Browsing: UK politics

Friday’s news briefing – William’s brutal year, BoE cuts interest rates, 3 arrested over Liam Payne’s death 

News Briefing

Prince William has opened up about the difficult year he and his family have faced following his wife’s cancer battle. Shortly before Kate’s cancer was announced, William’s father was also diagnosed with cancer. The prince has described the year as ‘brutal.’

The Bank of England has cut interest rates to 4.75%. It’s the second cut in the base rate this year – it came down from 5.25% to 5% in August. The Bank’s base rate heavily influences the cost of borrowing, including mortgages – a lower rate is supposed to encourage consumer spending. Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey says it is “likely that interest rates will continue to fall gradually from here” – but adds inflation needs to stay close to the 2% target.

Three people have been arrested in the death of former One Direction pop star Liam Payne. They have been arrested on drug charges and “the abandonment of a person followed by death”. Payne fell from a hotel balcony in Argentina last month, his body was recently flown home.

‘Trump wins election by a landslide’ – Paper Talk 

News Briefing

Images of a happy and celebrating Donald Trump feature on every front page after his shock re-election. The former president has won the 2024 US election by a landslide. The GOP has taken back the Senate, looks on course to take the House of Representatives and the president-elect looks like he’s won the popular vote as well.

As Donald Trump prepares to appoint his cabinet ahead of his return to the White House in January, the UK papers react along clear lines: the right-leaning press celebrate his return whilst the left-leaning media looks at the results with disappointment and anxiety for the future.