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Early cloud clearing the southeast through the morning leaving sunny spells for many parts. Frequent wintry showers continuing in the north and west with some strong gusts around the coasts. Feeling cold in the brisk northwesterly wind. Tonight: Showers and winds easing during the evening with clear spells developing. Cloud and wind increasing in the northwest with rain later. Short lived frost forming under the clear skies.

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Thursday’s news briefing 

The prime minister is being urged to tighten the rules around donations to political parties as the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, attempts to interfere in British politics by making a $100 million donation to Reform UK.

Further reports suggest the Conservative Party are attempting to woo Elon Musk away from Reform and to the Tories by highlighting their ‘anti-woke’ credentials. 

Musk has been vocal about foreign interference in American politics but seems to have no issue with interfering in other countries’ politics. 

There is anger across the political spectrum this morning as the government has announced it won’t be compensating the Waspi women. Whilst it’s accepted that it would hit the taxpayer if the government did decide to compensate the women, it been widely highlighted that when in opposition Labour made it clear it would be prepared to write a cheque if they came to power. 

There’s further coverage of Prince Andrew’s latest scandal as he’s been told to stay away from royal events this Christmas. It comes as another Chinese spy allegation emerges. 

December 18, 2024 11:30 am

UK inflation increases as cigarettes and petrol drive price rises

The rate of price rises in the UK increased to 2.6 per cent in November, as a hike in tobacco duty and petrol costs drove inflation higher.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) announced the latest monthly Consumer Prices Index (CPI) reading on Wednesday, up from 2.3 per cent in October.

The inflation level swung back above the Bank of England’s 2 per cent target in October, largely because of household energy bills being pushed up as the price cap rose.

Continue reading …

UK inflation increases as cigarettes and petrol drive price rises

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/inflation-rate-rise-uk-november-cpi-ons-b2665930.html

Thursday’s front pages are made up of a variety of domestic and international news, with several political stories finding themselves taking prime positions on the front pages. 

Away from politics, a handful of tabloids continue to cover Prince Andrew being frozen out of the royal family and restaurant critic Grace Dent replacing Gregg Wallace on the hit show Celebrity MasterChef. 

The back pages cover Ruben Amorim’s response to the recent Marcus Rashford interview in which he suggested he was ready for a new challenge, indicating his desire to leave Manchester United.

‘Starmer urged to tighten rules on donations’

the guardian logo

‘PM urged to tighten rules as Musk signals donation to Reform,’ says The Guardian.

The Guardian reports the prime minister has been urged to tighten the rules on donations to political parties by the elections watchdog. The paper says it comes amid concerns that Elon Musk is planning to give millions to Reform UK. Party leader Nigel Farage has welcomed the reports that the world’s richest man might donate. The PM’s spokesperson is quoted as saying the rules are “already clear” and that they will make sure to “reinforce the existing safeguards.”

financial times logo

‘Tories attempting to woo Musk away from Reform,’ says The FT.

The FT says the Conservative Party are attempting to woo Musk out of Reform’s arms. The shadow business secretary, Andrew Griffith, tells the paper that those looking to oppose the Labour government should “have a proper look at the full menu before jumping into one particular course”.

telegraph logo

‘PM’s anxiety over needing to build bridges with Trump,’ reports the Telegraph.

The Daily Telegraph says the PM’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, went to the US earlier in the month to hold talks with Trump’s senior team. The paper says the decision suggests “anxiety at the heart of the government about the need to build bridges with the incoming US president”. The paper quotes a senior Downing Street source as saying that “Team Starmer is confident the UK is in a good position for a strong bilateral relationship with the new presidency”.

The i Logo

‘Labour MP’s ready to defy government,’ says the i.

The i newspaper reports Labour MPs are warning they are ready to defy the government following the widely criticised decision not to compensate the Waspi women. The paper says MPs are willing to lose the whip if the SNP forces a vote on the issue.

daily mail logo

‘PM is right to say compensation is unaffordable but he led voters to believe Labour would write a cheque,’ says the Mail.

