Who might buy TikTok as ban deadline looms? Amazon joins bidders

4 hours ago Share Save Lily Jamali BBC tech correspondent, San Francisco Share Save

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President Donald Trump says he is "very close" to brokering a deal to find a buyer for TikTok, which faces a US ban if its Chinese owner does not sell the app by the weekend. A bipartisan law passed by Congress last year mandates TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sell the app. The platform 'went dark' for a day in January in the US after the law took effect, until Trump intervened and delayed the ban until 5 April. The US government has said TikTok poses a threat to national security because Chinese authorities might access its vast trove of user data, which Beijing denies.

Who might buy TikTok?

Speaking on Air Force One on Thursday, Trump said "multiple investors" were closing in on a deal. He also suggested the US could offer a deal where China agrees to approve a TikTok sale in exchange for relief from US tariffs on Chinese imports. Several potential buyers have cropped up in reports. Amazon has put in a last-minute offer to the White House to acquire TikTok, according to the BBC's US partner CBS. Amazon declined to comment. Trump has said he would be open to selling TikTok to Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, as well as Elon Musk, although the latter said he had no intention of buying. Other potential buyers include billionaire Frank McCourt, together with Canadian businessman Kevin O'Leary - a celebrity investor on Shark Tank, the US version of Dragons' Den. Alexis Ohanian, who co-founded Reddit, said in a post on X last month that he had joined Mr McCourt's bid. The biggest YouTuber in the world Jimmy Donaldson - AKA MrBeast - has also said he's looking to buy TikTok as part of a group of investors. Tim Stokely, the British founder of OnlyFans, has also to offered to buy TikTok under his recently re-launched company, Zoop. Computing giant Microsoft, private equity giant Blackstone, venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and search engine Perplexity AI are also reportedly in the running for a stake. The White House has reportedly considered an option whereby ByteDance would keep ownership of TikTok's algorithm, but lease it to a new entity operating the video-sharing app within the US. Buyers circle and rumours swirl as TikTok sale deadline looms

Getty Images MrBeast is the most popular YouTuber in the world with more than 300m subscribers

If there is no deal, will TikTok be banned?

If no deal is reached by 5 April, the app could once again face a US ban and be pulled from app stores. Trump signed an executive order in January, which only delayed TikTok's ban by 75 days. His order did not overturn the ban on the app passed into law by Congress and upheld by the US Supreme Court. Trump could allow the law to stand, but ask the Department of Justice to continue to ignore it. The government would effectively be telling Apple and Google they will not be punished for allowing people to download TikTok on to their devices. TikTok returned to Google's Play Store and Apple's App Store in February, after the companies were reportedly told they would not face consequences for hosting it. Trump has also said he would "probably" extend the deadline, if needed .

Getty Images President Donald Trump has said he would "like to see TikTok remain alive".

What other platforms could TikTok users use instead?

Watch: Can young Americans live without TikTok?

Oracle and the founder of OnlyFans are also among names that have cropped up as the president seeks to broker a deal.

Who might buy TikTok as ban deadline looms? Amazon joins bidders

'The price of everything is sky high - even fish and chips'

1 hour ago Share Save Adam Laver BBC News, Yorkshire Reporting from Bradford Share Save

BBC Naveed Amini gets a chippy with his mum Sultana every week

Fish and chips is renowned as one of the nation's favourite dishes but in recent years spiralling costs have pushed up the price of the traditional fare. Hundreds of people lined Leeds Road in Bradford on a sunny Wednesday afternoon. The street has a myriad of shops and hot food options but the queue which snaked along the pavement was only interested in one - fish and chips. The Mother Hubbards takeaway was selling portions for just 45p - similar to the price when it opened more than 50 years ago.

People queued on Leeds Road to get themselves a bargain

Gary Sargent had made the short trip down the M62 to try and get his hands on the dinnertime deal before it sold out. The 59-year-old tells me: "We've been before and it's usually £18, but for 45p you can't go wrong can you? "I'd have it more but the prices they charge nowadays is ridiculous." "You're lucky to get vegetables for under a quid at the moment, so obviously we've got to take advantage of this," Lee Stewart explains from his spot in the queue. He says: "I remember when fish and chips were under a fiver, so I don't know when it got to £12. "It's the same with burgers. "The cost-of-living is crazy."

Friends Gary Bromley (left) and Lee Stewart queued together

The increase in the cost of the dish in the past few years is partly due to a combination of increased energy and labour costs, sanctions on Russian seafood due to the invasion of Ukraine and poor potato harvests. Prices paid to UK farmers for potatoes have were also up last year according to figures from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs' Agricultural Price Index. In the same week as the chippy chopped prices, people in Bradford saw their council tax rise by almost 10%, while Yorkshire Water is raising bills by 29%. The annual bill for a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity rose to £1,849 per year, an increase of £111. Meanwhile, the simple joys of a Friday night chippy tea has followed suit. Research suggests the average price of a portion of fish and chips rose to nearly £10 in the five years to July 2024, from £6.48 in July 2019.

'Sky high'

Accompanying his mum to the chippy was Naveed Amini. The 43-year-old says that even things like ketchup have doubled in price in the last few years, while wages are stagnating. "A bottle of ketchup was £1 a year and a half ago, now we're paying £2.50 or £3," he says. "It has gone up considerably." His mum Sultana Amini, 69, remembers a simpler, cheaper, time. "I remember when it was 3p for fish and chips", adding that "you can't even get just chips" for 45p. "Everything is sky high," Mrs Amini adds.

Pravin Ladd stopped off for a chippy when he saw the queue and remembered about the 45p deal

Pravin Ladd, 69, was driving along Leeds Road when he noticed the queue of people outside his local chippy. That was when he remembered about the 45p deal, so he pulled up an joined the queue. "If you buy fish and chips it's usually £10," he says - adding that cooking yourself is not much cheaper. "When I do my own cooking and I buy a bit of fish it costs £6 or £7, then you add everything else. "Everything has gone up." He added: "To buy fruit and veg it costs me £15, but a few years ago it cost me £2 or £3. "It seems to go up on a daily basis."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

A city chippy was selling portions for 45p - people queueing share their thoughts on rising prices.

Bradford locals queue for 45p chips as prices now 'too expensive'

Trump's tariffs on China, EU and more, at a glance

20 hours ago Share Save Kayla Epstein BBC News Share Save

Watch: Three things to know about Trump's tariffs announcement

US President Donald Trump announced a sweeping new set of tariffs on Wednesday, arguing that they would allow the United States to economically flourish. These new import taxes, which Trump imposed via executive order, are expected to send economic shockwaves around the world. But the US president believes they are necessary to address trading imbalances and to protect American jobs and manufacturing. Here are the basic elements of the plan. Live updates: Reaction to Trump's tariffs announcement

10% baseline tariff

In a background call before Trump's speech, a senior White House official told reporters that the president would impose a "baseline" tariff on all imports to the US. That rate is set at 10% and will go into effect on 5 April. It is the companies that bring the foreign goods into the US that have to pay the tax to the government, although this could have knock-on effects to consumers. Some countries will only face the base rate. These include: United Kingdom

Singapore

Brazil

Australia

New Zealand

Turkey

Colombia

Argentina

El Salvador

United Arab Emirates

Saudi Arabia

Custom tariffs for 'worst offenders'

White House officials also said that they would impose what they describe as specific reciprocal tariffs on roughly 60 of the "worst offenders". These will go into effect on 9 April. Trump's officials say these countries charge higher tariffs on US goods, impose "non-tariff" barriers to US trade or have otherwise acted in ways they feel undermine American economic goals. The key trading partners subject to these customised tariff rates include: European Union: 20%

China: 54% (which includes earlier tariffs)

Vietnam: 46%

Thailand: 36%

Japan: 24%

Cambodia: 49%

South Africa: 30%

Taiwan: 32%

No additional tariffs on Canada and Mexico

The 10% baseline rate does not apply to Canada and Mexico, since they have already been targeted during Trump's presidency. The White House said it would deal with both countries using a framework set out in Trump's previous executive orders, which imposed tariffs on both countries as part of the administration's efforts to address the entry of fentanyl to the US and border issues. Trump previously set those tariffs at 25% on all goods entering from both countries, before announcing some exemptions and delays.

25% tariffs on car imports

A 10% rate of import tax will apply globally - with higher rates for a list of Trump's "worst offenders".

Trump's tariffs on China, EU and more, at a glance

Lush and Kwik Fit warn tax rise will push up prices

3 hours ago Share Save Tom Espiner & Emma Smith BBC business reporters Share Save

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Cosmetics company Lush and car repair chain Kwik Fit are among firms which have warned they will raise prices due an increase in employers' National Insurance (NI). Other firms have told the BBC they will reduce how much profit they make, freeze hiring or in some cases cut jobs to cover the higher costs. From Sunday, employers will have to pay NI at 15% on salaries above £5,000, instead of 13.8% on salaries above £9,100 currently. The Treasury said the billions raised will be spent on public services, including the NHS.

Lush told the BBC that with 3,600 employees in the UK and Ireland, it would have to find an extra £2.7m per year. Kasey Swithenbank, Lush's retail head for the UK and Ireland, said: "We are going to be taking small incremental price changes. We are taking an approach where we look at certain categories at key points of the year so hopefully our customers don't feel the full burden straight away."

Kwik Fit boss Mark Slade says the National Insurance changes will affect prices and hiring.

Kwik Fit, which employs around 7,000 people, estimates the NICs rises will cost it £6.4m. This will have a knock-on effect on prices, and recruitment, said Mark Slade, its managing director. "We are really careful to make sure KwikFit is always competitive and benchmarked against the people around us - but the reality is that includes increasing prices." He added: "There will be some people who aren't replaced over the coming year and that will be in the senior levels."

What are the changes?

The rate that employers pay in contributions will rise from 13.8% to 15% on a worker's earnings above £175 per week. The government expects about 940,000 firms to pay more, 250,000 companies to pay less, and 820,000 to see no change.

The threshold when employers start paying the tax on each employee's salary will be reduced from £9,100 per year to £5,000.

But Employers Allowance - the amount employers can claim back from their National Insurance bill - has been raised from £5,000 to £10,500.

BBC Breakfast contacted around 200 UK businesses and charities in March, across different industries, from sole traders to large companies to get a sense of the impact of the increase in employer National Insurance Contributions. Some 121 completed the questionnaire and around 100 of these businesses told us they had at least an approximate idea of how much increases in employer NICSs would cost them. The costs ranged from £1,000 to £39m depending the size of the business and the number of employees. Around 60 of the businesses which were planning to increase the staff count before announcement said the Budget had affected these plans.

How will firms manage the rises?

BBC Breakfast's questionnaire asked employers to choose from a list of actions they would take to manage increases in NICs. 77 said they would pass on costs to customers in price rises 68 said they would freeze or reduce hiring 81 said they would reduce their profit margins 39 said they would manage increases through job losses Businesses most frequently told us they would choose a combination of these things.

BT boss Allison Kirkby said tax changes meant BT was speeding up cost cutting it was going to do anyway

Allison Kirkby, chief executive of BT, said the tax changes, which will cost the firm £100m, will mean it speeds up job cuts it was already planning. She added that BT is "delighted" with tax relief on infrastructure investment in the Spring Statement and UK planning reforms. "At the moment, like the country, we are focused on getting BT back to growth," she said. "Predictability on taxation, on regulation and on planning is super helpful for the investment that goes into infrastructure like ours, which is the digital backbone of the country."

Angela Burns says the tax changes are "really challenging".

Angela Burns is the chief executive of the Webb Hotel Group, a group of four hotels based in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands. It employs just under 300 people, and she says the NICs rises alone will cost £200,000 a year, with additional minimum wage and pension costs taking that to £600,000. "It's really tough because our labour force is the main expense in our business," she said. "As soon as it was announced in the budget in October, we started to look at restructuring, and as people have left, we haven't re employed. So we've actually cut our workforce down from about 320 to about 280 now to prepare ourselves." She said prices would have to be moved "slightly upwards". "But it's a balancing act as to what customers are prepared to pay," she added.

Greg Strickland, general manager of trampoline activity firm Jump Xtreme in Bolton, said the changes added £30,000 of costs "overnight". He said it had cut 16 hours per week off some 40-hour contracts to cover the cost. Meanwhile Andrew Lane, managing director of Union Industries in Leeds said the firm, which makes industrial doors, shares about half its post-tax profit with employees. "This is going to hit them," he said. "There will be less money to distribute to our employee-owners."

The brands are warning of the impact of employer National Insurance Contribution rises which kick in on Sunday.

National Insurance: Lush and Kwik Fit say rise will push prices higher

What is live shopping and will it take off?

3 hours ago Share Save David Silverberg Technology Reporter Reporting from Toronto Share Save

Kelsey Krakora Kelsey Krakora made a career shift into live shopping

After graduating college Kelsey Krakora worked full time in a steakhouse, bartending and serving meals. She had dabbled with selling clothes online, but only part-time. But in 2021 that all changed for Cleveland-based Ms Krakora. She switched to selling clothes on Whatnot and then Poshmark - online marketplaces where people can also use live video to sell items. "My first live show with Poshmark was 27th November 2022. I sold zero things on my first show... but that didn't last long!" Now she sells around 100 items per show, worth about $1,000 in sales (£773). Her shows are on average three hours long and she does between two and three a week. "These events are inclusive, welcoming, you can shop in your PJs, and there's no need to head to the shopping mall," says Ms Krakora.

Live shopping has been popular in the Asia-Pacific region for some time, where social networks such as China's Douyin regularly host live shopping streams, but now European and US brands are experimenting with this new way of selling their products. Live shopping is a close relative to shopping channels like QVC, where viewers are urged to call in and buy the products demonstrated by presenters. But live shopping acts as a quicker shortcut from buyer to product, especially in the era of one-click purchases, made popular by online retailers such as Amazon. Also, as younger generations increasingly cut the chord and can't access cable TV, shopping channels don't hold the same relevance as they once did. It's estimated the live shopping market has reached $32bn, with the most active sectors being fashion, cosmetics and collectibles. A 2024 survey from digital commerce platform VTEX found that 45% of US consumers have browsed or purchased from live shopping events in the past 12 months.

Guillaume Faure, chief executive of LiveMeUp, which provides live shopping video software, remembers when interest in live shopping surged. "When Instagram introduced Reels, and when YouTube launched Shorts, we saw live shopping really take off." He's noticed the popularity of tutorials and how-to videos in live shopping events, such as how hosts can teach shoppers how to apply a certain type of make-up, or arrange a variety of flowers to deliver the most evocative bouquet.

Getty Images Chinese blogger Li Jiaqi sold 15,000 lipsticks in five minutes through livestreaming

However, some analysts think that live shopping is likely to have a limited appeal. "Many companies have tried live shopping but it simply doesn't scale," says Sucharita Kodali, retail analyst at Forrester Research. "Maybe it works in China where they don't have the same kind of store density we have in the US, where it's better for consumers to go and try something on rather than watch a host try on a piece of clothing," she adds. Jonathan Reynolds, academic director of the Oxford Institute of Retail Management, University of Oxford, also highlights that the Chinese market is different. "In China, so-called key opinion leaders (KOLs) like Li Jiaqi, the so-called 'Lipstick King, are well established," he says. "Li has carefully built his personal brand to demonstrate his expertise and build consumer trust. KOLs are also working within much more sophisticated platform ecosystems," Mr Reynolds explains. Even Ms Krakora admits that not all products work on a live shopping stream. For example, she prefers to shop for jeans in-person. "I'm tall, and I have specific cuts of jeans that I wear," she says, "and there are tried-and-true styles and brands I like." Bruce Winder, a retail analyst in Toronto, also says that for some shoppers, the convenience of live shopping might be too attractive. "Consumers may get addicted to the show or channel... and some consumers may not be able to stop watching and spending as they get caught up in the moment," he adds.

Bruce Winder Live shopping might be too addictive for some shoppers says Bruce Winder

Big in Asia, live shopping involves brands putting on live shows to sell direct to shoppers.

What is live shopping and will it take off?

Eli Lilly boss: 'Tariffs are pivotal moment and hard to come back from'

David Ricks, the Chief Executive of Eli Lilly – which is based in Indianapolis – told the BBC that whilst he understood the intentions, he was doubtful if it could succeed in both clawing back US manufacturing jobs, and raising hundreds of billions of revenue for the American government.

He also added that the UK's status as a pharmaceutical and life sciences power was in decline.

While Mr Ricks said he thought it may encourage some companies to relocate some manufacturing, he was doubtful it would also create hundreds of billions in additional revenue for the US promised by President Trump.

In an exclusive interview with the BBC, David Ricks described it as a watershed moment in US economic history, "I think it's a pivot in US policy and it feels like it'll be hard to come back from here."

The boss of US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly says there is no looking back from Donald Trump's decision to impose sweeping tariffs on imports from the rest of the world.

Eli Lilly is a pharmaceutical giant worth $750 billion with 50,000 employees across the US, Europe and Asia.

Because of their complex supply chains and the often life saving products they make, pharmaceutical companies along with microchip makers were temporarily exempted from the tariffs imposed on all products imported into the US.

But Mr Ricks seemed in little doubt that tariffs would eventually hit and that would have damaging consequences for investment in new medicines.

He explained that drug prices were essentially capped in Europe and the US which meant the impact of tariffs would be felt elsewhere.

"We cant breach those agreements so we have to eat the cost of the tariffs and make trade offs within our own companies. Typically that will be in reduction of staff or research and development and I predict R&D will come first. That's a disappointing outcome."

Mr Ricks said he did not support the imposition of tariffs but understood its intention and respected Mr Trump's political mandate.

"We don't support tariffs, to be clear. In pharma, about 70% of global R&D takes place in the United States. So we're creating the next generation of breakthroughs and cures. But the production is heavily weighted outside the US. And that's not unique to our industry. It happened with electronics and software and other things".

"So I think what this administration is saying is we want both. We want the means of production and we want the research and development intellectual property generation."

Eli Lilly are in the process of building a new additional £800 million facility in Limerick in Ireland where they employ over 3,000 people. Mr Ricks said that development would proceed.

"There's plenty of demand outside the US so we'd have to look at the flow of goods because we wouldn't want to have to pay tariffs if we didn't need to but I think for the moment that's fine."

But Mr Ricks said that its investment in the UK had been in decline and warned that slow regulation and poor uptake of new medicines threatened the UK's reputation as an important life sciences hub and that patients were missing out on new advances in medicine.

Mr Ricks said he delivered some "candid" comments to senior ministers including the Prime Minister, Health Secretary and Business Secretary.

"The UK's advantage is slipping. If you look at the numbers there is disinvestment in research and development. It's been on a steady decline."

So is the UK complacent when it thinks of itself as a life sciences super power?

"That's one way to put it."

Mr Ricks said countries like Germany spend nearly double of their health budget on medicines.

"The UK is not a large market. But what it could be is an exceptional market. You need three things to make our industry work. A strong intellectual property system, and the UK is quite good. You need a regulator that's timely efficient and predictable - pretty good there as well but most importantly you need a commercial market that rewards innovation - and here there's been significant backsliding".

The Chief Executive of Eli Lilly has told the BBC that he is doubtful tariffs could bring manufacturing jobs to the US whilst raising billions in tax revenue

US pharma boss calls tariffs a ‘pivotal moment'

Faisal Islam: This is the biggest change to global trade in 100 years

The impact of these tariffs on the world economy will be huge.

They can be measured by the lines on a chart of US tariff revenue jumping to levels not seen in a century - beyond those seen during the high protectionism of the 1930s.

Or in the overnight stock market falls, especially in Asia.

But the true measure of these changes will be significant changes to long-standing global avenues of trade.

At its heart this is a universal tariff of 10% on nearly all imports into the US for every country, coming in on Friday night. On top of that dozens of "worst offenders" will be charged reciprocally for having trade surpluses.

The tariffs on Asian nations are truly remarkable. They will break the business models of thousands of companies, factories, and possibly entire nations.

Some of the supply chains created by the world's biggest companies will be broken instantly. The inevitable impact will surely be to push them towards China.

Is this just a grand negotiation? Well the US administration appears to be claiming the tariff revenue for planned tax cuts. The scope for quick adjustment seems limited. As one White House official said bluntly: "This is not a negotiation, it's a national emergency".

The impact of the tariffs will be huge, with significant changes to long-standing global avenues of trade.

Trump tariffs: This is the biggest change to global trade in 100 years

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with the country's most senior business leaders on Thursday morning, after US President Trump announced a new wave of tariffs.

He said there will "clearly" be an economic impact from the decisions the US has taken, both in the UK and globally.

The PM told the leaders that the UK will keep a "clear head" in ongoing negotiations on a deal between the US and UK.

The prime minister told the UK's biggest business leaders a trade war with the US is not in the UK's national interest.

Starmer: UK will keep 'cool head' after tariff announcement

UK draws up list of US products it could hit with tariffs

3 hours ago Share Save Kate Whannel Political reporter Sam Francis Political reporter Share Save

Getty Images Bourbon whiskey is among the US products that could face import taxes

The UK government is drawing up a list of US products it could hit with retaliatory tariffs after President Donald Trump announced a wave of new import taxes. This is a toughening of the government's stance as ministers seek to finalise a trade deal with the US. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds says he is consulting UK firms about the likely impact of the 10% tariffs being imposed on nearly all UK exports to the US and which products should be on the list. If UK negotiators can not agree a deal to reduce the 10% tariff by 1 May, the business secretary told MPs the government could impose retaliatory tariffs on US imports.

