The Guardian - October 31, 2024

In this issue

October 31, 2024

Return of tax and spend

Chancellor raises spending by £70bn a year over next five years Huge injection of funds into NHS and cash boost for schools

4 mins

Injection of £22.6bn will boost NHS battle against waiting lists, says Reeves

The NHS in England is to receive a £22.6bn cash injection over two years, the chancellor announced yesterday, in what she said was the biggest spending increase outside Covid since 2010.

2 mins

Big spender Gambling on old-school approach

The days of tax and spend are supposed to be over, but clearly no one told Rachel Reeves.

2 mins

She would rather have been Nice Rachel but Labour still cheered - austerity it wasn't

It was quite the moment. The first Labour budget in almost 15 years. The first budget to be delivered by a woman.

2 mins

Carer's benefit Earnings limit to increase by £45 a week after scandal

The earnings limit placed on people who claim government support for taking care of disabled, sick and elderly loved ones will rise by £45 a week, the chancellor announced yesterday, after a six-month Guardian investigation into the carer's allowance scandal.

2 mins

'It's good news!' Praise - and forgiveness - in Reeves's Yorkshire seat

In a vape shop in Bramley town centre, the popular flavours can sell out quickly. The area is a smoking and vaping hotspot - high above the national average - and it is in Rachel Reeves's constituency of Leeds West and Pudsey.

3 mins

Cash boost for English schools to be 'swallowed up' amid rising costs

Schools in England are to get a multi-billion pound injection of funding, with extra money for children with special educational needs, but experts say it will be rapidly \"swallowed up\" by rising costs and much more will be needed after years of underinvestment.

2 mins

Rail travel HS2 to reach Euston after all but fares will rise 4.6%

HS2 trains will run all the way to Euston after the chancellor committed to funding tunnelling work to the central London station.

2 mins

Will this make a difference in three years? That's the test

At the final political cabinet meeting before Rachel Reeves delivered her first budget this week, ministers were presented with internal party research on what the public was expecting.

3 mins

'It feels pretty brutal' Business owners shaken by wage and tax rises

Marie Cooper has plans to grow her Midlands engineering business next year, making more of the pistons and pipework that planes, cars and oil-field machinery need.

3 mins

Measures unlikely to boost economic growth over the next five years, says OBR

Labour has embarked on a \"large, sustained increase in spending, tax and borrowing\", according to the government's economic forecaster, as it judged that Labour's first budget for 15 years is unlikely to increase economic growth over the next five years.

3 mins

The wealthy Labour accused of pulling its punches

Tax rises aimed at inherited wealth are at risk of backfiring, after the chancellor was accused of betraying small family businesses while letting private equity barons off the hook.

2 mins

Plus and minus points add up to mixed grade on green issues

Did Rachel Reeves' ambition to be the \"green chancellor\", survive the budget? Reactions were mixed. The decision to freeze fuel duty and keep the 5p cut made by the Conservatives in 2022 attracted some fury, not least because the tax relief is estimated to have raised UK greenhouse gas emissions by 7% since 2010.

2 mins

Number crunching How the changes could affect your personal finances

Rachel Reeves's first budget as chancellor included lots of measures that could affect your personal finances. Here we explain the main ones.

4 mins

Stage review Alone in Spain, but far from Emily in Paris

Emily in Paris star Lily Collins makes her stage debut by stepping into – not a French garret – but a flat in the Catalonian capital in Bess Wohl's play.

2 mins

Fire at nuclear submarine shipyard leaves two in hospital

Two people were taken to hospital yesterday after a \"significant\" fire broke out at the BAE Systems nuclear submarine shipyard in Cumbria.

1 min

Scare tactics: study shows how to instil fear but keep it fun

Whether it's a friend jumping out or a fake spider catching you off guard, most of us will have fallen victim to a scare prank at some point - and now scientists have come up with a theory for why \"jump scares\" are so often followed by laughter, with insights that could help concoct Halloween tricks that tickle rather than terrify.

2 mins

First case of new mpox variant is confirmed in Britain

Health officials have reported the first case of mpox in the UK caused by a new strain that is driving a surge in infections in Africa.

1 min

Let police do their job, PM tells Jenrick and Badenoch

Keir Starmer has warned the two Conservative leadership candidates, Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch, against undermining police efforts in the investigation into the Southport attack.

2 mins

At least 95 people dead after torrential rain and flash flooding in Spain

At least 95 people have died in eastern, central and southern Spain after torrential rains triggered the country's deadliest floods in three decades, unleashing torrents of muddy water that surged through cities, towns and villages, trapping people in their homes, bringing down trees, and cutting off roads and railway lines.

3 mins

We're scared' Devastation and despair at impact of downpours

Tuesday's dawn downpours may have been welcome when they began, but the gratitude was short-lived in Utiel.

