Parliamentary scrutiny follows claims that commercial agreements put the mental health of shopkeepers at risk

Vodafone executives will next month meet MPs scrutinising the company’s treatment of scores of business owners running its stores.

The move follows claims reported by the Guardian last week of suicide and attempted suicide by people who had agreed deals to run outlets for the £18bn telecoms company. The report led to suggestions that the government might consider new laws to correct the power imbalance in franchise agreements.

Training and qualifications body, acquired by private Greek firm in October, to become ‘leaner organisation’

The training and qualifications body City & Guilds is shrinking its UK workforce as part of a £22m cost-cutting drive after it was acquired by a private Greek business in October.

Founded in 1878 by the City of London and a group of 16 livery companies, the original institute developed a national system of technical education, offering qualifications and apprenticeships in fields ranging from manufacturing and mechanical engineering to hairdressing and horticulture.

Concerns about power imbalance in franchise agreements amid claims over firm’s treatment of small-business owners

The government will consider new laws to correct the power imbalance in franchise agreements in response to the “harrowing stories” of small business people running Vodafone stores.

The move follows allegations of suicide and attempted suicide among shopkeepers who had agreed to deals to run retail outlets for the £18bn telecoms company, which were revealed by the Guardian on Monday.