Lower energy costs part of government's 10-year plan for industry

Conservative acting shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie criticised the plans, saying the UK needed "a serious approach to energy policy" that "tackles the root cause of our high energy prices".

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the industrial strategy "a turning point for Britain's economy" by supporting key industries where there is potential for growth.

The plan, which may slash energy bills by up to 25% for more than 7,000 UK businesses, is set to be unveiled on Monday alongside other measures hoped to boost growth.

Lowering energy costs for thousands of businesses by scrapping green levies will form a central part of the government's new 10-year industrial strategy.

He said it was "astonishing" Labour was "finally admitting that the costs of net zero are so high that they're having to spend billions of pounds of taxpayers' money subsidising businesses' energy bills to stop them going bust".

Manufacturers in the UK currently pay some of the highest electricity prices in the developed world.

A new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will cut costs by up to £40 per megawatt-hour from 2027 for more than 7,000 manufacturing firms by exempting them from levies on bills including the renewables obligation, feed-in tariffs and the capacity market.

About 500 of the most energy-intensive firms, including the steel industry, chemicals and glassmaking, will also have their network charges cut.

Those firms currently get a 60% discount through the British Industry Supercharger scheme, which will increase to 90% from 2026.

Monday's announcement will also contain measures to speed up the time it can take to connect new factories and projects to the energy grid.

The prime minister said the industrial strategy gave businesses "the long-term certainty and direction" they need to "invest, innovate and create good jobs that put more money in people's pockets".

It also aims to support the creation of more than one million new "well-paid jobs" over the next decade.

Other plans within the industrial strategy include:

upskilling Britons and reducing reliance on foreign workers by spending an extra £1.2bn each year for skills by 2028-29

attracting "elite global talent" to come and work in the UK with visa and migration reforms

hiring more planners and streamlining application processes to reduce planning timelines and cut costs for developers

boosting research and development spending to £22.6bn per year by 2029-30 to drive innovation - including £2bn for AI

The government said it will be focusing on eight specific sectors where the UK is already strong and therefore should have the potential for faster growth.

These sectors are advanced manufacturing, clean energy industries, creative industries, defence, digital and technologies, financial services, life sciences, and professional and business services.

A bespoke 10-year plan for five of the sectors will be published on Monday, but the defence, financial services and life sciences strategies will come later.

The announcement will come after latest figures showed the UK economy shrank by 0.3% in April - its worst contraction for a year-and-a-half.

Meanwhile, in April business groups raised concerns that the government's Employment Rights Bill could hit growth at an uncertain time for the UK economy.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the industrial strategy will "see billions of pounds for investment and cutting-edge tech, ease energy costs, and upskill the nation".

Manufacturer's organisation Make UK's chief executive Stephen Phipson said the government strategy set out plans to address "all three" major challenges facing industry - "a skills crisis, crippling energy costs and an inability to access capital for new British innovators".

Trades Union Congress (TUC) general secretary Paul Nowak welcomed action "to reduce sky-high energy costs for manufacturers".

He said: "For too long, UK industry has been hamstrung by energy prices far above those in France and Germany. It's made it harder to compete, invest, and grow."

Liberal Democrat business spokesperson Sarah Olney said government plans "must contain real solutions to bring down businesses' sky-high energy costs and upskill workers around the country" and ministers must ensure small businesses "are right at the heart" of measures.

Plans to slash energy bills by up to 25% for over 7,000 UK businesses will be announced alongside other plans to boost growth.

Lower energy costs part of government's 10-year plan for industry

Working at pantry 'helps me communicate better'

Rachel Fairless was referred to the scheme by the council's care leavers team

A care-experienced woman says volunteering at a new social supermarket has helped her develop her communication skills.

Rachel Fairless is part of a team running the new pantry at the Riverside Family Hub in North Shields, helping families who are struggling with the cost of living and rocketing food costs.

North Tyneside Council said the pantry, which opens once a week, offers a bag of store-cupboard, frozen and fresh goods for £10.

Miss Fairless said the work had "inspired her to cook" from scratch and she now wanted to pursue a culinary career.

The social supermarket in North Shields is a lifeline for struggling families, the council says.

North Shields social hub helps care-experienced people gain skills

London funeral costs highest in UK, report finds

6 hours ago Share Save Helen Drew & Olivia Demetriades BBC News, London Share Save

Getty Images The average cost of an attended funeral in London in 2024 was £5,449

The average cost of an attended funeral in London is the most expensive compared with anywhere else in the UK, according to a report. Financial services company SunLife found that the average funeral cost in 2024 was £4,285. In London, it was £5,449 - a 5.4% increase from the year before and 58% higher than in the least expensive region, Northern Ireland. Concerns have been raised about funeral poverty, with charity Quaker Social Action saying the financial stress can "rob people of their ability to grieve". The government offers some people a subsidy; on certain government benefits a Funeral Expenses Payment can help cover some of the costs.

Of those who receive a Funeral Expenses Payment, the subsidy covers approximately 46% of the total funeral costs, on average, the SunLife report found. There are also public health funerals, which are a basic funeral service arranged and paid for by the local authority.

