1. Petrol and diesel prices are rising

Fuel prices began climbing soon after the conflict erupted, largely because oil and gas production and transportation in the region have slowed or been disrupted. In the UK, petrol cost an average of 132.14p per litre and diesel 142.15p last Monday, according to government figures. Since the conflict began, RAC data shows petrol prices have increased by 4.68p to 137.51p, while diesel has jumped 8.59p to 150.97p per litre.

In the United States, petrol prices rose from $2.94 to $3.02 per gallon, while diesel increased from $3.81 to $3.90. However, these rises remain smaller than the dramatic increases seen in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, when UK petrol prices surged by more than 43p per litre within four months.

2. UK gas prices have surged

Gas prices in the UK have more than doubled since the conflict began.vBefore the crisis, benchmark gas prices were below 80p per therm. They briefly reached 171p before easing back to around 156p per therm.

Although this is far below the 600p peak reached during the 2022 energy crisis, prolonged high prices could still push household energy bills higher.vFor now, consumers are protected by the UK’s energy price cap, which remains fixed until July. But if gas prices remain elevated, the cap could increase later in the year.

3. Shipping disruptions could raise prices later

The conflict has also disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical trade routes. After Iran threatened to target vessels, traffic through the strait has almost halted, leaving roughly 200 oil tankers stranded.

At the same time, insurance costs for ships linked to the US, UK or Israel have soared. The cost of chartering a supertanker to transport oil from the Middle East to China recently exceeded $400,000 per day, nearly double the price from the previous week.

Because most global goods are transported by sea, rising shipping costs can eventually push up consumer prices. According to the IMF, these increases may take months to reach store shelves, often peaking around a year later.

4. Fertiliser prices are climbing

Fertilisers are essential for modern agriculture, and the Middle East plays a key role in producing ingredients used to make them.

With shipping through the Strait of Hormuz disrupted and natural gas supplies threatened, fertiliser markets have already reacted.

The price of urea fertiliser in the US climbed to $578 per tonne, an increase of almost 25%.

Production cuts have also contributed to the rise. QatarEnergy, one of the world’s largest gas exporters and a major fertiliser producer, recently halted production after reported military attacks on its facilities.

Higher fertiliser prices could eventually translate into higher food costs, although experts say it is still too early to know how significant the impact will be.

5. Flight tickets may become more expensive

The Gulf region supplies roughly half of Europe’s jet fuel, meaning airlines are highly exposed to disruptions in the area.

Since the conflict began, the European benchmark price for jet fuel has nearly doubled from $830 per tonne to over $1,500.

Fuel accounts for around 20–40% of airline operating costs, so rising prices may lead to higher ticket prices or even flight cancellations if shortages occur.

However, the impact will vary. Airlines such as British Airways and EasyJet often lock in fuel prices through long-term contracts, while some major US carriers buy fuel on the open market and may face more immediate cost increases.

6. Inflation could remain higher for longer

Inflation had been gradually falling in many economies before the conflict began.

In the UK, inflation dropped to 3% in February, and the Bank of England had expected it to reach its 2% target as early as April. In the US, inflation stood at 2.4%, while the Eurozone was forecast to reach 1.9%.

But if energy and transport costs continue rising because of the war, inflation could increase again.

That may make central banks less willing to cut interest rates, meaning borrowing costs — including mortgage rates — could remain higher for longer. On the other hand, higher rates could also lead to better returns for savers.

Chef of the Year – Kemal Coşkuncay of Casa Rima (Halewood, Liverpool) with his team

National and Regional Winners

Among the standout winners this year:

• Best Delivery – Charcoal Grill, Andover (South East)
• Best Kebab House in Northern Ireland – Kebab Company, Belfast
• Best Kebab House in Scotland – Shawarma King, Glasgow
• Best Kebab House in Wales – Chip-o-Dee, Wrexham and Golden BBQ, Cardiff
• Best Kebab Restaurant in North & West London – Istanbul Shish Grill, Brent
• Best Kebab Restaurant in South & East London – Lara Grill, Dagenham and Turkuaz, Lewisham
• Best Kebab Restaurant Regional – Cappadocia Restaurant (Bristol), Elif Castle Street (Liverpool), Lara Restaurant (Leicestershire) and Tarla Restaurant (Stevenage)

This year’s awards highlighted the strength of the industry beyond London, with regional excellence strongly represented from Glasgow to Torquay, Chester to Portsmouth.

