Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has declared that a Labour government would swiftly implement taxes on private school fees. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Starmer confirmed that the VAT exemption currently enjoyed by private schools would be removed “as soon as it can be done,” resulting in a 20% increase in fees. The […]
Confidence among UK consumers has surged to its highest level in nearly three years, according to the latest GfK consumer confidence survey. his positive shift suggests that families are recognising improvements in economic conditions as the six-week general election campaign begins. GfK’s consumer confidence index climbed by two points to -17 in May, up from […]
News Corporation has unveiled a groundbreaking multi-year agreement with OpenAI, granting the artificial intelligence developer permission to use content from its renowned publications in response to user queries. This strategic partnership aims to enhance OpenAI’s products with reliable and premium news sources. The agreement covers content from prominent News Corp titles, including The Times, The […]
From July, a typical household in England, Wales, and Scotland will see a £122 reduction in their annual energy bills, thanks to the latest price cap set by the regulator Ofgem. This adjustment means that households using an average amount of gas and electricity will now pay approximately £1,568 per year, marking the lowest energy […]
April proved challenging for UK retailers as heavy rainfall and stormy weather significantly impacted sales, resulting in a sharp decline. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a 2.3% drop in retail sales volumes from the previous month, far exceeding analysts’ predictions of a 0.5% decrease. The inclement weather deterred shoppers, leading to poor performance […]
In a landmark decision, hundreds of sub-postmasters wrongfully convicted in the notorious Post Office Horizon IT scandal are set to have their convictions quashed, sparking widespread relief and celebration among the affected individuals. Lee Williamson, a former sub-postmaster from Northern Ireland, expressed his “absolute joy” and gratitude in an interview with the BBC. Williamson, who […]
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is contemplating a cap on veterinary prescription fees as it delves into the sector to address concerns that pet owners are being overcharged for treatments. The formal investigation by the CMA comes after it received 56,000 responses from pet owners, vets, and charities following a review initiated last […]
HSBC has been fined £6.2 million by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for failing to properly support customers in arrears or experiencing financial difficulty. The FCA highlighted that shortcomings in HSBC’s policies, procedures, and staff training led to “disproportionate action” against those behind on payments, exacerbating their financial troubles. Between June 2017 and October […]
Nationwide Building Society, the largest in Britain, has announced plans to distribute approximately £385 million directly into customers’ accounts following a successful financial year driven by higher interest rates. On Thursday, Nationwide confirmed that its board had approved a £100 “Fairer Share” payment to be made next month to 3.85 million eligible customers with a […]
Government borrowing in the UK soared to £20.5 billion in April, marking the highest level in three years. The surge was driven by a growing benefits bill and decreased tax revenues following cuts to national insurance contributions. Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that borrowing exceeded both the £19.3 billion anticipated […]