Monday newspaper round-up: UK hospitality, net zero, Aston Martin, Warren Buffett

(Sharecast News) - More than two-thirds of hospitality businesses will reduce staffing as a result of tax changes taking effect in April, according to research by industry bodiescalling on the government to delay the changes. The survey of pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels found that 70% expected to cut back on employment levels because of the higher costs and reduction in rates relief announced in last autumn's budget. - Guardian

The net zero sector is growing three times faster than the overall UK economy, analysis has found, providing high-wage jobs across the country while cutting climate-heating emissions and increasing energy security. The net zero economy grew by 10% in 2024 and generated �83bn in gross value added (GVA), a measure of how much value companies add through the goods and services they produce. - Guardian

Britain's jobs market suffered the worst start to a year since the depths of the Covid lockdowns in 2021, as hard-pressed employers cut hiring in the face of Rachel Reeves's record tax increases. Fewer than 828,500 jobs were available in January, a drop of 1.9pc compared with December and down by 4.5pc from January of last year, according to vacancies website Adzuna. - Telegraph

Aston Martin Lagonda is to row back on plans to become an electric car manufacturer within a couple of years when its new chief executive Adrian Hallmark resets the company's strategy at its annual results this Wednesday. Hallmark, 62, who joined the listed carmaker in the autumn having previously led its rival, Bentley Motors, is expected to say that the eagerly awaited electric Aston Martin is still coming but only "before 2030". - The Times

Warren Buffett has avowed Berkshire Hathaway's commitment to equities as the veteran billionaire investor defended the company's record cash pile in his annual letter to shareholders. Buffett, 94, dubbed the Sage of Omaha, has a long track record of striking big deals but the high valuations in US stocks has curbed activity and alongside stock disposals, including Apple, has led the conglomerate's cash pile to hit $334.2 billion at the end of 2024. - The Times