Sunak makes faltering election start after Rwanda and smoking setbacks
The prime minister cannot introduce signature policies on asylum and smoking before July 4
Summary
Rishi Sunak encountered several challenges on the first full day of the general election campaign. He had to acknowledge that he could not implement key policies on asylum and smoking before the July 4 polling day.
On Thursday, the Prime Minister conceded that deportations of asylum seekers to Rwanda, a policy proposed by the Tories over two years ago, would only happen if he wins the election. Sunak emphasised, “The election is about the future. If I’m elected, I’m going to get those flights off.” When asked by the BBC if these flights would commence post-election, Sunak confirmed, “Yes.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to halt Sunak’s Rwanda plan, suggesting that no asylum seekers might ever be deported under this scheme. The UK has already paid Rwanda £220 million for the initiative.
Labour suspects Sunak might attempt a surprise move by authorizing a flight to Rwanda shortly before polling day.
Additionally, Sunak’s decision to call a snap election means that legislation to phase out smoking is unlikely to be passed before Parliament is suspended on Friday.
Elsewhere, the US plans to sue Live Nation makes the front page. The paper says the move will break up Ticketmasters ‘chokehold’ on the entertainment industry.
The latest business news
-
TL;DR – Budget 2025 latest Rachel Reeves is expected to avoid raising income tax and national insurance rates to uphold commitments to “working people” defined as those earning £45,000 or less. The budget faces a potential black hole of up to £40bn, exacerbated by worse-than-expected economic forecasts by the Office for Budget Responsibility. Ministers are
-
TL;DR – Budget 2025 Latest Chancellor Rachel Reeves is under pressure to address the UK’s economic issues, with potential tax rises and spending cuts on the horizon. Key proposals include revising inheritance tax regulations, modifying income tax thresholds, and introducing charges on landlords’ rental profits. Other considerations may involve adjustments to VAT rates, a possible
-
Cliff Notes A consumer report reveals that popular products, including KitKats and Gaviscon, are experiencing shrinkflation, with many items’ sizes reduced while prices remain the same or increase. The quality of some treats is declining, with manufacturers cutting key ingredients to manage costs; for example, the cocoa content in white KitKats now falls below legal
-
Cliff Notes – Jouf olive presses start annual production season Olive presses in the Jouf region have commenced production, supplying both local and international markets Addressing the increasing demand for olive products in the region. Enhanced production capacity, increasing from 18 to 60 tonnes per 24 hours. Jouf olive presses start annual production season Riyadh:
-
ALISON BEARD: I’m Alison Beard. ADI IGNATIUS: I’m Adi Ignatius. and this is transcript of the podcast . ALISON BEARD: Adi, you are very familiar with both of the guests on today’s show. One is a comedian and talk show host, Jimmy Fallon. The other is a marketing executive turned reality tv star, Bozoma Saint
-
Cliff Notes Rachel Reeves must go beyond merely addressing the estimated £22bn public finance black hole or face repeated fiscal challenges, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). UK economic growth was recorded at a modest 0.3% for the three months ending in August, despite claims of being the fastest-growing Economy in the G7.
