Author: News Desk

Stuart Machin says the government’s latest tax policies risk stifling growth M&S chief accuses government of raiding retail sector ‘like a piggy bank’ The chief executive of Marks & Spencer has accused the government of raiding the retail sector “like a piggy bank” with its latest tax policies as businesses face mounting financial pressures. Stuart Machin highlighted rising National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for businesses and new packaging levies as major burdens on the industry. He called on the government to stagger NIC changes over time and delay the introduction of the controversial packaging levy, warning that these measures risk stifling…

Labour accused of trying to outdo Farage with migrant deportation videos The government is publishing videos of raids of venues employing illegal workers as it prepares for the second reading of its Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill Labour accused of trying to outdo Farage with migrant deportation videos https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-reform-farage-immigration-raid-video-b2694954.html

Keir Starmer is facing a new backlash from the trade unions after he was accused of imposing a new round of austerity again on fire and rescue. Starmer facing new trade union challenge over ‘Labour austerity’ Keir Starmer is facing a new backlash from the trade unions after he was accused of imposing a new round of austerity again on fire and rescue. Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright has claimed that the Labour government has imposed a real-terms cut to fire and rescue services across England. In a warning to the prime minister he said: “Austerity under a…

Tories demand PM widens investigation to councillors and Burnley MP Oliver Ryan, who was a member of the Whatsapp group, apologises for not speaking out against ‘completely acceptable’ comments Starmer facing calls to probe second Labour MP over Andrew Gwynne WhatsApp group row Sir Keir Starmer is facing calls to widen his party’s investigation into allegations of offensive messages on a WhatsApp group, which has already led to the sacking of former health minister Andrew Gwynne. It came as Burnley MP Oliver Ryan admitted to being a member of the Whatsapp group where Gwynne made the offensive comments and issued…

Why are Britain’s farmers protesting?  Thousands of farmers are expected to join a rally in Whitehall as they protest against the Labour government’s extension of inheritance tax to agricultural property. Industry leaders say the plan, put forward by chancellor Rachel Reeves during her first Budget last October, is “marching the UK into a food crisis”. Below, we look at why exactly the farmers are on strike. What are the changes to farm tax?Previously, farming businesses qualified for 100 per cent relief on inheritance tax on agricultural property and business property. But now the tax is being imposed on farms worth…

Political and tech leaders convene in Paris for a summit co-hosted by French President Macron and Indian PM Modi to discuss AI governance, aiming for ethical, accessible AI and bolstering European sovereignty over the technology. The event, at Grand Palais, includes lectures and panels on AI’s potential impacts.

 Paloma Faith has stunned fans by revealing she was once caught in an explicit sex act in the street. The icon, 43, took to TikTok to promote her new podcast Mad, Sad, and Bad. In honour of the podcast’s theme, she explained the ‘baddest’ thing she’s ever done. Reminiscing back to when she was 21, the singer revealed a truly shocking act she did in the middle of the street in Seville. She said: ‘When I was 21 I allowed someone to ***** in the street in Seville. And an old lady walked past and she looked at us.’ She…

Do you know who this 90s teen heartthrob is? He rose to fame in the hit NBC series Saved by the Bell, which won him a Young Actor award in 1991. But this child star looks very different now, as he made a rare public appearance on the red carpet for this year’s Critics Choice ceremony. Dressed in a white tuxedo jacket with a bow tie, the American actor looked every inch a distinguished gentleman as he beamed for cameras. But do you recognise him? Perhaps if we call him Zack Morris, that might help, as that’s the name…

Sinéad Keenan is returning to our screens in Unforgotten – but she is not the only member of her family who is a TV star. The 47-year-old’s sister Gráinne Keenan, who is an actress, has starred alongside her in the ITV crime drama too. Their brother Rory Keenan also caught the acting bug – and has appeared in multiple hit TV shows including Peaky Blinders. He is also married to a Hollywood star wife. And the showbusiness connections do not end there as Sinéad’s husband works in the TV industry as well. Here is everything you need to know about…

Dancing On Ice has eliminated the fourth celebrity in the first dreaded skate-off of 2025 – and fans have called the departure ‘criminal.’ Former footballer Anton Ferdinand, 39, and Love Island star Chris Taylor, 34, went head to head as they tried to impress judges Oti Mabuse, Christopher Dean, Ashley Banjo and Jayne Torvill. All four judges unanimously decided to save Anton and Annette Dytrt, sending Chris and partner Robin Johnstone home. After Chris’s exit was revealed host Holly Willoughby said: ‘You’ve been brilliant, and I feel like you’ve loved this even though this partnership hasn’t been long, it’s been…