SHOPPERS are raving as Lidl brings back its USA week with beloved snacks from fried chicken to toaster tarts.

For one week only, the supermarket giant is stocking all things American.

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A keen-eyed shopper had spotted the German supermarket stocking the American foods and drinks on Thursday.

They shared the post on Facebook group Newfoodsuk in which hundreds of people commented their enthusiasm for the products.

The limited-time range includes items such as a 750g Fried Chicken Bucket (£5.99) as well as a range of cheap American chocolates and other sweet treats.

It comes as part of Lidl’s Flavour of the Week programme which features foods from a specific world region for just 7 days.

Previous editions have covered the Alps, Iberian Peninsula, and Germany.

For its USA week, the retail is stocking a range of American and American-inspired cuisine.

Shoppers were quick to comment their excitement under the Facebook post.

One said: “Oh wow that all looks amazing.

“Lidl here I come.”

Another added: “Some of the bits look really nice.”

Many also expressed their desire to visit their local store as soon as possible.

Users tagged their friends saying “we are going tomorrow” and “we need to go.”

Lidl has stocked an extensive range of products for the week.

For just £1.99, you can get your hands on a set of nine pizza bagels in either Margherita, Salami, or Cheeseburger Style.

A packet of Chocolate or Nougat American Cookies could be yours for even less at just £1.29.

If you’re feeling in a more breakfast food mood, you can grab Mcennedy’s Pancake Mix (£1.19) and Clarks’ Maple Syrup (£1.99).

The special week also covers drinks with a Chocolate or Cranberry & Cherry Mcennedy Milkshake selling for just 59p.

UNILEVER is finally calling quits on selling ice creams to Russia, two and a half years after Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

The FTSE 100 giant has come under pressure for funding the Kremlin’s war by remaining in the country.

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Unilever had been branded an “international sponsor of war” by the Ukrainian government — puncturing the woke firm’s self-styled reputation for social purpose and values.

The backlash included protests outside its London HQ.

The invasion of Ukraine triggered an exodus of big Western firms, including BP, McDonald’s and Burberry.

However, Unilever stayed put. The company, which also makes Dove, has now made a reported £430million selling its Russian assets to billionaire Alexey Sagal, who bought Heineken’s Russian subsidiary for €1.

Unilever did not say what it would be doing with the sale ­proceeds or whether it would donate them to Ukraine.

Rival KitKat-maker Nestle justified staying in Russia with slimmed-down operations of “essential products” such as baby milk.

But Unilever was still making products such as Magnums, ­Cornettos and Ben & Jerry ice cream from four factories in the country.

By remaining in Russia, Unilever contributed millions of pounds in taxes to the Russian government.

The Moral Rating agency had estimated Unilever’s business propped up the Russian economy to the tune of $650million (£498million) a year, which it said was “enough to pay for an Iranian drone every 17 minutes”.

Nataliya Popovych, a co-founder of the B4Ukraine coalition, said: “We are pleased to see Unilever make the right move, even though such a decision comes two years too late.”

Hein Schumacher, Unilever’s boss, previously said remaining in Russia was the “least bad” option, which avoided handing over its workforce, factory and assets.

Yesterday Mr Schumacher said the sale to Mr Sagal’s Arnest Group “ends Unilever presence in the country”.

He said: “Over the past year, we have been carefully preparing the Unilever Russia business for a potential sale.

“This work has been very complex, and has involved separating IT platforms and supply chains.”

SELLING UP TO BEAT BUDGET

FEARS that the Chancellor will hike capital gains tax in the Budget have prompted many business owners to fast-track selling their firms over the past year, figures show.

A poll of 500 owners by wealth advisers Evelyn Partners found 23 per cent of those to accelerate selling up had done so because they feared a hit from CGT relief.

A fifth were driven by concerns over inheritance tax relief, making it more costly to pass family firms to the next generation.

Evelyn tax partner Laura Hayward said: “The PM’s statement that the upcoming Budget would be ‘painful’ has put owner-managed businesses on edge.”

Charles Hall, of broker Peel Hunt, said rumoured changes to business relief would “fatally undermine” London’s junior Aim stock market, destroying up to £21billion of shareholder value and risking jobs.

SHARES in GSK briefly rose by 7 per cent yesterday as it agreed to pay £1.7billion to settle a legal dispute with 80,000 Zantac users.

The heartburn drug was pulled in 2019 amid fears of carcinogens. GSK did not admit liability. Shares closed up 3 per cent.

IKEA IDEA ON PRICE

IKEA’S decision to cut prices has led to lower revenues at the Swedish furniture giant.

It posted a 6.8 per cent drop in UK sales to £2.3billion after investing £117million in lowering prices by around 20 per cent on 3,481 products.

