The UK government will spend 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2030, Boris Johnson has announced, as NATO's secretary general warned that the alliance must stand up to Vladimir Putin. Speaking from the NATO conference in Madrid, the prime minister told broadcasters that "we need to invest for the long-term in vital capabilities like future combat air, whilst simultaneously adapting to a more dangerous and more competitive world". "The logical conclusion of the investments on which we propose to embark, these decisions, is that we'll reach 2.5% of GDP on defence by the end of the decade," he continued. UK to give extra £1bn in military aid - live Ukraine updates Mr Johnson said the spending targets set by NATO members a decade ago - with every country pledging to spend 2% of GDP on defence - "were then set for a very different era". Advertisement "What we're saying is that we want Jens Stoltenberg, the [NATO] secretary general, to start work on that … [Read more...] about UK to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2030, Boris Johnson announces
Boris johnson net worth
How much the Royal Family costs YOU – is the Queen worth it?
Royal expert breaks down significance of Queen's 70 year reign Sign up for FREE royal alerts SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The Queen has a select team of senior working royals that represent her abroad and complete royal duties in an official capacity. The Queen and these working royals benefit from the Sovereign Grant, an annual payment from the Government that helps to fund the Queen's official duties as Sovereign. The Royal Household is required to be transparent with its financial operations, and its latest financial statement was published in June 2021 for the 2020 to 2021 financial year. The report outlined that the total Sovereign Grant for the year amounted to £85.9million, which is equivalent to £1.29 per … [Read more...] about How much the Royal Family costs YOU – is the Queen worth it?
Conservatives must beware a progressive alliance of a united Left
Labour and the Liberal Democrats could scarcely have concocted a more perfect set of circumstances for a by-election, let alone two. Defeats for the Conservatives in both had been priced in almost since the writs were issued; Governments, after all, do not win mid-term by-elections at the best of times. These are not the best of times. As a former Red Wall seat Wakefield had always been seen as potentially vulnerable. Whilst Labour’s victory there by 4,925 votes is an improvement upon previous narrow results it’s hardly an effusive validation of Starmer’s leadership or the lodestar of an imminent Red Wall collapse. Whilst a Labour victory was expected, it’s worth remembering that this is the first seat Labour have gained in eight by-elections under Keir Starmer, having already lost Hartlepool last year and only retained Batley and Spen by a wafer-thin 323 votes. Victory in Wakefield puts them at a net gain of zero. The Conservatives have still won more by-elections than … [Read more...] about Conservatives must beware a progressive alliance of a united Left
Rishi Sunak accused of ‘throwing red meat to socialists’ with windfall tax
Rishi Sunak announces 25pc windfall tax on oil and gas profits How much will I get from Rishi Sunak's cost of living payment? Two more Tory MPs say Boris Johnson must quit over partygate PM denies cover-up over partygate Russian meddling could reignite Balkans war, warns Liz Truss Rishi Sunak ‘taking from rich to give to the poor’, says IFS T ory MPs have warned Rishi Sunak that his windfall tax on oil and gas giants could stifle economic growth as the Chancellor was accused of “throwing red meat to socialists”. Mr Sunak announced he is imposing a tax on the excess profits of energy firms to fund a new Government spending spree to help struggling households cope with the cost-of-living crisis. But the prospect of a new tax on business prompted warnings from some Tory MPs who questioned whether it is consistent with Conservative values. David Davis, the former Cabinet minister, said that “stability of tax and low tax both encourage investment … [Read more...] about Rishi Sunak accused of ‘throwing red meat to socialists’ with windfall tax
Fracking giant Cuadrilla offers funds to communities if ban is lifted
An energy firm lobbying for the fracking ban to be lifted will offer payments worth up to hundreds of millions of pounds to communities in areas from which it extracts shale gas , if the moratorium is brought to an end by ministers. Speaking as scientists finalised a government-commissioned review of fracking , Francis Egan, Cuadrilla's chief executive, said the firm had decided to put six per cent of its shale gas revenue into "local community funds" to "help ease the cost of living crisis". He claimed the payments would "run into hundreds of millions of pounds for each producing site and benefit thousands of households." The proposal mirrors similar funds put in place by wind farm developers to encourage local consent for turbines. Ministers have suggested the funds could be put towards reducing energy bills for those in the area. The announcement will be designed to heap pressure on Boris Johnson and Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, who are expected to make a … [Read more...] about Fracking giant Cuadrilla offers funds to communities if ban is lifted
