In a bid to better protect young people and prevent knife-related violence, the government has announced tougher age verification measures for online knife sales and a ban on doorstep deliveries of bladed weapons.
These new rules are part of a broader strategy to halve knife crime within the next decade.
Under the new regulations, online retailers will be required to implement a stringent two-step verification process. Customers purchasing knives will need to provide photo identification, such as a driving licence or passport, at the point of sale and again upon delivery. Additionally, delivery companies will only be permitted to hand over bladed articles to the individual who made the purchase, with doorstep drop-offs strictly prohibited if no one is available to receive the package.
The measures also include the potential for customers to submit a current photo or video of themselves alongside their ID, as well as proof of address, such as a utility bill.
“It’s a total disgrace how easy it still is for children to get dangerous weapons online,” home secretary Yvette Cooper said.
“More than two years after Ronan Kanda was killed with a ninja sword bought by a teenager online, too many retailers still don’t have proper checks in place. We cannot go on like this. We need much stronger checks – before you buy, before it’s delivered.”
The announcement follows a comprehensive review led by Commander Stephen Clayman, the national police lead on knife crime, which examined the online sale and delivery of knives. The full report, expected by the end of the month, is set to recommend stronger ID checks as a key solution to the problem.
In addition to these measures, the government has already committed to holding social media companies accountable for content that glorifies or incites knife violence. Senior executives could face fines of up to £10,000 if they fail to promptly remove such material from their platforms.
The new rules will be included in the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill, which is expected to be introduced to Parliament by spring.
The UK government has been urged to reconsider its increase to employer National Insurance contributions before it causes “lasting damage” to the economy in Scotland.
National Insurance contributions for employers are set to rise to 15 per cent from April – however, the Scottish Government estimates it will cost businesses £850 per employee on average.
It was warned the hike would hit the budgets of charities and public sector bodies.
Scottish Government Employment and Investment Minister Tom Arthur said the rise was likely to result in higher prices for consumers and endangered economic growth and described it as a “tax on jobs”.
Speaking ahead of a debate in parliament this week, Arthur said efforts to support businesses and boost investment were “being undermined” by the UK Government’s decision.
“This decision is hitting Scottish businesses hard, reducing their ability to contribute to Scotland’s economy, all while hurting employees’ pay packets.
“Businesses now face the impossible choice of cutting jobs, reducing hours, cutting wages, absorbing the costs themselves or passing some of the burden to consumers in the form of higher prices.
“The First Minister set out a clear plan for growth in his Programme for Government, using the levers at our disposal to support businesses and to attract investment in critical areas like the offshore wind supply chain.
“Yet, our efforts to support businesses, entrepreneurs and investment are being undermined by this tax on jobs. If the UK Government is serious about economic growth, they must reconsider this decision before they cause lasting damage to Scotland’s economy.”
Arthur's statement comes a week after retailers' warning that tax hikes will lead to even more devastating High Street closures and job losses.
Retailers are set to face a "perfect storm of additional costs" as 300,000 jobs will go by 2028 due to the implication of recent budget, stated the new body Retail Jobs Alliance (RJA) representing seven of Britain’s biggest retail chains.
According to the RJA’s analysis, at least one in ten retail workers could leave the sector before 2028, amounting to 300,000 staff.
The retailers are calling for shops to be protected from higher business rates, which are commercial property taxes, saying that this change would provide much-needed relief for at-risk stores, enabling them to reinvest in their businesses, retain staff, and grow their footprint on the High Street.
As well as hitting shops with higher rates, the Chancellor announced a £25billion increase in national insurance and an inflation-busting hike in the minimum wage.
Helen Dickinson, boss of the British Retail Consortium, warned that with Reeves’ Budget adding over £7billion to their bills in 2025, retailers face "difficult decisions about future investment".
