England’s prescription drug problem, Marie Claire UK to close print edition, and more top news

The news professionals are talking about now, curated by LinkedIn’s editors. Join the conversation on today's stories in the comments.

Health officials are reviewing practices around prescribing drugs after a government-commissioned report found hundreds of thousands of people in England are hooked on prescription drugs. Researchers at Public Health England (PHE) said a quarter of adults were prescribed painkillers, antidepressants and sleeping tablets in 2017 to 2018 alone, with half taking them long-term. The research has prompted calls for GPs to have better access to alternative therapies for patients. NHS England said it is investing in the likes of talking therapies and 'social prescribing', which includes exercise classes and arts-based activities. ? Here’s what people are saying. 

Marie Claire is scrapping its UK magazine to become a digital-only product. Print display advertising across the industry was down by 25% in 2018 and continues to decline at a rate of 30% this year, according to BBC News. "A strategy focusing on Marie Claire UK's digital business will give the brand the best opportunity to secure a profitable and sustainable future," a spokesperson said. The magazine has been in print since 1988. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Discrimination against working-class people in the workplace should be made illegal. That's according to the head of the TUC Frances O’Grady, who said the UK is wasting talent because working-class people are being shut out of opportunities. "The system is rigged from the start … If you’re from a working-class family, the odds are stacked against you,” she said. The TUC believes that, in the absence of new laws, those from working-class backgrounds will continue to face discrimination such as employer bias during job interviews. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Also... Wages are on the up in the UK, with ONS data showing pay packets, including bonuses, increased by 4% on last year. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Selfridges is to be the first department store in the world to install a permanent cinema in a bid to provide customers with experiences beyond shopping. The three-screen venue will open in November as part of a ￡300m refurbishment of its flagship Oxford Street store. Showing Hollywood and independent films, cinemagoers will have access to food and drink, as well as a membership loyalty programme. The retailer hopes to cash in on UK box office takings which hit ￡584m in the first half of 2019, according to British Film Institute statistics. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Cities worldwide are mulling how to regulate e-scooters. The fresh scrutiny comes as a Toronto committee considers banning e-scooters from the city’s sidewalks, postponing use of the two-wheeled phenomenon at least until they are governed by provincial regulations. Paris, which is home to at least 20,000 electric scooters, imposes €135 (￡120) fines for riding e-scooters on the pavement, while Munich officials have banned e-scooters from this year’s Oktoberfest. Earlier this year, YouTube personality Emily Hartridge became the first person in Britain killed while riding an e-scooter. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Idea of the Day: It’s a risk to assume any role is guaranteed. Assembly Payments’ Jim Paleo tells LinkedIn that to work at a startup, you should be comfortable with uncertainty. 

"One sits in a better place when the focus is purely on value add, instead of job preservation. I feel the word 'gamble' is a framed thought. It's not a gamble if you know what value you can add, and what you can gain."

What's your take on today’s stories? Share your thoughts in the comments.

— Natalie MacDonald