The government has published a sample list of goods that could face future UK tariffs. Being on the 417-page list does not necessarily mean a product will face tariffs, the government said. The list covers 27% of imports from the US - chosen because they would have a "more limited impact" on the UK economy, the Department for Business and Trade said. The products range from pure bred horses and children's clothes to crude oil, firearms and bourbon whiskey. Reynolds says talks are ongoing with the US government to secure an economic deal aimed at avoiding or reducing tariffs. But he warned that the UK "reserves the right to take any action we deem necessary if a deal is not secured". In the event of reaching a deal with the US, the consultation with businesses would be paused, he added. Speaking in the House of Commons, he said the fact the US had put lower tariffs on the UK compared to other countries "vindicated the pragmatic approach the government has taken". However, he said he was "disappointed" by the increase. Conservative shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith argued "the government got no special favours" - noting the UK was facing the same tariffs as the Congo and the Christmas Islands. The EU was being hit by 20% tariffs and the UK's lower rate of 10% was actually a vindication of those who "were pilloried and abused" for backing Brexit, Griffith argued.

The UK exported almost £60bn worth of goods to the US last year, mainly machinery, cars and pharmaceuticals. In addition to the 10% tariffs, a 25% tariff has been put on UK car exports, as well as steel and aluminium products. Some products are exempt from the charges announced on Wednesday, according to White House documents - including the UK's pharmaceutical sector, along with semiconductors, copper and some lumber items. The government's official forecaster estimates a worst-case scenario trade war could reduce UK economic growth by 1% and wipe out the £9.9bn of economic headroom Chancellor Rachel Reeves gave herself at last week's Spring Statement. It could mean that in order to meet her own fiscal rules, she would have to raise taxes or make cuts to government spending.

Behind the scenes the government says it has been laying the groundwork for a trade deal with the US. Insiders on the UK side say a deal is practically done. But no one knows if, or when, Trump will sign off on it. Any deal would be broader than just lower tariffs the BBC understands, focusing on technology, but also covering elements of trade in goods and services as well as agriculture - a controversial area in previous unsuccessful US-UK trade talks. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has suggested the UK could change its taxes on big tech firms as part of a deal to overturn US tariffs. The digital services tax, introduced in 2020, imposes a 2% levy on tech firms, including big US firms such as Amazon, bringing in about £800m in tax per year.

The business secretary says he wants to reach an economic deal but would take "necessary steps' if talks failed.

UK drawing up list of items for potential retaliatory US tariffs

What next for products like the iPhone made in China? And more of your questions answered

2 hours ago Share Save Share Save

Getty Images Donald Trump slaps much of the world with a 10% baseline tariff while others face even higher rates. Our correspondents answer your questions.

From Saturday, most goods imported to the US from anywhere in the world will face a 10% "baseline" tariff. Donald Trump announced higher rates for some countries he singled out as the "worst offenders" for trade. Our correspondents have been answering your questions about what this means and the impact it could have.

Will the tariffs lead to a stagnant global economy?

David Rash, in Yeovil, asks Deputy Economics editor, Dharshini David, if the tariffs will lead to a stagnant world economy following a reduced supply of foreign goods into the US and a reduction of US exports? This is a very real risk. The tariffs introduced by President Trump amount to the largest such levy to face American consumers in almost a century. If they do get put in place – and remain – there is likely to be a serious dent to the amount bought by Americans, still the world's biggest shoppers, from the rest of the world. And those who are prepared to fork out for higher prices due to tariffs will have less to spend on other things. In the event of the retaliation threatened by other countries, American exporters will suffer – hence the concern that not just the US but the whole global economy, so reliant on trade flows, could slow. But as you say, the natural inclination is for countries hardest hit – toymakers from China to apparel manufacturers in Vietnam - to boost sale in other markets. That might appeal to consumers – but obviously, could disadvantage businesses in those target markets.

What happens to US products that are made in China?

Mike Heafield, 60, in Preston, asks Senior Technology reporter, Graham Fraser, What happens to products - like the iPhone - that are made in China by US companies? One eye-catching consequence of the tariffs announcement has been the impact on Apple, with its share price falling 7%. The US tech giant has large manufacturing bases in some of the countries hit hardest by President Trump's policy - notably China, which faces tariffs of 54%, and Vietnam (46%). In 2019, when Trump was first in the White House, Apple was given Chinese tariff exemptions. Apple bosses will be hoping to work out a similar deal this time. The global investment bank Citi said: "If Apple cannot get exempted this time and assuming Apple gets hit by the accumulative 54% China tariffs and does not pass it through, we estimate about 9% negative impact to the company's total gross margin." In February, Apple committed to invest more than $500bn (£396bn) in the US over the next four years. At the time, Trump claimed Apple's support for US manufacturing was partially a response to his trade policies, including tariffs.

How will the tariffs impact US consumers?

Paul Miller, in Devon, asks Dharshini David, Deputy Economics editor, about the impact of tariffs on US consumers, and whether the UK could gain from them. US shoppers could very much be the frontline casualties in this trade war, blighted by higher prices and less choice, regardless of the president's rhetoric. And that does mean that producers will seek out and take advantage of new markets. We saw that in the president's first term, when the likes of Vietnam and Malaysia took advantage of the tariffs he imposed on China to increase the amount they sold to America. Ironically, they consequently are in the firing line now - and so will likely be vying to sell more to the UK – good for consumers, less so for competing businesses Already, many producers are turning their sights beyond established customers – think whisky makers looking towards Asia. That is likely to intensify. Trump's announcement may mean a redraft of the global trade map – and our own shopping lists.

Getty Images

Will this have an effect on the UK's cost of living?

Jock Scott, from Nuneaton, asks Business reporter Nick Edser if the US tariffs have an effect on the UK's cost of living. As ever when looking at the implications of the tariffs, there's a lot of uncertainty over this. In some circumstances UK prices could go up, in others they could fall. The tariffs announced by Trump on Wednesday will be paid for by the businesses which import goods into the US. This means the initial impact of price rises is likely to be on US consumers, if American firms pass on the extra costs. However, some economists think the tariffs could strengthen the value of the dollar against other currencies. If the pound weakens against the dollar, then UK firms importing goods from the US will face higher costs. This could then lead to higher prices of these goods in UK shops if companies cannot absorb the increased costs themselves. Also, if the UK government decides to retaliate with tariffs of its own on US goods entering the UK, there is a risk UK prices could rise if British businesses pass on the extra costs to customers. However, some economists have suggested prices could also fall as a result of the tariffs. Swati Dhingra, an economist and member of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee, which sets interest rates, has suggested that firms which normally send their goods to the US may instead send them to countries which don't have such steep tariffs, like the UK, potentially leading to a flood of cheaper goods.

Getty Images

What does this mean for my pension?

Robert Jones, from Cardiff, asks Kevin Peachey, Cost of living correspondent, about the impact of tariffs on our pension investments. There is little doubt Trump's announcement on tariffs has led to immediate moves in share prices and are also likely to have a longer-term economic impact. Robert and Stephen have mentioned the drop in the value of their pension investments, and the situation will be unsettling for millions of people with any kind of investments. Experts say that investors have always had to ride economic shocks. Investments, by definition, require a long-term outlook and strategy. So, they are urging people not to panic or make knee-jerk decisions. That said, for those about to draw on investments, it may be more worrying, albeit that most pension savings are moved into safer holdings like cash or bonds as people approach retirement age. The state pension is unaffected.

Does the UK have a 'Brexit benefit' over the EU?

Donald Trump slaps much of the world with a 10% baseline tariff while others face even higher rates. Our correspondents answer your questions.

What next for products like the iPhone made in China? And more of your questions answered

Luton airport expansion approved by government

2 hours ago Share Save Danny Fullbrook BBC News, Bedfordshire Share Save

Luton Rising The expansion plans include a new terminal building for the Bedfordshire-based airport

London Luton Airport hopes to almost double annual passenger numbers to 32 million by 2043 after the government approved expansion plans. It came despite the Planning Inspectorate recommending Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander rejected them over environmental concerns. Luton Rising, the airport's owners, said the decision could bring "significant economic, employment and social benefits for our town". However, environmental campaigners said "with climate change worsening, the last thing any of us need is 70,000 more aircraft a year".

Luton was the UK's fifth busiest airport last year, with 16.9 million people travelling on 132,000 flights. The expansion plans involve building a new terminal, new taxiways and increasing capacity in the existing terminal, from its current 18 million passengers a year.

'Vital infrastructure'

A spokesman for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was "pleased" with the decision. He said: "Improving our national infrastructure is critical to achieving growth and delivering jobs across the country, and this decision will help us deliver growth as part of our plan for change. "This step underlines the government's commitment to unlocking vital infrastructure and backing growth."

The expansion decision had been delayed three times, most recently so newly appointed Alexander could have more time to consider the application. Paul Kehoe, independent chair of Luton Rising, which is owned by Luton Borough Council, said up to 11,000 new jobs would be created. He said this was along with "additional annual economic activity of up to £1.5bn". The announcement came less than a week after Vauxhall's van-making factory in Luton was closed by parent company Stellantis, putting up to 1,100 jobs at risk. Meanwhile the airport expansion became the latest to be backed by the government, which has made growth a priority. Alexander said she was "minded to approve" a second runway at Gatwick Airport in February, while Chancellor Rachel Reeves has backed a third runway at Heathrow. Andrew Lambourne, of campaign group LADACAN, said the government ignored the concerns of local people. He said many felt the application was "out-of-keeping" with the area, adding: "People living under the flight path are already at risk of health damage from being awoken by night flights, so adding 70% more is inhumane." Countryside charity CPRE added the expansion made "a mockery" of the government's "commitment to reaching net zero by 2030".

Luton Rising The Planning Inspectorate recommended the government rejected the expansion over environmental concerns

One of the concerns expressed by the examining authority, on behalf of the Planning Inspectorate, was disruption to the "relative tranquility" of the Chilterns. It was understood the expansion plan would mean a plane flying over the area up to once every 15 minutes, compared with once every half an hour currently. Mr Kehoe, from Luton Rising, said the airport had introduced limits on noise and greenhouse gas emissions. Marion Geoffroy, managing director of Wizz Air, said she hoped the company, which is the airport's largest operator, could continue to grow. "We are absolutely confident, looking at the trends of the last few years, that there will be enough demand for us to put more capacity in Luton airport," she said. But operators will be competing for the new space. Earlier this week, Jet2 began to offer routes for the first time. Ms Geoffroy insisted "competition is good", adding: "We are delighted the airport can offer more capacity, but we will be competing for sure."

Annual passenger numbers are due to almost double to 32 million, despite environmental concerns.

Luton airport expansion approved by government

Can Trump's sweeping global tariffs spark a manufacturing boom in India?

5 hours ago Share Save Soutik Biswas • @soutikBBC India correspondent Share Save

How Trump's tariffs may impact India

Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs have shaken global trade, but disruption often creates opportunity. Starting 9 April, Indian goods will face tariffs of up to 27% (Trump's tariff chart lists India's rate as 26%, but the official order says 27% - a discrepancy seen for other nations too). Before the tariff hike, US rates across trading partners averaged 3.3%, among the lowest globally, compared to India's 17%, according to the White House. However, with the US imposing even higher tariffs on China (54%), Vietnam (46%), Thailand (36%) and Bangladesh (37%), India "presents an opportunity" in textiles, electronics and machinery, according to the Delhi-based think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). High tariffs on Chinese and Bangladeshi exports open space for Indian textile manufacturers to expand in the US market. While Taiwan leads in semiconductors, India can tap into packaging, testing and lower-end chip manufacturing - if it strengthens infrastructure and policy support. Even a partial supply chain shift from Taiwan, driven by 32% tariffs, could work in India's favour.

Machinery, automobiles and toys - sectors led by China and Thailand - are ripe for tariff-driven relocation. India can capitalise by attracting investment, scaling production and boosting exports to the US, according to a note by GTRI. But will India be able to seize the moment? High tariffs have increased costs for companies dependent on global value chains, hobbling India's ability to compete in international markets. Despite growing exports - primarily driven by services - India runs a significant trade deficit. India's share of global exports is a mere 1.5%. Trump has repeatedly branded India a "tariff king" and a "big abuser" of trade ties. With his new tariffs, the fear is that Indian exports will be less competitive.

"Overall, the US's protectionist tariff regime could act as a catalyst for India to gain from global supply chain realignments," says Ajay Srivastava of GTRI. "However, to fully leverage these opportunities, India must enhance its ease of doing business, invest in logistics and infrastructure and maintain policy stability. If these conditions are met, India is well-positioned to become a key global manufacturing and export hub in the coming years." That's easier said than done. Biswajit Dhar, a trade expert from the Delhi-based Council for Social Development think tank, points out that countries like Malaysia and Indonesia are possibly better positioned than India. "We may regain some lost ground in garments now that Bangladesh faces higher tariffs, but the reality is we've treated garments as a sunset sector and failed to invest. Without building capacity, how can we truly benefit from these tariff shifts?" says Mr Dhar. Since February, India has ramped up efforts to win Trump's favour - pledging $25bn in US energy imports, courting Washington as a top defence supplier and exploring F-35 fighter deals. To ease trade tensions, it scrapped the 6% digital ad tax, cut bourbon whiskey tariffs to 100% from 150% and slashed duties on luxury cars and solar cells. Meanwhile, Elon Musk's Starlink nears final approval. The two countries have launched extensive trade talks to narrow the US's $45bn trade deficit with India. Yet, India did not escape the tariff war. "India should be concerned - there was hope that ongoing trade negotiations would shield it from reciprocal tariffs. Facing these tariffs now is a serious setback," says Abhijit Das, former head of the Centre for WTO Studies at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.

Getty Images Exports in key sectors like electronics and engineering goods could take a hit from the new tariff plan

One upside: pharmaceuticals are exempt from reciprocal tariffs, a relief for India's generic drug makers. India supplies nearly half of all generic medicines in the US, where these lower-cost alternatives account for 90% of prescriptions. However, exports in key sectors like electronics, engineering goods - automobile parts, industrial machines - and marine products could take a hit. It would be especially troubling for electronics, given the heavy investments through India's flagship "production-linked incentives" (PLI) schemes to boost local manufacturing. "I'm apprehensive about our exporters' capacity - many are small manufacturers who will struggle to absorb a 27% tariff hike, making them uncompetitive. High logistical costs, rising business expenses and deteriorating trade infrastructure only add to the challenge. We're starting at a major disadvantage," says Mr Dhar. Many see these tariffs as Trump's bargaining chip in trade negotiations with India. The latest US Trade Representative report underscores Washington's frustration with India's trade policies. Released on Monday, the report flags India's strict import rules on dairy, pork and fish, requiring non-GMO certification without scientific backing. It also criticises India's sluggish approval process for genetically modified products and price caps on stents and implants. Intellectual property concerns have landed India on the 'Priority Watch List', for which the report cites weak patent protections and a lack of trade secret laws. The report also frets about data localisation mandates and restrictive satellite policies, straining trade ties further. Washington fears India's regulatory approach is increasingly mirroring China's. If these barriers were removed, US exports could rise by at least $5.3bn annually, according to the White House. "The timing couldn't be worse - being in the middle of trade negotiations only deepens our disadvantage. This isn't just about market access; it's the whole package," says Mr Dhar. Also, gaining an edge over Vietnam or China won't happen overnight - building opportunities and competitive strength takes time.

Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs have shaken global trade, but can India turn disruption into opportunity?

Tariffs on India: Can Trump's sweeping global duties spark a manufacturing boom?

Global stocks slide as Trump tariffs hit markets

6 minutes ago Share Save Tom Espiner BBC business reporter Share Save

EPA

Global stock markets fell on Thursday as investors reacted to US President Donald Trump's sweeping announcements on tariffs. The UK's FTSE 100 share index fell 1.5% and other European markets were also lower, echoing falls seen earlier in Asia. While stocks fell, the price of gold, which is seen as a safer asset in times of turbulence, touched a record high. Traders are concerned about the global economic impact of Trump's tariffs, which they fear could stoke inflation and stall growth.

Markets across Asia had fallen sharply after Trump's announcement, with the Nikkei in Japan closing down nearly 3% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index 1.5% lower. Shares in Europe followed the downward trend, with Germany's Dax index down 1.9% and France's Cac 40 dropping 2.6%. The price of gold hit a record high of $3,167.57 an ounce at one point on Thursday, before falling back to $3,090. Futures markets also suggest US shares will open lower when trading begins later. The S&P 500 is indicated to fall by 3.2% and the Nasdaq - which is dominated by tech stocks - set to drop 3.7%. The dollar also weakened against many other currencies. The pound rose by more than 1% against the US currency to touch $1.32 at one point before slipping back. The decision by the US government to impose a combination of a 10% baseline levy and higher duties on a number of other trading partners reverses decades of liberalisation that shaped the global trade order. "This is the worst-case scenario," said Jay Hatfield, chief executive at Infrastructure Capital Advisors. "Enough to potentially send the US into a recession," he added, echoing nervous market sentiment.

George Saravelos, head of FX at Deutsche Bank Research, said the new US trade tariffs were a "highly mechanical" reaction to trade deficits, rather than the "sophisticated assessment" the White House had promised. Mr Saravelos warned the move "risks lowering the policy credibility of the [Trump] administration". "The market may question the extent to which a sufficiently structured planning process for major economic decisions is taking place. After all, this is the biggest trade policy shift from the US in a century," he said.

European shares open lower after falls in Asia, while the gold price hits another record high.

Global stocks slide as Trump tariffs hit markets

US President Donald Trump has announced new import taxes on all goods entering the US in the biggest upheaval of the international trade order since the aftermath of World War Two.

As part of this move, he announced 26% reciprocal tariffs on India.

The BBC's Nikhil Inamdar explains what this means for Delhi.

Note: While President Trump said 26% in the press conference, the official order says 27%.

Video edited by Nikita Mandhani

Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

The BBC's Nikhil Inamdar explains how US President Donald Trump's tariffs could impact India.

Watch: How Trump's tariffs may impact India

How were Donald Trump's tariffs calculated?

1 hour ago Share Save Ben Chu & Tom Edgington BBC Verify Share Save

Getty Images

US President Donald Trump has imposed a 10% tariff on goods from most countries being imported into the US, with even higher rates for what he calls the "worst offenders". But how exactly were these tariffs - essentially taxes on imports - worked out? BBC Verify has been looking at the calculations behind the numbers.

What were the calculations?

When Trump presented a giant cardboard chart detailing the tariffs in the White House Rose Garden it was initially assumed that the charges were based on a combination of existing tariffs and other trade barriers (like regulations). But later, the White House published what might look like a complicated mathematical formula.

White House The formula shared by the White House

But the actual exercise boiled down to simple maths: take the trade deficit for the US in goods with a particular country, divide that by the total goods imports from that country and then divide that number by two. A trade deficit occurs when a country buys (imports) more physical products from other countries than it sells (exports) to them. Punitive or a gift? How five big economies see new Trump tariffs

Trump's tariffs are a longtime goal fulfilled - and his biggest gamble yet

How Trump's tariffs might affect you and your money For example, the US buys more goods from China than it sells to them - there is a goods deficit of $295bn. The total amount of goods it buys from China is $440bn. Dividing 295 by 440 gets you to 67% and you divide that by two and round up. Therefore the tariff imposed on China is 34%. Similarly, when it applied to the EU, the White House's formula resulted in a 20% tariff.

Are the Trump tariffs 'reciprocal'?

Many commentators have pointed out that these tariffs are not reciprocal. Reciprocal would mean they were based on what countries already charge the US in the form of existing tariffs, plus non-tariff barriers (things like regulations that drive up costs). But the White House's official methodology document makes clear that they have not calculated this for all the countries on which they have imposed tariffs. Instead the tariff rate was calculated on the basis that it would eliminate the US's goods trade deficit with each country. Trump has broken away from the formula in imposing tariffs on countries that buy more goods from the US than they sell to it. For example the US does not currently run goods trade deficit with the UK. Yet the UK has been hit with a 10% tariff. In total, more than 100 countries are covered by the new tariff regime.

'Lots of broader impacts'

Trump believes the US is getting a bad deal in global trade. In his view, other countries flood US markets with cheap goods - which hurts US companies and costs jobs. At the same time, these countries are putting up barriers that make US products less competitive abroad. So by using tariffs to eliminate trade deficits, Trump hopes to revive US manufacturing and protect jobs.

Reuters The US car industry is one of the manufacturing sectors Trump is keen to revive

Analysts have questioned claims that new tariffs are reciprocal and based on those charged against the US.

How were Donald Trump's tariffs calculated?

British Steel could decide to shut Scunthorpe plant in days

29 minutes ago Share Save Zoe Conway & Tom Espiner BBC business correspondent & reporter Share Save

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Decisions taken within the next few days will determine whether British Steel's Scunthorpe plant stays open, the BBC understands. The plant's Chinese owner, Jingye, has cancelled two cargo shipments of coking coal for the site's two blast furnaces and it has not yet paid for iron pellets that are scheduled to arrive next week. Without coal and iron ore, the blast furnaces will shut down within weeks. Last week British Steel launched a consultation on the proposed closure of its two blast furnaces at Scunthorpe, putting up to 2,700 jobs at risk.