Founded by Ibrahim Dogus, the British Kebab Awards recognise excellence across a wide range of categories. Dogus with Deputy Prime Minster David Lammy (Tottenham MP)

Culinary Excellence and Innovation

The awards also celebrated innovation and culinary leadership:

• Chef of the Year – Kemal Coşkuncay of Casa Rima (Halewood, Liverpool) and Mazlum Demir of Skewd Kitchen (Barnet, London)
• Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year – Pircio (Hertfordshire) and The Mantl (Knightsbridge, London)
• Best Vegan Kebab – Great British Doner, Manchester
• Best Kosher Shawarma – MAZAL – Original Shawarma, Camden
• Best Lebanese Restaurant – Damasqino Restaurant, Glasgow
• Best Greek Restaurant – Just Greek Penrith, Cumbria

The diversity of winners reflects the multicultural roots of the UK kebab industry — from Turkish and Kurdish establishments to Lebanese, Greek and Caribbean influences, including May 10 Eatery in Haringey, winner of Best Takeaway in London.

Deputy Prime Minster David Lammy (Tottenham MP) attended

Street Food and Suppliers Recognised

• Kebab Van of the Year – Bourton Kebab Van, Gloucestershire
• Highly Commended (Kebab Van) – Hungry Kebab, Cambridge
• Supplier & Manufacturer Award – Kismet Kebab, Essex

These categories underline the importance of the supply chain and mobile operators, who continue to play a vital role in feeding communities across the UK.

Liverpool based Chef of the Year – Kemal Coşkuncay

A Thriving Industry

Speaking at the ceremony, Ibrahim Dogus, Founder of the British Kebab Awards, said:

“The British Kebab Awards were created to celebrate an industry that contributes billions to the UK economy and supports tens of thousands of jobs.

This year’s winners demonstrate not only culinary excellence but resilience, innovation and community leadership. From family-run takeaways to high-end dining destinations, these businesses are the backbone of our high streets.

I am incredibly proud of what this industry continues to achieve, particularly in challenging economic times.”

The UK kebab industry is estimated to contribute over £2.8 billion annually to the British economy and remains one of the most dynamic sectors within hospitality.

Ibrahim Dogus, Founder of the British Kebab Awards with his sponsors Ephesus Beer, Njoy Catering and Star Catering owner Deniz Suyur and Eser Altınay

Celebrating Community Impact

Many of this year’s winners have deep roots in their local communities — employing local staff, sourcing locally where possible and supporting charitable initiatives.

From Shawarma King in Glasgow’s city centre to Golden BBQ in Cardiff, and from Agora Restaurant in Southsea to Anar Turkish BBQ in Liverpool, the awards reflect the strength of Britain’s regional hospitality landscape.

British Kebab Awards main sponsor Njoy Catering and Star Catering, Ephesus Beer owner Deniz Suyur and Eser Altınay

The award ceremony was held on the evening of 24 February 2026 at Park Plaza in London. Coşkunçay received his award together with his team at the event, which honours successful businesses and managers operating in the UK kebab sector.

Speaking at the ceremony, UK Deputy Prime Minister and former Foreign Secretary David Lammy congratulated Coşkunçay, highlighting that his achievements in gastronomy contribute significantly to the United Kingdom’s cultural diversity and entrepreneurial spirit.

In his remarks following the award, Coşkunçay said: “It is an incredibly proud moment. This is the third time I have received this award. I would like to thank my team, Casa Lima Restaurant Liverpool, my family, friends, our valued guests and my team in India. The British Kebab Awards has gained tremendous momentum. It is an organisation widely recognised and respected across Britain and Europe. We are proud to be here.”

According to assessments shared at the event, the UK kebab sector has reached an annual economic value of £2.8 billion and continues to grow steadily.

Coşkunçay’s third “Chef of the Year” title once again underlines the strong position of Turkish gastronomy in the United Kingdom.