More than half of its sales this year have been online, compared with 38 per cent two years ago. Ikea UK boss Peter Jelkeby said: “Continuing to lower prices remains our long-term priority.”

TSB FINED£10M FOR BAD HELP

TSB has been fined £10.9million for its unfair treatment of customers.

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The Financial Conduct Authority said the bank had “woeful systems and controls” and created unrealistic repayment plans.

A TSB staffer had suggested a borrower removed the £20 a month they had allocated for children’s clothes and made sandwiches instead of paying for school meals.

In another case the bank applied arrears to a dead customer’s mortgage payments.

It also applied arrears to a customer after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis and did not flag another as vulnerable despite them making repeated references to suicide in calls.

The failings took place between June 2014 and March 2020.

TSB agreed to resolve the issues identified, which meant the fine was cut by 30 per cent from £15.6million.

DAWN OF THE A.I. BOSS

WORKERS will soon be right when complaining that their boss is a robot — with video call firm Zoom creating artificial intelligence avatars for conference calls.

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Its latest AI software means that bosses can use a digital version of themselves, or a generic avatar, to deliver brief video messages to workers on calls.

Zoom’s boss Eric Yuan has previously talked about creating a “digital twin” of himself as a way to solve busy people’s problem of how to be in two places at the same time.

The rise of remote working has meant bosses are increasingly delivering news of lay-offs via video calls — meaning workers could find themselves being let go by a robot in the near future.

KRISPY Kreme is launching a special range of Halloween doughnuts inspired by a beloved movie.

The four new flavours honour the 40th anniversary of a 1984 classic film and are available in select stores now.

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The doughnuts were created to celebrate four decades since the release of Ghostbusters.

The 1984 classic, featuring Bill Murray and Sigourney Weaver, has been lauded as one of the most iconic blockbusters of the 1980s.

The all-new Krispy Kreme x Ghostbusters Collection consists of four fresh flavours inspired by the movie, to get you in a spooky mood.

For a limited time at participating Krispy Kreme shops, guests can enjoy the new doughnuts in a limited-edition custom Ghostbusters dozens box.

The new treats include:

• Ghostbusters (from £3.15) – an Original Glazed dipped in chocolatey icing, topped with dark biscuit crumb, silver sugar and a No Ghost logo plaque.
• Slimer (from £3.15) –filled with green lemon filling, dipped in purple icing, piped with green icing and a Slimer plaque.
• Ecto-Sprinkles (Feature Pack exclusive) – an Original Glazed dipped in orange icing and half rolled in Halloween sprinkles.
• Spooky Sprinkles (from £2.65)  – Original Glazed dipped in chocolatey icing and topped with Halloween sprinkles.

Dave Skena, Global Chief Brand Officer for Krispy Kreme, said: “Yes it’s true, these treats are no trick.

“When it comes to Halloween this year, you know who to call.

“Krispy Kreme is the gatekeeper to Halloween sweetness and Sony Pictures Consumer Products is the key master to bring spooky-sweet Ghostbusters doughnuts to our fans this year.

“You’re welcome, Gozer.”

Krispy Kreme and Ghostbusters fans can also get a limited time Krispy Kreme dozen (from £ 25.95) featuring the Ghostbusters, Slimer, Ecto-Sprinkles and Original Glazed Doughnut.

The dozen are delivered fresh daily to all Krispy Kreme shops, selected grocery shops, and are also available for delivery straight to your door via nationwide delivery.

For more information about the Halloween range, please visit https://www.krispykreme.co.uk.

FANCY getting yourself an early Christmas present? Then apply for a festive job.

With the big day just ten weeks away, employers are gearing up to hire almost a quarter of a million seasonal staff.

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And many temporary jobs can become permanent if you show bosses you are a good fit for them, so you could launch into a new career.

The number of jobs is up on last year and many roles offer perks including staff discounts on your shopping.

This week and next, we will bring you the brightest and best Christmas opportunities. On this page there are more than 70,000 jobs up for grabs.

One big festive employer is Sainsbury’s with 18,000 jobs in stores, delivery and warehouses plus a further 2,000 at Argos.

The retailer offers free food during shifts and a ten per cent discount at Sainsbury’s and Argos for eligible colleagues.

Prerana Issar, chief people officer at Sainsbury’s said: “Joining us during this busy time is a fantastic opportunity to meet great people and acquire skills that will stay with you long after the festive season.”

Apply at ­sainsburys.jobs/christmas.

Another big Christmas recruiter is M&S, with 11,000 jobs, up 1,000 on last year. See jobs.marksandspencer.com/christmas.

Superdrug has 1,000 sales adviser roles showing at Superdrug.jobs and Poundland is hiring 1,000 Christmas helpers at poundlandcareers.co.uk.

Freemans.com has 20 vacancies for warehouse staff sending Christmas orders out around the UK.

