Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Hunt: Government will act in lockstep with BoE on inflation

“Inflation is a stealth tax that is the biggest threat to living standards in a generation, so we support the bank’s action today so we succeed in halving inflation this year.”

Hunt: Government will act in lockstep with BoE on inflation

UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said on Thursday that he will ensure government decisions are in lockstep with the Bank of England's approach and resist the urge to fund spending or tax cuts through increased borrowing.

“Inflation is a stealth tax that is the biggest threat to living standards in a generation, so we support the bank's action today so we succeed in halving inflation this year," Hunt said in a statement.


"We will play our part by making sure government decisions are in lockstep with the Bank's approach, including by resisting the urge right now to fund additional spending or tax cuts through borrowing, which will only add fuel to the inflation fire and prolong the pain for everyone."

The Bank of England on Thursday hiked its interest rate for a tenth time in a row as global authorities race to combat sky-high inflation.

The central bank's Monetary Policy Committee voted at a regular meeting to lift its key interest rate by a half-point to 4.0 percent, the highest level since late 2008.

More For You

uk-home-buyers

For most first-time buyers, the exemption will drop from £425,000 to £300,000. (Photo credit: iStock)

Home buyers rush to complete purchases before stamp duty increase

HOME BUYERS in England and Northern Ireland are racing to complete their purchases before 1 April, when stamp duty thresholds will change, potentially costing them thousands of pounds.

Currently, home purchases under £250,000 are exempt from stamp duty, but this threshold will revert to £125,000.

Keep ReadingShow less
London Court Sentences Chinese Student for Drugging & Rape

Zhenhao Zou, 28, lived in south London and used online platforms and dating apps to meet women, according to London’s Metropolitan Police. (Photo: Reuters)

London court convicts Chinese student of drugging, raping women

A CHINESE student has been found guilty by a London court of drugging and raping 10 women in the UK and China. British police suspect he may have attacked more than 50 other women.

Zhenhao Zou, 28, lived in south London and used online platforms and dating apps to meet women, according to London’s Metropolitan Police (MPS).

Keep ReadingShow less
Sadiq Khan: ‘I’m a grumpy so and so in Ramadan’

Sadiq Khan during the Ramadan light switch on in Picadilly Circus in London last Wednesday (26)

Sadiq Khan: ‘I’m a grumpy so and so in Ramadan’

Noah Vickers

SIR SADIQ KHAN has said as a “caffeine addict”, he particularly struggles to deprive himself of coffee during the holy month of Ramadan when he fasts.

The London mayor confessed he will be “a grumpy so and so” to the BBC’s ‘Not Even Water: Ramadan Unearthed’ podcast.

Keep ReadingShow less
IMF warns Sri Lanka’s recovery at risk amid looming public sector strikes

Anura Kumara Dissanayake

IMF warns Sri Lanka’s recovery at risk amid looming public sector strikes

SRI LANKA’S fragile economic recovery could be hampered by threatened trade union strikes over reduced benefits for government employees in this year’s budget, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned on Tuesday (4).

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s maiden budget raised public sector salaries but also cut longstanding perks to repair the country’s tattered finances.

Keep ReadingShow less
New Political Party Emerges as Bangladesh Student Leaders Unite

Nahid Islam, convener of the newly formed Jatiya Nagarik Party, addresses supporters as students shout slogans during the party’s launch in Dhaka last Friday (28)

Bangladesh student leaders unveil new political party

BANGLADESHI students who played a key role in overthrowing the government last year unveiled a new political party last Friday (28), the latest outfit to join the fray ahead of expected elections.

The party includes key organisers from the powerful Students Against Discrimination (SAD) group that spearheaded the uprising which ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August.

Keep ReadingShow less