It has been meeting with the trade unions Community, GMB and Unite. The GMB's national officer, Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, said that a union meeting with workers on Wednesday had shown that ''Jingye has no intention of running the plant responsibly. Nationalisation is now the only option to save UK steel-making." Sources close to the consultation accuse Jingye of deliberately undermining talks to save the plant by closing down the supply of raw materials. British Steel said: "We are not able to comment at this time".

Reuters

British Steel's owner has cancelled coal and iron ore shipments to the Scunthorpe plant.

British Steel could decide to shut Scunthorpe plant in days

UK firms react to Trump tariffs: 'It's a huge blow to Scotland's whisky industry'

10 hours ago Share Save Faarea Masud & Jennifer Meierhans Business reporters, BBC News Share Save

BBC Anthony Wills runs the Kilchoman distillery and says he will try to keep prices the same despite tariffs

US President Donald Trump has unveiled a list of tariffs on countries across the world that send their products to America. The UK will be subject to 10% tariffs. We've spoken to firms which export to the US from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland about what they think the impact on their businesses will be.

'We will try to keep the shelf price as it was'

For Scotch whisky makers, the US is its most important overseas market - worth £971m a year. Anthony Wills runs the Kilchoman distillery on the island of Islay and says he feels "deflated" at the prospect of tariffs. "It's a huge blow for the industry," he says. "For us personally, it represents 10% of our sales. So it's clearly going to be a big blow, especially with the current economic headwinds that we're all experiencing, we're all going to find this very difficult and very challenging." Live updates: Global reaction to Trump's tariffs The industry has been hit with US tariffs before, with a 25% levy on single malts back in 2019. The Scottish Whisky Association estimates that for the 18 months the tariffs were in place, the industry lost £600m in sales. Mr Wills says he split the cost of the tariff with his US importer so the price would stay the same for their American customers. "I imagine we'll be doing what we did last time, and trying to keep the shelf price as it was before," he says. "We have to react and we will be discussing this with our importer and deciding what the best way forward is."

'I'm not panicking - they don't make our products in the US'

Denise Cole does not think tariffs will negatively impact the valve maker where she is finance director

Wales sold £2.2bn of goods to the US last year - most of it was machinery and equipment manufactured by small companies. Newport-based company, Tomoe Valve, makes high performance butterfly valves that are used in a wide variety of projects all over the world. The firm hit £6m in sales in 2024/25 and its biggest order worth £1.2m ($1.6m) came from the US - a huge valve for a battery plant. Financial director Denise Cole says she does not want tariffs on her products but understands why President Trump has brought them in. "I've seen UK manufacturing decimated and the same has happened in America so he's looking after his own which is exactly what it says on the tin with Trump." She says there was a lot of panic over tariffs and any changes could be "short-lived". "I really don't think it's going to impact us in a negative way," she says. "The specialist products we sell, they don't manufacture in the US anyway, they would struggle to get them elsewhere. "Our own government has done me more damage by increasing employer National Insurance Contributions," she says. "That's added £35,000 to my costs - that's a whole person's wages. I would have taken on a new member of staff this year as we have some big orders but I won't be able to now." The Treasury has previously said it was delivering the stability businesses need to invest and grow.

'This could put car industry jobs at risk'

Matt Harwood Matt Harwood is concerned tariffs risk jobs in the automotive supply chain

A new import tax of 25% on cars entering the US came into effect today, and car parts will face the same tax at some point in the next few months. Some 17% of UK car exports went to the US last year, making it the second largest export market after the EU. At a glance: What president's new taxes mean for EU, China and others

Watch: Three things to know about Trump's tariffs

Analysis: Trump's tariffs are a longtime goal fulfilled - and his biggest gamble yet

Explainer: What are tariffs, and why is Trump using them? Barkley Plastics in Sutton Coldfield supplies parts to carmakers including Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan, Toyota and Mini. Managing director Matt Harwood says: "The new tariffs will affect [car manufacturers] greatly, which in turn affects businesses like us in their supply chain." He says the UK's automotive industry was already under pressure before the tariffs were announced. The UK produced more than 1.5 million cars a year before the pandemic - that's now down to 800,000 a year. Mr Harwood says: "Covid-19, chip shortages, and broader supply chain disruptions have made volumes unpredictable in recent years. These new US tariffs threaten to push that number even lower, which would be particularly damaging for smaller suppliers like us, who operate on tight margins. "A further downturn in demand could quickly translate into job losses or even business closures," he says. "So our main concern is how the US tariffs put tens of thousands of jobs at risk within the UK automotive supply chain."

'This could affect my sales in the US'

Peter McAuley Peter McAuley had hoped to grow his watch business in the US but thinks tariffs could spoil his plans

In 2022, Northern Ireland exported goods worth £1.9bn to the US, making it the third biggest external market for goods behind Great Britain (£11bn) and Ireland (£4.6bn). Belfast watchmaker Nomadic makes 22% of its sales in the US. Its founder Peter McAuley says there was huge potential for his business to grow in the US, but that's now in doubt. He says America is a strong market with a good trading environment, but he believes tariffs will have an impact on his sales - although he remains confident about the future of the trading relationship between Northern Ireland and the US.

Business in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland tell us what US tariffs could mean for them.

'It's a huge blow to Scotland's whisky industry'

US President Donald Trump has announced a universal "baseline" 10% tariff on all imports into the US, on what he has dubbed "Liberation Day".

Trump also unveiled a 10% tariff on UK goods and 20% on EU goods in a watershed moment for global trade. The US will also hit certain countries with much steeper tariffs, as high as 50%.

The US president said universal 10% tariffs would go into effect for all countries starting 5 April.

President Trump announces new tariffs on all imports to US

How Trump's tariffs might affect the UK and your money

9 hours ago Share Save Michael Race Business reporter, BBC News Share Save

Getty Images

US President Donald Trump has announced fresh import taxes on goods being imported to America in the latest escalation of the global trade war. The UK has been hit with a 10% tariff on all of its goods being brought into the US, which Trump says is a retaliation to UK tariffs on American goods, but uncertainty remains over the potential impact on British consumers. Here's how you and your money could be affected.

1. Prices could go up, but could also go down

The tariffs Trump has just announced will be paid for by the businesses which import goods into the US. Clarissa Hahn, economist at Oxford Economics, says this means that the initial impact of price rises will be on US consumers, as American firms are likely to pass on the extra costs to their customers. However, she adds people in the UK could subsequently be affected by the measures, which come into effect on 5 April. One way is via the value of the pound and exchange rates, which dictate the cost to UK businesses importing goods and raw materials from abroad. If import costs go up, these extra costs could be passed on to consumers through higher prices. Following Trump's speech on Wednesday, exchange rates between the dollar and pound fluctuated. If the value of the dollar strengthens as some economists have predicted, import costs could rise for UK firms importing goods. Higher prices in the UK could also "prompt workers to demand higher wages", which would further raise costs for businesses, according to Ahmet Ihsan Kaya, principal economist, at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research. Ms Hahn adds if the UK government decides to retaliate with tariffs of its own on US goods entering the UK, there is a risk UK prices could rise if British businesses pass on extra costs to customers. However, some economists have suggested prices could also initially fall as a result of Trump's decision to impose tariffs. Swati Dhingra, economist and member of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee, which sets interest rates, has suggested that firms which normally send their goods to the US, may instead send them to countries such as the UK which don't have such steep tariffs, potentially leading to a flood of cheaper goods in the UK. "Tariffs of the proposed magnitude are likely to prompt firms that export to the US to lower their prices to retain demand for their products," she suggests.

2. It could affect your job

British companies which export goods to the US are set be the hardest hit from the latest measures. The UK exported almost £60bn worth of goods to the US last year, mainly machinery, cars and pharmaceuticals. Other industries, which are big exporters to the US, include fishing and electronics. If US demand for UK products dwindles due to the extra charges importers face, this could hit profit margins and ultimately lead to UK job cuts unless British firms find new customers outside the US. According to the Institute for Public Policy Research think tank, Jaguar Land Rover and the Mini factory in Cowley, Oxford, appear to be the most exposed to US tariffs on cars. It says more than 25,000 jobs in the UK car manufacturing industry "could be at risk" with a 25% tariff coming into effect on Thursday, with one in eight UK-built cars exported to the US. The pharmaceutical industry is also heavily reliant on trade with the US, says Ms Hahn, of Oxford Economics. The US makes up 40% of AstraZeneca's sales and 50% of GSK's. Although both British-headquartered firms have manufacturing facilities in America, raw ingredients for life-saving medicines and vaccines travel between the UK, EU and US. Under tariffs the firms could be hit with multiple tax charges as they cross borders to be developed. There is also the issue of how tariffs work when they collide with pricing caps that both the NHS and other health organisations set for buying drugs in bulk.

3. Interest rates may stay higher for longer

The UK has been hit with 10% tariffs by the US, but there is uncertainty of the impact of them.

How could they affect the UK and your money

Trump to charge high tariffs on 'worst offenders' globally

3 hours ago Share Save Natalie Sherman BBC News, New York Share Save

Watch: Key moments in Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs announcement

President Donald Trump has announced new import taxes on all goods entering the US, in the biggest upheaval of the international trade order since the aftermath of World War Two. His plan sets a baseline tariff of 10% on all imports, consistent with his proposal during last year's White House campaign. Items from about 60 trade partners that the White House described as the "worst offenders", including the European Union and China, face higher rates - payback for unfair trade policies, Trump said. Analysts said the trade war escalation was likely to lead to higher prices for Americans and slower growth in the US, while some countries around the world could be plunged into recession.

But in Wednesday's announcement at the White House, Trump said the measures were necessary because countries were taking advantage of the US by imposing high tariffs and other trade barriers. Declaring a national emergency, the Republican president said the US had for more than five decades been "looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike". "It's our declaration of economic independence," Trump said in the Rose Garden against a backdrop of US flags. The White House said the US would start charging the 10% tariffs on 5 April, with the higher duties for certain nations starting on 9 April. Live updates and reaction to Trump tariffs

What are tariffs and why is Trump using them? "Today we are standing up for the American worker and we are finally putting America first," Trump said, calling it "one of the most important days, in my opinion, in American history". His decision stunned many analysts. "He just dropped a nuclear bomb on the global trading system," Ken Rogoff, former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund, told the BBC.

Watch: Three things to know about Trump's tariffs announcement

Canada and Mexico not affected

Tariffs are taxes on imports. On the campaign trail last year, Trump said he would use them to boost manufacturing, promising a new age of US prosperity. The import taxes could raise $2.2tn (£1.7tn) of revenue by 2034, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. He spent weeks previewing Wednesday's announcement, which followed other orders raising tariffs on imports from China, foreign cars, steel and aluminium and 25% on some goods from Mexico and Canada. For now, the White House said the latest changes would not change anything for Mexico and Canada, two of America's closest trading partners.

But other allies will face new tariffs, including 10% for the UK and 20% for the European Union, said Trump. The measure introduces a new 34% tariff on goods from China, on top of an existing 20% levy, bringing total duties to at least 54%. The tariff rate will be 24% on goods from Japan, and 26% from India. Some of the highest duties will hit exports from countries that have seen a rush of investment in recent years, as firms shifted supply chains away from China following tariffs in Trump's first term. Goods from Vietnam and Cambodia will be hit with 46% and 49% respectively. Higher levies will also fall on much smaller nations, with products from the southern African country of Lesotho facing 50%. Here's how Trump's tariffs on China, EU and more will work

Six things that could get more expensive for Americans

Watch: Top lawmakers Johnson and Schumer react to Trump's tariffs

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned other countries not to hit back. "My advice to every country right now is, do not retaliate," Bessent told Fox News. "Sit back, take it in, let's see how it goes. Because if you retaliate, there will be escalation," he said. "If you don't retaliate, this is the high watermark." Later however, China's commerce ministry said it "firmly" opposed the US's new tariffs and will take "resolute countermeasures to safeguard its rights and interests". European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen also said she was preparing to take further steps against the US in the event that negotiations failed. The new duties will affect trillions of dollars in trade, likely setting the stage for higher prices in the US on clothing, European wine, bicycles, toys and thousands of other items. Olu Sonola, head of US economic research at the Fitch Ratings agency, said the measures would bring the US tariff rate to what was in place in 1910. "Many countries will likely end up in a recession," he said.

The US stock market was closed for trading by the time that Trump made his announcement, which he billed as "Liberation Day". But shares in the Asia-Pacific region opened lower on Thursday morning. Japan's benchmark stock index, the Nikkei 225, was down by 4% in early trading. Australia's ASX 200 was around 2% lower. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives described the tariffs as "worse than the worst case" that investors had anticipated. But he said he believed there would be negotiations and exemptions.

Getty Images The tariffs will affect trillions of dollars in trade

The president says the US has been "pillaged, raped and plundered" for years by international trade partners.

Trump tariffs: 'Worst offenders' around world face high import taxes, says White House

Vending machines sell farm shop goods out of hours

2 hours ago Share Save Phil Harrison • @philharrison77 BBC News, South East Reporting from Brookland, Romney Marsh Share Save

BBC The vending machines at The Old Tractor Shed Farm Shop sell local produce until 21:00 BST each day

A Kent farm shop has turned to technology to sell local produce out of hours. The Old Tractor Shed Farm Shop in Brookland has installed three vending machines which continue to offer a range of products when the main business is closed. Visitors can pay for milk, pickles, meats, fruit juices and fresh vegetables sourced from suppliers on The Romney Marsh by tapping their bank cards and smart phones. Co-owner Deborah Ovenden said: "This enables us to extend our hours to offer local produce to a wide range of people such as dog walkers and cyclists early in the morning when the shop is not open.

"There's not many shops in the area so it's also useful for people in the evening coming home from work." The vending machines are housed in shipping containers in front of the farm shop building. The owners are also planning to open a self service cafe in one of them. The container for the fresh milk vending machine was previously used to house Turkish PPE equipment from the pandemic which was eventually rejected, co-owner Clive Ovenden said.

Farm shop manager Ryan Ovenden and his father Clive plan to turn one shipping container into a self service cafe

The initiative comes as many farms search for other ways to diversify their income. "Farmers are struggling at the moment", added Mrs Ovenden. "This is an opportunity to sell our produce and that from the local area even when we are not there ourselves." The vending machines at The Old Tractor Shed Farm Shop are open each day between 07:00 and 21:00.

Visitors can pay for milk and meats from suppliers on The Romney Marsh by tapping their bank cards.

Romney Marsh farm shop vending machines sell out of hours

President Donald Trump has unveiled universal 10% tariffs on all imports into the US effective on 5 April, with certain countries hit with steeper tariffs beginning 9 April.

The watershed moment for global trade is already impacting stock markets.

The BBC's Michelle Fleury breaks down what the import taxes mean for the US and countries around the world.

Video by Isabelle Rodd

The BBC's Michelle Fleury breaks down what the import taxes mean for the US and countries around the world.

Three things to know about Trump's tariffs announcement

Tesla sales plunge after Elon Musk backlash

9 minutes ago Share Save Lily Jamali North America Technology Correspondent Reporting from San Francisco Share Save

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Tesla sales have plummeted to their lowest level in three years after a backlash against its boss Elon Musk. The electric car maker delivered almost 337,000 electric vehicles in the first three months of 2025, a 13% drop from a year ago. Tesla shares tumbled in early trading on Wednesday after the release of the unexpectedly low sales numbers. The cars face increasing competition from Chinese firm BYD, but experts believe Musk's controversial role in the Trump administration has had an effect too.

The firm has blamed the sales drop on the transition to a new version of its most popular car. However some analysts have pointed the finger at Musk himself. "These numbers suck," early Tesla investor Ross Gerber of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management wrote on X. "The brand is broken and may not be fixable", added Mr Gerber, who was once a Musk supporter but has recently called for the board to remove the billionaire as CEO.

Watch: Tesla vehicles and dealerships vandalised throughout US

'Tesla takedown'

There have been protests and boycotts around the world prompted by Musk's outspoken and controversial political involvement. He has been heading up President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative to cut federal spending and slash the government workforce. On Wednesday, Politico reported that Trump had told his inner circle Musk would be stepping back from the administration in the coming weeks. Shortly after the report was published, Tesla's share price turned positive. The White House shot down the report as "garbage". Because he is considered a special government employee, Musk by law can only serve 130 days in the administration this year, which would put his departure closer to June. The Tesla boss is the world's richest man and contributed more than a quarter of a billion dollars to help Trump get elected in November. In recent weeks, he poured millions into a Wisconsin Supreme Court race, supporting former Republican attorney general Brad Schimel who was soundly defeated on Tuesday.

Getty Images This dealership in Berlin was defaced

The car maker's sales slide has been attributed to competition and controversy around its boss.

Tesla sales unexpectedly plunge after Elon Musk backlash

Three big unknowns ahead of Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs

15 hours ago Share Save Natalie Sherman BBC News Share Save

Watch: What we do and don’t know about Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs

Donald Trump says tariffs are coming. That message from the US president has been consistent. But what tariffs and when? Import taxes have come so thick and fast since he took office that it can be hard to keep track. Trump has already raised duties on Chinese imports, as well as steel, aluminium and some goods from Canada and Mexico. Higher levies on cars are due to go into effect this week. We're now waiting for Trump to unveil the details of his plan for a wider set of tariffs, which his team has spent the last few weeks developing. The White House is calling it "Liberation Day". So what might we learn on Wednesday?

How big are the tariffs?

The White House has not said how high the tariffs could go, although various possible rates have been floated by analysts. On the campaign trail last year, Trump backed a 10% across-the-board tariff on all imports coming into the US, sometimes suggesting that could be 20% - even 60% on imports from China. Once in office, he introduced the idea of "reciprocal" tariffs, suggesting the rates could vary country by country. "Very simply, it's if they charge us, we charge them," he said in February, shortly before he ordered officials to develop such a plan. The White House almost immediately complicated the picture, noting that their recommendations would reflect not just tariffs but also other policies they believe are unfair to US businesses, like Value Added Tax (VAT). It has a led to a scramble, as businesses and political leaders try to get a sense of how big a new tax their products might be facing; and how whatever is announced on Wednesday will interact with other duties, such as those on steel and aluminium, already put into effect by Trump. Officials in Europe, for example, are preparing for a double-digit tariff on their exports. Trump earlier this year said he planned to hit goods from the bloc with a 25% import tax.

Watch: What is a tariff? The BBC's Adam Fleming explains

Which countries could be affected?

The Trump administration has not confirmed which countries will be hit, although it has trailed Wednesday's announcement as a sweeping one. On Sunday, the president said the new tariffs could apply to "all countries", suggesting a possible return to the across-the-board tariff he backed in the campaign. It dashed hopes in some countries, such as the UK, that thought they might float under the radar, though many are still hoping eventually to work out some sort of deal. But it is still unclear to what extent the tariffs will be universally applied or more targeted. Last month, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said efforts were focused on the "Dirty 15" - the 15% of countries that account for the bulk of trade with the US and impose tariffs or other rules that put US firms at a disadvantage. The Office of the US Trade Representative, as it prepared to craft recommendations, identified the countries in which it was "particularly interested". They were Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the UK and Vietnam. Trump himself has reserved some of his harshest criticism for historic allies and major trade partners, such as Canada and the EU. "Friend has been, oftentimes, much worse than foe," he declared last week.

What impact will the tariffs have?

Tariffs are taxes on imports. So the big question is, who will pay? Technically, there is a simple answer: the US firms bringing in the goods are the companies that will face the bill, especially if the White House starts levying the tariffs "immediately", as spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt suggested on Tuesday. But the larger the tariffs are, the more firms will be looking for ways to offset those costs, either by changing suppliers, pushing business partners to share the burden - or by raising prices for Americans. Many firms have said they are already preparing for that step. But it is a risky game because if companies raise prices too much, buyers will simply stay away. The dynamics have raised the risks of an economic recession both in the US - and far outside its borders, where many firms rely on US sales. Trump says companies looking to avoid tariffs can simply do their business in the US, but that's not an immediate, or easy fix, given the high costs of hiring and setting up factories. Introduce currency swings and retaliation by other countries into the mix, and the repercussions of Trump's bid to reset global trade balances are likely to prove hard to predict long after Wednesday's announcement.

The president is expected to unveil details of his plans for a wider set of import taxes. But what tariffs and when?

Trump tariffs: Three big unknowns ahead of president's 'Liberation Day' announcement

Tariffs 'biggest threat to Irish economy in long time' - taoiseach

1 hour ago Share Save John Campbell BBC News NI economics and business editor Share Save

Getty Images President Trump is expected to announce a new round of tariffs later

US President Donald Trump's tariff announcement is the most serious issue to face the Irish economy "in a long time", the taoiseach (Irish prime minister) has said. President Trump is expected to announce a new round of tariffs later on Wednesday. Speaking in the Dáil (Irish parliament) on Wednesday morning, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it was clear the scale of the tariffs would be "very significant in European terms". Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the government is "looking carefully" at the prospect of any retaliatory tariffs the EU may announce in response to the tariffs, and the impact they might have in Northern Ireland.

