Author: Fatimah Idera

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has revealed that the party almost ran out of money following its historic election defeat last year, describing the period as one of financial and organisational crisis. Speaking on the BBC’s Newscast to mark her first year as leader, Badenoch said she inherited a party struggling with internal turmoil and dwindling donor confidence after losing 250 parliamentary seats, the worst result in Conservative history. “There was a point where we were at real risk of going bankrupt,Without money, a party can’t survive.” She said much of her early work involved rebuilding trust with donors to…

The UK’s manufacturing sector returned to growth in October, buoyed by the reopening of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) plants and stronger consumer spending, according to the latest S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). The index rose to 49.7, its highest level in a year, up from 46.2 in September, signalling a significant rebound in industrial activity. A reading above 50 indicates expansion. Factory output surged, with a key sub-index climbing to 51.6 from 45.7, marking a clear turnaround after months of contraction. The revival was largely driven by Jaguar Land Rover, the UK’s largest carmaker, which resumed production after a…

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has backtracked on his party’s high-profile pledge to cut £90 billion in taxes, saying deteriorating public finances under Labour and the Conservatives make such measures unrealistic. Speaking in the City of London, Farage said Reform would first prioritise bringing public spending under control, describing the 2024 manifesto tax-cut target as an aspiration rather than a fixed promise. “I cannot tell you what the state of the economy will be by the next election, They were only ever aspirations. What you’re seeing today is us being realistic about the economy.” Farage also declined to guarantee the…

A pregnant British teenager, Bella May Culley, has been freed from a Georgian prison after spending nearly six months in custody on drug-smuggling charges, following a plea agreement with prosecutors. Culley, 19, was arrested in May at Tbilisi International Airport and accused of attempting to smuggle 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish into Georgia. She was convicted by a Georgian court on Monday and sentenced to five months and 25 days the exact period she had already served in detention. As part of the plea deal, Culley’s family paid a fine of 500,000 lari (about £137,000). Georgian prosecutors had…

Britain’s Electric Vehicle (EV) charging industry could face an unexpected £100m tax bill if government plans to impose business rates on public charging bays. This prompted warnings that the costs may slow investment and push up prices for drivers. ChargeUK, the industry body representing charging operators, said the proposal would see businesses paying rates on about 64,000 parking bays linked to public chargers areas that have not previously been taxed. The group estimates the change could add up to £300 a year to some drivers’ charging costs if operators pass on the expense. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA), which sets…

The UK defence secretary has confirmed that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly the Duke of York, will be stripped of his honorary naval title of vice-admiral as King Charles moves to close a damaging chapter in the royal family’s history. Defence Secretary John Healey told BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that ministers are working with the king to remove the last of Mountbatten Windsor’s military honours. The move follows last week’s decision to strip him of his royal titles and require him to vacate Royal Lodge, his long-time Windsor residence. “In defence, as in all areas, we’ve been guided by…

RSPH boss said, adding that “employers must play a greater role in keeping people healthy.”

The evacuation follows the UK’s deployment of aid as part of a £7.5 million regional emergency package to assist countries hit by the category five hurricane, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the Caribbean.

Wealthy Britons moving abroad could soon face a new 20% tax on their business assets under proposals reportedly being considered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. According to reports, the Treasury is exploring a settling-up charge that would apply to individuals who relocate overseas, bringing the UK in line with other G7 countries and potentially raising up to £2 billion in additional revenue. Currently, UK residents who become expatriates remain liable for capital gains tax on the sale of property and land worth more than £6,000 but are exempt from such taxes on other assets, including company shares. Under the proposed measure,…

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had been mounted pressure from within his own party to remove Prince Andrew from the royal line of succession, amid growing unease about a potential constitutional crisis.