More than 250 of Britain’s biggest employers, including British Airways, Tesco and Royal Mail, have signed up to a new taskforce led by Sir Charlie Mayfield aimed at stemming the flow of workers dropping out of the labour market through ill-health, a problem officially costed at £212bn a year.

The former John Lewis chairman, whose Keep Britain Working review laid bare the scale of Britain’s sickness problem last year, said tackling unemployment linked to long-term illness would unlock economic growth that is “hiding in plain sight”.

His Get Britain Working taskforce, which also counts Sainsbury’s, EDF Energy, Currys and several government departments among its members, has two aims: preventing people falling out of work because of ill-health in the first place, and encouraging those already signed off to return.

Each of the companies involved will track sickness absence, return-to-work outcomes and disability participation, data the government says will make workplace health performance visible for the first time. Ten mayoral authorities, including London and Manchester, have also agreed to take part.

The intervention comes with the human cost of the problem all too apparent. According to the Office for National Statistics, an estimated 148.8 million working days were lost to sickness or injury last year, while UK sick days have hit a 15-year high, with mental ill-health now the leading cause of long-term absence.

Sir Charlie told the BBC the breakdown in communication between employers and absent staff was at the heart of the problem.

“I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met who said: ‘I was signed off work for three months, or six months, and I never had any contact with my employer at all,’” he said. “That’s not because the employer is a bad person. It’s because we’ve got a situation at the minute where people don’t talk to each other when they really need to.”

Not everyone is convinced. Some employers have warned that recent tax rises leave many firms without the headroom to invest in workplace health, while wellbeing experts have cautioned that smaller businesses in particular lack the tools and resources to manage employee health strategically. Others have raised concerns about pressure being placed on genuinely ill people to return to work.

Sir Charlie’s comments also land at a politically charged moment, with pressure mounting on Andy Burnham, widely expected to become prime minister later this month, to rein in a welfare bill forecast to account for 23.6 per cent of total government spending in the 2025 to 2026 financial year.

Sir Charlie said his plans, which build on the recommendations of the government-commissioned review he published last year, could help cut that bill.

“Fixing these problems at the fundamental level could make a really big contribution to getting this economy working better, for employers, for employees, for the taxpayer, for all of us,” he said. “This is not a zero-sum game. It’s not a question of employers win and employees lose and vice versa. Everybody can win.”

He suggested Burnham would back the initiative. “I can’t see any reason why he wouldn’t because of what Andy has said about good growth. If this isn’t good growth, I’m not sure what is, quite frankly.”

For Sir Charlie, the arithmetic is simple. Returning those currently out of work through ill-health to the labour market would boost the workforce without any of the usual trade-offs.

“You wouldn’t have had to build a single house, open a new channel of immigration, you wouldn’t have to wait for a cohort of young people to join the workplace,” he said. “This is basically growth hiding in plain sight.”

Jamie Young

Jamie is Senior Reporter at Business Matters, bringing over a decade of experience in UK SME business reporting.
Jamie holds a degree in Business Administration and regularly participates in industry conferences and workshops.

When not reporting on the latest business developments, Jamie is passionate about mentoring up-and-coming journalists and entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation of business leaders.

Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark seasoned rotisserie chicken has been named the top performer in a comprehensive blind taste test conducted by Consumer Reports, beating out competitors including Costco and Stop & Shop in flavor, texture and overall quality.

The nonprofit consumer advocacy organization evaluated rotisserie chickens from 10 major retailers, assessing taste, sodium content, weight accuracy and even the presence of plastic-related chemicals in packaging and meat. The results provide shoppers with data-driven guidance for one of the grocery store’s most popular prepared foods.

Sam’s Club took the top spot in the best overall category, praised for its moist, juicy meat and well-balanced seasoning featuring hints of onion, garlic and a distinctive paprika rub that gives the bird an appealing bronzed color. At approximately $1.66 per pound, it also offers strong value for bulk shoppers.