For those in work, wages are still rising faster than prices, but the rate at which they're growing continued to slow. Many businesses have slowed hiring, pointing to measures in Chancellor Rachel Reeves's last two Budgets, including a hike in employer National Insurance contributions and a rise in the minimum wage, as increasing their costs.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said there was "more to do to get people into jobs", with tackling youth unemployment a key government priority.

He added Labour was making it easier for young people to find and secure an apprenticeship.

But the Conservatives said Labour had overseen "an unprecedented series of monthly unemployment increases" which were the "predictable result of bad decisions and economic incompetence". Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately said: "Young people are taking the hardest hit. Entry-level roles are the first to disappear from Labour's tax hikes.

By making hiring more expensive and more risky, Labour are ensuring school leavers and graduates never even get a foot in the door." Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Daisy Cooper called for an emergency VAT cut for the hospitality industry, one of the hardest-hit areas seeing job losses. Meanwhile, former health secretary Alan Milburn told BBC Radio 4's Today programme young people were on a "downward escalator" of poor health, poor education and graduating "into the benefit system" as adults.

Lucy Gabb graduated from Cambridge University in July 2025 with a degree in French and has been looking for a job in publishing since, while working a café job in London. "Entry level jobs are just so competitive and they're asking for experience that is just impossible to get whilst you're also studying," she told the BBC. She says she has applied for more than 50 roles but only one has resulted in a face-to-face interview.

Mostly, she says, she gets no reply at all or a fairly quick rejection. "All my friends are talking about is the job search, it can be really soul destroying when you study for so long and you don't get anywhere," she said. The retail and wholesale sector saw the biggest fall in the number of workers on company payrolls, with 65,000 jobs lost in the sector since January last year, the ONS said. Health and social work saw the biggest rise in payrolled workers of any sector, adding 39,000 jobs in the year to January.

Danni Hewson, financial analyst at AJ Bell, suggested that those leaving the retail sector were entering healthcare, with both sectors employing large numbers of women. "The crossover is apparent," she told the BBC. However, she also warned that a recent surge in investment in artificial intelligence could hit young people the hardest as it could result "in a scarcity of entry level posts". Meanwhile, average annual wage growth slowed to 4.2% in the three months to December, from a revised 4.4% in three months to November.

Some economists believe that easing pay growth could make the Bank of England more likely to cut interest rates at its next meeting in March. The Bank uses interest rates as a tool to cool inflation, the rate at which prices rise, which is currently at 3.4% - above the 2% target set for it by the government. Paul Dales, chief UK economist at Capital Economics, said the fall in wage growth "supports the idea that the Bank of England has at least a couple more interest rate cuts in its locker". The reliability of the ONS's job market data has been repeatedly criticised, including by the Bank of England.

According to specialists, staying informed before the tax year-end supports compliance and helps avoid errors that can arise from last-minute decisions. Early planning also enables more confident and forward-looking financial decision-making.

Within this context, accountancy and advisory firms continue to stress the value of reviewing tax positions in advance and seeking timely professional guidance where necessary.

Contact Information

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Sky News has learnt that Morrisons, which is based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, has engaged the real estate advisory firm CBRE to evaluate options for raising finance secured against part of its large freehold store portfolio. Sources said the process was at an early stage, but that it was unlikely to involve a conventional sale-and-leaseback transaction of the kind favoured by major grocers in recent decades.

One option expected to be considered is a medium- or long-term borrowing deal secured against a number of Morrisons' supermarkets. Any agreement could raise as much as £1bn, although neither the structure nor size have yet been determined.

Morrisons, which trades from approximately 500 supermarkets in the UK and employs about 95,000 people, was taken private from the stock market by Clayton Dubilier & Rice, the US-based buyout firm, in 2021 in a deal worth close to £10bn including debt.

Its performance since then has been patchy, with Aldi overtaking it last year to become the UK's fourth-biggest grocer by sales. In 2023, the company named Rami Baitieh, a former Carrefour executive, as its new chief executive in an attempt to arrest its decline. Morrisons owns the freeholds to roughly 80% of its store estate, among the highest levels in the sector.

