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A major expansion of free childcare and an extension in support for household energy costs will help ease the cost of living as Jeremy Hunt sets out a “Budget for growth”. The Chancellor confirmed that the energy price guarantee, which caps average household bills at £2,500, will be extended at its current level from April to June. It had been due to rise to £3,000 in April and the cost […]

More than 300 academic experts in migration have signed a joint letter to the Government to object to the UK’s Illegal Immigration Bill, arguing the policy is not “evidence based, workable, or legal under human rights law”. The scholars, from mostly British universities, warned the Bill will not stop small boats crossing the Channel, but would, however, increase “the chance of death” as people were funnelled into more dangerous journeys. […]

The cost of a mortgage on a first home is typically around £42 per month cheaper than renting, but the difference has reduced and in some parts of the UK renting may be the less expensive option, analysis suggests. First-time buyers could typically pay around £971 per month for a three-bedroom home, while renters would potentially be forking out around £1,013, according to calculations by Halifax. The difference of around […]

The first stamps featuring the King’s silhouette are to go on sale, with the historic floral set a nod to the green-fingered monarch’s love of gardening. Charles’s uncrowned profile, in silver and facing to the right in the top left hand corner, appears on a collection of 10 special stamps celebrating the nation’s favourite flowers. Unlike Queen Elizabeth II’s famous silhouette, the King is not depicted wearing a laurel wreath. […]

Hundreds of millions of pounds in child trust funds (CTFs) to help young people financially in early adulthood has not yet been claimed, according to a spending watchdog. The National Audit Office (NAO) raised concerns that accounts are at risk of becoming forgotten or lost track of by those holding them. It said estimates indicate that more than one-quarter of CTFs have remained untouched for a year or more after […]

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is to set out plans for 12 new investment zones to “supercharge” growth in hi-tech industries when he unveils his first Budget on Wednesday. Officials said the scheme – backed by £80 million of investment over five years in each of the new high-growth zones – is designed to accelerate research and development in the UK’s “most budding industries”. The move comes after the Government was forced […]

Heathrow has sought to reassure families it is prepared for a “successful Easter getaway” after many saw their holiday plans ruined a year ago. The west London airport said overall passenger satisfaction is “close to pre-pandemic levels”. The punctuality of departing flights in February was “the most consistent it has been in the last 12 months”, while more than 98% of passengers passed through security in under 10 minutes for […]

Dozens of companies listed on the London Stock Exchange updated shareholders on their exposure to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and its UK branch. HSBC said on Monday morning it is taking over the UK part of the collapsed bank, while authorities in the US have said depositors in SVB will have access to all their money from today. More than 40 London-listed companies posted updates as markets opened […]

The UK arm of collapsed US lender Silicon Valley Bank has been bought by HSBC after the Government and Bank of England stepped in to “facilitate” a private sale. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt confirmed that all customer deposits have been protected under the deal, with no taxpayer cash involved. It comes after the US government moved to stop a potential banking crisis after the historic failure of Silicon Valley Bank, with […]