Author: News Desk

UK on track for record tax levels, IFS think tank says BBC Business says The government is on course to oversee the biggest tax-raising Parliament since records began, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies’ analysis. The IFS forecasts taxes will amount to about 37% of national income by the next general election, due in 2024. That would be a level not seen since 1948, just after World War Two. Responding to the report, a Treasury spokesperson said the “most effective tax cut we can deliver” is to “drive down inflation”. Treasury minister Andrew Griffith added that inflation was a…

England’s single-use plastics ban does not tackle takeaway boxes, warns Greenpeace BBC Business says A ban on single-use plastic cutlery, plates and polystyrene trays comes into force in England on Sunday. The new rules do not apply to plastic plates, trays and bowls used to pre-package food in shops and takeaways. Environmental campaigners say the ban does not go far enough to cut plastic waste, while some businesses told the BBC they were unaware of the new rules. The government said it was the “next big step” in its “journey to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042”. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66946643

UK economy grew faster than estimated since Covid BBC Business says The UK’s economy has grown faster since the start of the Covid pandemic than initially thought, new figures show. Revised data indicates that the UK has seen faster growth than France or Germany since the end of 2019. The growth figures had been expected to be upgraded, after the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published new estimates earlier this month of how the economy had performed since Covid. However, analysts said the UK was still suffering from lacklustre growth. The latest figures from the ONS indicated that the UK’s…

HS2: Unions call for emergency summit on rail line’s future BBC Business says Unions have called for ministers to hold an emergency summit about the HS2 rail project following growing speculation about its future. The Trades Union Congress and five member unions said stakeholders must be brought together “urgently” to get the line “back on track”. Rising costs have led to speculation that the Birmingham to Manchester leg of the high-speed line will be axed. On Thursday, Rishi Sunak refused to say whether HS2 will run to the North West. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66957407

Ryder Cup 2023: Europe make perfect start against USA on day one The Guardian says That’s the first time Europe have whitewashed – bluewashed? – the opening session of a Ryder Cup. It’s the first session clean sweep since Europe won the afternoon foursomes 4-0 on the first day at Le Golf National in 2018. For the record, the USA have won the opening session 4-0 on two occasions, against Great Britain at Portland GC in 1947 and against Great Britain and Ireland at Laurel Valley in 1975. So this isn’t unprecedented in Ryder Cup history … but it is…

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton bring ‘fire’ to Europe’s Ryder Cup bid The Independent says The raucous first tee at the Ryder Cup provides the perfect opportunity to launch Team Angry and spark Europe into life in Rome. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, paired together by Luke Donald due to their “fire and passion,” bring an intimidating challenge for world No 1 Scottie Scheffler, after recent struggles with the putter, and Sam Burns in a mouthwatering first match of the week. A scorching Marco Simone has made for a peaceful build up as both teams meandered down the steep slopes…

Ryder Cup 2023 foursomes: Europe and US reveal opening pairings in Rome BBC Sport says Ludvig Aberg has been thrust straight into Ryder Cup action by being paired with Viktor Hovland in Friday’s opening session against the United States. The 23-year-old Swede, who only turned professional in June, will partner Hovland for Europe against US rookies Brian Harman and Max Homa in Rome. Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood face Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay in arguably the match of the morning. The US are defending champions but have not won on European soil for 30 years. In the first match,…

Ryder Cup: Europe favourites to beat USA in Rome Sky News says ​​​​​​​Ryder Cup legend, and six-time major winner, Nick Faldo is giving the Europeans the edge over Team USA in Rome this week, predicting the hosts to regain the trophy. Faldo represented Europe a record 11 times at the Ryder Cup, winning 25 points, while he also captained the team in 2008, albeit in a losing cause at Valhalla. The US romped to a record 19-9 victory at Whistling Straights two years ago, but Faldo believes Europe can emerge victorious again. https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/12971068/ryder-cup-nick-faldo-has-europe-favourites-to-beat-usa-in-rome

Elianne Andam: Boy, 17, charged with murder of schoolgirl in Croydon A boy, 17, has been arrested and charged with the murder of the school girl Elianne Andam, 15, who was stabbed to death on her way to school in Croydon, south London. The teenager will appear in youth court later, sitting at Croydon Magistrates’ Court. A vigil was held on Thursday evening on Wellesley Road. Met Police have said a knife has been recovered in nearby Cedar Road. The boy was known to Elianne. He has also been charged with possession of a knife. Elianne had just got off…

GB News boss ‘appalled’ by Laurence Fox comments The boss of GB News has said Laurence Fox’s comments about a female journalist were “way past the limits of acceptance” and should have been challenged by the host Dan Wootton.  Angelos Frangopoulos told the BBC he was “appalled” by the remarks. Fox and Wootton have been suspended and GB News is now being investigated after Ofcom received thousands of complaints. What did Laurence Fox say? When discussing an earlier interview on PoliticsLive featuring political journalist Ava Evans, Laurence Fox made vile comments about Evans’ appearance because he didn’t agree with her…