One source said that releasing £1bn of value through a sale-and-leaseback or leverage-based transaction would still leave the proportion at wholly owned stores at about 60%. The company has been steadily paying down the debt it took on as part of CD&R's takeover, with only about £1bn of acquisition finance left to be repaid.

Morrisons has no short-term debt maturities, the source said, meaning it was under no pressure to strike a property deal. During a hotly contested battle to buy the supermarket chain, CD&R pledged not to engage in significant disposals of store freeholds for a limited period. Since then, its main real estate activities have involved the sale of non-store assets. In 2024, it struck a partnership with Song Capital, an investment firm, which paid £370m for the right to receive an income stream from 75 of the chain's supermarkets for 45 years.

Even if another interest rate cut is in the offing, the floor for rates may be looming - to the relief of savers, but meaning there's a sting in the tail for millions of borrowers. The Bank's job is to get inflation to its 2% target - and keep it there.

It expects it to fall to that level soon and remain at or a bit below it over the next couple of years. It expects subdued growth and a weak jobs market this year, expecting unemployment to hit 5.3%, after finding that policy measures such as minimum wage and tax rises have hit job creation harder than it previously expected.

So the Bank admits rates are "likely to be reduced further". It's a case of when - not if. But rate-setters also have to be aware of lingering price pressures in the service sector, such as hotel stays, and so the Bank acknowledges the judgement about rate cuts "will become a closer call"

The suggestion is that rates are very close to what is known as their neutral level - neither high enough to tame inflation pressures or low enough to incite them.

And if inflation is heading to that so-called Goldilocks state, the Bank will not want to jeopardise that by cutting rates too far or too fast .

Economists' expectations range from one to three more rate cuts this year. (Some suggest the Bank may even start contemplating raising rates again in 2027.)

That would mean the Bank's base rate hitting a trough of 3-3.5%, considerably above the levels seen just a few years ago.

And that's for two reasons.

First, rates in the early 2020s were exceptionally low due to the need to support the economy through the near-unprecedented shock of the pandemic lockdown. But we are now a long way from that crisis state.

As the Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey told me, Interest rates should see "some further reduction", but will not fall back to the historically low levels seen back then.

He said the low rates were a "product of exceptional things going on, starting with the financial crisis".

Secondly, because of the nature of the intervening inflation shock.

The war in Ukraine triggered a spike in food and energy costs – and so a persistent cost of living shock. It's the staples, their prices jumping out on shelf-edge labels or on bills that disproportionately shape our expectations of inflation.

Front of eyes really does equal front of mind. That kind of psychological scarring can shape our behaviour, for example in the scale of wage rises requested and so future inflation. And that risk to the outlook continues to haunt some rate-setters.

If we are close to the bottom for interest rates, where does it leave savers and borrowers?

Savers may be spared the indignity of seeing the returns on their cash dwindle to near nothing - although institutions sometimes don't need an excuse to reduce savings rates.

For many borrowers, it may mean a bitter taste.

Just consider, for example a borrower coming to the end of a five-year fixed rate deal this year, arranged when rates were at pandemic-era lows. Remortgage today or in the near future and they are likely to be moving on to a higher rate.

In total, the Bank reckons two out of five residential borrowers, close to four million, will face a similar situation in the next few years, with an average 8% rise in repayment costs. (Although it also points out one in three are likely to see lower repayments during this time).

There may be more rate cuts to come from the Bank, but a return to the very cheap mortgages deals of the past is unlikely.

After HMRC helplines stayed open and webchat services were extended at the weekend, the busiest hour of people filing through online self-assessment was from 17:00 GMT on Saturday.
Some 475,722 people filed on the final day out of a total of about 11.5 million submissions. Those who missed the deadline face an automatic £100 penalty.

"Thank you to the millions of people and agents who filed their self assessment tax return and paid any tax owed by 31 January. Anyone who missed the deadline should file their return as soon as possible, as penalties and late payment interest may be charged," said Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's chief customer officer.

Millions of people have tax automatically deducted from their wages through PAYE (pay-as-you-earn), but those with more than one source of income may need to file each year through self-assessment.
They included those earning more than £1,000 in the 2024-25 financial year from self-employment or by letting out a property or land.