The prime minister was asked by DUP leader Gavin Robinson if the government was prepared to take steps to exempt Northern Ireland from any possible EU actions that could follow the tariff announcements in Washington DC. Sir Keir said No 10 would be "calm and pragmatic" and keep in mind the concerns of workers and businesses in Northern Ireland. "Northern Ireland will be at the forefront of all our decisions," he told the House of Commons. The UK government has been trying to negotiate an exemption but now expects that tariffs will be imposed on UK goods. Tariffs are effectively taxes applied to goods imported from other countries. Governments impose tariffs in the hope of protecting local manufacturers from international competition. Northern Ireland sold goods worth about £1.3bn to the US in 2023, with a concentration in pharmaceuticals and industrial machinery. Ulster University economist Esmond Birnie has estimated that tariffs of 20% on Northern Ireland goods entering the US could cost local businesses at least £100m in lost sales.

'Reckless'

In the Dáil, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that planned counter tariffs from the EU were "reckless" in response to Trump. The taoiseach said that it was regrettable that Europe was now in a period of "increased protectionism" and urged the EU to be "strategic"' in regards to any counter measures.

'Challenging'

Estimating the impact of tariffs on Northern Ireland Mr Birnie has calculated a "direct and narrow" impact of £100m in reduced sales from a 20% tariff. He said second and third round effects, such as an overall reduction in global trade, could push the overall negative impact up to £200m - £300m. He added that even a drop of £100m could still have a significant impact on overall economic performance. "It is only about 0.2% of Northern Ireland's overall GDP, which is about £50bn," he said. "However, if Northern Ireland's growth in GDP this year is well under 1% - and this is quite likely - that would be equivalent to a quarter of economic growth." Stuart Anderson, from the NI Chamber of Commerce, said the US was a really important market and called on the UK government to "respond really, really clearly" after Wednesday's announcement. He added that could get "challenging" if the EU and UK respond differently.

Whiskey

Martin McKeown Jim Nash, of County Tyrone-based Wild Atlantic Distillery, says tariffs could be 'catastrophic' for small Irish whiskey producers

Jim Nash is joint owner of the Wild Atlantic Distillery in Aghyaran, near Castlederg, in County Tyrone. Their main target market for their whiskey is the United States and he fears tariffs could be "catastrophic" for small producers like them. For the moment, until Trump announces the detail and extent of the tariffs, Mr Nash said it was a worrying time. "There's always trepidation because 50% of Irish whiskey sales go to the US," he said. According to the Irish Whiskey Association, exports of Irish drinks to the US are worth more than €800m a year. Mr Nash said he was not confident that being based in the UK would protect them from tariffs. "We go under the label of Irish whiskey, sell our products as Irish whiskey, so my concern - as legal advisers have said - is that there might be a little bit of leeway because we're part of the UK, if tariffs are imposed. "But how is that on the ground? You know, there's 500 pallets of Irish whiskey coming through, is a customs official on the ground going to make a distinction? "The law is one thing but the implementation is another thing and it might be that it's just a blanket ban and I wouldn't be so confident that the UK will be able to escape these tariffs if they're implemented as well."

Getty Images The Irish Whiskey Association says drinks exports to the US are worth more than 800m Euro annually

Analysis: Will exports collapse? We shouldn't expect that exports to the US from Northern Ireland will collapse, because very often when you're a manufacturer competing on a global stage, you're not doing that solely on price. It's not like there's a load of American companies who can immediately substitute what you're doing at a cheaper rate. What you're probably likely to see is the volume of goods that might be sold into the US will decline just because they get more expensive. There is also a Windsor Framework element to this – not on the export side because Northern Ireland goods going into the US are just UK goods. But goods coming into Northern Ireland have to meet EU rules, so you could have a situation where the UK doesn't retaliate, doesn't impose any tariffs on US goods, but the EU would retaliate. In that circumstance, US goods entering Northern Ireland would have to pay the EU tariffs but US goods entering the rest of the UK would not have to pay the tariffs. There is the possibility that Northern Ireland importers could get a rebate of the tariff if they can show that the goods are staying within Northern Ireland.

What about the Republic of Ireland?

US tariffs could have a more profound effect on the Republic of Ireland's economy. Among EU countries, Ireland is the most reliant on the US as an export market. In 2024, almost a third of the country's total exports were to the US - worth €73bn (£61bn). President Trump has previously indicated his discontent with the scale of manufacturing by US pharmaceutical firms in Ireland.

'People are going to die'

Gareth Sheridan said some people won't be able to afford important treatments if the tariffs go ahead

Gareth Sheridan, chief executive of pharmaceutical firm Nutriband, said the global supply chain would be drastically affected if the tariffs go ahead. "On this island we make very important medications, chemotherapy treatments, heart medications, antibiotics, pain medications, diabetes medications," the Dublin man said. "One in four Americans have actually foregone treatment because of the cost associated with that and now we're talking about increasing medications by 25%, which insurance companies most likely won't take on, so this is going to be an extreme burden on the patient. "If you have a 25% hike on chemotherapy and you can't afford your treatment anymore what's the alternative? Ultimately, people are going to die and they're going to die because they can't afford to live."

PA Media Neale Richmond said the Republic of Ireland was facing the "existential economic threat" in a good position

US President Donald Trump is expected to announce a new round of tariffs later on Wednesday.

Trump tariffs 'biggest threat to Irish economy in long time'

Council offers grants to help with cost of living

The council is offering help to those struggling with food and energy costs

A council is to use a £4.3m government grant to help its residents with the cost of living crisis, addressing rising food and energy prices.

Rotherham Council said it would allocate more than £2.6m to fund food vouchers for children eligible for free school meals to use in the holidays.

A further £950,000 will be used to help about 14,400 households with their council tax, in many cases covering its cost for the 2025/26 financial year.

Anyone who would like to apply for help through the Household Support Fund is being asked to check the council's website for more details.

Rotherham Council allocates £4.3m to helping its residents with food and energy costs.

Rotherham Council offers grants to help with cost of living

Heathrow warned by airlines about power supply days before shutdown

8 minutes ago Share Save Tom Espiner and Simon Browning BBC business reporters Share Save

PA Media

Heathrow Airport was warned about the "resilience" of its power supply in the days before a fire which shut down the airport for more than a day last month. The boss of a group representing airlines told a group of MPs on Wednesday that he spoke to Heathrow on 15 March about his concerns and again on 19 March. Heathrow Airline Operators' Committee boss Nigel Wicking said he raised cases of "theft of wire and cable around some of the power supply" which he said temporarily took out runway lights, which are critical to passenger safety. But Heathrow boss Thomas Woldbye said it was an "unlikely event" with "high consequence" that was "difficult to deal with".

Mr Woldbye apologised to the nearly 300,000 passengers whose journeys were disrupted by the closure on 21 March. He offered his "deepest regrets" adding that the "situation was unprecedented". The airport was shutdown after a fire at an electrical substation. Speaking to MPs on the transport committee, Mr Wicking said the temporary failure of the runway lights before the fire "obviously made me concerned, and as such I'd raised the point". "I wanted to understand better the overall resilience of the airport." He said he had spoken to the Team Heathrow director on 15 March about his concerns - six days before the fire - and the chief operating officer and chief customer officer on 19 March - two days before the fire. Mr Woldbye said the airport had to rely on contracts it has with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks for making the network resilient, and to improve that "comes at a very high cost", which would raise costs for airlines, and passengers. However, Mr Wicking said Heathrow is "already the most expensive airport in the world". "From an airline perspective, we expect resilience, we expect there to be the capability there and the understanding of when a power supply or an asset is not available, what will you do next, and how quickly will you bring it back?"

On the day of the shutdown, airlines had to divert 120 aircraft, which is "not a light decision to be made in any context", Mr Wickling added. As a consequence, when Mr Wicking joined a call with NATs, the national air traffic service, at 05:30, "they'd run out of space within the UK for aircraft to divert". "Aircraft were then going to Europe, and then some were even halfway across Europe and going back to base in India," he said. "So, quite a level of disruption for those passengers, let alone all of the cancellations".

PA Media

When asked why the airport had not reopened sooner, Mr Woldbye said that could have meant passengers got hurt. He said: "If we had got this wrong, we might be sitting here today having a very different discussion about why people got injured, and I think it would have been a much more serious discussion. "So there is a margin within which our people have to take very serious safety decisions, and that is what they are trained for, that is what they do, and that requires that every single system is up and running, tested and safe." However, Mr Wicking said Terminal 5 could have reopened sooner. He said: "In terms of T5, my understanding both from British Airways but also on the day, was that pretty much everything was fine to operate by mid-morning, by 10 o'clock."

'Losing power'

Mr Woldbye said Heathrow realised "during the early hours" of Friday 21 March that "we were losing power to the airport". "In our operations centre you would seen all the red lights go, that the systems were powering down," he said. "We had no information as to why." "We then had a slightly later stage call from the fire department that the substation was on fire," he said. Heathrow is supplied by three substations, but knocking out one caused the airport to shut down. Mr Woldbye said a third of the airport was powering down and that Terminal 2 was particularly affected, along with certain central systems. He added that it became "first and foremost a safety situation". "We need to make sure, when a crisis happens, that people are safe," he said. The first priority was to check that no-one been caught in lifts or was hurt. Safety critical systems such as runway, runway lighting and the control tower "switched in as they should", however, he said.

MPs hear the airport was warned about power supply resilience days before the disruptive closure.

Airlines warned Heathrow about power supply days before shutdown

Parents allowed to block children's games and friends on Roblox

59 minutes ago Share Save Graham Fraser Technology Reporter Share Save

Getty Images

Parents will be able to block their children from specific games and experiences on Roblox as part of new safety measures announced by the hugely popular gaming platform. They will also be able to block or report their children's friends, and the platform will provide more information about which games young users are playing. The measures will only apply to children who are under the age of 13 and have parental controls set up on their accounts. The announcements comes after the CEO of Roblox, Dave Baszucki told the BBC that parents should keep their children off the platform if they were "not comfortable" with it.

Getty Images Roblox is one of the world's largest games platforms, with more monthly users than Nintendo Switch and Sony PlayStation combined. In 2024 it averaged more than 80 million players per day - roughly 40% of them below the age of 13.

Roblox - the most popular site in the UK for gamers aged eight to 12 - has been dogged by claims that some children are being exposed to explicit or harmful content through its games. However, in his BBC interview, Mr Baszucki stressed that the company was vigilant about protecting its users, with "tens of millions" of people having "amazing" experiences on Roblox. Announcing the latest safety features, Roblox's Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman said: "These tools, features, and innovations reflect our mission to make Roblox the safest and most civil online platform in the world." A spokesperson for the regulator, Ofcom, said the measures were "encouraging", but added "tech companies will have to do a lot more in the coming months to protect children online".

'Shoot down planes'

In preparation for the interview with Mr Baszucki, the BBC found a range of game titles with troubling titles that had been recommended to an 11-year-old on the platform. They included games such as "Late Night Boys And Girls Club RP" and "Shoot down planes…because why not?" Parents with linked accounts of children who are 12 and under can now block such titles if they are uncomfortable with them. They will also be able to go further in managing who their children are friends with. They can already view their child's friends list - now they can block or report people on that list, preventing them exchanging direct messages. Messaging between children had already been restricted in measures announced in November last year. Additionally, parents will now be able to see the top games their child played on Roblox over the last week and how long they spent in each one.

What do parents think?

Sally, from the north of Scotland, told the BBC last month that her nine-year-old daughter was groomed on the platform in December last year. Despite reporting it to Roblox, she never received a response. She welcomed the announcements as a "start", but said Roblox "needs to do better". She added: "What's missing is proper authentication of users. How does the company know that users are who they say they are - how will perpetrators be traced when grooming keeps happening?" Roblox highlighted to BBC News its community standards, which have a zero-tolerance policy for the exploitation of minors. Amir from Leeds told the BBC last month that his 15-year-old son is "addicted" to Roblox, and can use the site for up to 14 hours a day. He has welcomed the changes announced today for younger users, but wants the platform itself to do more and target the availability of inappropriate games for children.

Supplied Kathryn Foley and her daughter Helene have had a very positive experience of playing on Roblox

They are the latest safety measures from the gaming platform, which has faced questions over inappropriate content.

Parents allowed to block children's games and friends on Roblox

Three ways to cushion the blow of bill rises

1 day ago Share Save Lucy Hooker, Charlotte Edwards & Tom Espiner Business reporters, BBC News Share Save

Getty Images

A range of household bills are set to go up throughout April. There is nothing much you can do if your council tax is increasing, or you are buying a house and facing a higher stamp duty bill. But when it comes to other bills, such as energy, water or broadband, here are three strategies that could help ease the pressure.

1. Shop around

For some services you can often get a better deal simply by calling the company you are with and saying you are considering leaving. "Shop around for better deals, and haggle with your existing provider," says Alice Haine, from professional services group Evelyn Partners. "It's always worth haggling. Haggle for everything." That applies to a whole range of bills, including insurance, energy, and broadband. "Our research shows that switching providers if you're out of contract can slash broadband, pay TV and mobile bills by up to £235," says Emily Seymour, from consumer group Which? Gas and electricity are often the biggest bills people face and the price cap set by the regulator is rising by 6%, so it is worth finding the best deal for you. That may include choosing a fixed rate deal, says Ms Seymour. If you charge an electric vehicle or use appliances overnight, look for a deal with a cheaper night tariff. "We'd also recommend taking a meter reading as close to 31 March as possible to ensure you're billed the correct amount for your energy usage," she says.

Getty

2. Cut back

One surefire way to keep your bills down is to reduce what you use. Taking shorter showers and putting in a showerhead with a slower flow will save money on your water and energy bills. "You have to treat water as an expensive resource," Ms Haine says. Getting a water meter fitted may save you money, she adds. Smart meters for electricity and gas can also help you keep tabs on what is pushing up your energy bills most, the Energy Saving Trust says. The trust advises draught-proofing your home, including round floorboards, pipework and old extractor fans, and setting the thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature. For most people, it says, that is between 18°C and 21°C. MoneySavingExpert says you can save money by using the principle: "heat the human, not the home". Using hot water bottles and electric blankets should work out cheaper than turning up the radiators. You can also change the settings on combi or conventional boilers to save money, says Martin Lewis at MoneySavingExpert. When it comes to transport bills, you can't avoid the vehicle tax rise unless you ditch the car altogether. But if you are taking the train it is also worth checking whether a railcard will help, points out Ms Seymour. "To cut costs on rail fares, we'd recommend booking tickets in advance and splitting fares where possible," she says.

3. Get help

'Awful April" will see a range of household bills rise, but there are ways to ease the pain.

Bill rises: Three things you can do to lower the impact

Trump-endorsed news channel sees shares surge 2,200%

4 hours ago Share Save Annabelle Liang Business reporter Share Save

Getty Images Newsmax made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange on Monday

Conservative TV company Newsmax has seen its stock market valuation surge by more than 2,200% since its debut in New York on Monday. The US firm's shares, which were originally priced at $10 (£7.75) each, stood at $233 at the end of Tuesday's trading session. That means it has a market value of almost $30bn, which surpasses Fox Corp - the owner of rival Fox News - and other media giants Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount Global. Newsmax is seen as friendly to US President Donald Trump and was promoted by him during his first term in the White House.

Conservative US cable TV channel Newsmax started trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Monday.

Newsmax: Trump-endorsed news outlet sees 2,200% share surge

'National Insurance rise may force us to close'

37 minutes ago Share Save Dave Harvey Business and Environment Correspondent, BBC West Share Save

BBC Katryn Bennett says she faces a £35,000 increase in National Insurance costs

Charities and childcare nurseries say they are furious that they face increases in their National Insurance bills, but are also powerless to raise their incomes. From 6 April almost all employers will pay higher National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for staff, something the government says is necessary to fund public services. But charities and some nurseries say that, unlike businesses, they cannot increase their prices. "It's totally unfair" said Katryn Bennett, who owns a children's nursery.

She added: "If this treatment continues, people like myself will quit". The government insisted it has taken "the necessary decisions on tax to stabilise the public finances".

When I dropped in on the Acorn Day Nursery in Somerton, Somerset, it was hairdressing time. "How would madam like her hair today?" teased Mrs Bennett, combing the hair of one of her four-year-old charges. What does National Insurance pay for? She started the nursery 26 years ago, but is now worrying she may have to close. "I don't want to do that to the families, the community that we love, but what we do?" she said. "We're dictated to. We're left with no option."

The childcare is paid for by government vouchers, which have not increased to pay for the extra costs of NICs

Like many businesses, her nursery faces a big increase in NICs. With 21 staff it will cost her about £35,000 more a year. But unlike regular firms, she can do little about it in terms of cuts. Her staff numbers are set by child protection laws, keeping the ratio of workers to children fixed. "And we are not allowed to increase our prices," Mrs Bennett added. All of the families whose children come to Acorn use government vouchers, for what ministers call "free childcare". Parents pay small supplements for some food and items like art supplies. But although one arm of government has increased Mrs Bennett's costs substantially, the other arm has not raised the voucher payments. "I think it's totally unfair, totally unjust, what are we supposed to do?" she said. We asked the government why there was this imbalance. A spokesperson for HM Treasury said it "will only provide support for [government] departments and other public sector employers for additional National Insurance costs". Private companies contracted by the government, they confirmed, are not exempt from NIC increases and will be given no specific support. This means, for example, that NHS hospitals will get help but not hospices.

Therapists at Brainwave help young children with additional needs, but will also be hit by National Insurance increases

For charities, the position is even worse. National Insurance, after all, is not just a tax on businesses but on all employers. Keith Sinclair runs Brainwave, a specialist charity in Bridgwater helping young children with disabilities and additional needs. "We have to find another £72,000 a year, and we're unable to pass those costs on to the people we support," he said. His charity's whole existence is based on not charging people who use their services, yet the NIC increase hits Brainwave just as hard as any private business. Mr Sinclair already has to raise £2m a year in donations, now he needs to find donors willing to pay his increased tax bill.

Keith Sinclair said he is "angry" that his charity now has to raise another £72,000

During my visit I watched as a young child with learning difficulties was gently coached to walk around a therapy room. Later, a speech therapist played bubble games with him, apparently just for fun. But gradually he made sign language signals for "more" and "again". The work of this charity is increasingly in demand, as services within the NHS are harder to find for parents with disabled children. Yet now the government is increasing their costs, Mr Sinclair said: "I feel angry about it, because we all know that health and social care is on its knees and we are increasingly picking up the slack, and then we are faced with increasing costs to do that." We asked the Treasury to comment on these cases. A spokesperson said: "We support our charities through a world-leading tax regime which provided £6bn in relief for the sector last year alone, including exemptions from paying business rates."

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

Charities and childcare centres say they are being hit by the tax increase but cannot raise prices.

National Insurance rise 'will lead to nurseries closing'

'Seek help with bills if falling behind'

12 hours ago Share Save Chloe Parkman BBC News, South West Share Save

Danny Lawson/PA Wire People have been advised to "shop around" in a bid to save money

Citizens Advice has urged people in Cornwall to "seek help at an early stage" if they are struggling with the cost of living. Gas and electricity bills went up for millions of households on 1 April when the latest energy price cap took effect. Wailim Wong, from Citizens Advice in Cornwall, said demand was starting to increase, adding more people were expected to come forward in about a month. "If you're falling behind... seek help at an early stage from Citizens Advice or another charity," he said.

'Keep afloat'

"What tends to happen is people just try and keep afloat and keep going for as long as possible. Mr Wong said the organisation would be stopping its drop-in sessions across all of its Cornwall offices for six months following a demand on its phone services. "We're stopping what we call the drop-in sessions... "We're going to use those six months to recruit more volunteers and more advisors. "After those six months we will be able to go back to doing that face-to-face."

Mr Wong said face-to-face appointments would still be available. He issued advice to those who may be struggling with finances, urging them to "shop around". "There are deals out there, sometimes they are quite substantial. "Spend a bit of time... going through your household budget. "What's coming in every month, what's going out, where can I make some savings?"

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.

Wailim Wong advises residents to shop around to get the best deals.

Cornwall's Citizens Advice urges people to seek help with bills

Trump is pressing the nuclear option on tariffs

Watch: What we do and don’t know about Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs

The option of a 20% universal tariff is the only way to get to some of the massive revenues of trillions of dollars claimed by some of his advisers.

And it is still possible that he will do this by launching the equivalent of a salvo of ballistic missiles into the global trading system, with a universal tariff on all imports into the USA.

Today, he will reveal in the White House Rose Garden not just how serious he is about "the most beautiful word in the dictionary", but effectively call time on decades of economic globalisation.

Every time Donald Trump has mentioned his plan to levy massive tariffs on imports into the US, there has been a widespread assumption that they will be delayed, watered down or rowed back.

In recent days, President Trump has been adamant that the tariffs will be "reciprocal" and the US will be "nicer" to its trade partners.

That doesn't rule out wide-scale imposition of tariffs at 10 or 20%, if, for example, the US deems that Value Added Taxes are tariffs.

It is possible that countries could be very broadly bracketed into different levels of a basically universal tariff. As one G7 negotiator told me at the weekend, "it all comes down to President Trump".

A system such as this, with equivalent global retaliation, would see the UK economy shrinking by 1%, enough to wipe out growth and lead to pressure for tax rises or spending cuts.

