UK Apple customers could receive payout after legal battle

📍Top line: Apple is facing a major legal battle in the UK, as consumer advocacy group Which? accuses the tech giant of effectively trapping millions of users in its iCloud storage service and charging what it calls "rip-off prices." 

Key points:

• Apple faces a lawsuit alleging it "locks in" 40 million UK users to iCloud and charges excessive fees.

• Consumer group Which? says the claim could lead to a £3 billion payout, or about £70 per user.

• Apple denies anti-competitive practices, noting iCloud use is optional and many users rely on other services.

• Similar cases are pending in the Competition Appeal Tribunal against companies like Facebook, Google, and Steam.

• Apple offers limited free iCloud storage, with paid plans from £0.99/month for 50GB to £54.99/month for 12TB.

• Apple’s restrictions on third-party storage access are for security, but contribute significantly to its revenue.

• Apple plans to vigorously contest Which?’s allegations in court.

• The lawsuit, led by Which? but funded by Willkie Farr & Gallagher, could set a precedent for more UK tech lawsuits.

Homebase enters administration

📍Top line: Homebase, the long-established British DIY and home improvement retailer, has entered administration, putting 2,000 jobs at risk.

Key Points:

• Partial Acquisition by The Range: CDS Superstores, owner of The Range, will purchase up to 70 Homebase stores, as well as the brand name and intellectual property. These stores will be rebranded as The Range, and the Homebase brand will continue online.

• Jobs at Risk and Potential Closures: Approximately 2,000 jobs are at risk, with 49 stores left unsold. These locations will remain open while administrators seek buyers, with no immediate redundancies announced.

• Challenges Faced by Homebase: Homebase’s struggles have been exacerbated by low consumer spending, inflation, and supply chain issues. The retailer reported an £84.2m loss last year amid tough competition from budget home improvement stores like B&M and Home Bargains.

Founded in 1979, Homebase has faced ownership changes and financial difficulties over the years, culminating in its collapse despite attempts at restructuring under Hilco.

Elsewhere in business:

📱 The Guardian has announced it will no longer post on X (formerly Twitter), citing concerns over "toxic" content and influence from platform owner Elon Musk. In a message to readers, the newspaper said the recent U.S. presidential election had "underlined" its concerns, accusing Musk of using the platform to shape political discourse in favour of Donald Trump, whom he publicly supports.

💵 Klarna, the Swedish buy-now-pay-later giant, has filed for a much-anticipated U.S. IPO, dealing another blow to the London Stock Exchange. Founded in 2005, Klarna hit a peak $46 billion valuation in 2021 but saw an 85% drop amid rising rates, forcing job cuts. With profits returning and IPO plans revived, Klarna’s move mirrors recent high-profile listings that have snubbed London for U.S. exchanges.

Civil servants push for four-day week

📍 Top line: Civil servants are pushing for a four-day work week, arguing it is essential for better work-life balance and overall well-being. Staff at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) believe the change could save the government millions while improving employee retention and reducing sick days. The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union is campaigning for the shift as a national priority.

Key Points:

• Proposal Details: Defra employees have proposed working four days with no pay reduction, estimating £21.4 million in annual savings from lower turnover and fewer sick days.

• Employee Benefits: PCS members have emphasised the impact on health, mental well-being, and work-life balance, claiming an extra day off would allow for a better mix of rest, chores, and leisure.

• Political Backdrop: Kemi Badenoch recently criticised the idea at PMQs, despite South Cambridgeshire council's ongoing four-day week trial. Keir Starmer dismissed any formal support as “fantasy.”

Elsewhere in the economy:

🚆 The UK government has announced a comprehensive review into how train operators handle cases of suspected fare evasion, responding to concerns over passengers facing harsh penalties for minor ticketing mistakes. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said on Wednesday that the rail regulator will assess enforcement practices, aiming to ensure that genuine errors do not result in unwarranted prosecution.

💷 Labour has confirmed that the council tax cap will stay at 5% for the upcoming year, potentially raising the average family's bill by around £100. The decision to maintain the 5% cap comes as inflation recently dropped to 1.7% in October, marking its first dip below 2% since 2021.

Knight Frank has opened applications to its 2025 General Practice Graduate Programme. Based in one of the firm’s UK city offices, successful applicants will learn, experience, and get exposure to everything they need to launch a career in the property industry. The programme includes experience in Valuation and Advisory, Capital Markets, and Agency and Development. The scheme is open to graduates and undergraduates set to have graduated by Summer 2025 with a minimum 2:1 in any degree discipline. Apply now here.

Recruiters encourage jobseekers to use AI

📍Top line: Top international recruiters are now encouraging jobseekers to leverage AI tools to enhance job applications, marking a significant shift toward acceptance of these technologies in recruitment, according to the FT.

Key points:

• AI Integration in Recruitment: Major firms like Michael Page Technology and The Stepstone Group endorse AI tools, noting that AI can assist candidates in crafting applications that highlight key skills for specific roles, potentially advancing them in the hiring process.

• Tools for Jobseekers: Platforms like LinkedIn, Stepstone, and others offer AI-powered services for generating CVs, cover letters, and feedback on applications. Stepstone’s CV tool, for instance, aims to optimize applications for automated screening systems, widely used in applicant tracking.

• Cautious Use Recommended: Recruiters caution candidates to personalize AI-generated content to match their own experiences and style. Overuse of generic AI content or misrepresenting abilities through AI could lead to mismatches and deter human recruiters.

Elsewhere in tech:

🇬🇧 The UK government will outline its approach to regulating the cryptocurrency sector this month, a move aimed at boosting confidence among crypto firms as Donald Trump's recent election win in the US has spurred interest in his favourable crypto policies. The UK Treasury’s forthcoming legislative plans will cover stablecoins and adjust regulations around staking services.

🤖 OpenAI is set to launch “Operator,” an AI agent that can automate tasks like coding and travel booking, in January. The new tool aims to simplify multi-step tasks for users with minimal supervision, marking OpenAI’s entry into the competitive AI agent market alongside tools from Anthropic, Microsoft, and Google. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, called agents the “next giant breakthrough.”

🇺🇸 Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign scrapped a plan for her to appear on Joe Rogan’s popular podcast over concerns of a backlash from progressive Democrats, a campaign official confirmed. The decision, intended to avoid negative reactions within the party, has reportedly left some Democrats frustrated as they analyse Harris’s loss to Donald Trump and consider missed opportunities to engage voters.

🍺 Wetherspoons will soon stop serving Spanish lager San Miguel, replacing it with the Italian brand Angelo Poretti on draught later this month. The decision follows the expiration of a long-standing contract with San Miguel, according to JD Wetherspoon’s chairman Tim Martin, and reflects a shift toward Italian brews in the chain’s offerings.

💉 Diabetes cases worldwide have doubled in the past 30 years, now affecting over 800 million people, a global study has revealed. Adult diabetes rates have soared from 7% to 14% since 1990, with the steepest rise in low- and middle-income countries. The first-of-its-kind analysis, by WHO and NCD-RisC, examined data from 140 million people across 1,000 studies.