Pay for essential workers

By Simon Jack Published 2 hours ago comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Most Lloyds Bank customers have less than £500 of savings in their accounts, its chief executive said. Charlie Nunn said Lloyds had seen customers seeking debt advice jump up by a third in just the first six months of this year. Credit card spending on travel was up 300% on last year, but the majority of Lloyd's customers were worried about the cost of living, he said. It was possible for the UK to avoid the recession many are predicting, he said. It comes as UK households struggle with the soaring cost of food, energy bills and fuel as inflation rises at the fastest rate in 40 years. The head of the UK's biggest high street bank told the BBC: "80% of individuals and UK customers and families have less than £500 pounds worth of savings in their current … [Read more...] about Most only have £500 of savings says Lloyds boss

Speaking at a news conference Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia would have to carpet-bomb the Ukrainian capital and kill its residents to take the city. Meanwhile, the Russian troops are attempting to encircle Kyiv further, fighting against heavy resistance in the west and the north of the city. And after twelve days of siege, the strategic southern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol is without water, gas, electricity or communications, and people were seen fighting for food in recent days. The situation is "almost desperate", warned Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The number of civilians killed during the siege of Mariupol reached 1,582, and some of the casualties had to be buried in mass graves. Local authorities fear that the actual number might be much higher. 03.12.2022 09:24 Saturday's main developments: The worst of the fighting overnight took place in Irpin, Mykolaiv and Sumy, according to the General Staff of the … [Read more...] about Ukraine war: Kyiv would only fall ‘if carpet bombed’ by Russia, Zelenskyy says

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman on Wednesday said that at least 77 people have lost their lives as monsoon rains wreak havoc across the country, with 39 deaths reported from Balochistan alone. The current monsoon rains left hundreds of homes destroyed and hampered rescue operations in remote areas of the country. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the minister termed the casualties a "national tragedy" and said that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has prepared a national contingency plan to deal with the situation during the monsoon season. The NDMA has also called on people to stay alert to prevent further damage, she added. “We need a comprehensive plan to avert these [deaths and devastation] as all of this destruction is taking place due to climate change." The rains have not stopped and will continue till July 8, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), which has also warned of water logging in low-lying … [Read more...] about Sherry Rehman terms rain casualties ‘national tragedy’ as death toll climbs to 77

ISLAMABAD: The current spell of monsoon rains has claimed at least 77 lives in the country so far, revealed Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman Wednesday. Addressing a press conference in the federal capital, Rehman said that out of the total, 39 rain-related fatalities were reported from Balochistan alone — the most from any province. The climate change minister termed the deaths a “national tragedy” as hundreds of homes have been destroyed and rescue operations in remote areas are being hampered due to heavy rains. She added that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has prepared a national monsoon contingency plan, but also called on people to stay alert to prevent further damage. “We need a comprehensive plan to avert these [deaths and devastation] as all of this destruction is taking place due to climate change,” the federal minister said. The rains have not stopped and will continue till July 8, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department … [Read more...] about Current spell of monsoon rains claim 77 lives in Pakistan: Sherry Rehman

With a shade over 24 hours until England host Austria at a sold-out Old Trafford, a handful of construction workers are busy building a fan park in Manchester city center. A few kilometers northeast of the building site, UEFA's Chief of Women's Football takes to the stage in a stadium hospitality room. "I feel so many different kinds of emotions but can't wait for it to get started now," said Nadine Kessler , who won 29 caps for Germany between 2010 and 2016. "I really think it's completely incomparable to when I played. I might need to be a bit provocative, but I think in my days people were more concerned with how my jersey fit than the result. We've come a long way." The buildup to the tournament has seen plenty of reflection on the growth of the game in recent years. But the day before it starts, with unfinished fan parks, sporadic advertising boards and a reported shortage of England women's shirts in major sports shops, there is a sense that organizers may not have foreseen … [Read more...] about Euro 2022: Is England ready for the biggest tournament yet?