The total cost around the world could, according to an Aston University Business School study, be $1.4 trillion (£1.1tn), as trade is diverted, and prices rise.

In industry, there is some expectation that the European Union will target US tech companies. There could be quite the contrast should the UK choose not just to hold back on retaliation, but offer a significant tax cut to US big tech.

Trade wars are hard to win, and easy for everyone to lose.

A universal tariff of 20%, or its equivalent, would be a historic hit to the global trading system, on a par with the infamous Smoot-Hawley tariffs nearly a century ago.

There is something bigger here, however. As the Vice President JD Vance said in a speech last month, globalisation has failed in the eyes of this administration because the idea was that "rich countries would move further up the value chain, while the poor countries made the simpler things".

As that has not panned out, especially in the case of China, the US is moving away from this world.

If the US overplays its hand in alienating its allies today, China will be waiting. The hit to US business in Europe, for example, could be offset by cheaper electronics, clothes, and toys from the East arriving in the UK and lowering prices, diverted from the US market.

What starts later today is designed not just to reshape America, and trade, but the way the world itself has been run.

The option of a 20% universal tariff is the only way to get to some of the massive revenues of trillions of dollars claimed by some of his advisers.

Trump is pressing the nuclear option on tariffs

Investigation launched into UK's statistics agency

The ONS has previously accepted its economic data has some issues and on Tuesday said it looked forward to engaging with the review.

The Bank of England has previously criticised the statistics agency for the reliability of its job market data, which the central bank looks at to decide whether to raise or cut interest rates.

The government has asked a former top civil servant to conduct an independent investigation into the effectiveness of the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The UK's official statistics agency, whose information is at the heart of decisions affecting millions of people, is under review following criticisms about its data.

It added that later this week it will publish a "new strategic business plan" which will set out "how key statistics and services will be prioritised over the year ahead".

The Cabinet Office and the UK Statistics Authority, which has oversight of the ONS, said that they have asked Sir Robert Devereux to lead the review which will "assess the effectiveness of the ONS in delivering its core statistics".

He will also examine the agency's "organisational culture, structure and leadership" and look at the effectiveness of its relationships with the Treasury and the Cabinet Office.

The reliability of the ONS's labour force survey has been an issue for some time. The survey gathers information from households on areas such as employment, joblessness and economic inactivity.

The Bank of England's chief economist Huw Pill wrote to the ONS last May to raise concerns about "ongoing problems" with the survey, such as low response rates which had worsened during Covid.

As a result, he said the Bank was unable to "place much weight" on the ONS's data and had to use other official figures to help decide on interest rates.

The ONS has committed to introducing a new, more accurate labour data series by next year.

However, in December Sir Ian Diamond, national statistician and leader of the ONS, cautioned it may not happen until 2027.

Sir Robert Chote, chair of the UK Statistics Authority, said: "This review is an opportunity to help ensure that the ONS can deliver of its best in what is a challenging external environment."

The Office for National Statistics is under review after criticism about the reliability of its data.

Investigation launched into UK's Office for National Statistics

Tolu and Isaac Frimpong are leaving London to avoid an extra £1,000 in monthly expenses.

Cost of living: Family leaves London to avoid April increases

Why are bills going up? Your questions answered

3 hours ago Share Save Share Save

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A range of household bills, including council tax, water, gas and electricity have risen today. The BBC's cost of living correspondent, Kevin Peachey, has been answering your most asked questions on the price rises.

Why are bills going up?

Tashi and Chris asked why bills are going up. This is a very simple question, but I'm afraid the answer isn't straightforward. There are a host of reasons why bills are rising. On energy, it's the consequence of an increase in wholesale prices paid by suppliers, often owing to global events. Councils and water companies, meanwhile, say there's a desperate need to raise bills to pay for investment in services. Some bill increases are always scheduled for this time of year, to match the rate of rising prices - inflation. So another question is: what can you do about it? Consumer groups are urging people to shop around, claim everything they are entitled to, and cut back where possible. We have a guide to help you here.

Is cash a better way to budget?

James: I get £150 in cash out every week. It's amazing how it helps you budget things. Why don't more people try it? There is evidence of people turning to notes and coins to help them budget. Although cash use was hit during the pandemic, it has made a bit of a comeback, with many people taking the same view as James. However, there are areas in which this doesn't work. Shopping around for a better deal on essential bills is often something done online, and may require signing up to a direct debit payment. Rewards, or money off, are often also available to those who pay by card. So, it may well be that using a mix of ways to pay works best - but questions remain about access to cash and internet services among the vulnerable.

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Will my wage rise be eaten away by tax?

Richard Kendall asked about frozen tax thresholds, which mean pay rises can see people drawn into paying higher rates of income tax. This is what is known as fiscal drag - not a phrase you'll hear talked about much, but it is important. It means that while income tax rates haven't risen, the income levels at which they are paid have been frozen, and will continue to be so until 2028. There have been rumours that the freeze could be extended, but there are no concrete plans for that as yet. So, more people are being dragged into paying higher rates of tax, or simply having a greater proportion of their income taxed. Taking a closer look at your pay slip is worthwhile, and it needs to be considered when looking at your personal budget. Experts say studying exactly how much post-tax income is coming in, and looking at it alongside your spending, is never a waste of time. And it may require you to trim some of your spending. Shopping around, or cancelling unused subscriptions are a good start, experts say.

Do we just have to accept water bill increases?

Colin Smith: Do we simply have to accept water bill increases because we can't shop around? Water services are different, because the 'switch for a better deal' advice simply doesn't, ahem, hold water. There is plenty of debate over why water bills are going up so much (remember some suppliers wanted bigger increases). But there are things you can do to keep your costs down, even though you can't shop around. Experts say getting a water meter fitted can reduce bills if you have relatively low usage. Water-saving shower heads, or similar, are available free from some companies. Then, there is the WaterSure scheme, which means the bill is capped for people on certain benefits, who have a medical condition, or who have a certain number of school-age children at home. You do need to apply for this help though.

Does this hit the government's plans for growth?

Sam Halkyard, 32, from Rotherham: How does the government expect the economy to grow with all these bill increases? Ministers are pushing their "agenda for growth" at every opportunity, calling for red tape to be cut to pave the way for investment. There is a delicate balancing act here. The government wants people's living standards to rise, and it wants them to spend to encourage investment by businesses. Remember, all of this comes with a background of wage rises outpacing prices, an uptick in the housing market, and some signs of hope for the wider economy. But ministers won't want to see a return of runaway inflation - the annual rise of prices - because that would inevitably lead to a rise in interest rates, and higher borrowing costs for businesses and individuals. So, outside of this, you are seeing the government push ahead with some big, long-term investment projects, like road tunnels and runways.

I'm single, where's help for me?

Jules, 57: I'm single. My wages don't go up in April. Where's the help for us? Charities have raised the alarm specifically about people like you, Jules. Citizens Advice says that single households, including single parents, tend to spend a greater proportion of their income on household bills. As a result, there is far less wriggle room financially when bills rise. One solution is to investigate all the options that are open to you. For example, as I'm sure you already know if it includes you, there is a 25% discount on council tax, for those who live on their own. But there is, without doubt, a single person premium on the cost of living because there's only one income coming in, so it may be harder to deal with the money going out.

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What's happening with energy standing charge?

David Bosworth and Jeff Rumble asked how the energy standing charge applies to bills. This is a household cost which many people feel is unfair - not least because there is nothing you can do about it. Standing charges are the fees charged to all billpayers to cover the cost of being connected to a gas and electricity supply. They are unaffected by the amount of energy that a household uses. After rising sharply in recent years, the average electricity standing charge actually fell from today - although it rose slightly for gas. More significantly, it varies considerably depending on where you live. The energy regulator, Ofgem, is considering reform that would allow people a choice of ways to pay - but stresses that these costs will still need to be covered.

Council tax: What do I get for it?

Ian Griffiths, from Flintshire, on council tax: Other than having my bin emptied once a fortnight, I don't actually have anything for the money I pay. In Wales, local authorities are increasing 2025-2026 council tax bills by between 5% and more than 9%. Ian may be stretching his point a little - local authorities provide a range of services such as street lighting, parks and care services. However, at its heart, his question highlights a common debate. Should these bill increases stay at the bare minimum because people are struggling financially, or are our local services in such desperate need of investment that council tax needs to go up above inflation?

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Are pensioners facing a harder hit?

Lyn Nailer: Will pensioners suffer the most from these bill rises? One important point to stress here is that different people, in different areas of the country, will be affected in different ways. Water and energy bills vary depending on where you live, and the different nations of the UK have different rules on council tax and more. But the state pension is UK-wide, and the good news is that it will be going up by more than the rate of price rises from next week. The triple lock means it will increase by 4.1%. Does everyone get the full state pension? No. Does the increase mean pensioners' finances won't be stretched? Of course not. But when asked about how people will cope, ministers are inevitably pointing to this increase as evidence of how the government is helping out.

What about the minimum wage increase?

David and Steve pointed out that incomes are rising, including via an increase of the minimum wage. Yes, it is not all doom and gloom today. There is an increase in the minimum wage - up to £12.21 an hour for over 21s - and there are increases too for younger workers and apprentices. Official figures show that average wages have been rising faster than prices. The state pension and benefits will also go up from next week. This will certainly help pay some of those bills, and you won't see the impact directly until you look at your bank balance in the coming weeks. The Treasury is also pointing to moves to freeze fuel duty and ensure the main rates of tax - income tax, VAT and employees' National Insurance - do not go up during this Parliament, as evidence of the support billpayers are receiving.

Is there a silver lining?

Bills, bins, and benefits - the BBC's cost of living correspondent Kevin Peachy answers your questions on bill rises.

Why are bills going up and what can I do about it?

Car firms fined for withholding recycling information

It comes as the European Commission also handed out fines totalling €458m (£382.7m) to 15 carmakers, plus the European Automobiles Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), for breaking recycling laws.

The carmakers and trade groups were found to have agreed to withhold information from customers regarding the amount of their cars that could actually be recycled.

BMW, Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, Peugeot Citroen, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Renault, Toyota, Vauxhall, and Volkswagen, and two trade bodies were fined by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Ten carmakers and two industry groups have been fined a combined total of nearly £78m for withholding information about vehicle recycling.

"We will not tolerate cartels of any kind, and that includes those that suppress customer awareness and demand for more environmental-friendly products," said Teresa Ribera, executive vice-president for the European Commission's clean energy transition arm.

The CMA said, with the exception of Renault, that the carmakers also agreed they would not tell customers what percentage of their cars were made from recycled materials.

The regulator added that most of the carmakers involved did this for 15 years from 2002.

It said that eight of the manufacturers it had fined made a "buyers' cartel" with other carmakers joining later.

The buyers' cartel meant they agreed not to pay companies to handle the recycling of their customers' vehicles once the cars were considered at the end of their lives.

Both the ACEA and the Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT) were involved in these illegal agreements, the CMA said.

Carmakers are legally required to include details on recyclability in their adverts so customers can take this into account before buying.

All of the carmakers and industry bodies involved, apart from Mercedes-Benz, which has been granted immunity from penalties, have now settled with the CMA.

That means they admitted to taking part in this illegal behaviour and agreed to pay the fines.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said it fully cooperated with the CMA's investigation and has accepted the findings.

It said in a statement that it takes its competition law obligations "extremely seriously" and has "thoroughly reviewed and bolstered its protocols to safeguard current and future compliance."

BMW, Ford, JLR, Peugeot Citroen, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Renault, Toyota, Vauxhall and Volkswagen have all been fined.

Car firms fined for withholding recycling information

UK has best chance to overturn tariffs, says Reynolds

1 hour ago Share Save Joshua Nevett Political reporter Henry Zeffman Chief political correspondent Share Save

BBC

The trade secretary has insisted the UK is best-placed to eventually overturn US trade tariffs, despite failing to negotiate an exemption so far. Jonathan Reynolds told the BBC the UK was expecting to be hit by a new raft of import taxes set to be announced on Wednesday by President Donald Trump. But he added ongoing talks with the Trump administration meant the UK was in the "best possible position of any country" to have them reversed. Economists have warned any major tariffs could knock the UK's economy off course and make it harder for the government to hit its self-imposed borrowing rules.

Trump has previously raised the possibility that countries could receive "breaks" from tariffs - taxes that will make it more expensive to import goods into the US. But over the weekend, Trump suggested the tariffs would hit all countries, not just those with the biggest trade imbalances with the US. Speaking to reporter from Air force One, Trump said he would "start with all countries". On Monday, the prime minister's official spokesman said talks on an economic deal between the two countries to avoid tariffs had been "constructive", but he did not rule out retaliating if they were imposed on the UK. Reynolds did not give a timescale on when an exemption might be agreed, and said the UK government was keeping "all options on the table". He added: "I do believe not only can we get to a place where we are avoiding tariffs on each other, but we're also strengthening that relationship." He said negotiations that often take years had been done in days. "And I believe that the framework of an agreement is certainly in place," he added. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said a "tit for tat" approach of raising tariffs on US goods would only increase bills for British consumers. Instead, she said the government needed to focus on getting a trade deal with the US "as soon as possible".

'No clarity'

Government sources believe talks with the US administration on an economic deal have made good progress, but that at any point they risk being derailed by the president's public comments. At different times, statements by Trump about his tariffs are said to have differed from what his negotiating team had previously understood his position to be. The deal would be broader than just reducing tariffs, focusing on technology but also covering elements of trade in goods and services as well as agriculture - a controversial area in previous unsuccessful US-UK trade talks. One senior source said: "We are pretty much there on an agreement, what we have no clarity on is when the president might sign it off or what he will do next."

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has suggested the UK could change its taxes on big tech firms as part of a deal to avoid US tariffs. The digital services tax, introduced in 2020, imposes a 2% levy on tech firms, including big US firms such as Amazon, bringing in about £800m in tax per year. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has warned tariffs could wipe billions off economic growth and all but eliminate Reeves's buffer against her self-imposed rules on spending and borrowing. The forecaster has warned that a trade war could cut the size of the British economy by 1% in the worst-case scenario. Trump has already announced a series of tariffs on steel, aluminium and vehicles coming into the US - and unlike other countries, the UK has decided to not to set out plans to retaliate with tariffs of its own. But ahead of the latest round of expected tariffs, ministers are facing calls to hit back and protect UK business from the impact of Trump's taxes.

Sector worries

Tne trade secretary says the UK will be hit by tariffs on Wednesday but can negotiate an exemption.

UK has best chance to overturn Trump tariffs, says Reynolds

Traders looking for support as costs rise

58 minutes ago Share Save Kate Baldock BBC Radio Shropshire Share Save

BBC Helen Upton said she hoped shoppers would understand why price rises were necessary

Shopkeepers in a Shropshire town are asking people for their continued support, with prices set to rise again. The new financial year has brought with it increases to energy, water and council tax bills, and employers will also have to pay more in National Insurance contributions and the minimum wage. Helen Upton, from Catherine's Bakery in Bridgnorth, said traders would have to pass some of those costs on, but added: "I'm hoping the public of Bridgnorth will see that price increases are going to be coming for their survival, not for making extra profit." Sally Themans from Love Bridgnorth said: "If a local community doesn't want to see its high street fall over it needs to get out there and spend that money locally."

Ms Upton believes shops in Bridgnorth were suffering for a number of reasons, including parking fees, and she said: "A lot of them are on the borderline and have just decided enough's enough." She also said she had noticed people being more careful with their money in recent years and buying smaller loaves to cut costs. But, she said, Saturdays were the exception because tourists visiting the town were "just feeling a little bit easier because they're on a day out".

Becky Bratt said the loss of Severn Valley Railway customers was a problem for some businesses

Becky Bratt from The Petal Bar florist said she had a good weekend for mother's day and Bridgnorth is a relatively affluent area. But she said parking was a "big, big problem" and the recent closure of part of the Severn Valley Railway line due to a land slip had had an impact on trade. She said one pub landlord had told her the loss of the extra visitors had made a big difference. Despite this, Ms Themans, who is also on the Love Bridgnorth group who campaign on behalf of the town, said: "There are some signs of people still wanting to come in and open businesses on our high street." She accepted it was a "challenging" time but said the town offered "value for money and a bespoke customer service".

The state of Bridgnorth high street

Shopkeepers on Bridgnorth high street are likely to feel the pinch as bills rise this April.

Bridgnorth shopkeepers looking for support as bills rise in April

Dry cleaner in a spin over energy cost unfairness

2 hours ago Share Save Matthew Richards BBC News Share Save

BBC Mike Jones said higher costs are driving some customers across the border

A dry cleaner has said businesses just 10 miles away can charge a quarter of the price for services due to differing energy prices between regions. Small and medium-sized businesses in north Wales and Merseyside are expected to pay 13% more in electricity bills than London from this month due to non-wholesale energy costs known as third-party charges. Mike Jones, who runs Borras Dry Cleaners in Wrexham, said his company was being "penalised" by being charged 8% more than the UK average. Energy bill forecaster Cornwall Insight said the forecasts highlighted the "stark regional disparities" faced by small businesses.

Borras Dry Cleaners in Wrexham said the standing charge should be the same everywhere

Mr Jones said his running costs were already high and the increase in energy bills would affect already low profit margins. He said: "Pre-Covid we spent about £1,000 to £2,000 per month and now we're probably paying £8,000 to £10,000." He said having to deal with the highest charges in the UK was hitting north Wales and Merseyside hard. Small businesses are expected to pay almost £13,000 more per year than the average like-for-like enterprise in the UK and £19,000 more than London, according to Cornwall Insight's research. He added: "The problem is when 10 miles down the road there's an English company who's paying a fraction of the price that we are. "Customers can find a company across the border which can serve them at a quarter of the price that we can do it. "We're a local business, employing local people and we're penalised - for what reason? Nobody knows."

What are third-party charges?

Third-party charges differ from region to region and make up about 60% of a business electricity bill. They include all electricity costs outside the price of the fuel itself and are split into network charges like distribution and transmission costs, and policy costs such as funding for government initiatives like renewable energy.

Borras Dry Cleaners provides laundry services for hotels and other businesses

Cornwall Insight carried out research into how companies would be affected by the difference in charges across the UK. About 81% of UK businesses expect to raise prices due to higher energy bills from Tuesday, it found. Dr Craig Lowrey, principal consultant at Cornwall Insight, said: "These forecasts highlight the stark regional disparities in electricity costs for SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises). "The steep third-party charges faced by those in particular regions only serves to highlight the problems faced by those businesses that could already be operating on razor-thin margins."

Mr Jones said: "You'll look at a competitor and think 'who's going to go first?' If the company goes first you'll take on their work. "Then you just take on more energy costs. We can't put our prices up because it's impossible. People will stop using us."

The firm is determined to keep prices low despite higher bills

Small businesses in north Wales believe it's "unfair" to have the highest energy charges in the UK.

North Wales businesses face highest energy costs in the UK

Single parents hit hardest by 'awful April' bill rises

8 hours ago Share Save Kevin Peachey Cost of living correspondent Share Save

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A series of essential household bills are rising at the start of April, with warnings that single parents are among the hardest hit. Water bills, energy prices and council tax are all going up on Tuesday in what has been dubbed "awful April", although the minimum wage is also increasing. The charity Citizens Advice said the finances of millions of people on the lowest incomes were "already stretched to breaking point". Many single parents in particular would struggle because a greater proportion of their money was taken up by essential spending, it said.

Laura Roan, a single mother of two daughters from Cardiff, said: "Without my own mum helping, there would be some days when I would not have any electric." The 41-year-old, who works part-time in Asda, is using emergency credit on her energy meter and regularly dips into her overdraft.

Laura Roan Laura says her family brings her joy but finances are stretched

"I got paid last Friday and it has all gone. I just live day to day." She said her five-year-old daughter Prudence brought her joy and often took her mind off the financial challenges they faced. Those challenges are increasing as a host of price rises kick in. The costs of a TV licence, car tax, and broadband and phone bills are among those going up in cost. Among the changes: Water bills for households are going up in England and Wales by £10 more per month on average, although it varies considerably by supplier, and by almost 10% in Scotland

The annual energy bill for a household in England, Wales and Scotland on a variable tariff and using a typical amount of gas and electricity is going up by £111 a year to £1,849

Council tax bills in England are generally going up by 4.99%, with bills in Wales rising by about 4.5% to 9.5%, and in Scotland by at least 8% "After years of cost-of-living pressures, households across the country are about to feel the extra shock of rising essential bills," said Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice. "For those on the lowest incomes, these unavoidable costs are already eating away at their finances, leaving their budgets stretched beyond breaking point." The charity said households in the lowest 10% for income were already spending around two fifths (41%) of their earnings - after housing - on water, energy, broadband and car insurance bills. That was a considerably bigger proportion than those on higher incomes.

Single-adult households, and particularly those with children, were more likely than others to be spending 20% or more of their post-housing income on these bills, leaving them more exposed to price shocks, it said. John Paine is a single dad with three autistic children aged between five and eight. He said he had £100 left over at the end of the month when all the bills were paid. "It goes quickly," he said, with a school trip, a picnic or a day out usually taking up a big chunk of that spending money. "It means we do not go out very much," he said. Official figures show that a fifth of families do not have any savings, leaving them at risk. Dozens of people have got in touch via Your Voice, Your BBC News to tell us of their experiences. Among them is Bradley Bayton-Harvey, who lives with his partner Ange in Dudley. They have three girls, including three-year-old Darcie-Mai. Both have full-time jobs with the NHS.