15 money saving tips to help survive cost of living crisis
Martin Lewis ’s team has revealed a list of advice for families facing the cost of living crisis – but the UK’s money-saving master still warns that Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak are the only people who can really offer a lifeline to struggling Brits. The financial expert famously warned ‘I’m virtually out of tools’ as energy bills and petrol prices soar and food banks face critical demand. There are still some tricks left up his sleeve, with a ‘cost of living crisis survival guide’ on the MoneySavingExpert website offering 90 ways to save. However, Martin says civil unrest may soon be on the cards – with some of those forced to choose between heating and food ‘still destined to face both freezing and starving’. ‘When I said I was nearly out of ways to help, I was making a point that for some people money-saving, which is what I spent my career doing, will not solve this problem,’ he told MailOnline . ‘And, therefore, it is political levers that need to … [Read more...] about 15 money saving tips to help survive cost of living crisis
Historic by-election defeat, strike chaos and pension rises fire up Telegraph readers this week
A historic by-election defeat for the Tories, the biggest rail strike in a generation and inflation-level rises for state pensions and benefits were the three main points of discussion this week. Read on for what our readers had to say. You can also join the discussion below. Get involved in future round-ups by joining the Telegraph Community Facebook group. Historic by-election defeat The Liberal Democrats have handed Boris Johnson the biggest by-election defeat in British history as the Tories lost a huge majority in Tiverton and Honiton and lost control of Wakefield to Labour. Moments after the results were declared, the Conservative Party co-chairman Oliver Dowden resigned, plunging the Prime Minister’s leadership into crisis . @Andy RoadKing: "The result is a clear message to those 'Conservative' MPs backing Boris Johnson and his anti-Tory policies - he must be replaced. Scrap net zero, get a grip of immigration and the economy or … [Read more...] about Historic by-election defeat, strike chaos and pension rises fire up Telegraph readers this week
Brexit LIVE: ‘Highest on record!’ Rejoiners cut down for ignoring ‘blindingly obvious’
Brexit LIVE: 'Highest on record!' Rejoiners cut down for ignoring 'blindingly obvious' (Image: GETTY) Sign up for FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Brexit: Heseltine warns 'more trouble' to come for PM and UK Columnist Liam Halligan said: “Since the Brexit referendum, the ‘immediate and profound economic shock,’ which HM Treasury consistently warned would follow any leave vote, didn’t happen. “Over the last six years, in fact, including the troughs and peaks of lockdown, UK GDP has expanded at an accumulated rate of 6.8percent, more than France (6.2percent), Germany (5.5percent) and Italy (2.1percent).” Mr Halligan, writing in the Sunday Telegraph, added that … [Read more...] about Brexit LIVE: ‘Highest on record!’ Rejoiners cut down for ignoring ‘blindingly obvious’
Queen’s taxpayer funding review shelved as monarch could get £8.8BILLION wind farm boost
Review of the Queen's future spending has been scrapped (Image: Getty) Sign up for FREE royal alerts SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Palace officials are expected to confirm this week that a five-yearly review of the system of funding the Sovereign Grant will remain on hold. This is because the Crown Estate could recieve a massive £8.8 billion boost in income in the next decade from an expansion of wind farms in the seas around Britain. The Queen, who currently receives £86.3 million-a-year, could be in line for a huge increase in funding if the renewable energy projects go ahead. Related articles Royal Family members who have had 'surprising' jobs Prince Andrew's net worth: Disgraced royal's funding after exclusion … [Read more...] about Queen’s taxpayer funding review shelved as monarch could get £8.8BILLION wind farm boost
Rashford’s free school meals victory ‘chance to end holiday hunger’
By Daniel Wainwright & Rob England Published 17 June 2020 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing After his victory on free school meals Marcus Rashford has called for more to be done for families who need them. With the nation's attention on holiday hunger, what do charities and head teachers want to happen now? Downing Street has said all 1.3 million children eligible for free school meals in England would benefit from a "Covid summer food fund". But food banks and charities say the government could go further by permanently funding meals outside of term time. 'Shouldn't just be for summer' Before the government implemented a scheme to feed those on free meals, head teacher Richard Gilpin delivered food to families on his bike after schools closed to most pupils in March The current scheme provides those eligible with a voucher worth about £15 a week … [Read more...] about Rashford’s free school meals victory ‘chance to end holiday hunger’