Some who were not required to file this time include those earning more than £150,000, whose high income was the only reason they needed to file previously, or those who had switched to paying the high income child benefit charge through PAYE.

A similar number of people missed the filing deadline a year earlier. Anyone doing so faces the following penalties:

• An initial £100 fixed penalty, even if there is no tax to pay, or if the tax due is paid on time
• After three months, there could also be additional daily penalties of £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900
• After six months, there could be a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater. After 12 months, there could be another 5% or £300 charge, whichever is greater
• There are also additional penalties for late payments of 5% of the tax unpaid at 30 days, six months and 12 months
• If tax remains unpaid after the deadline, interest may also be charged on the amount owed

HMRC, which raises tens of millions of pounds each year from penalties, will consider customers' reasons for missing the deadline. Those with a reasonable excuse, external may avoid being fined.
Tax analysts advise anyone appealing to still pay the initial penalty.

"Although it involves shelling out cash, it avoids you paying interest on the penalty itself from the date it became due if you lose your appeal," said Charlene Young, senior pensions and savings expert at investment platform AJ Bell.

"If you don't have an excuse to appeal a fine but still owe money, you might still be able to set up a payment plan to get back on track. It's essential you don't put your head in the sand."

Project Dawn​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​The mistaken email was reportedly attached to a calendar invitation titled “Send Project Dawn email”, believed to be the internal code name for the layoffs. The draft was written by Colleen Aubrey, a senior vice president at Amazon Web Services (AWS), and circulated by an executive assistant to a group of employees before any official communication had been issued.
The email said the changes were a continuation of work begun more than a year ago to reduce management layers, increase accountability and help the company move faster for customers. It acknowledged the impact on staff, describing the decisions as difficult but necessary to position Amazon and AWS for long-term success.
According to a former employee, the scale of the cuts had been widely anticipated internally. Employees understood management planned to eliminate around 30,000 roles in total, with further layoffs expected through to the end of May.
Affected workers were invited to apply for other open positions within Amazon, though opportunities were limited. Those unable to secure new roles received severance packages based on length of service.

Wider tech layoffs

Amazon’s cuts come amid ongoing job losses across the technology sector. Since 2022, major firms including Meta, Google and Microsoft have laid off tens of thousands of employees. Layoffs.fyi estimates around 700,000 tech workers have lost their jobs globally over the past four years.
So far this year, Meta has cut several hundred roles, while Pinterest announced around 700 layoffs this week.

‘Time to rethink’​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Since Jeff Bezos stepped down as chief executive four years ago, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has overseen multiple rounds of redundancies between 2023 and 2025. He has also introduced a stricter workplace culture, including a mandatory five-day return to the office.
The company has intensified cost-cutting efforts, reportedly monitoring AWS employees’ corporate mobile phone usage to limit a long-standing monthly reimbursement.
In a message to staff ahead of Thanksgiving, Jassy described the current period as “a time to rethink everything we’ve ever done”, citing the pace of global change.
Earlier this week, Amazon also announced it would close its remaining Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go grocery stores, shifting its focus to expanding its Whole Foods Market business.

UK Hospitality has warned that hotels, restaurants and other businesses in the sector are also at risk, calling for the support package to be widened.
According to the government, the package will cost £80m in its first year, and the subsequent two years will be valued by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).
Tomlinson said pubs are "the cornerstone of so many communities" and the government wanted to "go further" in supporting them after the number of venues fell by nearly 7,000 since 2010.
Questioned about why the Treasury has made a series of changes to major policies, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the government "listens when people raise concerns".
"We look at the detail of that and try to make sure we get it right," she added.
The government also promised to review how pubs are valued by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), ahead of the next revaluation of premises in 2029.
Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride dismissed the announcement and described it as a "sticking plaster", asking: "Is this it?"
"After weeks of telling our local pubs that help was on the way, this is all they get."
He said the measures would "only delay the pain for a while" before warning that "thousands of businesses despair as their bills skyrocket".
Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper said the financial aid still left pubs facing higher business rates bills, and it did "nothing at all" for other high street businesses.
She called for the government to increase business rates discounts for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, and for an "emergency" VAT cut for the hospitality sector for a year.

