Rayner recruits new towns taskforce as Reeves reveals when taxes will rise – live
Rachel Reeves has acknowledged that taxes will increase in the initial Budget.
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Rachel Reeves has been charged with accusing Jeremy Hunt of fabricating the claim of a £22 billion deficit in public finances as a reason to raise taxes.
The chancellor confirmed that there will be raises in the autumn Budget and guaranteed that the government will keep its word by not increasing national insurance, income tax, or VAT.
However, former Conservative chancellor Lord Hammond suggested that Ms Reeves' strong criticisms of her predecessor may be laying the groundwork for abandoning promises made in the Labour manifesto.
The minister's announcement about spending has caused a rebellion within the Labour party, with Diane Abbott calling the chancellor's plan for public cuts a "return to austerity".
Angela Rayner has established a new towns taskforce to suggest locations for new towns. This aims to determine the best places for these new towns, creating more housing, employment opportunities, and green spaces. This forms a key part of her extensive overhaul of the housing planning system in the country.
However, the second-in-command of the government has minimized the negative reaction from Labour members of parliament regarding the housing plan that requires councils to meet specific housebuilding goals.
Increased House Sales By 8% Annually In June
In June, there was an 8% increase in the amount of homes being sold in the UK compared to the previous year, as reported by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Around 91,370 transactions were recorded, showing an increase of 8% compared to June 2023 but a slight decrease of less than 1% from May 2024.
Even though the decrease from the previous month was small, this was the first time there was a monthly drop since December 2023, according to HMRC.
Iain McKenzie, who is the leader of the Guild of Property Professionals, mentioned that the number of property transactions has been consistently increasing. However, a slight decrease in transactions from one month to the next is a minor setback.
The market is still doing well compared to last year, with June's numbers up 8% from the previous year.
These numbers should be examined in light of the overall market's rebound.
The general outlook for 2024 is looking up, with more transactions being made compared to the previous year. This indicates that buyers are starting to feel more confident in the market.
Jason Tebb, who is in charge of the website OnTheMarket, mentioned that the housing market has not shown much change in June before the General Election. The number of transactions has decreased slightly compared to the previous month.
Salma Ouaguira has written a new blog post on July 31, 2024 at 10:51.
Record £1.5bn Budget Boost For Renewable Energy
Salma Ouaguira's latest post was published on July 31, 2024 at 10:42.
Rees-Mogg Urges Tory Leader To Be Conservative
Jacob Rees-Mogg is advising the future Conservative leader to adopt a more traditional approach in order to push back against the growing influence of the Reform party.
Declining to support a candidate to take Rishi Sunak's place, he stated on Times Radio today: "I am familiar with and have a good relationship with all of the potential candidates."
When questioned about whether the future leader should challenge Reform, Sir Jacob responded by pointing out where the votes were distributed. He noted that their party lost approximately seven million votes, with around four million of those going to Reform. An additional 2.3 million votes seemed to have been abstained from by staying at home.
So, out of the seven million people who left, 6.3 million did so because they believed that we were not upholding conservative values and principles as a party should.
Salma Ouaguira posted on July 31, 2024 at 10:31.
Farage Accused Of Sparking Tensions In Southport Riot
Ex-MP Tobias Ellwood has criticized the Clacton MP for intentionally aggravating tensions in the wake of the riots sparked by the Southport stabbings.
The leader of Reform UK shared a video expressing concerns about why the incident was not being classified as terror-related, and questioning if all the facts were being shared with the public.
Response: Disagreeing with the statement made by the conservative politician, Mr. Ellwood mentioned that he experienced the loss of his brother due to a terror attack. He argues that spreading hate online by linking the Southport incident to terrorism, which led to riots, damage to a mosque, and injuries to 27 police officers, is not only wrong but needs to be dealt with. If this behavior is not addressed, similar incidents are likely to occur in the future.
I'm appalled at how a current Member of Parliament is intentionally stirring up conflict for no reason. Farage needs to remove this tweet.
Title: My Experience Traveling to Morocco I wanted to share with you all about my recent trip to Morocco. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. When I arrived in Morocco, I was immediately captivated by the vibrant colors and bustling markets. The sights, sounds, and smells were unlike anything I had ever experienced before. One of the highlights of my trip was visiting the ancient city of Marrakech. The architecture was breathtaking, and I loved exploring the narrow alleyways and hidden courtyards. I also had the opportunity to try traditional Moroccan cuisine, which was simply delicious. The tagines, couscous, and mint tea were some of my favorite dishes. Overall, my trip to Morocco was a truly unforgettable experience. I met so many wonderful people, saw incredible sights, and immersed myself in a rich and vibrant culture. I can't wait to go back and explore more of this beautiful country. Morocco has definitely won a special place in my heart.
Reform MP Accused Of Inciting Riot In Southport Stabbings
Nigel Farage has faced criticism for his reaction to the Southport stabbings, with the spouse of the late MP Jo Cox accusing the head of the Reform party of "encouraging violence".
Three teenage girls died on Monday in an incident that occurred during a dance class inspired by Taylor Swift. Eight other kids were wounded by a knife, with two of them in critical condition. Additionally, two adults are also hospitalized in critical condition.
