Lloyds to warn 3,000 staff they face sack for ‘underperformance’

Lloyds Banking Group is to warn 3,000 staff that they are at risk of being sacked for underperformance, as part of a management overhaul led by the chief executive, Charlie Nunn.Over the summer, the bank began telling managers that they would have to rank staff performance, with about 5% of Lloyds’ 63,000-strong workforce due to be put on performance plans that would put jobs at risk unless workers notably improved.It ramps up a performance review process that originally gained pace in March this year, and while many staff are expected to keep their jobs, about 1,500 could end up being dismissed. It is understood that all staff are at risk, regardless of seniority.Executives – who will monitor progress via HR software – are trying to address low turnover among its lowest performers, with staff having been less likely to leave their jobs amid continuing economic uncertainty

UK construction in longest downturn since early 2020; global bond sell-off eases – business live

Ouch! Britain’s construction sector is suffering its longest continuous downturn since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.Construction output slumped again in August, according to the latest poll of purchasing managers from data provider S&P Global.Its construction PMI has found:Business activity falls for eighth month in a row, but at slower pace than in JulySolid reductions in new work and employmentOptimism drops to its lowest since December 2022S&P Global says there was a “sustained downturn in UK construction output” in August, led by a “marked reductions in the housing and civil engineering segments”.Civil engineering was the weakest-performing segment in August, with business activity decreasing at the fastest pace since October 2020. Housebuilding activity also fell, suggesting the government is strugging to hit its target to boost home construction

Google Pixel 10 review: the new benchmark for a standard flagship phone

Google’s new cheapest Pixel 10 has been upgraded with more cameras, a faster chip and some quality software that has brought it out of the shadow of its pricier Pro siblings to set a new standard of what you should expect from a base-model flagship phone.The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more.The regular Pixel 10 costs £799 (€899/$799/A$1,349) – the same as last year’s Pixel 9 – undercutting the 10 Pro by £200 and matching rivals from Samsung and Apple while offering more for your money

‘Slap on the wrist’: critics decry weak penalties on Google after landmark monopoly trial

A judge ruled on Tuesday that Google would not be forced to sell its Chrome browser or the Android operating system, saving the tech giant from the most severe penalties sought by the US government. The same judge had ruled in favor of US prosecutors nearly a year ago, finding that Google built and maintained an illegal monopoly with its namesake search engine.Groups critical of Google’s dominance in the internet search and online advertising industry are furious. They contend the judge missed an opportunity to enact meaningful change in an industry that has suffocated under the crushing weight of its heaviest player. Tech industry groups and investors, by contrast, are thrilled

Adelaide v Collingwood: 2025 AFL first qualifying final – live

Q4: 13 mins remaining: Adelaide 8.5.53 - Collingwood 10.11.71Desperate defence keeps the Crows in the game! The Pies lock the ball forward but can’t find a sight of goal as Adelaide lift their pressure in the back half

England v South Africa: second men’s one-day international – live

According to Harry Brook, and Stuart Broad on comms, Sonny Baker hasn’t been dropped because of the pasting he received two days ago.The argument is that on this pitch Saqib Mahmood’s fuller length will be a handful.South Africa have two spinners. Which is…interesting. Lord’s isn’t really a grippy sort of surface