Costco’s Kirkland Signature seasoned chicken placed second, noted for its plump appearance and moist texture, though saltiness varied across samples. Stop & Shop’s whole rotisserie chicken ranked third, with tasters appreciating the flavor despite some visual imperfections in skin appearance.

The testing process involved purchasing chickens from retailers including BJ’s, Hannaford, ShopRite, The Fresh Market, Walmart, Wegmans and Whole Foods. A panel of tasters evaluated them blindly for flavor, texture and overall appeal, providing a rigorous comparison across national and regional chains.

Sodium Levels and Labeling Accuracy

Consumer Reports also analyzed sodium content, finding that several top-ranked chickens contained less sodium than labeled amounts. Sam’s Club, Costco, Stop & Shop, Wegmans and Whole Foods all showed lower tested levels compared to packaging information.

Walmart’s traditional rotisserie chicken, which ranked fourth overall, had slightly higher sodium than labeled. The organization noted that actual sodium can vary based on brining processes and preparation methods across different batches.

These findings highlight the importance of consumers checking nutrition labels while recognizing potential variations in prepared foods. For those monitoring sodium intake, the top performers generally offered favorable profiles relative to their flavor ratings.

Plastic Chemicals and Safety Concerns

Testing revealed the presence of phthalates — chemicals used to soften plastics — in most chicken samples, with Costco and Walmart showing the highest levels. The amounts detected were below immediate health risk thresholds for adults but raised concerns for higher consumption, particularly among young children.

ShopRite’s chicken was the only sample without detectable phthalates. Consumer Reports emphasized that while levels were not alarmingly high, the findings contribute to broader discussions about plastic packaging in food products.

Walmart has previously announced initiatives to remove certain ingredients, including phthalates, from private-brand products. The company’s efforts reflect growing industry attention to food contact materials and consumer safety preferences.

Value and Practical Considerations

Price per pound varied significantly across retailers, with warehouse clubs like Sam’s Club and Costco offering the most competitive rates due to their bulk-oriented business models. Traditional grocers generally charged higher per-pound prices but may provide more convenient locations for smaller households.

Weight accuracy was generally consistent, though some samples showed minor discrepancies between labeled and actual weights. Consumers are advised to compare packages when possible and check timestamps to ensure freshness.

For recipe applications, some lower-ranked chickens may still perform well in soups, salads or casseroles where seasoning can be supplemented. The report noted that milder-flavored birds work effectively as versatile ingredients rather than standalone entrees.

Shopping Tips from Consumer Reports

The organization offered several practical recommendations for selecting high-quality rotisserie chicken. Look for birds with even golden coloring, indicating consistent cooking. Smooth, non-shriveled skin suggests fresher preparation rather than extended holding times.

Checking package timestamps helps ensure the chicken was recently prepared. When possible, lifting packages to compare weight can help identify plumper, meatier options. Asking store associates about preparation times provides additional assurance of freshness.

For sodium-conscious shoppers, the top-rated options generally provided good flavor with moderate sodium levels. Those concerned about additives may prefer chickens with simpler brining ingredients.

Industry Context and Consumer Trends

Rotisserie chicken remains a staple in American grocery stores, valued for convenience, affordability and versatility. The category has grown as busy households seek quick meal solutions amid evolving work and family schedules.

Retailers have expanded offerings with various seasonings and sizes to appeal to different preferences. Warehouse clubs leverage their bulk model to provide competitive pricing, while traditional grocers emphasize freshness and local appeal.

Consumer Reports’ testing adds to a growing body of independent evaluations helping shoppers navigate prepared food choices. Similar assessments of other grocery items have influenced purchasing decisions and prompted industry improvements.

The presence of phthalates in food packaging reflects broader concerns about food contact materials. Regulatory agencies and consumer groups continue studying potential health impacts while encouraging reduced plastic use where possible.

Recommendations for Shoppers

For best results, consumers should consider their specific needs when choosing rotisserie chicken. Families seeking value and volume may prefer warehouse club options, while those prioritizing milder flavors or specific dietary preferences might opt for specialty grocers.

Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for several days and used in multiple meals, maximizing value. Proper storage and reheating techniques help maintain quality and food safety.

The report serves as a reminder that taste preferences are subjective, though systematic testing provides useful benchmarks. Shoppers are encouraged to sample different options to find their personal favorites while considering the nutritional and practical factors highlighted in the evaluation.

As summer grilling season continues and families gather for holiday celebrations, rotisserie chicken offers a convenient centerpiece for many meals. Consumer Reports’ findings help inform those decisions with objective data on flavor, value and composition.

John Vithoulkas, the county manager in Virginia’s Henrico County, is asking county employees to cut back on power usage as electricity rates soar 25% across Virginia, the state with by far the most data centers. 

In a June 26 email sent out to all county employees and obtained by the Henrico Citizen, Vithoulkas asked employees to adjust individual habits as electricity rates increased by 25% and noted that prices were likely to shoot up even higher.

“Beginning July 1st, the rate we pay for electricity used in all Henrico County government and school facilities will increase dramatically — by 25%, increasing costs by an estimated $5 million next fiscal year. We anticipate more rate increases for electricity in the years ahead,” Vithoulkas wrote.

Vithoulkas laid out a number of steps that employees should take to reduce their power usage, including turning off lights when leaving work, shutting down computers, pulling blinds closed and unplugging chargers.

EXTREME HEAT DRIVES RECORD DEMAND THREAT AS AMERICA’S LARGEST GRID PREPARES EMERGENCY MEASURES

Virginia’s Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas. (Henrico County)

He compared the electric austerity request to the county’s efforts to cut back during the late 2000s Great Recession. 

BOFA CEO BRIAN MOYNIHAN DISMISSES RECESSION FEARS DESPITE WALL STREET’S MOST HAWKISH FED FORECAST

“Those of you who have been here long enough will recall the many cost-saving measures we implemented to help navigate the Great Recession more than 15 years ago. We are seeing this same innovation and creativity as each department seeks ways to reduce expenses by 3% in next fiscal year’s budget,” Vithoulkas wrote.

Henrico County is a member of the Virginia Energy Purchasing Governmental Association (VEPGA). The 25% price increase, the Henrico Citizen reported, applies to all counties that are members of VEPGA, which includes the majority of Virginia municipalities north of Richmond.

The Virginia State Capitol is shown on July 12, 2023, in Richmond, Virginia. (Win McNamee/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Virginia is by far the state with the most data centers in the U.S., the vast majority of which reside in the northern and central regions of the state. 

Northern Virginia dominates, with more than a quarter of U.S. data centers and 13% of the world’s, according to Virginia’s Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission (JLARC). But with the north near capacity, central Virginia areas like Richmond are increasingly absorbing new builds and rapidly becoming a hub for new facilities, JLARC notes. 

“Data Center Alley” during high temperatures in Sterling, Virginia, on Monday, June 23, 2025. (Pete Kiehart/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

READ MORE FROM FOX BUSINESS

While Vithoulkas did not specifically cite Virginia’s explosion of data center construction in recent years as a factor in energy increases, JLARC’s 2023 data center assessment concluded that “the data center industry boom in Virginia has substantially driven up energy demand in the state,” adding that “data centers’ increased energy demand will likely increase system costs for all customers, including non-data center customers.” 

FOX Business contacted Vithoulkas and Henrico County for comment. 

DUBAI — Dubai International Airport is open and operating normally today, Friday, July 4, with flights processing through all three of its terminals and live flight tracking data showing hundreds of active arrivals and departures across major global air corridors, including connections to Europe, South Asia, East Africa, North America and the broader Middle East.

The airport is now fully functional, handling hundreds of flights with only a small number of delays. Airlines, especially Emirates and flydubai, have resumed their normal operations.

The return to full operations represents the culmination of a difficult five-month recovery that followed the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran conflict in late February, during which Dubai International’s passenger volumes, airline schedules and airspace access were all significantly disrupted even as the airport itself never formally closed.