The Daily Mail’s editorial says while the PM is right to say the bill for compensation is unaffordable, it’s important to remember that when he was in opposition he led voters to believe Labour “would write the cheque.”

daily mirror newspaper

‘It’s not to o late to reverse the decision,’ says the Mirror.

The Daily Mirror says it’s “not too late” to reverse the decision and remind people of the difference Labour can make now they are in No 10.

The Independent logo Get the latest news from the Independent free on WTX News

‘Starmer says women were warned years ago the pension age was to rise,’ says The Independent.

The Independent says Starmer refuses to hand ‘tens of billions we can’t afford’ to women born in the 1950s and insists they were warned years ago the pension age was to rise from 60 to 65 – despite calling this an ‘injustice’ while in opposition.

Daily express logo

‘Prince Andrew frozen out of pre-Christmas lunch for extended family,’ reports the Express.

The Express says Prince Andrew has been “frozen out” of a pre-Christmas lunch for the extended royal family today. The paper says the latest scandal – this time involving a Chinese spy – has seen the Duke banned from royal events this Christmas.

the times logo

‘Sarah persuaded him to skip the event,’ reports The Times.

The Times says Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson may have persuaded him to skip the event and that King Charles was grateful for assistance in keeping Andrew away from the public eye.

The Independent logo Get the latest news from the Independent free on WTX News

‘Andrew missing from event as new Chinese spy claim emerges,’ says The Independent.

The Independent says Andrew will miss the ‘annual royal Christmas lunch’ as a ‘new Chinese spy claim emerges’.

Our message to the Prime Minister: remember the pledge you made when you were so happy to be photographed alongside the WASPI women. This isn’t over. The WASPI women will have my full support until they receive the compensation and justice they deserve – Jeremy Corbyn 
Stephen Flynn MP@StephenFlynnSNP
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When it was politically convenient to do so, Labour backed the WASPI women. Today they have chosen to betray them. #WASPI
Plaid Cymru@Plaid_Cymru
Read More
A WASPI woman dies every 13 minutes without seeing justice for the UK Government's pensions maladministration Labour has betrayed women born in the 1950s
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Bank of England holds interest rates at 4.75%

FT.com Tweet
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Troubled shipbuilder Harland and Wolff, which crashed into administration owing more than £160m earlier this year, has been saved. Spanish state-owned business Navanti has struck a deal to buy the Belfast-based company in a move which will secure 1,000 jobs at Harland and Wolff’s four shipyards – one in Belfast, two in Scotland (Methil on the Firth of Forth and Arnish on the Isle of Lewis) and one in England (Appledore in north Devon). Read the full story here 👇 https://cityam.com/harland-and-wolff-deal-struck-to-buy-troubled-titanic-maker-saving-1000-jobs/

CITY AM Tweet
December 16, 2024 10:41 am

Bank of England set to hold interest rates after inflation jump

The Bank of England is poised to leave interest rates on hold this week after a jump in inflation and uncertainty over the Budget’s economic impact.

Policymakers are expected to keep rates at 4.75 per cent at their next meeting on Thursday after making cuts in August and November.

Although inflation fell below the BoE’s two per cent target in September, the latest official figures showed it jumped back up to 2.3 per cent in October.

The reading marked the sharpest rise in two years and was higher than economists had expected, mainly due to rising energy bills.

https://www.cityam.com/bank-of-england-set-to-hold-interest-rates-after-inflation-surprise/

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Do you have anything to add? Have your say tweet your comments @wtxnews and we will share the best ones on tomorrows briefing

Very sad to hear that Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia, the same condition Bruce Willis suffers from. Appeared on her show many times over the years and she’s a fabulous character & superb broadcaster. Wish her and her family all the best.
Tom
Palestinians are human beings who deserve to live in freedom and joy. That is why hundreds of thousands of us have exercised our right to protest. We will be here as long as it takes until there is an immediate ceasefire, an end to the occupation, and a just & lasting peace.
Jeremy IT Consultant
Keir Starmer and his allies, clutching a can of petrol in one hand and a box of matches in the other, tutting loudly at the flames. Starmer has no effin clue
MoSocialist
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