Des milliers de réfugiés fuyant la guerre en Ukraine arrivent chaque jour en Pologne. Ils se déplacent sans masque et sont autorisés à entrer dans le pays sans certificat de vaccination ni preuve de tests négatifs au Covid-19. Pour le chef de la mission de recherche et de sauvetage en milieu urbain Jean-Claude Cordeau , le Covid passe au second plan : "Le Covid à ce poste frontière, ici, à Medyka, n'est évidemment pas une priorité. Pas une priorité pour nous et pas une priorité non plus pour les réfugiés qui arrivent. Nous nous occupons principalement de l'hypothermie chez les jeunes enfants et nous traitons les cas urgents afin qu'ils puissent poursuivre leur voyage. " Les réfugiés estiment aussi que les inquiétudes concernant le virus ont été éclipsées par le conflit, comme nous le confie Julia, originaire de Rivne : "Le Covid est une vraie maladie, mais c’est vrai que depuis le début de la guerre en Ukraine, le Covid a complètement disparu, car la guerre constitue un … [Read more...] about Ukraine : la guerre fait passer le Covid-19 au second plan

Shameless Boris Johnson has told friends he will "smash on" despite a string of resignations. The Prime Minister is said to have declared "I'm not going anywhere” despite Rishi Sunak , Sajid Javid and his Solicitor General all resigning last night. But MPs have other ideas - with a string of Tories from across the spectrum reading him the “last rites”. While the Cabinet are now mostly firm, the PM is being rocked by a string of junior resignations from government. Between 6pm on Tuesday and 2pm on Wednesday 21 MPs resigned from the government - nine ministers, nine parliamentary private secretaries, two trade envoys and one Tory vice chair. Back bench MPs across the spectrum, from moderate ex-ministers Chris Skidmore and Nick Gibb to culture war Red Wallers Jonathan Gullis, Tom Hunt and Lee Anderson, have charged over the top. For so many MPs, the revelation the PM knew about claims against MP Chris Pincher, then promoted him repeatedly, then “forgot” he’d been told, is … [Read more...] about All the Tories brutally turning against Boris Johnson’s leadership as MPs ‘read last rites’

UK inflation has climbed to 9.1% as the cost of living crisis continues to squeeze household finances. The consumer prices index (CPI) measure of inflation rose in the 12 months to May to its highest level sinceMarch 1982. CPI had already hit a 40-year high when it reached 9% the previous month , according to latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data. The latest figures mean inflation is almost five times higher than the Bank of England (BoE) target of 2%. BoE economists are expecting UK inflation to hit 11% by the end of this year. It had previously estimated that the rate of CPI would hit 10%. Are you worried about rising prices? Let us know: [email protected] How inflation has changed over the years The ONS said food and drink prices were the biggest contributor of inflation creeping higher in the 12 months to May. Households are also being hit by sky-high energy costs, after the Ofgem price cap was raised by 54% in April, … [Read more...] about UK inflation hits 9.1% in new 40-year high as cost of living crisis deepens

Published 2 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A national charity supporting children with disabilities says more than 90% of the families it helps are struggling to pay bills due to rising living costs. Half of carers looking after disabled youngsters have skipped meals in the past 12 months to cut back on spending, a survey by Family Fund suggests. A West Yorkshire family supported by the charity say they are "scared" they won't be able to afford winter heating. The government said it was helping families with disabled children. York-based Family Fund said many families with seriously ill or disabled children faced higher energy bills due to the need to power home medical equipment. Frequent GP or hospital appointments mean regular car journeys for many, including the family of 11-year-old Charlie, from Bingley in West Yorkshire. "We can't go on as … [Read more...] about Cost of living: Disability charity says carers are skipping meals

Published 12 May comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The risk of a recession has risen, analysts have warned, after the economy shrank during March just as the UK had recovered from the pandemic. Higher prices are "beginning to bite", the UK statistics body said , with people spending less and cutting down on car journeys due to high fuel costs. The impact of higher energy bills in April has also yet to be seen. The economy grew by 0.8% over the first three months of the year, but in March it shrank by 0.1% as people cut back. The main boost to the economy came in January, as hospitality and travel industries recovered from coronavirus pandemic restrictions. However, that came before the war in Ukraine and before households began to feel the pinch of higher prices. Paul Dales, chief UK economist at Capital Economics, said the … [Read more...] about Recession fears grow as rising prices hit spending