Analysis indicates the Treasury is receiving about £20m a day in extra revenue from energy taxes as high oil and gas prices lift VAT and the profits levy. But rising debt interest could absorb much of the windfall, limiting room for tax cuts or new spending.
The BBC has reportedly dismissed a high-profile Radio 2 presenter over an alleged decade-old relationship, citing personal conduct. Managers are seeking a replacement and staff were surprised by the move. The presenter is taking legal advice amid leadership changes at the corporation.
The BBC has removed a Radio 2 presenter following a historical police inquiry into alleged misconduct. He was questioned and the case was later dropped. A colleague is tipped to take over the show.
An American leader warned he would order military action to disable Iran’s energy infrastructure, including power and desalination sites, and said oil prices could surge for months. The remarks, shared online and in an interview, were criticised as excessive and unrealistic.
A BBC radio presenter has been dismissed following a historical allegation. He was questioned by police in 2016 over alleged misconduct involving a teenager; prosecutors later said evidence did not meet the threshold for charges. The broadcaster acted after reviewing the earlier case.
Motoring and business leaders urge the PM to act on soaring pump prices after Gulf tensions disrupted a key route, pushing crude up. Forecourt shortages are reported, diesel hits a record, and industry calls for swift relief, including duty cuts and targeted support.
The PM met energy, shipping and banking chiefs at No10 as pump prices rise. They discussed measures to stabilise costs and secure fuel supplies, with assurances there’s no need to panic buy. Ministers seek a joint plan to protect motorists and airlines from further increases.
Starmer gave junior doctors 48 hours to suspend strikes or 4,000 planned training posts will be scrapped. He says the move protects patients and stabilises NHS finances, urging the BMA to talk. Ministers call the 35% pay demand unaffordable; medics insist pay and conditions need major improvement.
French AI group Mistral has secured $830m in debt to build European data centres, boosting compute for its models and supporting a push for digital sovereignty. The plan offers an alternative to US providers, though analysts warn of possible overcapacity and high financing costs.
With petrol prices surging, campaigners are pressing the PM and chancellor to scrap September’s planned fuel duty rise and introduce relief such as a temporary cut and caps on retailer margins, following moves by several European neighbours to hold down pump prices.