Bradley Bayton-Harvey says family time can be affected

"We both work nearly 200 hours a month, and it is still a stretch. We're rejiggling finances again and again," he said. "If we can try to get any additional shifts in our rest days to get that extra income, it's frustrating because those rest days should be family time. "You shouldn't have to turn around to your kids and say that you can't afford to go on holiday."

Any silver lining?

Benefits and the state pension are going up in a week's time. Wages have also been rising at a faster pace than the rate of inflation, and the start of April also brings an increase in the minimum wage. It means: The minimum wage for over-21s, known officially as the National Living Wage, has now risen by 6.7%, from £11.44 to £12.21 an hour. For someone working full time, or a 37.5-hour week, that equates to £23,873.60 a year, up from £22,368.06

For 18 to 20-year-olds, the minimum wage has gone up from £8.60 to £10 an hour. This means someone on a 37.5-hour week would earn £19,552 a year, up from £16,815. However only a minority of people in this age group do work full time

Apprentices are now being paid £7.55 an hour, up from £6.40. That means their annual wage is going up to £14,762 from £12,513 In addition, experts say there are ways to cut costs to keep household bills as low as possible. "Our research shows that switching providers if you're out of contract can slash broadband, pay TV and mobile bills by up to £235," said Emily Seymour, from the consumer group Which?. "It's also worth checking if you're eligible for any council tax reductions or exemptions and could save money by installing a water meter." Some of the UK's biggest banks have also said they would pro-actively contact customers they believed were struggling financially to offer assistance.

A series of household bills, including water, energy and council tax, increase on Tuesday.

Single parents hit hardest by 'awful April' bill rises

Tolu and Isaac Frimpong are relocating their family from London to Kent to avoid an extra £1,000 in monthly expenses set to hit in April.

Their council tax, water bills and mortgage were due to rise on top of an already "squeezed budget".

The Frimpongs, who were both born and grew up in London, have raised their four sons in the city but made the bittersweet decision to move from Croydon.

Story by Meghan Owen & Elliot Darby

'Scary' demand for community supermarket

2 hours ago Share Save Stuart Woodward BBC News, Essex Reporting from Braintree Share Save

Stuart Woodward/BBC Carolyn Hobbs uses the hub in Witham as her pension "only stretches so far"

A new community supermarket has opened in a town, due to a similar facility nearby struggling to meet demand. The Braintree Hub in Essex contains groceries and everyday items which can be bought by its members at a discounted price. Its sister hub in Witham has seen an increase in people travelling from Braintree to use its services due to the cost-of-living crisis. Founder of the hubs, Tina Townsend, said the local demand for help was "quite scary".

'Feeling the pinch'

Members pay an annual fee of £5 which enables them to use the community supermarket. The hub premises will also contain computer facilities and there are plans for a cafe in the future. "I've had over a thousand messages already about when are we opening, what times, what days," Ms Townsend told the BBC. "We'll give it a go, we'll do our best and if we run out of stock on day one, we'll just have to restock on day two".

John Fairhall/BBC Laura Fowle started using the Witham Hub when her working hours were cut by 25%

Laura Fowle, 45, has used the Witham Hub for the last few months to purchase discounted food. A bookkeeper in London for 19 years, she knows how to handle her money, but her working days were cut from four to three. "I was quite OK before then but now I'm really feeling the pinch - certain months there's less money than I'd hope for," she said. "[The hub] has made a massive difference - being able to put the heating on, staying warm and healthy and happy, it's just fantastic." Another user of the Witham Hub, Carolyn Hobbs, says it helps as her pension "only stretches so far". The 66-year-old said people should not worry about any stigma surrounding the use of community supermarkets. "Nobody knows that you're struggling, you're just going in to have a look," Ms Hobbs told the BBC. "I think it's what's in people's heads that stops them using these places."

John Fairhall/BBC Tina Townsend is the founder of both the Witham and Braintree hubs

'A crisis in the UK'

Stuart Woodward/BBC The Braintree Community Supermarket contains groceries and cleaning items which members can buy at a discounted price

Ms Townsend said it was "unfortunate" that community hubs and food banks were still needed. "I just wish the government would look at this as a crisis in the UK and start looking at how they can actually help these people," she told the BBC. As well as the Braintree and Witham hubs, there are 12 others in Essex and another two on the way, which are supported by Essex County Council. "Ultimately this has knocked on from the Covid pandemic, which saw a huge uptake in food banks," said Ben Mann, the council's lead for its affordable food programme. "What we wanted to do was give people an alternative to that crisis support, where they maintain their dignity, their control and their choice over how they spend their money, but spend a little less money each time. Cllr Mary Cunningham, cabinet member for stronger communities at Braintree District Council, said: "At present we have some really good local organisations and projects that help support our communities through the cost-of-living crisis, but we welcome the addition of this hub which will compliment our projects and bring affordable groceries and support to the people of Braintree."

A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said that "no-one should be living in poverty, and we know that the best route out of poverty for struggling families is well paid, secure work". "That is why we are reforming our broken welfare system so it helps people into good jobs, boosting living standards and putting money in people's pockets. "Alongside this we have increased the Living Wage, extended the Household Support Fund, and are supporting 700,000 of the poorest families by introducing a Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions to help low-income households," the spokesperson added.

The Braintree Hub has opened after a similar facility nearby struggled to cope with high demand.

'Scary' demand for Braintree community supermarket

How much more will low paid workers get in their wages?

1 hour ago Share Save Clodagh Rice BBC News NI business correspondent Share Save

PA Media The amount of an increase in wages will depend on age

Up to 170,000 of the lowest paid workers in Northern Ireland are due to receive a pay rise on Tuesday. The National Living Wage paid to over-21s is going up by 6.7%, from £11.44 to £12.21 per hour. The National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds is increasing by 16%, from £8.60 to £10 per hour. The National Minimum Wage for under-18s is going up by 18%, from £6.40 to £7.55 per hour.

The apprenticeship rate, which applies to eligible people under 19 or those over 19 in the first year of an apprenticeship, will increase by the same amount.

'Frustrating' increase for employers

Employers will have to pay this increase in wages, on top of the increase in employers' National Insurance contributions which are coming into effect on 6 April. Mount Charles employs about 3,500 people in support services, like catering, cleaning and events, across the island of Ireland. Chief strategy officer Gavin Annon said: "This impact, between National Insurance and National Living Wage is roughly an extra £2.5m to us, so it's significant. "We're a low-margin business as it is so we can only pass that cost on to our clients so much. It's been a huge ask for us to try and find a way to mitigate this." Mr Annon said the change is "frustrating" but the company will "have to be smarter with the resources that we deploy". "The rubber hasn't hit the road on this yet - it's only coming into place this week - so as and when you see that impact, I think it will change attitudes and behaviour in terms of what this actually looks like," he added.

'Survival mode'

Gavin Annon said the change could be 'catastrophic' for some sectors

The new National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates take effect from Tuesday.

How will National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage affect employers?

The Finnish defence firms 'on steroids'

3 hours ago Share Save Maddy Savage BBC News, Helsinki Share Save

BBC Jose Barrientos builds headsets for military training

Wearing a laboratory coat and thin silver gloves, production specialist Jose Barrientos is painstakingly piecing together a white-framed goggle-like headset. It includes multiple cameras, eye-tracking technologies and electronics that work together to simulate scenarios from high stakes military operations. "Everything has to be perfect," says the production specialist. "So many different things can affect other things that can affect the final product in such a massive, massive way." Mr Barrientos works for Varjo, one of a growing number of companies in Finland developing innovations that can assist military forces and governments in preparing for or reacting to conflict. The Nordic nation, with a population of just five million, has 368 defence tech companies, according to research for Tesi, a state-funded venture capital company, released last September. Around 40% of these are start-ups and scale-ups, with many growing at rates of 30% to 40% if their tools are dual-use technologies that can also be used in other industries.

Helsinki is now among the top five cities in Europe for defence, security and resilience investments, according to a separate report released in February by tech data platform Dealroom, in collaboration with the Nato Innovation Fund, an independent venture capital fund launched in 2023 with funding from 24 Nato allies. Varjo says its headsets are being used to provide 80 simulation programmes to Nato forces in the US and Europe. In simple terms, its products are more advanced versions of the virtual reality headsets used in gaming. But they combine synthetic artificial content with views of real-world environments. This "mixed reality" experience "squeezes the training continuum" for fighter pilots, says the firm's CEO Timo Toikkanen, because they no longer have to travel long distances to complete war simulations in giant aircraft hangers, which are expensive to power and run. "You can do 99% of the same [training] inside of the headset." The start-up had already attracted heavy investment prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and started working with medical research companies and car manufacturers. But Mr Toikkanen says the start of the conflict and Finland's admission to Nato a year later "just kind of put everything on steroids" in terms of interest in its defence offering. Since March 2022 the company has raised more than €50m (£42m; $54m) in additional funding.

War in Ukraine has put Timo Toikkanen's defence firm "on steroids"

Mr Toikkanen says that before the war technologies that could be used by military forces used to be "kind of a red flag" for investors concerned about social and environmental responsibilities, and Varjo's executives would "tiptoe around" that side of the business when seeking funding. Now the opposite is now true. "Investors are looking for companies that are active in the field of defence technology and it's not frowned upon anymore," he explains. Following President Trump's return to office in January, Mr Toikkanen says there's been a renewed interest in its products from European militaries in the wake of rising geopolitical tensions. "Suddenly, there's a new understanding that we need to prepare, and we can't only rely on Nato and the United States for our defence." Listen: Business Daily - Finland's Defence Tech Other rapidly expanding Finnish start-ups in the defence and dual-use sectors include Iceye, which has developed fine-resolution microsatellite-based imaging and data services, and Re-orbit which supplies satellite software. Distance Technologies, a start-up backed by Google creates headset-free immersive technologies. In March it announced a collaboration with Patria, a Finnish legacy defence firm, which will trial the tech on its armoured vehicles.

Getty Images Finland has a long border with Russia

Finland shares around 1,340 km (830 miles) of its border with Russia, and the Finnish government spent a greater proportion of its budget on defence than many other European countries even before the war in Ukraine. "There's a phrase I like to leverage, which is 'the tyranny of geography' - the closer you are to a threat, the more likely you are to perceive it as more apparent and indeed more existential," says Nicholas Nelson, a UK-based defence tech investor and visiting fellow at the University of Oxford. "They also have a memory of the Winter War, which transpired during World War Two, where they were invaded by the Soviet Union." The duty of Finns to defend their country is enshrined in the Finnish constitution, and there is mandatory military service for men. Mr Nelson believes this exposure may also have encouraged talented citizens to become founders or investors in defence tech, rather than other fast-growing industries in Europe such as renewable energy or financial technologies.

At Maria 01, a former hospital turned startup campus in Helsinki, entrepreneur Janne Heitela opens his laptop to scroll through images of unmanned airships gathering data above snow-covered Arctic forests. He is the CEO of Kelluu, a company that originally expected its technology to be used by climate researchers, but pivoted to becoming a surveillance platform targeted at cities, governments and research institutions in 2022. "It was a very concrete, personal feeling that we need to also do something for the security situation," says Mr Heitela. He highlights national surveys which suggest at least 80% of the Finnish population are prepared to fight for their country, and agrees with Mr Nelson that this "spirit to be ready to defend" has trickled into start-up and business strategies, and is likely to fuel the sector's continued growth.

Kelluu Kelluu's airships are now marketed as surveillance platforms

Defence tech companies launching in Finland have also been boosted by a strong general tech scene in the country. Many of the country's tech alumni – including Mr Toikkanen at Varjo – honed their skills at Nokia, the former global mobile phone giant which has its roots in Finland. It ran into financial difficulties following the launch of Apple's iPhone in the mid-2000s, but this encouraged a sizable number of former employees to launch or invest in new companies. Although not as mature as other European start-up hubs like Sweden and the UK, Helsinki has spawned a handful of unicorn businesses, worth a billion dollars or more, including sleep and fitness tracking ring Oura and game developer Supercell. There is also strong state support for the defence tech scene. Last year Business Finland, a government agency that promotes investment and innovation, launched a new defence and digital resilience programme which is directing €120m towards supporting research and development initiatives from small businesses and startups. "Our current government… they are really enforcing this kind of public-private collaboration," says the programme's director Kirsi Kokko. "I think they understand the urgency."

Despite the rapid growth of defence tech in Finland, the sector is facing a range of local and European-wide challenges. Mr Heitela, the founder of airship technology platform Kelluu, describes something of a "culture clash" between agile start-ups and large defence companies and governments that have typically required years of experimentation and prototyping before acquiring new technologies. "That's really on the opposite side of the spectrum for start-ups, in which the DNA is that we will fail fast and rapidly, and you don't have every start-up succeed."

Helsinki has become one of the top five cities in Europe for investment in defence and security technologies.

The Finnish defence tech firms 'on steroids'

Hooters restaurant chain files for bankruptcy

1 hour ago Share Save Peter Hoskins Business reporter Share Save

Getty Images

Hooters of America has filed for bankruptcy in Texas, as it tries to deal with its debts by selling all of its company-owned restaurants to a group backed by its founders. The firm currently directly owns and operates 151 restaurants, with another 154 operated by franchisees, mainly in the US. The company said its restaurants, which serve classic American bar food, will stay open during the process and operate "in a business-as-usual manner". Like many other casual dining chains, Hooters has struggled in recent years as it faces rising costs and wages, as well as customers spending less.

Getty Images Hooters is known for its waitresses and chicken wings

Like many other casual dining chains, Hooters has struggled in recent years with rising costs and wages.

Hooters restaurant chain files for bankruptcy

Half of job centres reducing support over shortages

The government said it was redeploying 1,000 work coaches to help, but a charity campaigning to end poverty said the shortage undermined plans announced in the chancellor's Spring Statement to get more disabled people into work.

It comes as the number of claimants being categorised as requiring support has risen from 2.6 million to 3 million in the space of a year.

The National Audit Office said reasons for cutbacks included a lack of funding and challenges in recruiting and retaining staff.

More than half of job centres are reducing support for people claiming universal credit due to a shortage of work coaches, according to a report from the public spending watchdog.

Iain Porter, senior policy adviser at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said the government's promise to boost employment had been used to "justify the biggest cuts to disability benefits in recent memory".

"The government must urgently explain how it plans to support disabled people into work while these work coach shortages remain," he said.

Published on Monday, the report said there were 2,100 fewer work coaches - who can offer advice and refer claimants for jobs - employed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in England, Wales and Scotland than it estimated were needed.

It said that some 57% of job centres had used flexibilities allowed by the DWP to reduce support for claimants when caseloads are too high between September 2023 and November 2024.

Changes to income rules meant an extra 400,000 people qualified for such support in the year to October.

The number of claimants moving into work each month has also fallen over the past two years.

In the Spring Statement, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said reforms to the "broken" benefits system would save around £4.8bn by the end of the decade, and £1bn would be invested "to provide guaranteed, personalised employment support to help people back into work".

The DWP said it was redeploying staff to help sick and disabled people into work, and was modernising job centres with new digital tools.

A spokesperson said: "Our job centres are full of brilliant work coaches - but they are held back by a system that is too focused on ticking boxes and monitoring benefits instead of genuinely supporting people back into work.

"That is why we are redeploying 1,000 work coaches to help deliver intensive employment support to sick and disabled people, modernising job centres with new digital tools, and improving access to free up work coaches' time as we bring the network together with the National Careers Service."

A report says there are 2,100 fewer work coaches than needed while the number of people requiring support has risen.

Half of job centres reducing support over shortages, watchdog says

Could electric drones you can sit in take off?

13 hours ago Share Save Katharine Da Costa • @katharinedc BBC News Reporting from Oxfordshire Share Save

BBC The Skyfly Axe can take off vertically like a helicopter or land on a runway

Imagine an electric drone mixed with a fixed wing plane - that is the concept behind a new two-seater aircraft being developed by start-up company, Skyfly. The Axe promises the flexibility of a helicopter but without the cost, noise pollution or carbon emissions. It is a vertically capable aircraft, or Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which means it can take off like a helicopter. It also has two fixed wings that allows it to take off and land from a runway.

The company claims the Axe has a top speed of 100mph, it can carry up to 172kg - approximately the weight of two 13.5st adults - and has a range of 100 miles, about the distance from Oxford to the Isle of Wight.

Michael Thompson, CEO of Skyfly, is optimistic the new model will be delivered to customers early next year

The team, based near Banbury in Oxfordshire, has taken five years to fine tune the design. "Compared to a conventional aircraft it's got eight motors which is very strange," says Dr Bill Brooks, Skyfly's chief technical engineer. "And it's a tail-first layout called a canard so it's got the tail at the front. The all up weight is 750kg but 240kg of that are batteries so all the structure is carbon fibre to keep it as light as possible," Dr Brooks says. Safety is an important part of the design too.

'Environmental benefits'

The large wings help it to glide in the event of power failure and there are two motors at the end of each wing so that if one fails the other can compensate. It is also equipped with an emergency ballistic parachute to bring the aircraft and passengers down safely. As well as being safer and cleaner than conventional aircraft, Michael Thompson, Skyfly's chief executive, says electric models are significantly quieter too. "When you're taking off, you're no longer annoying everyone around you from a noise perspective, so I do think electric propulsion brings not only environmental benefits but from a noise pollution point of view, it's a huge benefit as well," he says.

Dr Bill Brooks is the chief engineer and test pilot at Skyfly

Who is it marketed at?

Other eVTOLs under development include those looking to provide an electric flying-taxi service like Bristol-based Vertical Aerospace (VA) . VA, as well as Archer and Joby in the US, are designing electric powered aircraft to carry up to four passengers. Skyfly's Axe, by comparison, is more compact and aimed at the private market. The do-it-youself kit-plane comes with a price tag of £250,000. It is aimed at existing pilots who want to transition away from diesel piston engines. Jason Pritchard, executive editor of eVTOL Insights, says it is also likely to appeal to flying clubs in order to train new members: "The eVTOL aircraft industry is still in its infancy with initial operations a few years away, but it also needs to train large numbers of pilots in the coming years," he says. "Additionally, the Axe's design can also train pilots with the skills and controls necessary to land an aircraft without power, which is a necessary tool."

Skyfly The two-seater light aircraft has a range of around 100 miles

What about charging infrastructure?

While the Axe can be charged up overnight with a conventional three-pin plug, just like EV cars, electric aircraft will need the charging infrastructure to be scaled up. Aerovolt, based in West Sussex, has installed rapid chargers at seven UK airports with 40 more in the pipeline. Its founder, Philip Kingsley-Dobson, says demand is growing. "A lot of piston aircraft can't use leaded fuel in the future so they're looking for alternatives and ways we can decarbonise the lower end of aviation," he says.

'Cutting edge'

There are no eVTOL aircraft currently permitted to fly in the UK. Skyfly's Axe has successfully completed manned test flights in both hover and forward flight modes but still needs to be certified by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). With 40 pre-orders from buyers all over the world, the company hopes to deliver the new model to customers early next year. A CAA spokesperson said: "We are working with innovators to test and fly brand new forms of aviation that keeps the UK at the cutting edge of flight technology and supports the sector to grow. "New technology comes with new challenges and safety remains our priority in all this work."

Skyfly's aircraft promises the flexibility of a helicopter without the cost, noise or emissions.

An electric drone you can sit in

Primark boss quits after complaint about behaviour

2 hours ago Share Save Dearbail Jordan Business reporter, BBC News Share Save

Getty Images Primark chief executive Paul Marchant

Primark boss Paul Marchant has resigned following an allegation by a woman about "his behaviour towards her in a social environment". Associated British Foods (ABF), which owns Primark, said following an investigation by external lawyers, Mr Marchant "acknowledged his error of judgement and accepts that his actions fell below the standards expected" by the business. Mr Marchant co-operated with the investigation and apologised to the individual, said ABF. The Primark boss had also been involved in a previous incident involving "inappropriate communication", ABF later confirmed.

The company said that incident had been investigated "some time ago" and that "proportionate action" had been taken. ABF declined to provide any further details, including whether the incidents involved colleagues or individuals from outside the company. A spokesperson told the BBC this was to protect their identities as much as possible.

'Immensely disappointed'

Mr Marchant became chief executive of Primark in 2009, taking over from the firm's founder Arthur Ryan. In announcing Mr Marchant's resignation, George Weston, chief executive of ABF, said: "I am immensely disappointed. Colleagues and others must be treated with respect and dignity. Our culture has to be, and is, bigger than any one individual." He added: "At ABF, we believe that high standards of integrity are essential. Acting responsibly is the only way to build and manage a business over the long term." The company said it remains in contact with the individual "who rightly raised her concerns and have offered her our support". While Primark - or Penneys as it is known in Ireland - has been around since 1969 when Mr Ryan opened the first shop in Dublin, it began ramping up its overseas expansion under Mr Marchant's leadership. Its low-price clothing and rapidly changing stock won over cash-strapped but fashion-conscious younger customers. Although, according to Catherine Shuttleworth, retail analyst at the consultancy Savvy, it has got "ubiquitous appeal". She said: "It has allowed access to affordable clothing for everybody and that has tied into a period of time where global supply chains have significantly changed, so that means you can access products and materials better and more easily." Prior to Primark, Mr Marchant worked for a number of retailers such as Debenhams, Topman and New Look. But, like his predecessor Mr Ryan, he has remained out of the spotlight. Ms Shuttleworth said Primark's leadership "flies under the radar a bit because - it sounds a bit cheesy - they let their shops and their products do the talking". Unlike many of its rivals, Primark resisted selling its products online before finally relenting in 2022 after Covid restrictions drove people to internet shopping. Even then, Primark only launched a click-and-collect service as opposed to offering deliveries. Like other low-cost fashion chains, Primark has been criticised for producing cheap, throwaway clothing.