Mr. Farage uploaded a video to social media in response to the attack, wondering why it was not being classified as terrorism and if the public was being kept in the dark about the truth. He also inquired whether the security services were keeping an eye on the suspect, a 17-year-old individual who has not been named.
Merseyside Police said on the same day that the incident is not considered to be related to terrorism at this time.
Our reporter who covers politics, Millie Cooke, has all the details.
Salma Ouaguira published a new blog post on July 31, 2024 at 10:12.
Rachel Reeves To Raise Taxes In October Budget
Rachel Reeves has cautioned that taxes will need to be increased in October to fill a £22 billion gap in the government's budget.
Before presenting her first budget, the chancellor indicated that she may increase capital gains and inheritance tax, as well as consider pension reform to address the financial deficit. She also mentioned that tax hikes could be expected in the upcoming budget, setting the stage for a tough financial announcement.
The alert was issued following her decision to cancel numerous infrastructure projects and introduce means-testing for the winter fuel allowance for retirees in order to tackle the financial deficit created by the Conservative Party.
Our political expert, Archie Mitchell, has all the details in his report.
Title: The Importance of Self-Care Self-care is essential for maintaining our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It involves taking care of ourselves in various ways, such as getting enough rest, eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and engaging in activities that bring us joy. By prioritizing self-care, we can reduce stress, improve our overall health, and enhance our quality of life. Many people view self-care as something selfish or indulgent, but it is actually a necessary practice for living a balanced and fulfilling life. When we neglect our own needs, we become more susceptible to burnout, illness, and emotional breakdowns. By making self-care a priority, we can better serve those around us and be more present and engaged in our relationships and responsibilities. Self-care looks different for everyone, as we all have unique preferences and needs. Some may find relaxation in meditation or yoga, while others may prefer to unwind with a good book or a long walk. The key is to find activities that nourish and rejuvenate both our bodies and minds. In today's fast-paced world, it can be easy to neglect our own well-being in favor of other commitments. However, by taking the time to prioritize self-care, we can become better equipped to handle life's challenges and feel more content and at peace. Remember, self-care is not selfish – it is a fundamental aspect of leading a healthy and fulfilling life.
Former Minister Criticizes Sunak For Not Calling Election After BoE Rate Cuts
Lord Hammond criticized Rishi Sunak for calling a July election, stating that he should have delayed it until after the Bank of England had lowered interest rates.
Tomorrow, the Bank's committee on monetary policy will convene to decide whether or not to lower interest rates.
In an interview with Sky News, Lord Hammond expressed his belief that there will be interest rate reductions this year. He questioned why the former prime minister called for an early election when he believed the economy was showing positive signs of growth.
Reductions in rates lead to reductions in mortgage payments for individuals, and this is a significant factor for voters.
Salma Ouaguira posted on her blog at 9:55 on July 31, 2024.
Junior Doctors May Strike In 2022 Despite Raise
The leader of the union representing junior doctors has mentioned the possibility of another strike happening next year, even though they recently reached a pay agreement of 22 percent, according to LBC.
Robert Laurenson, who is one of the co-chairs of the junior doctors committee at the British Medical Association (BMA), stated that the possibility of strikes happening is likely around 12 months from now. This is because Labour is currently experiencing a period of popularity and support.
The BMA suggested that its members should approve Wes Streeting's proposal, which consisted of a salary increase of 4.05 percent and a bonus ranging from 8.8 to 10.3 percent.
However, Mr. Laurenson mentioned that the union may contemplate a "prolonged and consistent" strike in the coming months.
He stated: "In the previous two years, our strategy was focused on the upcoming election and attempting to negotiate with an unstable and weakening government."
I believe the best way to get a better deal is to consistently take action for the next year.
He mentioned that the BMA's plan was built on the idea of negotiating with a struggling government in a state of disarray after a general election.
The leader of the union expressed that the best way to achieve a better agreement would be to engage in extended strikes for potentially the next year.
Salma Ouaguira wrote a blog post on July 31, 2024 at 9:46 AM.
Minister Urges Calm In Lebanon
The Defence Secretary, John Healey, has urged for a reduction in the tension and fighting in Israel, Lebanon, and Iran.
Mr. Healey emphasized the importance of reducing tensions in the region, stating that it is crucial as the area reaches a critical point. He expressed his distress over the loss of innocent lives in recent times and called for an end to the violence.
Everyone involved in the conflict needs to take a break and prioritize diplomatic solutions. We will collaborate with key allies such as Qatar as we actively promote peace efforts.
Israel killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, sparking increased tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Blog post by Salma Ouaguira on 31 July 2024 at 09:39
"Female Chancellor Rachel Reeves Stuck With Urinal"
Rachel Reeves mentioned that she cannot have a urinal taken out of her office restroom because it is listed as a historical feature and cannot be changed.
Following the recent election, it was mentioned that plans were in place to remove the toilet from Ms. Reeves' personal office in Whitehall. However, several weeks later, the chancellor, the first female to occupy the position in a thousand years, stated that the toilet is still present and cannot be substituted.
Featured on an episode of the News Agents podcast, Ms. Reeves welcomed host Emily Maitlis to the bathroom to see the urinal that was still in place.
Our politics expert, Archie Mitchell, has all the details.
Salma Ouaguira wrote a blog on July 31, 2024 at 9:30 AM.
