The government has proposed significant changes to the regulation of water firms, including potentially dismantling the current water watchdog as part of a new Labour initiative to tackle illegal sewage dumping and improve river cleanliness.

Under the proposed Budget plan by Rachel Reeves, nearly nine million individuals, including teachers and nurses, are expected to be affected by a 40% tax rate due to frozen income tax thresholds extending to 2030.

The i highlights a former defence minister’s warning about a critical gap in the UK’s defence capabilities, which could impede its ability to defend against missile attacks.

Rachel Reeves plans to freeze income tax thresholds beyond 2028, potentially resulting in millions of workers paying more as salaries increase in line with inflation.