3 mins

Deadly storms and extreme heatwaves are 'two sides of same climate crisis coin'

Residents of Chiva, a small town on the outskirts of Valencia, can expect a grim future of worsening drought as the planet heats up and the country dries out. But on Tuesday, they also witnessed a year's worth of rainfall in a matter of hours.

2 mins

Cyclists face city centre bans amid safety fears over antisocial riders

A growing number of councils are clamping down on bikes in city centres to tackle a rise in antisocial cycling, but campaigners say the rules make cycling more dangerous and unfairly punish people committed to active transport.

2 mins

Art review Comforting duds help bring us closer to dazzling masters

The sculptor, goldsmith and murderer Benvenuto Cellini found himself alone one day on a Florentine piazza facing his rival Baccio Bandinelli, whose statues he thought looked like sacks of squashes topped by melons for heads. He fingered his dagger, getting ready to deliver the ultimate killer review. Then he took pity on this pathetic figure sitting on a donkey and stayed his hand.

2 mins

Tell stories of minority veterans in school, urge campaigners

Politicians and community leaders are calling for the history of black and Asian soldiers who fought in the world wars to be taught more widely in schools to help tackle ignorance, racism and anti-Muslim prejudice.

1 min

Family of hotel worker stabbed in Walsall are 'heartbroken'

The sister of Rhiannon Skye Whyte, who was fatally stabbed while waiting on the platform of a Walsall railway station, a two-minute walk from her workplace, has called the impact of losing her \"catastrophic\".

2 mins

Blur drummer calls for change to 'brutal' assisted dying laws after ex-wife's death

The Blur drummer, Dave Rowntree, has attacked the current UK law on assisted dying as \"psychopathic\" as he spoke out for the first time about the choice of his terminally ill ex-wife to take her own life at Dignitas in Switzerland.

3 mins

Luxury cars shipped to Thailand in finance fraud returned to the UK

A fleet of 30 luxury cars worth £6.5m whisked out of the UK to Thailand after being fraudulently bought on finance has been recovered and returned, police have revealed.

1 min

Northern says it sends messages to train crews via fax machine

The rail operator Northern has said it still uses fax machines to communicate vital messages to train crews.

1 min

'Crying in cupboards' The reality of life as a runner in TV or film

As a runner on a film or TV production, \"you are, and there is no point kidding yourself, the lowest of the low,\" says Tom.

3 mins

Majority of Voters in swing states fear Violence if Trump loses election, poll finds

'Garbage' Biden clarifies insult

3 mins

Hope and fear A final cry against danger of tyranny

Hither the politics of joy? Her solid if unspectacular closing argument for why she should be elected US president was not about Kamala Harris. It was first and foremost about Donald Trump.

4 mins

Strategy Harris likely to avoid president after gaffe

The delicate dance by Kamala Harris's presidential campaign to simultaneously show deference to Joe Biden, separate herself from his presidency and thwart his ambition to campaign for her has reached a critical juncture as the 2024 election approaches its climax.

2 mins

Gaza could suffer 'ethnic cleansing' if world does not act, UN chief warns

The UN secretary general, António Guterres, has warned that Israel could carry out the \"ethnic cleansing\" of Gaza if the international community does not prevent it.

3 mins

Canada alleges Indian minister behind plots that targeted Sikhs

The Canadian government has publicly alleged that India's home affairs minister, Amit Shah - the closest political ally of the prime minister, Narendra Modi - was behind a recent series of plots to murder and intimidate Sikh separatists in Canada.

2 mins

Brazil Pair accused of murder of politician on trial at last

It was not even 10pm and the football match she was watching on TV had still not finished when Luyara Franco, then 19, decided to go to bed. But then the phone started ringing.

2 mins

Crimean mother is charged over daughter's post

Police in Russian-annexed Crimea have charged a woman with child neglect after her 10-year-old daughter allegedly posted a video online that \"discredited\" the Russian army, authorities said yesterday.

1 min

Sweden and Norway rethink cashless society plan over Russia security fears

Sweden and Norway are backpedaling on plans for cashless societies over fears that fully digital payment systems would leave them vulnerable to Russian security threats, and concern for those unable to use them.

2 mins

NYC legalises jaywalking, ending racial disparities in enforcement

Jaywalking - crossing the road without using a marked crossing or abiding by traffic light signals - is now legal in New York City.

1 min

Mount Fuji left snowless after record hot spell

Mount Fuji remained snowless on Tuesday, marking the latest date at which its slopes have been bare since records began 130 years ago, according to Japan's weather agency.

1 min

'This is a civil war' Gangs advance on wealthy areas of Haitian capital

Gangs advance on wealthy areas of Haitian capital

4 mins

VW profits fall almost 60% as closures loom in Germany

Volkswagen has reported a near-60% drop in profits, amid a slump in sales in China, and spoken of the difficulties it faces as it prepares to close factories in Germany for the first time.

