has also made clear that previous award recipients cannot be considered for further awards.

A full list of past winners can be found on Milford Haven Town Council’s website.

News

Starmer under fire as Plaid demands resignation over Mandelson vetting row

Published

24 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Liz Saville Roberts says Prime Minister must go after claims Peter Mandelson failed security checks before being cleared by Foreign Office officials

SIR KEIR STARMER is facing fresh calls to quit after reports emerged that Lord Peter Mandelson initially failed security vetting before being appointed Britain’s ambassador to the United States.

Plaid Cymru has now joined the growing chorus demanding the Prime Minister’s resignation, with the party’s Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts accusing him of presiding over a scandal that strikes at the heart of trust, judgement and accountability in government.

The row erupted after reports claimed UK Security Vetting refused Mandelson clearance during the Developed Vetting process, only for officials at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to step in and override that decision. Days later, Mandelson was informed that he had passed.

Saville Roberts said the affair suggested political convenience had been allowed to trump proper scrutiny. She said the public had been misled and argued that if documents are now being kept back from Parliament, the damage to confidence in government will only deepen.

The controversy is especially serious because Starmer had previously insisted due process had been followed and that Mandelson had received independent security clearance for the role. Those assurances are now under intense pressure, with opposition parties demanding a full explanation of who knew about the failed vetting, and when.

Downing Street has responded by claiming that neither the Prime Minister nor ministers were told Mandelson had been granted Developed Vetting against official advice until earlier this week. A government spokesperson said the decision was taken by Foreign Office officials, not politicians, and said Starmer had ordered officials to establish the full facts before updating the House of Commons.

But the political fallout is intensifying fast. Mandelson’s appointment had already been mired in controversy because of his past links to Jeffrey Epstein, and the latest revelations have raised still more questions about why such a high-profile diplomatic posting was handled in this way.

For Plaid Cymru, the issue is no longer just about Mandelson. It is about whether the Prime Minister can still be believed when he says standards were upheld. With Westminster already braced for further document releases and more questions in Parliament, Labour now finds itself battling claims of a cover-up as well as a catastrophic failure of judgement.