But the firm reported a steep drop in quarterly profits after being fined €256m (£222m) by Italy's competition watchdog for "abusing its dominant position" by blocking travel agencies from accessing its services.
The airline posted pre-tax profits of €24.4m for the three months to December, an 83% drop from the €143.7m seen in the same period the previous year.

However, its total revenue rose 9% to €3.21bn as the number of passengers grew 6% to 47.5 million.

Strong bookings over the October half-term school holidays, as well as the Christmas and new year period - all of which factor in to its "fare outlook" - contributed towards the growth in traveller numbers, the airline said.

In December, the Italian Competition Authority said the airline had "put in place an elaborate strategy" making it harder for online and traditional travel agencies to buy Ryanair flights through its website.

It said the airline's strategy blocked or hindered purchases, or made them "economically or technically burdensome", particularly when flights were combined with services from other airlines or with tourism and insurance products.
But Ryanair said the fine was "baseless" and it was "confident" it would be overturned on appeal.

It argued that its model of selling flights directly to customers was competitive because it means fares are lower, so consumers benefit.

Ryanair made headlines last week after boss Michael O'Leary rejected the idea of using Elon Musk's Starlink technology to provide wi-fi on flights.
It resulted in an online spat between the two leaders, which the firm said had led to a slight rise in bookings, thanking Musk for the publicity.
O'Leary said on Monday that full-year net profit could reach as much as €2.23bn.
But he said this forecast remained "exposed to adverse external developments" including the possibility of conflict escalation in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Ryanair is aiming to grow passenger numbers to 300 million by 2034.
Ryanair's $40bn (£31bn) contract with Boeing will see 300 new aircrafts - 737-Max 10 - delivered to the company by March of that year. The airline is one of Boeing's largest customers.
The first 15 planes are expected to be in service in spring 2027.
The Max-10 model is more fuel efficient and has 21% more seats than the airline's fleet of 737 Next Generation planes.

This partnership will harness the strength of Chelsea FC’s global footprint and worldwide fanbase to showcase Pegasus Airlines as it continues its expansion. Together, the two organisations will collaborate across key international markets, delivering innovative campaigns and experiences for supporters and customers around the world.

Pegasus Airlines Chief Commercial Officer, Onur Dedeköylü, said: “We are proud to partner with Chelsea FC, one of the most recognised and followed teams in the world of sport, with a truly global fanbase that mirrors our own international reach. The United Kingdom is also an important market for us, with services to five destinations and further growth planned. This partnership brings together two brands driven by ambition, energy and connection, and we look forward to working with Chelsea FC to create special campaigns and meaningful experiences for supporters and travellers alike.”

From Left to Right: Aki Mandhar – CEO of Chelsea FC Women, Onur Dedeköylü – CCO of Pegasus, Ahmet Bağdat – CMO of Pegasus, Todd Kline – President, Commercial of Chelsea FC

Speaking on the partnership, Oliver Boden, Partnership Sales Director for Chelsea Football Club, added: “Pegasus Airlines’ progress in recent years speaks for itself, their vision to transform the aviation industry and unlock the possibility of travel to so many is inspiring. The expansion of their fleet underlines the scale of their aspirations. We are proud to partner with Pegasus at this exciting time, to support them in the next stage of their journey and build a unique partnership together.”

On Christmas Eve, buses will follow a Saturday timetable, with the weekday-only SL6 route operating a special timetable. Night bus services will not operate, and all 24-hour routes will finish around midnight.

On Boxing Day, buses will switch to a Sunday timetable, though routes 969 and SL6 will remain out of service for the day.

Normal Saturday timetables will resume on December 27.

A Sunday timetable will be in effect on December 28.

On December 29 and 30, buses will operate Saturday timetables again, with the SL6 running to a special schedule and route 969 returning to its normal Tuesday timetable on December 30.