Confederation of British Industry chief executive Rain Newton-Smith warned businesses are "seriously flagging under the fiscal burden it had to shoulder at the Budget". She is calling for "decisive action’ that must include ‘fixing our punishing business rates system – fast".
SPAR UK today (17) shared the impact of its donation of over £30,000 that it made to It Belongs To Me, an organisation empowering vulnerable women, men, and children in Rustenburg, South Africa.
This contribution, alongside donations of books, toys, stationery, and toiletries, has enabled the organisation to deliver life-changing programmes and projects in its community.
The partnership began at the 2024 SPAR national conference in Sun City, where attendees were inspired by Khumo Phalatse, founder of It Belongs To Me NPC, and her story of resilience, determination, and passion for creating opportunities in her community.
Since its inception over a decade ago, the organisation has been dedicated to addressing challenges such as period poverty, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and educational inequality.
SPAR UK’s donation has helped It Belongs To Me NPC by renovating a previously modest facility into a vibrant hub for learning and community engagement; creating a new library which now provides educational materials and career workshops and serving as a beacon of opportunity for local youth and women; and supporting volunteers who have undergone training in counselling and youth development, ensuring the organisation has the skilled support needed to sustain its programmes.
Khumo Phalatse, founder of It Belongs To Me, said, “This donation has transformed not just our centre, but the lives of so many in our community.
"What began as a small spark of hope has now grown into a vibrant space of safety, learning, and healing. Thanks to everyone who attended the SPAR UK conference in Sun City, we have created something that will last – a place that inspires and empowers those who need it most.”
The donation has also funded impactful programmes, including a career awareness campaign that introduces young learners to diverse career paths, a Women’s Day event focused on empowerment and healing, an anti-bullying and substance abuse campaign for primary school students, social media safety workshops for high school learners, and a clothing drive providing essentials to families in need.
These initiatives have brought hope, education, and healing to the community, reinforcing It Belongs To Me NPC’s mission to uplift and empower.
Dominic Hall, Chair of the National Guild of SPAR, adds, “At SPAR, we believe in making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve, both at home and abroad. Supporting It Belongs To Me NPC has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and we are inspired by Khumo’s dedication and resilience.
"This partnership highlights the power of collective effort and the profound impact it can have. Thank you to everyone who attended the SPAR 2024 national conference in Sun City and for supporting It Belongs To Me.”
Sugro UK, the member-owned buying and marketing group comprising of over 90 independent wholesalers, today (17) announced the expansion of its procurement services to members with the addition of Xpress Fuel as a new partner to the group.
Xpress Fuel offer cost savings on fuel via Fuelcard transactions and Bulk fuel Discounts.
Recognising the need to address climate change, they offer carbon offsetting options on all of their fuel cards and bulk purchases. Customers have the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint and, in recognition of their efforts, receive a monthly certificate outlining their contributions to environmental preservation.
Sugro members will be able to save an average of between 10 per cent and 15 per cent on fuel by using Xpress Fuel cards across their delivery and sales fleet.
Bulk fuel deliveries across a number of fuel and lubricant product types offers a more streamlined process for members to purchase at competitive pricing.
Brett Tidmarsh, New Business Developer at Xpress Fuel, said, “At Xpress Fuel, we are excited to collaborate with Sugro UK’s members and look forward to the opportunity to provide costeffective, reliable and efficient fuelling solutions.
"Our team is committed to building strong, lasting partnerships and supporting the growth and success of every member in the network”.
Sue Hubber, Business Development Manager (South) at Sugro UK, added, “This is a great opportunity for Sugro members to benefit from real-time cost savings when energy and fuel costs are at a premium.
"The range of services offered by Xpress Fuel enables all members to gain from this partnership.”
This partnership came close on heels of Sugro UK's another announcement that the buying group has successfully trialed the first-of-its-kind pre-sell campaign, Sugro WhatsApp E-Presell, using a wholesaler R&I Jones.’s WhatsApp channel.