After working in care through the pandemic, Alison Heatley joined Freemans as a festive temp and now has a permanent role with the company.

Alison, 48, from Bradford said: “If you are thinking about applying for a Christmas job, just do it.

“You have nothing to lose and lots to gain.

“I made myself available for work and showed that I wanted to learn new roles and it definitely helped with landing a permanent job at Freemans.

“I feel that all my efforts at work have paid off and I am so glad I made the change.”

Apply at mach.co.uk

Currys has 1,000 vacancies in store plus 100 permanent 7.5 tonne delivery & install driver jobs. Apply at curryscareers.co.uk.

At Iceland, there are jobs for 750 delivery drivers and more than 1,000 retail assistants. For details see icelandcareers.co.uk.

Photo and personalised gift chain Max Spielmann, which is part of the Timpson group, is taking on 200 staff. See timpson.co.uk/about/careers-at-timpson.

The Range is taking on around ten temp staff for each store, with 2,000 needed nationwide. See therange.co.uk/careers.

GET AHEAD OF GAME IN KIDS’ SHOP

BRIMMING with elf confidence? Then use your skills to spread some Christmas cheer by working in a toy shop.

The Entertainer has launched its biggest-ever festive recruitment drive with more than 1,000 jobs available nationally.

Many employees who joined The Entertainer on seasonal contracts have stayed with the business and progressed into store, field and head office and area manager roles with the retailer.

CEO Andrew Murphy said: “We need enthusiastic people with a love of toys to help sprinkle some Christmas magic in all our stores for the festive period.”

Visit thetoyshop.com.

HOW TO BAG SEASONAL POST

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WITH the annual festive season recruitment push in full swing, what’s the best way to secure a job?

Here Anne Brewster, from Jobcentre Plus in Grimsby, shares her expert advice.

• BE PROACTIVE: The earlier you look, the best chance you have of securing a ­seasonal role. Speak to your Jobcentre work coach about what might be the best fit or visit gov.uk/find-a-job.
• RESEARCH THOROUGHLY: Before you even secure an interview, make sure you research the employer you are applying to. The more information you have at your fingertips, the better you will present.
• EXPLORE JOB HELP: Use the Department for Work and Pension’s dedicated website at ­jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk. It is home to all types of ­support, including information about extra help that might be on offer such as training courses plus tips on job-seeking.
• TAILOR YOUR APPLICATION: Adapt your CV or personal statement for the role you are applying for. Submitting a bespoke application gives you the opportunity to highlight what ­experience and skills you already have that ­mirror what the vacancy needs.
• LOOK TO THE LONGER TERM: Treat any role as though it was a permanent job. Learn new skills and show willing.

SMYTHS TOYS also has 1,000 vacancies for sales assistants.

A spokeswoman said: “We pride ourselves on developing employees skills and knowledge and there are great career progression opportunities for those who want them.”

See smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/careers to find a job.

GETTING a mortgage past retirement age used to be a hurdle that was hard to jump over, but older home buyers and borrowers have more options than ever before.

Lenders have become more flexible in their criteria and deals for homeowners heading into their later years.

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Some providers now have no maximum age limit at all, giving older borrowers the chance to get the home they want.

It comes as first-time buyer ages have gradually increased over the past few years, as higher house prices mean it is more difficult than it used to be to get on to the property ladder.

At the same time, people are living for longer and working past the traditional State Pension age in many cases.

In some cases, this may be out of financial necessity but it can also be for enjoyment and to keep mentally or physically active in later life.

As a result, lenders have adapted to changing patterns.

Chris Sykes, at financial firm Private Finance, said: “Lenders have indeed become more flexible in this space in recent years.

“It might sound like some people’s worst nightmare to have finance into later life, but for some it’s a lifeline as they can’t pay for food with bricks.

“Others haven’t been able to get on the property ladder as early in life as they would have liked, and some would rather pay monthly but raise capital for children or even grandchildren to buy.”

Whatever the reason for wanting to borrow, the chances are that there will be lenders willing to look at your case.

Chris added: “Mainstream lenders are taking employed and self employed income later and later in life, often to 75 now, some to 80 even.

“But the lenders who really specialise in this space is specialist building societies.”

Big lenders usually have set criteria for mortgage applicants which will specify things such as the age you will need to be by the time your mortgage ends.

However, specialist lenders such as building societies are more likely to look at applicants on a case-by-case basis.

As long as these lenders think you will still be able to afford to make the mortgage repayment at a later age, you could find that you are accepted at almost any age.

In some cases, pension payments will even be an accepted form of income whereas in the past it wasn’t.

Mr Sykes said: “Building societies are having to innovate in their criteria in order to win business so can be flexible.

“Often as you get into your 70s, lenders are looking at incomes guaranteed into later life, such as pensions. investments and buy to lets.

