Mapped: The areas of England and Northern Ireland where stamp duty rises will hit hardest

February 19, 2025 6:33 am

The stamp duty changes could add an extra £1.1 billion annually in the tax to government coffers Mapped: The areas of England and Northern Ireland where stamp duty rises will hit hardest The proportion of first-time buyers in England and Northern Ireland who will need to pay stamp duty will double from April, according to analysis by a property website. Currently, 21 per cent of first-time buyers pay the tax, but Zoopla estimates this will

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Research points at the one change needed to knives to curb crime

February 19, 2025 6:28 am

A ban on kitchen knives with a pointed end was being considered Research points at the one change needed to knives to curb crime Could rounded kitchen knives help curb knife crime? New research suggests they might. A study from De Montfort University found that round-edged blades failed to penetrate common clothing materials like cotton and denim, even after 1,200 repeated stabbing attempts. In contrast, traditionally sharp knives easily cut through the fabrics. This research

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‘If the farmers continue, they’ll win’: Hundreds of tractors descend on Westminster in latest tax protest

February 11, 2025 6:30 am

Large convoys of tractors and tanks filled the streets of Westminster in the latest protest against new inheritance tax rules for farmers. ‘If the farmers continue, they’ll win’: Hundreds of tractors descend on Westminster in latest tax protest Large convoys of tractors and tanks filled the streets of Westminster in the latest protest against new inheritance tax rules for farmers. Monday’s rally, organised by Save British Farming, comes as MPs debate an e-petition with more

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Billionaire wins right to hand back moth-infested £32.5m Notting Hill mansion

February 11, 2025 6:27 am

An insect specialist said the mansion had ‘an infestation of extreme proportions’ Billionaire wins right to hand back moth-infested £32.5m Notting Hill mansion A wealthy couple have won the right to hand back to the seller a £32.5m Notting Hill mansion they bought after it turned out to be “infested by millions of moths”. High-end property developer William Woodward-Fisher had given “false” answers about the state of the property and failed “honestly to disclose” the

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UK among top five most expensive countries for childcare – as nursery fees set to rise again

February 11, 2025 6:26 am

Childcare costs in the UK already make up 19 per cent of average income, but national insurance contributions will drive nursery fees even higher, finds industry group UK among top five most expensive countries for childcare – as nursery fees set to rise again The government’s hike in employer national insurance contributions (NICs) has left 96 per cent of nurseries planning to increasing fees, while UK parents already face some of the highest childcare costs

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High Court sign-off for assisted dying to be scrapped in new bill

February 11, 2025 6:24 am

Kim Leadbeater suggests allowing psychiatrists and social workers to approve applications under new amendments High Court sign-off for assisted dying to be scrapped in new bill Psychiatrists and social workers would be involved in approving assisted dying applications under proposals aimed at beefing up safeguards under the new law. Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP behind the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, is expected to bring forward amendments for a so-called “judge plus” system,

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