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Business live
Amazon workers begin Black Friday strike action, as UK consumer confidence picks up
Live  
Amazon workers begin Black Friday strike action, as UK consumer confidence picks up
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as strikes take place at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse, and at sites in Germany
Headlines
Automotive industry  
Nissan to build three new electric car models at Sunderland plant
Nissan to build three new electric car models at Sunderland plant
Carnival UK  
P&O Cruises and Cunard threaten to fire and rehire more than 900 UK staff
John Lewis  
Retailer to partner with Randox Health to open clinics in stores
‘I know what it’s like to be tempted’  
A security guard on UK shoplifting epidemic
Analysis  
The Telegraph, the autocracy and free speech: can RedBird IMI calm media fears?
Retail  
UK shoppers expected to buy fewer Black Friday goods amid cost of living crisis
‘Huge egos are in play’  
Behind the firing and rehiring of OpenAI’s Sam Altman
Problem gambling  
Regulator finds UK rates may be eight times higher than thought
Lidl  
Supermarket tempts green shoppers with Christmas jumper loan scheme
Autumn statement  
Hunt’s tax cuts mean austerity ‘more painful’ than under Osborne, warns IFS
US  
Coal power plants killed at least 460,000 people in past 20 years – report
Fantasy house hunt  
Homes for sale near beauty spots in England
Today's agenda
Some Amazon workers in the UK are on strike today to coincide with Black Friday – which is typically one of the company’s busiest shopping days of the year.

More than 1,000 staff at the firm’s warehouse in Coventry are expected to take part, the GMB union said, amid a long-running dispute over pay and conditions.

Some people have already gathered at a picket line outside the site.

A protest will also be held outside Amazon’s UK head office in London.

Strikes and demonstrations are also being held in other European countries and the US, which unions say will be the biggest day of action in Amazon’s history.

Amazon said consumers won’t see any disruption and that its pay rates were well above the national living wage and the voluntary real living wage, while benefits included private medical insurance, life assurance, subsidised meals and an employee discount.

An Amazon spokesperson said: “We regularly review our pay to ensure we offer competitive wages and benefits.

"By April 2024, our minimum starting pay will have increased to £12.30 and £13 per hour depending on location, that’s a 20% increase over two years and 50% since 2018."

But the GMB organiser Amanda Gearing called the walkout an “unprecedented and historic moment”.

UK consumer morale has jumped this month as inflation eases, giving retailers hopes that people will come out to spend as they make their Black Friday pitches today.

The market research firm GfK’s index of consumer confidence has bounced in November, hitting -24 from -30.

People grew more optimistic about their personal financial situation, and the wider economic outlook, GfK said.

Although it remains in negative territory, this recovers most of last month’s drop.

The music and entertainment retailer HMV is making a Black Friday return to its former store on London’s Oxford Street after a four-year absence. It will be selling vinyl, clothing and merchandise from the site at 363 Oxford Street again.

The agenda
• 9am GMT: IFO survey of Germany’s business climate
• 2.45pm GMT: ‘flash’ PMI survey of US manufacturing and services

We’ll be tracking all the main events throughout the day ...
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