Paul Marchant talks to the BBC's Emma Simpson in 2022 about improving the durability of Primark's clothing

In a rare interview, Mr Marchant told the BBC in 2022: "We have worked so hard and continue to work hard on ensuring that we're improving the quality and the durability of our clothing. "We don't want customers to buy something and then discard it. We want them to buy, love and keep it in their wardrobe [and] hand it down to their friends."

'Unsettling'

Paul Marchant leaves after an allegation about his behaviour towards a woman "in a social environment".

Paul Marchant: Primark boss quits after woman's complaint about behaviour

Cafe owner's fears over cut to business rate relief

9 hours ago Share Save George Torr BBC News, Derby Ed Collard BBC News, East Midlands Share Save

BBC Donna Carr said the 2024-2025 financial year had been the worst since she opened her cafe six years ago

A small business owner has said her cafe will struggle to survive due to rising costs and is calling on the government for more support. Donna Carr runs Dot-teas Emporium, which also acts as a hub for people to come together for art and craft projects, in Bridge Street in Belper, Derbyshire. She said the 2024-25 financial year had been the worst since she opened in 2019. Ms Carr thinks the situation for her and others will "only get worse" due to the expected reduction in business rate discounts and the cost-of-living crisis, adding: "I don't think [the government] do anything to support us."

In the new financial year, National Insurance contributions (NICs) for employers are set to rise from 13.8% to 15%, there will be a reduction in business rate discount and an increase in the minimum wage. The level at which employers start paying NICs, the secondary threshold, will also reduce from £9,100 to £5,000 per year. But the Employment Allowance, which helps eligible employers reduce their NIC liability, will increase from £5,000 to £10,500 to enable small businesses to offset the rise. Since 2020, businesses like cafes, bars and retail units have had a 75% discount on business rates - capped at £110,000 per business - but this is due to expire on Tuesday.

'Downward spiral'

Ms Carr described the 2024-25 financial year as "shocking". She described her current situation as "hand to mouth" and fears there will be a "downward spiral". "I don't think [the government] think about the independent businesses," she added. "They all say 'shop local' but it's us that gets hammered. "We're not the big companies, they can afford it but we can't. "I don't think they do anything to support us."

Jeevun Sandher, Labour MP for Loughborough, said the burden from the changes would be felt on larger employers the most

Speaking on Politics East Midlands, Jeevun Sandher, Labour MP for Loughborough, said the largest burden on NICs would be on large employers. "Our changes on National Insurance double the employer allowance so you can now employ four people on the National Minimum Wage without paying National Insurance," he said. "It does mean a million businesses will pay the same or less than before... it's essentially a tax cut in April. "Our decisions around tax were to protect the smallest businesses... in order to fund investment in the NHS. "We've protected the smallest employers by putting [the changes] on the largest employers as well as the richest individuals."

Donna Carr says the latest financial year has been "shocking" and expects it to get worse.

Belper cafe owner's concern over business rate relief reduction

Thames Water picks private equity firm as preferred buyer

The firm has been heavily criticised for sewage spills, and is also struggling to fix leaks and modernise outdated infrastructure.

Thames Water, the UK's largest water company, started to look for new investment last year after fears emerged that it could collapse or face nationalisation.

The planned investment by KKR would help it deal with its mountain of debt , and Thames is aiming for the transaction to be completed in the second half of this year.

Thames Water has picked US private equity giant KKR as its "preferred partner" to buy the troubled water utility firm.

Thames Water serves about a quarter of the UK's population, mostly across London and parts of southern England, and employs 8,000 people.

The government has previously said it is ready to take over Thames Water in the event that it cannot continue to operate, but earlier this year the company secured a £3bn rescue loan to avert this possibility.

Regardless of who owns the company, its water services will continue as normal.

Thames said recently that it had received approaches from six firms about taking a stake in the business.

It will now enter the next stage of the investment process with KKR, one of the world's largest private equity firms with $160bn of investments globally. KKR is already a shareholder in another UK water provider, Northumbrian Water.

Thames did not say how much KKR planned to invest, but said the proposal would lead to a "material impairment" for some creditors, meaning a write-off of some of the debt and interest Thames Water owes.

Thames added there was no certainty that a binding proposal would emerge, and it would require regulatory approval.

"The company remains focused on putting Thames Water on a more stable financial foundation, implementing its turnaround plan and delivering a market-led solution that is in the best interests of customers, UK taxpayers and the wider economy," it said.

When Thames was privatised in 1989, it had no debt. But over the years it borrowed heavily and now has debts of about £19bn.

Its debt pile increased sharply when it was owned by Macquarie, an Australian infrastructure bank.

Macquarie has said that it invested billions of pounds in upgrading Thames's water and sewerage infrastructure while it owned the company.

But critics argue that it took billions of pounds out of the company in loans and dividends.

Along with many UK water firms, Thames Water has been in the spotlight for pumping sewage into rivers.

Between 2020 and the end of last year, it discharged at least 72 billion litres of sewage into the Thames.

The troubled water utility firm says KKR could complete the deal in the second half of this year.

Thames Water picks US private equity firm KKR as preferred buyer

Beans on toast soap aims to tackle hygiene poverty

1 hour ago Share Save Gray Gathergood-Dains BBC News Share Save

BBC Mandy Powell said she originally thought the product would be like a breakfast bar

A beans on toast flavoured edible soap has been launched to raise awareness of the choice some families face between buying food and hygiene products. The Goodwash Company, from Barry, and The Hygiene Bank charity have produced the UK's first edible soap as part of a campaign to highlight hygiene poverty and to call for VAT on hygiene products to be cut. Hygiene poverty was found to affect an estimated 4.2 million adults in the UK last year, according to research conducted by YouGov on behalf of The Hygiene Bank. Currently, soap and other essential hygiene products are subject to a 20% VAT rate, treating them as non-essential items.

The Hygiene Bank has started a petition calling for a change in tax around this. The Treasury has been approached for comment. Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, Mandy Powell, CEO and co-founder of skin care brand The Goodwash Company, said she thought she would originally make a breakfast bar with oats and seaweed as a talking point about hygiene poverty. "I went back to them with the idea and they said, no, we want a proper evening meal bar of soap, something like beans on toast or a chicken tikka masala," she said. "So I'm back to the team and I said I think this is going to be a little bit more difficult than I originally thought. But here we are 12 months later and we've got beans on toast soap." The soap is flavoured to taste like beans on toast, and is made out of cacao butter, organic oat flour, avocado oil and paprika as well as beans and toast flavouring.

The Goodwash have created a beans on toast flavoured soap

It is also possible to buy a virtual version of the soap on The Goodwash Company's website for £15, which according to The Hygiene Bank is the average cost of soap over a year. All profits from the sale of the edible soap go directly to The Hygiene Bank. "It is quite fun, but there is a serious message behind it," Ms Powell said. Speaking about the campaign to cut VAT on hygiene products, Ruth Brock, CEO of The Hygiene Bank, said soap was a necessity, "not a luxury". "This campaign is about more than just VAT reform - it's about recognising hygiene as a fundamental right," she added.

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The product highlights the choice some families face between buying hygiene products and eating.

Beans on toast soap: Edible soap aims to highlight hygiene poverty

Plan to raise protection on savings to £110,000

The plan is subject to a consultation, but if adopted the higher limit would apply from 1 December 2025.

If a financial institution fails, the deposit protection scheme means customers can currently claim back the first £85,000 of their savings. That would rise to £110,000 under the new proposal.

The planned increase takes into account inflation since the limit was last set in 2017, the body which supervises UK banks, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) said.

A proposed change to banking rules will increase significantly the amount of savers' money that is protected when a bank or building society goes under.

Rob Mansfield, independent financial adviser at Rootes Wealth, said uprating the limit in line with inflation was very welcome and "great news for savers and for confidence in our banking system".

Currently, savers are protected to the tune of £85,000 per person, per institution. For a joint account that means protection rises to £170,000.

Savers with more than that to deposit are advised to spread their money between different banks or building societies to ensure it is covered by the compensation scheme, which is operated by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

Over the 25 years since its foundation, the FSCS has paid over £20bn to depositors, primarily as a result of the 2008 financial crisis.

Martyn Beauchamp, chief executive of the FSCS, said it was important the limit was reviewed regularly to ensure it stayed "appropriate and relevant".

The proposal is part of a wide-ranging consultation on deposit protection which could also see the limit on "temporary high balance claims" rise from £1m to £1.4m. That covers customers who have large amounts in an account because they are moving house or have received a payout from an insurance policy.

Sam Woods, chief executive of the PRA, said customer confidence in the financial system was "an essential foundation for economic growth".

The government has called on regulatory bodies to revise their strategies to promote economic growth.

Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at the consumer group Which?, described the change as "a sensible decision".

"At a time when the government and regulators are going for growth, this decision is a reminder that strong consumer protections and economic growth go hand in hand."

The amount of savings protected if a bank goes under should rise from the current £85,000, a regulator says.

Plan to raise deposit protection limit to £110,000

UK expects to be affected by Trump tariffs - No 10

Just now Share Save Helen Catt Political correspondent Becky Morton Political reporter Share Save

PA Media Starmer and Trump met at the White House in February

The UK expects to be affected by US tariffs and is not ruling out retaliating, Downing Street has said. The prime minister's official spokesman said talks on an economic deal between the two countries had been "constructive" but were likely to last beyond Wednesday, when President Donald Trump has said new 25% tariffs - or import taxes - on cars and car parts will come into effect. Trump has imposed a series of tariffs targeting goods from other countries, with the UK already hit by 25% taxes on exports of steel and aluminium to the US. Over the weekend he suggested the tariffs would hit all countries, not just those with the biggest trade imbalances with the US.

The UK has been in negotiations with the US in an attempt to secure an exemption. Sir Keir Starmer's spokesman said: "When it comes to tariffs, the prime minister has been clear he will always act in the national interest and we've been preparing for all eventualities ahead of the announcement from President Trump, which we would expect the UK to be impacted by alongside other countries. "We are having constructive discussions on a US-UK economic prosperity deal but we will only do a deal which delivers economic prosperity for the British people and we will only act in the national interest." Pressed on whether the government was hopeful of a deal to avert tariffs being reached by Wednesday, the spokesman said discussions between the UK and the US "will likely continue beyond Wednesday". He said the UK would "take a calm and pragmatic approach" in response to any tariffs, arguing "a trade war with the US is not in anybody's interests". But he added: "We rule nothing out in response." The Liberal Democrats have urged the government to hit back with its own tariffs, as Canada and the European Union have already done. The party's leader Sir Ed Davey said: "Just asking nicely clearly doesn't work with Trump, so we have to stand tall with our allies in Canada and Europe and show that we will not be bullied. "That means being prepared to impose reciprocal tariffs if necessary, including on Elon Musk's Teslas, and urgently negotiating a better trade deal with the EU to show Trump we have alternatives."

Downing Street does not rule out retaliating if new tariffs are imposed on Wednesday.

UK expects to be affected by Trump tariffs, No 10 says

The Swedish city fined for missing an environmental target

5 hours ago Share Save MaryLou Costa Business reporter Share Save

Happy Visuals Goteborg Gothenburg's local authority is seeking to highlight its green credentials

Gothenburg, Sweden's second city, is highlighting its environmental credentials by continuing to put its money on the line. Back in 2022, the City of Gothenburg, became what is believed to be the first local government in the world to take out a "sustainability linked loan" or SLL. This is a form of financing pegged to a set of annual environmental and social improvements agreed between a borrower and its banks. Gothenburg's four target areas are efforts to make renewable energy the sole source of the city's heat production, making the council's own vehicle fleet electric, reducing energy usage in municipality-owned buildings, such as hospitals and schools, and improving the city's poorest neighbourhoods. Meet agreed annual improvement levels in these sectors and, for each, Gothenburg gets a discount on the yearly fee it pays for the loan of 0.1% or around 100,000 kronor ($10,500; £8,000). But miss one of the targets by a certain amount and it has to pay a fine of the same amount.

In 2022 and 2023 Gothenburg managed to avoid a financial penalty, but the newly released figures for 2024 show that it missed its target for switching to renewable energy. And so it is about to be fined 150,000 kroner. However, this is offset by the discounts it is getting for continuing to hit improvement levels for energy usage and social improvement. For electrifying the council's vehicles, while it missed its improvement goal, it didn't do so by enough to be fined. Fredrik Block, portfolio manager at the City of Gothenburg, says that the local authority deliberately set "ambitious" targets. "You aim high, and you get the whole organisation to strive towards that target. We are not proceeding as fast as we expected, but we are taking one step at a time. The goal is still to be close to carbon-free by 2030. "We're actually not doing it for the money. We're doing it to show the city's important work and that we are making progress every year. We want to show to the world how it is - that these are the problems, and these are the good things."

Fredrik Block Fredrik Block says that the city highlighting its environmental work makes it more attractive to other potential investors

The improvements to the city's poorest areas – and whether the council has hit its targets - are measured by yearly resident surveys. People are asked about their feelings towards an area's safety and cleanliness. Key initiatives have included making housing more secure, introducing more surveillance cameras and increasing police presence as a crime prevention measure in areas of the city like Hjallbo and Biskopsgarden. Located in the north of the city, they have high levels of crime and unemployment, and large immigrant populations. Public housing agency Framtiden, which is ultimately owned by the City of Gothenburg, says it takes the improvement work very seriously. "For some of these vulnerable areas, we actually own the majority of the housing," says its research and development manager, Lars Bankvall. "We are more or less the only official body in these areas. There's no one else there, only us. "I see us as maybe the most powerful tool that the city has, because we have a lot of financial resources. We are involved in everything."

But Faduma Awil, a social worker who now provides career coaching at an employment centre in Gothenburg, is concerned that increased cameras and police presence sends the wrong message to youth in Gothenburg's deprived areas - and could see racial profiling increase. "What will our children think when they see cameras everywhere in Hjallbo, but none in a Swedish neighbourhood? How will they feel when they are constantly being watched by police?" she says. "What will you tell them? You are showing them there is a difference between them and native Swedes." Ms Awil is also not convinced the resident surveys are effective or accurate. And she feels the city is placing a disproportionate amount of effort into its environmental goals, at the expense of improving conditions in underprivileged areas. "People in these areas don't care about the environment. They need to go to school. They need to work. They need to eat," says Ms Awil, who migrated from Somalia to Sweden in 1987 as a child.

Jonas Bjorn The city council is trying to improver the poorer parts of Gothenburg, such as Biskopsgarden

Negotiating an SLL is a rigorous, complex process - one that took the City of Gothenburg a year to do, with no fewer than six major Nordic banks involved. Such is the difficulty of acquiring an SLL that the number issued globally fell by 56% in 2023, according to data from financial news provider Bloomberg. Mats Olausson is senior sustainability advisor at Swedish bank SEB, which is the lead lender of Gothenburg's SLL. He says SEB has turned down potential SLL borrowers as the client's proposed targets weren't ambitious enough. Yet he adds that SLLs are challenging for companies or local authorities that successfully get one. "It's sad if a company puts a lot of resources into designing an SLL, and then it turns out that the only publicity they get is negative," he says. "You run the risk of being pulled into the dirt for having not done a good enough job. "It's in no one's interest to have targets that are overly ambitious and basically impossible to achieve, or for companies who don't have the right governance in place to implement the actions that will be the building blocks of the actual strategy."

One company that is happy with its SLL is Danish management consultancy Emagine. It borrowed £10m in 2021, funds that helped it to acquire six other firms around the world. Its binding goals include increasing the number of female leaders in the organisation by 16%, and reducing overall employee turnover by 6% over the seven-year long period. It is doing this through leadership and mentoring programs. By meeting the targets, Emagine is benefiting from reduced interest rates, says Lars Bloch, the company's chief financial officer. "If we didn't meet the goals, we would be landed with interest penalty rates. We also accept that failing to meet sustainability targets could harm the firm's reputation, as we have made a public commitment. "It shouldn't be about committing to the loan to get a discount on financing - there needs to be ambition behind the goals."

Gothenburg has to pay a financial penalty if it misses certain annual sustainability goals.

The Swedish city fined for missing an environmental target

Shares slide in Asia as new Trump tariffs loom

"You'd start with all countries," Trump told reporters on Air Force One. "Essentially all of the countries that we're talking about.

The measures will come on top of tariffs already imposed by Washington on aluminium, steel and vehicles, along with increased levies on all goods from China.

The comments come as he prepares to unveil a massive slate of import taxes on Wednesday, in what he has called America's "Liberation Day".

Stock markets have fallen in Asia after President Donald Trump suggested that new tariffs he is set to announce this week will hit all countries, not just those that have the biggest trade imbalances with the US.

But he said his administration would be "far more generous" and "kinder" than the countries had been to the US.

The president's latest comments came despite last week suggesting he might scale back his tariff plans.

White House economics adviser Kevin Hassett also recently told the Fox Business channel that the tariffs would focus on 10 to 15 countries that have the worst trade deficits with the US, but did not name them.

Trump sees tariffs as a way of protecting the US economy from unfair competition and as a bargaining chip for getting better trading terms for America.

Concerns about a trade war are unsettling markets and creating fears of a recession in the US.

On Monday morning in Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 benchmark share index was 4% lower, the Hang Seng in Hong Kong was down by 1.6%, and South Korea's Kospi was around 2.5% lower.

Over the weekend Trump's advisers echoed his view that the planned tariffs could raise trillions of dollars and help create jobs in the US.

His top trade adviser, Pete Navarro, pointed to huge revenues he said the tariffs would raise.

The tax on all car imports could raise $100bn (£77.3bn) a year, Mr Navarro said. All the planned tariffs could raise $600bn annually, about a fifth of the value of total goods imports into the US, he added.

A White House fact sheet published last week suggested a 10% tariff on every import could create nearly 3 million US jobs.

All of this raises the stakes for all the countries attempting to strike deals with the US over its trade policies, including the UK.

But other jurisdictions, such as the EU and Canada, have already said that they are preparing a range of retaliatory trade measures.

Separately, Trump said a deal with TikTok's Chinese owner ByteDance to sell the app would be agreed before a deadline on Saturday.

He set the 5 April deadline in January for short video platform to find a non-Chinese buyer or face a ban in the US on national security grounds.

It had been due to take effect that month to comply with a law passed under the Biden administration.

The US president suggested the new import taxes he is set to announce this week will hit all countries.

Trump tariffs: Shares slide in Asia as new US import taxes loom

Benefit changes could be 'life or death' - claimant

2 hours ago Share Save Share Save

BBC Shannon Doulis said her life changed dramatically after she contracted long Covid

Planned cuts to the benefit system could be a matter of life or death for some people, a claimant has said. The government plans to tighten the eligibility criteria for the Personal Independent Payment (Pip), which is paid to about 3.6m people who have a long-term physical or mental health condition. Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out her plans for the UK economy during her Spring Statement on Wednesday. A government spokesperson said all Pip assessments were conducted "rigorously and professionally".

Assessments for the daily living part of Pip will be tightened, which the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimates will affect about 800,000 people.

'Guilty until proved innocent'

Shannon Doulis' life changed after she contracted Covid-19 four years ago, later developing chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia as a result of long Covid. The 28-year-old, who lives in Totton, Hampshire, gets £400 a month in Pip to pay for costs that she has incurred as a result of her illnesses. "That £400 a month doesn't sound like much but it's a lifeline for me. It means when I do have to go out, I can pay for a taxi," she said. "We're treated as if we're guilty of fraud until we're proven innocent by being allowed our benefits. "You can't just say: we're not going to pay you, we think you should be working, so [be] better. It doesn't work like that," she said. "I could try [going back to work]. But I know how it's going to end. That is why I lost my last job – because I wasn't well enough, I wasn't reliable enough. "I would have to work a day and then have two weeks to recover and then maybe work another day. No one is going to employ me on that basis."

Sophie Brudenall has claimed Pip for four years

Sophie Brudenall, 24, from Slough, Berkshire, has the eye condition aniridia and has been claiming Pip for her visual impairment and mental health reasons since 2020. The university student said, during the "very difficult" assessments, it was as if the government was trying "to catch you out". "For people with more severe disabilities who are deemed to be not as severe as the government deem they should be [for Pip], it could be life or death," she says. "They might not be able to pay for medication; they might not be able to pay for their accessible technology. Technology is not cheap if you're disabled." A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spokesperson said: "We support millions of people through our welfare system every year and it is a priority people receive the benefits they are entitled to as quickly as possible. "All Pip assessments are conducted rigorously and professionally and are independently audited to ensure claimants are receiving the same high-quality service."

