Pret's plan to recruit homeless

Clive Gee/PA

Coffee chain Pret a Manger is taking its holier-than-thou branding image to a new level by hiring 70 new apprentices in the New Year, recruiting from homeless, ex-offender and disadvantaged backgrounds.

Pret gives the apprentices £100 to buy work clothes and pays for their travel to and from work, on top of their weekly wage.