TfL operates one of the world’s largest bus networks, offering flat fares of £1.75 with unlimited journeys within an hour via the Hopper fare. The network prioritises accessibility, featuring wheelchair-accessible vehicles. TfL is expanding its use of electric and hybrid buses, with the goal of achieving a zero-emission fleet by 2034. On New Year’s Eve, December 31, buses will once again follow a Saturday timetable, with the SL6 using a special schedule. All night and 24-hour services will operate to special timetables. Many routes in central London will be curtailed from around 6pm due to road closures in place for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Full details on NYE services will be released in due course. On New Year’s Day, all services will run on a Sunday timetable. Regular schedules will resume from January 2. The changes are part of TfL’s annual adjustment of services during the festive season, reflecting lower passenger demand and allowing for essential maintenance and engineering work.

Leeside Road is part of Phase Two, which will eventually deliver up to 2,000 new homes at Meridian Water.

Alongside building much-needed new housing, Meridian Two will create exciting, new spaces for local people and businesses, transforming the area with opportunities for new shops and commercial sites. This investment will support local businesses to grow, generate new jobs, and open up apprenticeship opportunities for the community.

Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, Tom Copley, visited the site for a “topping out” celebration to mark the highest structural point at Meridian 2, and to see the progress being made. His visit showed that the Meridian Water project is producing well-made, affordable homes for Londoners.

Cllr Ergin Erbil, the Leader of Enfield Council, said: "We are seeing fast progress at Meridian Water, which will ultimately provide 10,000 homes and thousands of new jobs for local people.

“Meridian Two is a great chance to bring 100 per cent affordable housing to Edmonton, building on the success of Meridian One. The vision for Meridian Water is truly starting to come alive."

Rob Wilkinson, Regional Managing Director for Vistry, said: “Vistry has longstanding and successful partnerships with both Enfield Council and Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, having successfully delivered several residential-led schemes together over the years.

“Meridian Two is a testament to this collaboration. Together, we are helping to tackle London’s housing crisis by delivering much-needed, genuinely affordable homes for local people in Enfield.”

Mel Barrett, Chief Executive of MTVH, said: “Reaching this milestone at Leeside Road is a powerful demonstration of what partnership working can achieve. It reflects the strength of the collaboration between MTVH, Vistry Group, Enfield Council and the GLA.

“The affordable homes MTVH is delivering will make a real difference for local residents. They will create new opportunities, strengthen the community, and help to boost the borough’s economy. We’re proud of this development, which is testament to our long-term commitment to Enfield.

Alongside fellow renowned chef Ali Kavlak, Coşkunçay is serving exquisite flavors at Casarima, a fine dining spot in Liverpool’s Halewood area.

Signature Dishes by the Award-Winning Chef

Wild Duck:
Juicy and flavorful wild duck, served on a bed of perfectly roasted potatoes, completed with a velvety brandy–orange sauce. An elegant presentation from Liverpool’s master chef.

S&P King Prawns – The Restaurant’s Bestseller:
Fresh king prawns cooked in a special butter sauce with peppers, onions, and garlic. Served with homemade rice, S&P chips, and the restaurant’s famous wood-fired cheesy-garlic bread, this dish leaves an unforgettable impression on the palate.

Attendees included Labour MP Kim Johnson, Turkish Consul in Manchester Safa Sert, World Holding owner Ömer Akyüz, senior executives Medya Nefel Yıldırım and Gözde Nada, internationally known chefs Kemal Coşkunçayand Ali Kavlak, fashion figure Hamit Özçelik, and several community representatives from the UK and Turkish diaspora.

Korkut, a Turkish entrepreneur with more than 25 years of restaurant experience, launched the brand’s first branch in Manchester last summer. Great British Döner has built a following with its focus on “quality, honest and bold-flavoured döner,” prepared with fresh halal beef and chicken seasoned with a proprietary spice blend. The meat is cooked on a traditional vertical spit and processed with automated slicing technology.

The Liverpool opening also featured the launch of the brand’s Vegan Doner, cooked on a dedicated plant-based skewer designed to replicate the taste and texture of its meat options. The menu includes unconventional items such as a Chocolate Doner for customers seeking dessert-style offerings.

The company aims to appeal to Liverpool’s large student population, professionals, and late-night crowd, positioning itself as a premium fast-casual option focused on freshness and quality.