Under the trial, messages encouraging pre-sell orders for KP Snacks’ McCoy’s Hot ‘n’ Spicy crisps were sent out to R&I Jones customers, allowing retailers to tell a wholesaler how many boxes of the product they would like to purchase.
The entire process was completed within the WhatsApp message, with only a few taps needed for a retailer to record the quantity of products they would like to order, and their customer number.
In an aim to support its independent retailers, wholesale giant Booker has launched its latest New Product Development Guide, showcasing Booker’s new group exclusives and first-to-market offerings, Containing over 125 new products, the guide covers all activities available to retailers, including a range of food, drinks and household essentials; Easter ranges; and low/no alcohol products which continue to remain popular with consumers.
The guide is filled with opportunities for retailers to differentiate themselves from their competitors and prepare for the Spring season ahead.
As the UK’s largest food and drink wholesaler, retailers can also take advantage of Booker’s group exclusives and branded first-to-market items, including Starbucks Skinny Grande, Jack Daniels & Coca Cola Cherry drinks; Canti Pinot Grigio and Pinot Grigio Rosé; Maltesers Mini Bunnies; and Reese’s Dipped Peanuts.
Colm Johnson, Retail Managing Director, said, “We are thrilled to introduce our latest NPD Guide to support the independent retail sector, showcasing Booker’s new group exclusives and first-to-market offerings.
"As they start to plan for the season and year ahead, we’re confident our range of offers can support them in growing their business, with our focus on great choice, price and service.”
The guide is available to all Booker’s symbol group retailers now, and available online via the website: www.booker.co.uk.
This comes close on the heels of Booker's announcement of its new delivery platform for its symbol group stores. The delivery through this platform is ensured to happen in as little as 30 minutes.
The new ordering platform, Scoot, connects shoppers with their local participating independent retailer enabling them to order food, drinks and household essentials from a curated list of products chosen by the retailer.
Scoot facilitates the processes of ordering, payment, and picking processes, leaving the retailers solely responsible for organising the delivery, whether they handle it in-house or use third party.
Scoot is currently piloting in Budgens Abridge with the aim to pilot another three stores in February and March. The platform will be phased out more widely to Booker symbol group retailers – across Budgens, Premier, Londis and Family Shopper from April 2025.
Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service on Friday (14) issued an advisory for retailers to act now in advance of the ban on disposable vapes that comes into force from June this year.
Retailers should now consider stopping buying new stocks of single use vapes and sell any existing stocks before June 1.
Warwickshire County Councillor Andy Crump, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety said,“Disposable vapes, also known as single use vapes, are a wasteful use of valuable resources.
"They are frequently discarded, instead of being properly recycled, leading to harmful substances entering the soil and water courses and causing harm to plant and wildlife”.
“Many single use vapes also end up in landfill or are incinerated, which can cause fires. I strongly urge Warwickshire retailers to read our guidance and act now.”
The council stated that from June 1, retailers must stop selling or offering for sale single use vapes (whether or not they contain nicotine), remove them from their store (including online stores) and arrange for them to be collected by a registered vape recycling service.
Retailers who fail to follow the law and continue to sell disposable vapes after the ban face having these products seized by Trading Standards and could be fined £200. Repeat offenders could be prosecuted.
Retailers can continue to sell reusable vapes.
Reusable vapes must have a battery users can recharge and be refillable with vape liquid, either by filling up the tank or cartridge with e-liquid or inserting new pre-filled pods. Refills (pods or vape liquid refill bottles) should be separately available for users to buy.
If the vape has a coil, it must be one that can be replaced by an average user, either by removing and replacing it or removing and replacing a pod or tank that contains it.
The coil (whether part of a replacement pod or tank, or not) should be separately available to buy.
Retailers will need to be able to demonstrate that an average user can separately buy individual refill items (including pods or e-liquid refill bottles) for the vaping items they stock. An easy way of doing this is by providing these items in the shop or online store.