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Rachel Reeves speech live: Chancellor refuses to rule out hiking income tax, VAT or National Insurance in Budget
Analysis: Reeves refuses to rule out breaking manifesto pledges on tax The Independent’s Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin reports: The chancellor today refused to rule out breaking her manifesto pledges on tax – to not raise VAT, national insurance or income tax. She was repeating what the prime minister did atContinue Reading
BP accelerates overhaul with higher asset sale target as profits beat forecasts
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails BP has said it is ramping up overhaul efforts with aims to sell off moreContinue Reading
OpenAI strikes $38 billion deal with Amazon to supercharge AI computing power
OpenAI has signed a landmark $38 billion agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to secure the immense computing power required to train and deploy its next generation of artificial intelligence systems — marking one of the biggest technology infrastructure deals ever struck. The partnership, announced this week, will give theContinue Reading
Almost half of shop workers face weekly abuse or attacks as retail crime surges
Nearly half of Britain’s shop workers are abused or attacked every week, according to new research exposing the human toll of the UK’s worsening retail crime crisis. The Retail Trust, which supports wellbeing across the retail sector, found that 43 per cent of shop floor employees had faced verbal orContinue Reading
Gyms, streaming and gaming subscriptions hit as consumers tighten belts
British households have reined in spending on gyms, streaming subscriptions and gaming over the past year, as the cost-of-living crisis continues to reshape consumer habits. New data from MoneySuperMarket’s Household Money Index, which tracks the income and spending patterns of 8,000 consumers across 31 categories, shows steep declines in discretionaryContinue Reading
Half of UK adults now use AI for financial advice, study finds
Artificial intelligence is fast becoming Britain’s most popular financial adviser, with more than half of adults now using platforms such as ChatGPT to help them make decisions about money, according to new research commissioned by Lloyds Banking Group. The study found that 56 per cent of UK adults — equivalentContinue Reading
Small exporters ‘left behind’ as larger firms surge ahead, warns BCC
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has warned that Britain’s smallest exporters are being “left behind” as larger firms benefit from new trade agreements, calling for urgent government action to help smaller businesses expand overseas. According to the BCC’s latest Quarterly Trade Confidence Report, only 16 per cent of microContinue Reading
Ryanair chief attacks Reeves’ tax plans as profits soar to record €2.5bn
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has launched a stinging attack on Chancellor Rachel Reeves, claiming her tax policies are “dooming” Britain’s economy, even as his budget airline posted record half-year profits fuelled by rising ticket prices and surging passenger numbers. Speaking at the airline’s results presentation, O’Leary accused the Labour governmentContinue Reading
HSBC breaks post-crisis barrier with 6.5-times salary mortgages for top-tier customers
HSBC has become the first major UK lender since the financial crisis to offer homebuyers loans worth up to 6.5 times their salary, in a move signalling the loosening of mortgage lending rules across the banking sector. The new deal, launched this week for HSBC Premier account holders, raises theContinue Reading
Gary Neville’s two-horse Arsenal title race verdict as Gyokeres fears grow
Gary Neville is convinced that only one team can prevent Arsenal from claiming the Premier League crown this campaign. The Gunners have been delivering outstanding performances recently, securing victory in eight of their 10 league matches this term. During October, Mikel Arteta’s squad remained unbeaten whilst maintaining clean sheets acrossContinue Reading