BUSINESS BITES

ROYAL MAIL says profits will be higher than expected because more people are sending letters. The group, whose parcels arm remains at an alltime high, is on course for £700million, up from £325million a year ago.

LEGO achieved its fastest growth in five years as children played at home in lockdown. The Danish toy giant built up its profits by 19 per cent to £1.5billion in 2020, thanks to a sales increase of 21 per cent.

THE boss of pay-later giant Klarna says he is surprised by concern about the sector, which lets people spread the cost of items bought from retailers. Comparisons to payday lenders are unfair, said Sebastian Siemiatkowski.

THE number of homes put on the market fell in February for a second month running. Sellers held back amid uncertainty over the since-extended stamp duty holiday, said the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

JUST EAT’S owner made £219million last year, up from £18million, thanks to a 42 per cent leap in orders. Dutchbased Just Eat Takeaway.com expects more growth this year, despite the easing of restrictions on eating out.

BORIS JOHNSON has urged Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani to immediately release Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. The British-Iranian national (pictured) served a sentence in Tehran on spying claims she denies – but could face more charges and has been unable to return to the UK. No.10 said Mr Johnson told Mr Rouhani: ‘Her continued confinement remains completely unacceptable.’