Ministers, MPs and retail bosses have warned Rishi Sunak that his plans for voluntary food price caps will lead to shortages on shelves and “not make a jot difference” to prices. Government ministers are also part of a growing backlash against the proposal to ask supermarkets and retailers to agree maximum prices for basic items […]
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Labour has condemned the “lavish spending” culture at the heart of government exposed by its investigation into government procurement cards (GPCs) – credit cards for ministers and officials backed by taxpayers’ money. Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader said analysis of GPCs revealed a “scandalous catalogue of waste” with taxpayers billed for at least £145.5million in […]
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The World Cup gave the UK economy an unexpected boost that increased GDP by 0.1% between October and November. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast a 0.2% contraction for the period but the rise “is likely to increase pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates,” reports the Financial Times. Cost of living […]
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Thousands of protesters marched in London with People’s Assembly to call for a general election. The “Britain is Broken” protest demanded government action on the cost of living crisis, better pay, the repeal of anti-union employment laws and against “Tory austerity”. Trade unionists, community organisations, protest groups and individuals were joined by supporters of CND, […]
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UK energy bills will rise from £1,971 to £3,549 in October with Ofgem today confirming the 80% hike. Household bills are forecast to soar even further in 2023 with warnings already made that “people will die” because of the rises. Energy consultants Cornwall Insight predict the average gas and electricity will increase to £5,386 in […]
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Labour is extending its lead over the Conservative party and is now perceived as being less extreme and more economically competent than the Tories. Sir Keir Starmer’s party has taken a 15% lead over the Tories, according to the latest YouGov poll which puts the Tories on 28% – a 2% fall in a week […]
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Criminal barristers in England and Wales have started their strike over low legal aid funding with a warning their profession faces an “existential crisis” because of severe cuts imposed by the government. Barristers say their incomes have decline by almost 30% in the last two decades. Specialist criminal barristers now earn less than the minimum […]
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Rishi Sunak appears to be warming to the idea of a windfall tax. Previously, he and the Prime Minister had rejected the idea of introducing such a tax, fearing it may repel investment and reduce dividends on pension funds. But escalating living costs, the urgent need to support struggling households, and insufficient investment on the […]
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UK supermarkets are rationing cooking oil due to supply-chain problems caused by the war in Ukraine, the world’s biggest supplier of sunflower oil. The British Retail Consortium said restricting supplies is a temporary measure with the rationing introduced to ensure there is availability for everyone. Demand on limited supplies is pushing prices higher with an […]
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UK families will be hit with a record rise in energy costs leading to the biggest fall in living standards since records began, the Bank of England (BoE) said on what has been dubbed ‘Black Thursday’. Energy regulator Ofgem today (February 3) confirmed the price cap will rise by 54% in April while the BoE […]
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