Key facts:

• Whitbread plans to convert all remaining branded restaurants into an integrated food and beverage model.
• The company aims to save £250 million as part of its cost-saving measures.
• Whitbread intends to sell and lease back £1.5 billion of its freehold properties.

Dominic Paul, CEO of Whitbread, stated, “We plan to convert all our remaining branded restaurants to an integrated food and beverage offer that is preferred by our hotel guests.” This change aligns with the company’s new five-year business strategy. The Beefeater brand has been part of the UK dining landscape since 1974.

The Unite union is seeking consultations regarding the job cuts. Whitbread’s workforce in the UK and Ireland currently stands at around 30,000 employees. The closures will impact many families across the region.

Whitbread reported flat revenues for the year ending February 2026. However, it achieved a pre-tax profit of £298 million during the same period. Despite this profit, Whitbread’s shares have fallen 20% over the past six months, prompting a reevaluation of its operational model.

Paul added, “This plan will transform Whitbread into a higher-margin, higher-returning pure-play hotel business.” The company has faced pressure from investors such as Corvex to rethink its business strategy amid changing market conditions.

The next steps for Whitbread involve implementing this new strategy while managing the fallout from these closures. Officials have indicated that they will provide further updates as the transition progresses.

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Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, has announced significant developments regarding the implementation of Digital ID in the UK. This initiative aims to modernize public services and is expected to save the government tens of billions of pounds annually by replacing outdated paper-based systems.

The consultation process for Digital ID is set to conclude on May 5, with a People’s Panel dedicated to the initiative expected to wrap up its discussions by June 21. Legislation to implement Digital ID is anticipated to be presented to Parliament later this year, with work on the Digital ID app projected to commence in 2027.

Jones highlighted the current inefficiencies in the system, noting that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) processes approximately 45,000 letters daily, while HMRC handles around 100,000 phone calls each day. He pointed out that there are over 500 different paper forms used by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), underscoring the urgent need for modernization.

“Digital ID will provide a foundation for modern public services,” Jones stated, emphasizing the necessity for the UK to catch up with international standards. He acknowledged the hard work of public officials and civil servants but stressed that the current systems are outdated.

Importantly, the NHS App will not integrate with the Digital ID system, which raises questions about the future of digital health services. By the end of this parliamentary term, the app is expected to include additional services such as tax disc payments and right to work checks.

Jones remarked, “This is a gamble as they get to vote at the end of it,” referring to the public’s role in shaping the future of Digital ID. The initiative is seen as a crucial step towards enhancing efficiency in government operations.

As the consultation period progresses, public reactions and official statements will likely shape the final implementation strategy. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific features and functionalities of the Digital ID system.

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