“But also if you own a business that pays you and is family-run, for example.”

Lenders typically assess whether you can qualify for a mortgage based on your income through your job.

The best mortgage rates for over-60s

 A borrower who is 60 and looking for a five-year fixed-rate mortgage today has plenty of choice and can get sub 4% rates.

The scenario assumes the borrower has an income of £50,000 and wants the mortgage for a 25-year term on a loan to value of 60%, according to data supplied by broker John Charcol,

The lowest rate is with Barclays with a competitive offering of 3.7%, it’s the only high street lender in the top five.

The rest of the leading rates are from building societies with Newbury offering 4.39%, Darlington 4.49%, Cambridge 4.69% and Family 4.74%.

Some building societies have specialist conditions such as requiring you to live within a particular region of the country.

The mortgages also come with different product fees which need to be taken into account when looking at the overall value of the deal.

An independent mortgage broker can help you understand the best deals available to you in your specific circumstances.

SPECIALIST LENDING

As well as traditional mortgage products there are also specialist products available to older borrowers.

Retirement interest only mortgages, for example, have increased in popularity.

These loans are available to borrowers over 55 and allow borrowers to pay a fixed amount of interest on a loan with the underlying sum paid off from the property when the owner dies or moves into long term care.

There are currently 181 retirement interest-only mortgages available, according to data site Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, compared to 104 products in 2021.

Caitlyn Eastell from the site, said: “Many people may have existing mortgage debt as they approach retirement age or are simply choosing to continue working past typical retirement age.

“S0, it is positive news to see a rise in the number of Retirement Interest Only products available to later-life borrowers despite only being a niche sector of the market.

“RIO mortgages are a way for older homeowners to continue borrowing into retirement and may well help with monthly repayments as it removes the need to repay the capital sum, which could appeal to those who are indeed relying on their pension to make payments.

“In any case, it is important borrowers seek advice before committing and ensure they are making the correct decision to suit their needs.”

Equity release is another product that may suit older homeowners looking to borrow cash.

You’ll need to get professional advice before you take out specialist lending products.

Later life advisers can help you to navigate the options available to you whether it’s a mainstream mortgage or a specialist product is best for your particular circumstances.

IF you feel like you are getting a crumby deal on big-name biscuits, you’d be right.

A packet of McVitie’s Digestives has shrunk by as much as 28 per cent since 2014, despite prices rising by 129 per cent over the past decade.

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So could the supermarket versions offer better value?

It’s crunch time as Laura Stott tries the own-brand digestives.

Aldi Belmont Digestives – 29 biscuits, 400g, 57p

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IN true Aldi dupe style, the packet looks very like the McVitie’s one, which costs over a quid more.

But put these in a biscuit tin and it’s doubtful anyone will notice the difference.

And you get the most biccies per packet too.

Rating: 5/5

Tesco Digestives – 28 biscuits, 400g, 70p

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THESE looked the part, but tasted disappointing and the texture is too dry.

The packet claims the biccies are crumbly and crunchy.

Instead they tasted dusty, with a few falling apart before I had a chance to dunk them in my cuppa.

Rating: 1/5

M&S Digestives – 25 biscuits, 400g, 80p

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WHILE pricier than other super- market versions, these deluxe digestives from M&S are still good value compared with McVitie’s.

Sweeter than some on test but in a rich, mellow and smooth way.

Extremely tasty.

Rating: 4/5

Lidl Tower Gate Digestives – 26 biscuits, 400g, 57p

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A GREAT value option from Lidl without compromising on flavour – they taste rich and sweet.

They also held up well during a cup-dunk.

But a shame there were fewer in the pack than many other own-brand offerings.

Rating: 4/5

Sainsbury’s Digestives – 28 biscuits, 400g, 70p

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WITH a darker colour, these had a more wholesome flavour and were thick, offering a good crunch.

The biccies also had a milky and nice malty aftertaste and paired well with a cuppa.

A quality product at a great price.

Rating: 3/5

Asda Digestives – 27 biscuits, 400g, 70p

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A GREAT-value offering with plenty to go round.

Sweeter than others on test, with an orangey hue and not very chunky, but the taste still hit the spot.

These also had a lovely aroma too, which made it hard to stop at just one.

Rating: 3/5

Morrisons Digestives – 27 biscuits, 400g, 70p

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A GOOD ratio of crumble to crunch that stood up well in the cuppa dunk.

The flavour was pleasant too – not overtly sweet and with plenty in the packet.

These were thicker than some of the others, adding a pleasant texture.

Rating: 3/5

McVitie’s Digestives – 24 biscuits, 360g, £1.80, Tesco

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AT well over a £1 more per packet than most supermarket versions, there are also fewer biccies, with only 24 inside.

They are enjoyable – but ­paying nearly two quid for them left a rather bad taste.

Rating: 2/5