Fire strike talks

TALKS between the Fire Brigades Union and fire authority officials resumed today to try to avert a strike planned for next week.

The discussions at West Midlands Fire Service's headquarters in Birmingham were adjourned on Tuesday after what was described as a constructive start to the negotiations.

The FBU notified West Midlands Fire Authority three days ago of its intention to launch "discontinuous" strike action in the area next Monday.

The union claims its members deserve compensation for anti-social hours and additional travel costs after the introduction of a new shift system.

Debenhams up

DEPARTMENT store Debenhams bucked the downward trend on the high street today as it more than doubled its profits.

Sales broke through the £2bn barrier for the first time in the year to September 3 while pre-tax profits soared to £238.6m compared with £107m last year.

Sunday trading

A CONSUMER group has called for an overhaul of Sunday trading laws in a guide to regulation published today.

Evidence suggests millions of people would like greater freedom to shop when it suits them, the National Consumer Council says.

Gender pay gap

THE Government was today urged to take "radical" action to tackle the gender pay gap, after official figures showed that women were still earning more than 17 per cent less than men.