Known globally as the birthplace of The Beatles, Liverpool continues to attract visitors to landmarks such as Mathew Street’s Cavern Club, Penny Lane and the Eleanor Rigby statue, adding to the foot traffic around the city centre where the new restaurant has opened.

As people across the world come together to celebrate and exchange gifts over the festive season, Transport for London (TfL) is reminding shoppers of the wide range of gifts available for people who love London and its historic transport network.

From a bus nightlight, a tea caddy and phone cases to the popular light up roundel, TfL is sharing ideas from some of the high-quality brands it works with to help those looking for the perfect gift:

Looking for a gift for a child or someone young at heart?

• The BRIO World London Underground Train brings the iconic Tube experience to life a detailed 7-piece set. The set includes two carriages, a tunnel section, two passenger figures, and an Underground sign - everything needed to recreate London's famous metro system. Light up your little one’s bedroom with a London Bus wooden night light powered by USB cable. Made from FSC-certified, painted wood it fits perfectly on a bedside table or shelf, creating a warm glow from the low-energy LED lights.
• The perfect gift for any little London Underground fan - a durable, easy-wash complete single bedding set features the Tube map and London Underground roundel, with duvet cover and matching pillowcase.

Founded by Turkish entrepreneur Mehmet Nezir Korkut, who brings over 25 years of hospitality experience to the table, Great British Doner is redefining kebabs. The menu serves up “next-generation” kebabs alongside inventive options like vegan doner and the eye-catching chocolate doner. Classic meat lovers can enjoy beef or chicken, while vegans and vegetarians have plenty of options.

To celebrate the new branch, 500 free kebabs will be handed out on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 December, between 1 pm and 4 pm.

The restaurant aims to deliver “restaurant-quality meals in a casual setting.” Every wrap, burger, and box comes with fresh salad and house-made sauces, including the signature GBD Sauce, jalapeño cheese, hot chili, and garlic & herb. Meat-free choices include halloumi, falafel, and a spiced vegetable vegan doner, while dessert lovers can indulge in the unique frozen chocolate doner — warm pancake topped with chocolate shavings.

Speaking to Avrupa TIMES, Mehmet said:
"We’re thrilled to expand in Liverpool. The city has a lively food scene, a strong sense of community, and a real appetite for bold new flavors. Opening on Bold Street is a perfect next step for Great British Doner. We can’t wait to welcome people through our doors and share our signature creations."

The brand’s innovative approach has earned recognition at this year’s TURTA Turkish Restaurants & Takeaway Awards, which highlight the best of Turkish cuisine and entrepreneurship across the UK. Great British Doner’s Manchester branch was praised as the best newcomer restaurant.

On International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December), TfL highlights this upgrade as part of its customer inclusion plan and ongoing commitment to improving step-free access and the accessibility of the network.

A third of lifts on TfL’s transport network now automatically report when they are out-of-service, with real-time updates sent to journey planning tools. This allows people with step-free access needs to plan their journeys with more certainty and confidence.

Step-free access is crucial for many TfL customers, including some disabled people, people with prams and pushchairs and those carrying luggage. A lift going out-of-service can force someone to abandon their journey or make alternative arrangements, which can lengthen or disrupt their journey.

Currently, 93 lifts at 28 Tube stations now self-report as out of service without the need to be reported by station staff. This new technology means journey planning tools, including the free TfL Go app and Journey Planner, are updated more quickly, and enables staff to seek assistance and get the lifts back into operation sooner.

The project is ongoing, with the first phase focussing on busy central London interchange Tube stations, including Bond Street, London Bridge and Tottenham Court Road, and end of the line stations such as Cockfosters and Morden. TfL will look to implement more than 20 further lift upgrades by the end of March 2026 as part of the first phase.

The second phase, beginning in 2026, will upgrade the remaining lifts on the Tube network, in addition to those across the TfL network on the Elizabeth line, London Overground, the IFS Cloud Cable Car and at Hammersmith Bus Station. Self-reporting lifts are a key commitment from TfL’s customer inclusion plan, Equity in Motion, which sets out more than 80 commitments to make the London transport network fairer, more accessible and more inclusive.

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