Dubai International Airport operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Flight operations may still be subject to short-notice changes depending on the regional security situation. As of this report, real-time flight boards confirmed normal operations throughout the facility.

Several major airlines continue to maintain regular services to and from Dubai, including routes operated by Emirates, flydubai, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air India, IndiGo, and Singapore Airlines. Flights connecting Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America through Dubai remain active, although some carriers may use alternative flight paths to avoid restricted airspace.

The path to today’s normal operations was neither straight nor smooth. The crisis began in late February when the escalation of the U.S.-Iran military exchange triggered a series of overlapping airspace restrictions across the Gulf region. While Dubai’s airspace was never formally closed during the conflict’s peak phases, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued a Conflict Zone Information Bulletin ordering European-regulated carriers to avoid UAE airspace, effectively grounding dozens of major international airlines that relied on Gulf routes and dramatically reducing the range of airlines operating through DXB for weeks.

The disruption traces back to late-February drone and missile attacks linked to the wider Gulf conflict, which prompted temporary airspace closures across the UAE. While a 5 April cease-fire allowed regulators to relax the most stringent flight bans, the General Civil Aviation Authority kept a one-rotation-per-day limit on many foreign carriers until at least 31 May to maintain contingency capacity.

Throughout that constrained period, Emirates and flydubai functioned as the primary pillars of connectivity at DXB, maintaining combined schedules that kept the airport from becoming a ghost terminal even as dozens of foreign carriers scaled back or suspended services entirely. Combined operational activity from Emirates and flydubai reports 417 weekend departures covering Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East.

Recovery accelerated meaningfully after the tentative U.S.-Iran ceasefire that took effect in early April, with successive airline reinstatements following as the EASA gradually softened its advisory language for UAE airspace from outright avoidance to cautionary guidance and then lifted restrictions as diplomatic stability held. British Airways resumed Dubai flights in July, initially at a reduced frequency of one daily service rather than its pre-conflict three per day, in what was described at the time as the clearest signal yet from a major European carrier that the post-crisis landscape was beginning to take shape. Qatar Airways had already resumed daily Dubai flights from late April, with Gulf carriers including Saudia also returning to the route around the same time.

The popularity of Dubai as a global tourist destination continues to grow, with data recording 19.59 million international arrivals to Dubai, a 5% increase over 2024 and the third consecutive year of record arrivals. The top source region was Western Europe, with 4.1 million arrivals representing 21% of the total, followed by the CIS and Eastern Europe and South Asia.

Operationally, DXB spans three main passenger terminals with a clear division of carriers. Emirates uses Terminal 3, flydubai and regional carriers operate from Terminal 2, and the majority of other international airlines use Terminal 1, which connects to Concourse D via an airport transit train. Passengers are still advised to verify their specific terminal assignment with their airline before traveling, as some flights were reassigned during the disruption period and not all carriers have reverted to their original gate and terminal configurations.

Dubai Airports recently completed a major Terminal 1 bridge expansion project, increasing road access capacity and improving passenger flow ahead of the peak summer travel season. The infrastructure improvement has been timed to coincide with what the airport expects will be a period of rapid demand recovery as international leisure and business travel rebounds through the summer.

For travelers arriving today or in the coming days, the practical guidance is consistent with what Dubai Airports and airline operators have communicated throughout the recovery period. Confirm your specific flight and departure time directly with your airline rather than relying solely on published schedules, arrive at the airport earlier than the minimum recommended time given that some residual administrative processes from the disruption months remain in place, and review any applicable government travel advisories for your country of origin, as national guidance on travel to the UAE has varied across different governments and may have been updated since the ceasefire took hold.

Dubai Airports recognized the airport had sustained global connectivity through regional disruption and is readying for a return of strong demand as UAE airspace restrictions ease.

As of Friday, July 4, Dubai International Airport is fully open, actively processing flights, and operating with the efficiency expected of the world’s busiest international aviation hub by passenger volume, a status the facility has now been able to maintain consistently since the diplomatic de-escalation of the U.S.-Iran conflict allowed regional airspace to normalize over the course of the past several weeks.