IN BRIEF

Transport giant FirstGroup swerved nearly £2million into the red in the six months to October. This autumn’s hurricanes hit its bus services in the US and Puerto Rico. The loss compared with an £11m profit a year ago. But the strong dollar boosted the value of its US revenues when converted into sterling. Coupled with its new South Western rail franchise here, the factors helped half-year sales grow 8.1% to £2.77billion.

Deliveroo yesterday won victory in a legal battle over how its drivers are employed. The Central Arbitration Committee, which oversees regulation of labour laws, ruled the food delivery app’s couriers were selfemployed. It dismissed a claim from the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain that they should be classed as workers. The ruling could have implications for other “gig economy” firms.