Year: 2024

Wednesday’s news briefing – Higher energy bills push up inflation, farmers warn of more protests to come, cold snap bites UK, Pep extends City contract 

News Briefing

Images from yesterday’s farmer’s protest in London dominate much of the UK media – online and in print – amid warnings that the protests are just the start.

The prime minister assures the public that the inheritance tax rule will affect only a small amount of farmers. Around 13,000 farmers protested outside Westminster yesterday and were joined by Jeremy Clarkson and Nigel Farage.

Higher energy rates have pushed up UK inflation the latest figures show. The rate is at its highest in six months. The latest figures come after the government revealed that around 50,000 pensioners will be living in relative poverty next year due to the winter fuel allowance cuts.

The UK cold snap has arrived and more weather warnings have been issued across the country as the wintery weather causes travel disruptions and school closures.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has signed a one-year extension to his contract, keeping him in the Premier League for a little longer.

Away from domestic news, much of the UK media – in print and online – also looks at the latest developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden permitted Ukraine to use US-made weapons to strike Russia – which they did yesterday.

Russia’s Putin has called it a major escalation of war and has, in response, lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike on the West. It’s led to fears a nuclear war may be on the horizon.