1 min

Reddit shares rise 35% after social media site reports its first ever profit

100m The number of monthly users of Reddit reported by the company, an increase of 47% year on year

1 min

Lloyds scraps car loan commissions after court ruling

Lloyds Banking Group has scrapped commission payments across its £15bn motor finance arm after a legal judgment on car loan misselling, as industry and Treasury officials hold urgent talks amid fears of contagion across the wider financial sector.

2 mins

The chancellor didn't scare the financial markets. But nor did she impress with a growth plan

Even in 2028-29, on the Office for Budget Responsibility's forecasts, we'll still be looking at GDP growth of a lacklustre 1.6%

3 mins

BHP says it has 'moved on' from failed Anglo American takeover

The global mining company BHP has \"moved on\" from its three unsuccessful attempts to take over the rival Anglo American this year and will focus on other growth opportunities, its chair has said.

1 min

Germany offers 'ray of hope' as it edges away from recession

Germany's economy grew in the three months to the end of September, ending fears that Europe's largest economy would slip back into recession.

1 min

Third-quarter growth slows but US economy 'doing just fine'

The US economy grew slower than expected between July and September but is continuing its two-year expansion, data revealed yesterday, just days before millions of voters decide whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump is best placed to lead the country forward.

2 mins

Decision time Will modernisation plans go through or will they get rugby's red card?

Modern rugby union turned 30 last month. It was in the autumn of 1994 that Louis Luyt, president of the South African Rugby Union, announced that the game would turn professional after his country had hosted the World Cup the following year.

3 mins

Itoje craves 'big' wins to emulate Johnson's career

Maro Itoje has admitted he is still striving to emulate Martin Johnson's level of success in an England jersey as he prepares to go past the World Cup-winning captain on the list of national caps holders on Saturday.

1 min

'Playing for New Zealand is a good way to show my love for my brother'

Tupou Vaa'i opens up on handling the emotion of losing a sibling at a young age and Jonah Lomu's influence

3 mins

Blow for City as Miedema has knee surgery

Manchester City have confirmed the Women's Super League record goalscorer Vivianne Miedema has undergone surgery on her left knee.

1 min

WSL agrees record £65m TV deal with Sky and BBC

Sky Sports and the BBC have agreed a new five-year, shared domestic broadcast rights deal to show almost every Women's Super League match live on television from the 2025-26 campaign.

2 mins

Draper rolls into last 16 by taking down world No 6

The two previous times Jack Draper and Taylor Fritz faced each other this year, their encounters ended in similar ways.

2 mins

Livingstone to give 'untapped talent' a chance in Caribbean

Normally we have a reset at this point. A catastrophic failure here, a World Cup group-stage exit there.

2 mins

Nwaneri delivers again as Arsenal showcase top-flight dominance

Arsenal had a European Championship winner on parade in Jorginho, the Champions League-winning Kai Havertz and the four-time Premier League champion Raheem Sterling making life a misery for Preston, but one name rang out above all from the away end at Deepdale: Ethan Nwaneri.

3 mins

Kamada gives Palace win but Eze limps off injured

Just as reports started surfacing that Oliver Glasner had until the approaching international break to safeguard a job he started so brilliantly only eight months ago, so Crystal Palace go and win successive games.

3 mins

United shake off Ten Hag's reign with five-star Victory

Ruud van Nistelrooy may never lead Manchester United in cup competition again, so ending on the right end of a 5-2 goal fest as the interim manager can warm in his dotage.

3 mins

Gakpo double keeps Liverpool on course for trophy defence

The Arne Slot roadshow continues to impress. Cody Gakpo's quickfire double helped the Liverpool manager make it seven wins from his first eight away matches in all competitions as the holders moved into the quarterfinals despite making wholesale changes on the south coast.

3 mins

Isak makes Maresca pay for shuffling Chelsea's pack

Hope is alive and kicking at Newcastle after all. Just as Eddie Howe's players seemed to be sliding towards mediocrity, a place in the Carabao Cup's last eight changed an entire narrative.

3 mins

Fifa in dispute with Adidas and Coke over Club World Cup

Fifa is in dispute with its long-term partners Adidas and Coca-Cola over sponsorship rights for the Club World Cup next year in the US.

2 mins

Werner and Sarr strike early as rapid Spurs catch City by surprise

Tottenham had threatened to win at a canter. Two goals up after 25 minutes, there was almost disbelief within the home crowd and not only because Timo Werner had scored the first.

3 mins

Stokes family's ordeal Captain reveals masked gang burgled home while on tour

Ben Stokes, the England Test captain, has said his house was burgled this month while his wife and two children were present and he was away on the tour of Pakistan.

2 mins

Marler exited England camp before his call to scrap haka

Joe Marler left the England camp preparing for the autumn internationals opener, against the All Blacks on Saturday, for personal reasons at the start of the week before provoking a fierce backlash in New Zealand by calling for the haka to be scrapped.

1 min

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