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out plans for changes to welfare in the Spring Statement on Wednesday.

Benefit and Pip changes could be 'life or death'

Which bills are going up in Surrey?

2 hours ago Share Save Jack Fiehn BBC Surrey, political reporter Share Save

BBC Water, energy and council tax bills are among those which are increasing

Many bills will rise from April 1, a month which has been described by some commentators as "awful April". The exact amount people will pay will depend on their individual circumstances. Although minimum wages are also increasing, and wages on average have been outpacing inflation, household finances could still come under extra pressure. But what are some of the costs facing residents in Surrey?

Water Bills

Water bills are going up, but there is a lot of variation depending on the company. Thames Water customers are facing a 31% hike. An annual average bill for 2025-26 is £639, compared to £488 in 2024-25. Affinity Water has said its clean water tariff will go up; for non-metered customers, the price will increase by 29%, and for metered customers, the rise is 19%. For South East Water, it is a 20% increase for an average bill. SES Water has said average customer bills for 2025/26 will go up by 3%.

Council tax

A typical band D home will pay more than £100 compared with last year. Around three quarters of the money will go to Surrey County Council, which has increased its share of the bill by 4.99%. Most of the borough and district councils have made an increase of 2.99%, while the amount that goes to Surrey Police has risen by 4.3%. If you live in an area with a parish or town council that may well mean the bill is higher as well.

Other bills to look out for

Other bills on the rise include gas, electricity, tax for cars registered after April 2017, broadband, phone and TV licences. For example an annual energy bill for a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity is going up by £111 a year to £1,849 from April. This is a typical cost facing people across the country, as well as in Surrey.

Leatherhead Community Hub is one of a number of centres where people can access support in Surrey

What if there is a struggle to pay bills?

Many people will find themselves under greater pressure because of the price increases. Diane from Epsom, who has two children and other caring responsibilities, told BBC Radio Surrey she is dreading 'awful April.' "(I am) not really sure how I'm going to make ends meet," she said. "All I do know is that when my money comes in, the first thing I do is just pay all my bills and whatever is left is what I have to budget to live on." If someone is struggling financially, then local councils, individual water companies and energy suppliers have a range of options to offer some assistance, including debt support programmes, and payment breaks. People can pay their bills in one lump sum or in instalments and there are also discounts in certain circumstances. Meanwhile organisations like Citizens Advice offer to help people navigate the system and flag up different sources of financial support and there are also community hubs, where people can find out about emergency food provision, like food banks, and advice services.

As bills start to rise from April 1, what should residents in Surrey expect in terms of their costs?

Surrey: how will water and other bills increase where you live?

'Food club is our life saver ahead of bill hikes'

2 hours ago Share Save Annabel Tiffin BBC News, Manchester Share Save

BBC Debra Burke said she initially felt embarrassed to use the service

A couple who use a food club to get by have described it as a "life-saver" but said they have concerns about how they will cope after household bills are hiked up in April. Dubbed the "awful April" by some political commentators, next month will see some of the biggest increases to people's finances in the UK, with rises in water, energy, and council tax costs. Debra and Steven Burke, who live in Little Hulton, Salford, are members of The Bread and Butter Thing, a charity which supplies supermarket surplus food at a reduced price. Mrs Burke, 64, has worked her whole life but said they rely on the service so they can afford their utility bills.

"I don't know how we'll manage but this is a life-saver," she said. For £8.50, Mrs Burke said she can collect three bags of food, which means she has more money to "spend on my heating". She admitted she was not keen to use the mobile service at first but, when she witnessed others using it, her "shame and embarrassment" went away. "It's not shameful to need help," she said.

'Increase the struggle'

The Bread and Butter Thing, founded by Mark Game in 2016, is based at St Peter's Church in Salford once a week. Mr Game said low-earning working families are a "growing demographic" of people who are "struggling to get by". He said: "They will hide it from their colleagues and hide it from their kids. "They will start to have smaller portions on their plate, or have fewer showers and try to shield their family from it." And he warned prices rises will only "increase the struggle".

More than seven million United Utilities customers across north-west England will see their water bills jump by an average of £86 for a typical household. The cost of gas and electricity is also going up when the latest energy price cap takes effect. Many will also pay almost 5% more in council tax. David Ogden, 41, is a data analyst and lives with his wife in Little Hulton.

David Ogden said even though he works full time he still encounters struggles

The couple both work full time but they too use the Bread and Butter Thing. "We get by day to day but every month there is some kind of struggle going on," he said. Being able to use the food club is "pretty essential", he says, but admits that at first he felt "sheepish" about using it. "We all know there's a stigma around using things like food banks, but then you see the benefit, and now I don't feel embarrassed, it's a brilliant thing."

A woman who uses a food bank charity to get by says it should not be embarrassing to ask for help.

Salford: 'Food club is our life saver ahead of bill hikes'

'Greedy landlords are cashing in and forcing us out of town'

2 hours ago Share Save George King BBC News, Suffolk Share Save

Getty Images Work to build Sizewell C is expected to create nearly 8,000 jobs

The construction of the Sizewell C nuclear power plant on the Suffolk coast is a key part of the government's growth programme. But some locals fear being forced out, accusing landlords of cashing in on a jobs boom by evicting tenants and raising rents to unaffordable levels. The plant is due to open in 2031, and although a final investment decision has not yet been made, groundwork is already well under way. The construction project will require a predicted workforce of 7,900, of which about two-thirds will be from outside the area. About 2,400 workers will be based on site with 500 others living at the former Pontins holiday park at Pakefield, near Lowestoft. The remaining contractors, however, will have to move into properties in or around the town of Leiston - population 5,508 - where some rents have doubled to more than £3,000 a month.

George King/BBC Leiston renter John Stevens believes landlords are looking to exploit the construction of Sizewell C

The government hopes to ban evictions without a reason as part of its new Renters' Rights Bill, but this will not be in place until summer at the earliest. Until then, John Stevens, who rents in Leiston, believes some landlords will look to move current tenants on in order to make use of East Suffolk Council's Sizewell C housing grants scheme. Aiming to provide an additional 1,200 beds, it offers property owners up to £7,000 if they agree to turn their spare rooms or spaces into suitable accommodation. The council told the BBC it had so far "received significant interest" and expected to "see a significant uptake in awards" over the coming months. Mr Stevens, 72, says: "[The landlords] are thinking, 'Let's evict these people and get the money, plus bigger rents', so why wouldn't landlords take advantage of it?" "But it's ridiculous and it's changing the landscape because different people I know are going through murder because of Sizewell; they are being evicted. "A friend of mine is [being evicted] and she is a single parent and has one kid – where is she going to go now?"

Johnnie Wright/BBC Some homes in Leiston are now being advertised for rent at more than £4,000 per month

Rent hikes have proved particularly controversial in Leiston, traditionally seen as more affordable than the affluent coastal towns of Aldeburgh and Southwold. The current average monthly rent in the town, once a thriving manufacturing centre, is £773, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). But last month, the BBC found one three-bedroom semi-detached property in Carr Avenue advertised at £3,000 a month, including bills and cleaning costs. Another three-bedroom home was going for £3,100, including bills, while a two-bedroom apartment was being let for £3,045, including bills. Since then, some rents have increased even further, with one three-bedroom house currently being advertised for the "attention of Sizewell workers" at £4,500 per month.

Supplied Leiston renter Daniela Delfino fears what might happen if her landlord decides to sell her flat

Daniela Delfino, 31, returned to Leiston in November 2023 to reconnect with her friends and stepfather. She rents a one-bedroom flat that her landlord, with whom she has a "good relationship", is looking to sell within the next few years. "I really love living here and I don't want to leave, because then I will just be running around like a headless chicken, looking for somewhere affordable," she says. "I did see a one-bedroom flat the other day but it was going for [nearly] three times as much as what I am paying now. The greed that is going around is not fair. "No normal person can afford the current prices in Leiston or Saxmundham. It's not feasible, even if you are working full-time – it's absolutely ridiculous."

Luke Deal/BBC Tina Ashford, a mother of two, has been served with an eviction notice from the home she rents in Sudbourne

Tina Ashford, 53, rents a detached property in the nearby village of Sudbourne with her two children for £1,000 a month. But she has been served a no-fault eviction notice, which her landlord says is unrelated to Sizewell C. He says he simply plans to retire, and reduce his outgoings by selling the property. Nevertheless, it has left Ms Ashford, a single mother who works in holiday lettings and cares for an elderly couple, looking for a new home and worried about what she can afford.

Supplied Ms Ashford is worried about how having to move to a different part of Suffolk could affect her two children

Ms Ashford says: "My whole life depends on me being here, but the greedy prices and extortionate rents are affecting the rest of the market. "I feel very angry and I think what is happening in Leiston is criminal. Landlords are cashing in and the good days are way behind us."

Guy Campbell/BBC Leiston Pantry's Toby Lindsay-White says more people are using the food bank as they struggle to cover the costs of rising rents

According to the ONS, 79.1% of people in East Suffolk aged between 16 and 64 are in paid work. The average weekly wage in the district is £545, equivalent to a £26,705 salary. But Toby Lindsay-White, who runs the Leiston Pantry food bank, is seeing a steady increase in members, and says locals no longer "have the money to live in the area". He says he knows of someone evicted from a four-bedroom bungalow that is being turned into an eight-bedroom home. "It's a bit of a double-edged sword because we have a number of people who have finally secured employment with Sizewell C, so they are now on good pay," he says. "But there has been a larger proportion of people who have had to move out of the area because their rent has increased or they've been served with a notice."

Sizewell C Preparatory work on Sizewell C is already under way, although a final funding decision has yet to be made

Software engineer May Hall, 39, is also concerned. She rents a two-bedroom property in Leiston for £850 a month and has recently been offered a six-month tenancy. "I don't know why they didn't offer me a one-year contract, but I'm hoping if they had wanted to rent it to a contractor for double or more, they'd have done so," she says. "But I am still afraid that 'the market' will trend upward quickly and they will just follow it or change their mind. "So yeah, it feels like Sizewell is the feudal lord of the land here with landlords as vassals and we're at their total mercy. 'Uncertainty' is the word."

Supplied Pub owner Sarah Hartman says Sizewell C workers are one of the reasons she remains in business

However, the employment boom has helped save one struggling village pub. Sarah Hartman, 66, runs The Butchers Arms in Knodishall, offering bed and breakfast, a 10-minute drive from Sizewell. She estimates about 75% of guests are Sizewell workers, bringing in an extra £10,000 a month. "It makes a lot of difference to us and keeps us open because, as just a pub, it is not sustainable. So if it wasn't for Sizewell, we would not survive," she says. "It has done us a brilliant turn and come at just the right time, really. But I don't want to be greedy, so I haven't put the prices up. I just want to keep the place open."

Supplied Tim Day, director of Suffolk Coastal Estate Agents and Sizewell Lettings, says demand for accommodation could soon extend far beyond Leiston

Tim Day, director of Suffolk Coastal Estate Agents and Sizewell Lettings, says much of the current demand is for "a service solution" – a short-term option including bills and cleaning, "not dissimilar to a holiday letting". Although quoted prices may state, for example, £3,000 a month, the tenant may not actually have to stay that long, says Mr Day, 55. "There's not much difference between offering a service solution to Sizewell workers and doing Airbnb. "We're in the accommodation business and we are responding to demand. But when one looks at that headline rate, it might not tell the true story."

Getty Images The new power station will sit alongside the existing Sizewell A, which ceased operation in 2006, and Sizewell B, which will stop generating electricity in 2035

Mr Day believes the demand for accommodation will soon spread far beyond Leiston as workers begin to travel in on park-and-ride buses from Wickham Market or Darsham. "So... the catchment area for accommodation for contractors is going to be absolutely vast, stretching from Lowestoft to Ipswich to Felixstowe. "With time, the reach for properties is going to be huge, and that might well mean that Leiston becomes less relevant."

Guy Campbell/BBC Bosses at Sizewell C say they are working to ensure the construction has no negative impact on locals

Sizewell C, partly funded by EDF, says it will support up to 70,000 jobs and provide energy for about six million homes for 60 years. Those behind the project, in which the government has an 85% stake, previously said they were working "closely with the housing team at East Suffolk Council" to ensure "no negative impacts" on the private housing sector and the local area. They also suggested it was "unlikely" that many workers involved in the project would have to pay the higher rents. David Beavan, independent cabinet member for housing at the council, says the authority is "proactively engaging with landlords to ensure rental prices remain as affordable as possible" and monitoring the number of people presenting as homeless locally. "We have a dedicated team working to mitigate any negative housing impacts from the construction," he adds.

Vikki Irwin/BBC Suffolk Coastal MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter is concerned about the recent rent increases in Leiston

The housing situation is "concerning", says Suffolk Coastal's Labour MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter. She says Sizewell C and the council need to work together to ensure that people in Leiston, rather than just private landlords, benefit from the opportunities of the new plant. "I am in touch with Sizewell C, East Suffolk Council and relevant ministers, and will continue to make this point clearly," she says. The BBC contacted four landlords advertising homes for rents of at least £3,000 per month in Leiston, but they either declined to comment or failed to respond. A spokesperson for the National Residential Landlords Association says "fluctuations" in rental prices reflect the increasing costs of providing quality accommodation and the scarcity of available homes. "Landlords' costs have increased significantly, which has unfortunately meant that many landlords have been forced to increase rents to ensure their businesses remain viable," they say. "These financial pressures include hiked interest rates, significant tax increases, and the rising cost of maintenance which has forced many landlords out of the market. "We continue to urge the government to introduce measures which will help stimulate growth across the UK's rental market. "A failure to do so will mean rents remain high and may continue to rise as the shortage of housing becomes more acute due to landlords exiting the market, reducing overall supply."

Some locals say rent hikes prompted by an influx of construction workers are pricing them out.

Landlords 'cashing in' on Sizewell C jobs boom, claim locals

Could getting a gym membership actually save you money in the shower?

All Things Money financial blogger Ola Majekodunmi goes through the numbers - in under a minute.

Produced by Jamie Moreland and the Video Formats team.

We investigate if getting a gym membership could actually save you money in the shower.

Shower at home vs at the gym: What’s cheaper?

Businesses in Lincoln have shared their views on consumers increasingly shunning cash in favour of card payments.

One owner says she had no choice but to offer card payments, despite the associated charges, as the lack of local banks has made it difficult to access cash.

But another is bucking the trend, preferring cash to keep costs down.

Will there still be a place for hard currency in the future? Not according to one shopper, who says: "Once it goes, it's never coming back."

Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, external, Twitter, external, and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk, external.

Traders in Lincoln have been sharing their experiences as customers increasingly opt to pay by card.

Cashless society: Lincoln firms have their say on cards replacing cash

The envelope budgeting method is making a comeback. Our North America business correspondent Michelle Fleury has four tips for making it work - in a minute.

Video by James Cooke and the Video Formats team

The envelope budgeting method is making a comeback. Here's what you need to know.

Make the most of cash stuffing

The prime minister said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had strongly "endorsed our plan to halve inflation".

Rishi Sunak was responding to the claim from Plaid's Liz Saville Roberts he was pushing families into poverty while letting corporate profits pile up, with "corporate greed" fuelling inflation.

Sunak and Starmer clash on house building targets at PMQs

The PM says the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has strongly "endorsed our plan to halve inflation".

PMQs: Sunak pushing families into poverty, says Plaid's Saville Roberts

'No fuss, no surprises': Shoppers defend supermarket cafes amid closures

5 hours ago Share Save Grace Dean BBC News Share Save

BBC Philomena says she's "furious" about the closure of the Morrisons cafe in Queensbury

It's Friday lunchtime at a Morrisons in Queensbury, north-west London, and the in-store cafe is busy. At one table, a teenager tucks into a ham sandwich while on the phone with a friend. She stays for well over half an hour. At another, an elderly couple chat over a hot meal, while a queue of customers steadily forms at the till. But this is one of 52 cafes set to close - including others in London, Leeds, Portsmouth and Glasgow - announced this week in a cost-cutting drive that the supermarket chain says is designed to "renew and reinvigorate Morrisons" and focus "investment into the areas that customers really value". That came two months after Sainsbury's said it was closing all 61 of its supermarket cafes. While some see the decline of supermarket cafes as inevitable, shoppers around the country have told BBC News that these cafes give them a cheap, convenient and welcoming place to get a warm meal while catching up with friends.

'Share a meal without the stress of cooking'

Regulars at the Morrisons cafe in Queensbury say they're surprised - and saddened - to hear it's closing. Philomena Hughes, 76, is having a meal with two friends, having just been shopping. The trio have bumped into a couple they know at the cafe, who move over to the table next to them and join in their conversation. Philomena says she's "furious" about the closure. "Morrisons was really the only place I would come," she says. "We meet people we know in here." Other regulars at the cafe tell the BBC that the quality is good, prices are low, and it's convenient to grab groceries beforehand. They point to offers such as a free kids meal with an adult's one, free parking, and fish and chips with mushy peas for £8.50. Morrisons says 344 of its cafes will remain open despite the planned closures but, according to its chief executive Rami Baitiéh, "a minority have specific local challenges and in those locations, regrettably, closure and re-allocation of the space is the only sensible option". Elsewhere in the country, Ben Hopkins, 32, feels his local Morrisons cafe in Meltham, West Yorkshire, is bustling every time he goes because "the food is typical of that you'd get in a traditional greasy spoon". Such outlets can come in handy for parents, too. Lisa Clavering, from St Albans, says she relied on Asda and Morrisons cafes for a "quick and cheap hot lunch" when her two sons were younger. "As they grew, it was somewhere we could go together and share a meal without the stress of cooking it and cleaning up, where I didn't feel judged by other customers if they made a noise," the 42-year-old says.

Lisa Clavering Lisa Clavering, 42, says she relied on supermarket cafes for a "quick and cheap hot lunch" when her two sons were younger

Lisa says part of the appeal of supermarket cafes is that they feel accessible - a "warm and welcoming place with no fuss and no surprises". "I do worry that once they go, there's not really a like-for-like to replace them, and other alternatives are typically much more expensive," Lisa says.

'Should come as no surprise'

But other people question the need for supermarket cafes, pointing to changes in people's shopping habits and the growing competition from high-street coffee chains. The closure of Morrisons cafes "should come as no surprise," retail analyst Natalie Berg tells the BBC. "The grocers are desperately trying to navigate significant cost headwinds, while simultaneously competing with discounters like Aldi and Lidl. "This is a low-margin industry, so supermarkets need to be utterly ruthless when it comes to cost-cutting." When shoppers come into larger supermarkets, they "want low prices and they want a frictionless experience. In-store cafes work in certain locations, but they're simply not essential for most stores," Ms Berg says. It largely echoes the reasoning Sainsbury's has given for its closures - that "the majority of [its] most loyal shoppers do not use the cafes regularly". Ben Tinca, 19, a student living near the Morrisons store in Queensbury, says he usually meets his friends at fast-food chains like Nando's, KFC and McDonald's. He's only ever been to a Morrisons cafe once. "You usually only see older people eating there," he says.

Ben Tinca says he usually meets his friends at fast-food chains, not supermarket cafes

And back at the Queensbury store, Snehal Khimani doesn't think people care too much about supermarket cafes closing, saying there has been no "outrage". "If it was popular, you'd hear about it," like when Pret A Manger changed its subscription service, he says. And besides, rival supermarket chains Tesco and Marks & Spencer - which have more than 300 cafes each - haven't said anything about closing their cafes. M&S tells the BBC that it's continuing to invest in its cafes and plans to have coffee shops in the majority of its bigger stores. Last year, it announced it would try offering more takeaway food and drink to attract younger customers. At an M&S Cafe in central London that the BBC visited, Matthew Wilsher has just got a cappuccino to go. For the 62-year-old, the numbers don't lie. His coffee cost £3.40, and would have been less if he'd remembered his reusable cup. For him, "that's cheaper than a Pret or a Starbucks," he says.

Morrisons and Sainsbury's have announced a raft of cafe closures - but some customers insist they should stay open.

Why are Morrisons and Sainsbury's cafes closing?

If you're worried about your mortgage rate, then there are things you can do. Watch the BBC business reporter Lora Jones tell you, in a minute.

Video by Sam Everett and the Video Formats team

Watch the BBC's Lora Jones tell you five things you can do about your mortgage, in a minute.

Interest rate and mortgages: What you can do about rising payments

The Labour leader asked Rishi Sunak about Tory MP George Freeman who left his ministerial job as he could not afford his mortgage.

Sir Keir Starmer joked that "nobody could be failed to be moved" by the plight of the Norfolk MP struggling with mortgage payments.

The PM claimed the Labour frontbench was "confused" over tax cuts, while more people were applying for mortgages.

Starmer and Sunak clash on mortgages and cost of living at PMQs

The Labour leader asks Rishi Sunak about Tory MP George Freeman who left his ministerial job as he could not afford his mortgage.

Starmer mocks PM over ex-minister struggling with mortgage

People in Gravesend, Kent, share stories about their finances and what they are hoping for from Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in Wednesday's Budget.

Would you share yours?

Video by Video Formats team and Yetunde Yusuf

Read more: 'I earn £1,600 a month and two-thirds goes on bills'

People in Kent share their finance stories ahead of Wednesday's Budget. Would you share yours?