CATEGORIES

Burnham rejects PM's plan to hike cap on bus fares

The Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has broken ranks with Sir Keir Starmer to reject controversial plans to raise the bus fare cap by 50 per cent.

Take-home pay for 800,000 freelancers may be cut back

Incomes could be hit for up to 800,000 freelance workers if the government decides today to increase employers’ national insurance contributions, say tax experts. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is understood to be considering the move as part of her plans to raise money to bail out Britain’s battered public services.

'Invest, invest, invest' is the Budget pledge from Reeves

Rachel Reeves will today unveil her historic Budget – the first by a Labour chancellor in 14 years – with a message of hope for the UK as she pledges to deliver economic growth and put money back in people’s pockets with a rise in the national minimum wage.

'I'll be back through No 10's doors one way or another'

We all know Maro Itoje's leadership qualities in rugby, but he tells Harry Latham-Coyle he has big ambitions off the pitch

Defiance proved no match for a bizarre brand of chaos

Erik ten Hag has a class of defiance that sometimes made him sound a man apart.

The 'fight has been called off' for staggering Ten Hag

Man United sack manager with the club 14th in league

Gift economy: John Lewis to hire 12,500 festive staff

The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) is set to hire 12,500 temporary staff this festive season in its largest seasonal recruitment drive to date.

Zoopla says £113bn of sales in pipeline as market surges

An estimated £113bn-worth of homes are working their way through the buying process in what marks the highest level of new sales agreed since autumn 2020, according to the property website Zoopla.

Look to Ireland to embrace the true spirit of Halloween

Anna Hart speaks to historians, spiritual leaders and revellers about Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival now enjoying a resurgence but which the Irish were forcibly taught to forget

Depardieu sexual assault trial postponed until March

Gerard Depardieu’s trial on charges of sexually assaulting two women on a film set was yesterday postponed until March due to concerns about the actor’s health.

Big Apple rotten to the core at Trump's Garden party

A 'surreal' return to New York saw 19,000 people cheer on crude insults and attacks nine days before the US election

Paedophile who made AI images jailed for 18 years.

A man has been jailed for 18 years after creating AI-generated images of child sexual abuse in an “utterly chilling” landmark case.

Fertility rate in England and Wales plunges to record low

The fertility rate in England and Wales has dropped to its lowest level since records began, new government data shows.

Starmer shocked by footage of his MP 'punching man'

A video of suspended Labour MP Mike Amesbury appearing to punch a constituent was “shocking”, the prime minister has said.

PM all at sea after 'cock-up' over freeports statement

Sir Keir Starmer mistakenly announced that Rachel Reeves would unveil five new freeports in tomorrow’s Budget, in what officials have reportedly dubbed a “total cock-up”.

Private schools 'could fall apart' if hit by double tax

Private school parents could face a further fee hike if a national insurance increase is announced in the Budget in what has been called an “extra tax” on top of the government’s controversial new VAT policy.

Robinson handed 18-month jail term for court breach

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been jailed for 18 months for contempt of court after he admitted breaching an injunction preventing him from repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee.

Fears over 120,000 OAPS losing winter fuel payments

Pensioners eligible for help to pay their heating bills this year, even after Rachel Reeves's reforms, still face monthslong delays in processing claims, The Independent can reveal

Streeting: NHS cash will not ward off winter woes

The NHS faces “real problems this winter”, the health secretary has admitted as he refused to rule out the prospect of people waiting on trolleys and in corridors over the coming months.

Reeves warns one Budget can't fix 14 years of damage

Rachel Reeves has warned that tomorrow’s Budget will just be the beginning of painful measures to fix “14 years of Tory damage”.

No shortcuts in a realistic Budget, country is warned

Sir Keir Starmer has issued a grim warning on a Budget that is expected to feature record-breaking tax rises.

Minister Says Government Considering Smacking Ban

The new Labour government is considering a ban on smacking, a cabinet minister has said.

Netanyahu: 'Precise' Attack Hit The Defences Of Iran Hard

Tehran plays down airstrikes as UN set to discuss escalation

Japan's Uncertain Future As Coalition Majority In Doubt

Economic fallout feared as country loses its political stability

Norris pips Verstappen as world title battle heats up

Carlos Sainz for Ferrari won the race in Mexico City

Catterall deserves a world title shot after Prograis win

It took Jack Catterall six rounds to solve Regis Prograis at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester late on Saturday night and when he did, he looked brilliant.

Ten Hag under pressure as Hammers dent Man Utd

There was a time when Manchester United came to West Ham, Wayne Rooney took aim from 57 yards and scored. Many a comparison with the past can damn this United side but, a decade on, Diogo Dalot came to West Ham, took aim at an unguarded goal from eight yards and missed. Whether it was excruciating or merely amusing depends on your perspective, but it was costly, summing up Manchester United’s selfdestructive streak.

Superb Salah strike earns Liverpool lucky late draw

For a game that was supposed to tell us more about both sides, especially a Liverpool who claimed a 2-2 away draw, it strangely leaves more questions.

Georgia ruling party faces 'constitutional coup' claims

Pro-Putin Georgian Dream beats EU-aligned oppostition in election with ballot-stuffing, bribery and voter intimidation

China says it will respond to $2bn US-Taiwan arms sale

China has strongly condemned the latest 2bn 1.5bn) arms sale approved by the US for Taiwan, declaring it a threat to regional peace and promising decisive counter-measures in response.