Tashkent, Uzbekistan In a visit that has attracted significant attention from international observers and diplomats alike, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in Tashkent this week to meet with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The high-profile trip marks a crucial moment in the ongoing transformation of Uzbekistan, a country which is now on the cusp of a […]
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New legislation being presented to parliament this week could mean that more bus services could come under the control of local councils in the near future. According to Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, this “bus revolution” is designed to preserve essential bus routes by allowing local authorities to adopt a franchising system, where they would determine […]
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The Treasury anticipates a 2.5% increase in the full state pension this year, translating to an additional £400 annually for pensioners. This boost is a result of the triple lock, which was introduced to make sure that the state pension rises each April by the highest of three factors: inflation, the average wage increase in […]
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According to official data, government borrowing was higher than expected in July, with the increase being driven by the rising cost of public services and benefits. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that borrowing, which reflects the gap between government spending and tax revenue, reached £3.1 billion last month, marking the highest July borrowing […]
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The government has announced that it plans to dismantle the stricter strike action thresholds implemented by the Conservatives in 2017. According to reports by the Telegraph, Labour is committed to enacting this repeal within its first 100 days in office as part of its broader reform of trade union legislation. Ministers have assured that the […]
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The government has made a deal with the British Medical Association (BMA) for an enhanced pay agreement for junior doctors in England, averaging a 22% increase over two years. The BMA’s junior doctors committee has decided to present this offer to its members for approval. Since March 2023, junior doctors in England have engaged in […]
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In a recent interview, the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said that businesses will be targeted over the summer as part of the government’s new push to reduce illegal immigration. In the interview, she said that officials are targeting businesses including those in the beauty sector, car washes, and others over the summer as part of […]
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The number of private renters with children living in damp homes has nearly doubled since the pandemic began. According to the English Housing Survey, the number has risen from one in fourteen households before the pandemic to one in seven by 2022-23. The survey also revealed that 3.5 million households in England reside in homes […]
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The concept of levelling up, which aimed to address regional disparities, was central to Boris Johnson’s 2019 election campaign. Upon taking office, Johnson renamed the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government to include “levelling up.” However, the new government is making changes to departmental names and titles by replacing the term “levelling up” with […]
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New data from the Student Loans Company (SLC) reveals a rise in student loan repayments and average loan amounts. Nearly 1.8 million people in the UK now owe at least £50,000 in student debt, with over 61,000 exceeding £100,000 and 50 people owing more than £200,000. Over a decade has passed since tuition fees in […]
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