The haute couture world may be glamorous, but some interns at the gritty end of the business are being exploited in their quest to gain industry experience, says Jamie Elliott Some UK fashion companies are exploiting unpaid interns who sometimes … Continue reading
Unemployed people, desperate for new jobs in a tough market, are paying thousands for short courses in plumbing – only to find they still can’t get work Private training companies are encouraging unemployed people to borrow thousands of pounds for … Continue reading
Angry waiters have accused one of the UK’s most exclusive restaurant chains of Scrooge-like behaviour in the run-up to Christmas, after it abolished the service charge in its restaurants and started to use cash tips to pay salaries. Some employees … Continue reading
Observer investigation reveals how classified ads lure victims into a rent racket Jamie Elliott and Graham Norwood Online fraudsters are targeting British students and foreign holidaymakers by purporting to rent out property that does not exist. The scams work by … Continue reading
Construction boss for East London Line said to have made £300,000 by underpaying his men Workers employed to build parts of London‘s new transport links which will be vital during the Olympics have, in effect, been conned out of thousands of … Continue reading
Investors in flats angered by expensive power arrangements that prevent them from shopping around. Jamie Elliott reports Buy-to-let investors at a block of flats in Halifax say they are losing thousands of pounds because they are forced to buy expensive … Continue reading
Daytime TV regular Richard Phillips is the latest restaurateur to be caught up in the escalating row over staff gratuities. Jamie Elliott investigates A television chef who owns and runs some of the UK’s most exclusiverestaurants, including one with a … Continue reading
A new law is intended to stop restaurant bosses pocketing staff tips. But as Jamie Elliott reports, there may be no change A change to the law intended to stop restaurants using tips to make up staff’s pay to the minimum wage will do … Continue reading
Flat owners could be paying up to double the best rates for buildings cover, thanks to hidden commission being shared out between brokers and managing agents, reports Jamie Elliott Owners of leasehold flats are paying up to double the market rate for … Continue reading
Failure to declare even the most minor convictions can invalidate your cover. Jamie Elliott reports Many people are living with worthless home insurance because they or someone – such as a tenant or lodger – living in their property has an unspent … Continue reading
