Unexpected economic reversal indicates UK is ‘perilously close to a recession’ June 13, 2022 An unexpected reversal in the UK economy indicates the country is “perilously close to a recession,” according to City economists. Gross domestic product (GDP) in the UK fell 0.3 per cent in April, marking the second month in a row the economy has shrunk, according to figures published today by the Office for National Statistics [...]
Searching for Shelley at Elcot Park in Berkshire June 13, 2022 THE WEEKEND: On the fringes of the market town of Hungerford in rural Berkshire, The Retreat at Elcot Park is set on elevating the country-house hotel stay. The second hotel from The Signet Collection (the first property is the awardwinning The Mitre in Hampton Court), guests can expect more of the brand’s alluring combination of [...]
The Conservative Party under Johnson has given up its devotion to freedom June 13, 2022 It was country music legend Toby Keith who observed that “Freedom don’t come free”. Nevertheless, when the Conservative Party adopted the Manchester liberalism of Margaret Thatcher nearly 50 years ago, it was willing to pay the price. Freedom, in all its forms, became a touchstone of the Conservative brand, pursued not only for its beneficial [...]
New Chinese lockdowns and inflation drives down oil prices ahead of trading this week June 12, 2022 Oil prices dipped last week, after US consumer prices rose more than expected and China imposed more restrictions on millions of people.
Boris Johnson has until autumn to save his job, Lord Frost says June 10, 2022 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has until the autumn to set out a clear Conservative vision for the future or face being ousted by his own MPs, his former Brexit minister, Lord Frost, has warned. Despite having survived a bruising vote of confidence on Monday, Lord Frost said the Prime Minister could not afford to ignore [...]
Cost of filling up average family car shoots to £100 for first time June 9, 2022 The cost of filling up the average 55-litre family car has shot to £100 for the first time ever. According to data released today by Experian Catalist, petrol prices have reached an all-time record of 182.3p, going up by 1.6p from Tuesday, while diesel increased by 2.9p to 188.1p. Commenting on the increase, RAC fuel [...]
Explainer-in-brief: A look into a Health Week overshadowed by political chaos June 9, 2022 You might have not noticed amidst all the chaos, but this is “health week”. Yesterday, Health Secretary Sajid Javid pledged to implement cultural change within the NHS. Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting pointed out that currently NHS managers can’t even do their job with patients’ care because they’re too busy managing collapsing hospitals and trying [...]
Brits to be allowed to use housing benefits for a mortgage to buy their homes June 9, 2022 Allowing lower-paid workers to use housing benefits to buy their homes and an extension of the right to buy for housing association tenants should give Tory support a boost. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to confirm his intentions in a major speech today as he seeks to repair his fortunes after a bruising Tory [...]
Sadiq Khan warns Londoners to brace themselves for more violent crime due to cost of living crisis June 9, 2022 The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, warned this morning the cost-of-living crisis could lead to more violent crime. Khan spoke of his fears that progress in tackling violent crime could be jeopardised as figures show that London’s knife and gun crimes plus teenage murders have been reduced. “We must acknowledge that the spiralling cost of [...]
Number 10 renews threat to petrol retailers who don’t pass on fuel duty cut June 8, 2022 Downing Street has renewed threats to name and shame petrol retailers not handing on a 5p cut in fuel duty to customers as UK prices reach almost £2 a litre. Boris Johnson’s spokesman today said the government wants this year’s fuel duty cut to be “passed on at all sites and petrol stations”, but that [...]