The Independent - October 19, 2024

In this issue

October 19, 2024

Budget backlash intensifies over 'hated' inheritance tax

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been warned that her plan to hike inheritance tax risks punishing middle-class homeowners as the backlash against her Budget intensified.

4 mins

You can't take it with you (but who gets what's left?)

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly planning changes to inheritance tax (IHT) in the Budget at the end of the month as she looks to raise up to £40bn from tax hikes and spending cuts.

2 mins

Thirteen-year freeze on fuel duty could end after Budget

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce the end of a temporary 5p cut in fuel duty in her Budget this month, it has been reported. Sources briefed on the chancellor's thinking told The Financial Times that they believe the cut will take effect from next year. Additionally, the Treasury department has urged Ms Reeves to end a 13-year freeze on fuel duty, according to the paper.

1 min

Baby dies after migrant boat capsizes crossing Channel

A baby has died in the Channel after a boat carrying migrants ran into difficulties, French authorities have said.

2 mins

Storm with 80mph winds to batter Britain this weekend

The UK is due to be hit by winds of up to 80mph this weekend as the first named storm of the season closes in. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning ahead of Storm Ashley for the northwest of Scotland tomorrow, as well as a yellow warning for the entirety of Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as northwest England and parts of Wales.

2 mins

Almost all drinking water contains 'forever chemicals'

Long-lasting toxins known as \"forever chemicals\" have been found in samples of drinking water from across the world, a new study has revealed.

2 mins

'Obsessive' hammer-attack schoolboy jailed for 12 years

A public schoolboy who attacked two students and a teacher with claw hammers while they slept at a boarding school in Devon has been jailed for life with a minimum of 12 years.

2 mins

King and Queen arrive for landmark Australian tour

The King and Queen Camilla have begun a landmark tour of Australia that will see them celebrate the country's people, culture and heritage.

2 mins

Use 'moment of justice' as a path to peace, Israelis told

After Hamas leader's killing, Biden and Starmer urge action from Netanyahu, while Hezbollah vows new phase of conflict

4 mins

North Korean troops are 'in Russia, preparing to fight'

Reports suggest 12,000 could be sent to join war in Ukraine

4 mins

'Fake electors' will return as Trump officials in key states

More than a dozen people who were part of the \"fake electors\" scheme in 2020 will serve as official electors for Donald Trump in key swing states such as Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia and Michigan during the election season.

2 mins

Cuba suffers island-wide blackout as grid collapses

Millions of Cubans were plunged into darkness yesterday as they faced a country-wide blackout after a power plant failed, causing the nation's electrical grid to disconnect.

1 min

Inheritance tax increase could backfire for Reeves

Suitably, as Halloween approaches, the \"death tax\" (or inheritance tax, as it's formally known) is spooking Britain again.

3 mins

Brutal seven-game run will put Slot's Reds to the test

The best beginning to a reign made by any Liverpool manager is only a start. Arne Slot has found ways of deflecting the compliments his immediate impact at Anfield has generated.

4 mins

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