The overall cost of dying in 2024 reached its highest level at an average £9,797

Lindesay Mace, who leads on strategic work to tackle funeral poverty for Quaker Social Action, said: "We hear so often from people that they don't have the mental space to grieve because all they can do is think about how they're going to pay the costs. "Faced with these costs that they can't afford people sometimes use their rent money to pay a funeral deposit or they will cut back on food or not pay essential bills just trying to scrape that money together." However, Clare Montagu, chief executive for Poppy's Funerals, told BBC London there are ways to reduce costs to make a funeral meaningful. "You could have a simple cardboard coffin and you can make it really personal by decorating it yourself, putting images or words or symbols that are meaningful to you and to the person who's died," she said. "You can bring your own flowers, you don't need to pay for a florist, you can run the ceremony yourself, you don't need to have a religious minister or a celebrant."

Reducing costs

Jordan Flynn, from SunLife, said the capital had the fewest people making financial provision for their own funerals, and the highest number of funeral organisers reporting significant financial concern as a result of covering funeral costs. He advised trying to obtain quotes from a few different funeral directors and asking them how to bring the cost down. The report also found a simple attended cremation with a service was the most popular type of funeral. This is a less expensive option, and direct cremations - an unattended funeral - are cheaper, costing on average £1,597.

Dan Garrett, from funeral services provider Dignity, said the number of direct cremations had increased over the last five years from about 2% of all funerals in 2019 to about 20% of the funeral market in the last year. "It's a significantly more affordable product and 89% of families who have a direct cremation then organise a separate celebration of life," he added. According to SunLife, the overall cost of dying in 2024 reached its highest level at an average price of £9,797, including the funeral, professional fees and send-off costs. Ms Mace said government support and wages had not kept up with funeral inflation and many funeral costs had "outstripped general inflation in the last 20 years". A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spokesperson said: "Losing a loved one is devastating and we understand the financial impacts it can have on families. "The DWP Funeral Expenses Payment scheme makes a contribution towards the cost of a funeral arranged by someone who is in receipt of certain income-related benefits. It also offers an additional £1,000 to meet other funeral expenses."

You can watch the latest edition of Politics London in full on BBC iPlayer

The average price in 2024 was £5,449, which is a 5.4% increase on the year before,  the report says.

London funeral costs highest in UK, report finds

FedEx founder and former boss Fred Smith dies aged 80

Fred Smith, founder of the US parcel delivery giant Federal Express, has died at the age of 80, the company has announced.

Mr Smith founded the firm in 1973 having previously served in the US Marine Corps. He ran the company as CEO until 2022.

"Fred was more than just the pioneer of an industry and the founder of our great company. He was the heart and soul of FedEx," current boss Raj Subramaniam wrote in a memo to staff.

Born in 1944, Mr Smith started FedEx with 389 staff and 14 small planes that carried 186 packages from Memphis to 25 cities within the US.

The Vietnam War veteran started the firm in 1973 with 14 planes before it became a global brand.

FedEx founder and former CEO Fred Smith dies aged 80

Young people face 'soul-destroying' struggle to buy first homes

53 minutes ago Share Save Nic Rigby BBC Politics East Share Save

Andrew Sinclair/BBC Lauren Finch is hoping to get on the housing ladder

The government wants 1.5 million new homes to be built in England by 2029 but, with the average house in the East costing £332,000, about nine times the average salary, what chance do young people have of getting on the housing ladder? Lauren Finch, 29, told BBC Politics East a mortgage broker advised her to ask for a pay rise, get a new job or find a partner to move in with. Living with her 28-year-old sister at her parent's home in Lowestoft, Suffolk, she often finds herself house-sitting for friends as a way to get some independence. She said her £24,000 salary at a GP surgery meant she could only afford a £90,000 home and would struggle to find a property in the area where she would feel safe. "I feel frustrated that I'm at this age and living at home and it is a little bit soul-destroying," she explained. Renting is an option she hopes to avoid: "People I know who rent, struggle to save any money for a (mortgage) deposit."

Nic Rigby/BBC Would-be house hunter Charlotte Spendlove (left), Spencer Burrell (middle) of developer Big Sky Living, and businesswoman CJ Green (right)

Former Miss Cromer Charlotte Spendlove rents a room in a friend's house and said she received similar advice on getting on the housing ladder. "They tell you you have to do x, y and z. They've said I need to get an extra job. At one time I had three jobs. But it's not a way of life," she said. The 26-year-old believes people with second homes are driving up house prices and wants the government to look into the issue. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said it inherited a "devastating housing crisis" and was providing support for first-time buyers.

Average house prices vary across the East of England, according to the Office for National Statistics: Cambridge: £521,000

Colchester: £302,000

Northampton: £258,000

Norwich: £232,000

Ipswich: £228,000 The average annual rent in the East of England is approximately £15,660, based on an average monthly rent of £1,305, a 4.2% increase on the previous year.

Nic Rigby/BBC Environmentalist, archaeologist and TV presenter Helen Geake (left) talked to Essex builder Oliver Hall (middle) and chair of Eastern Powerhouse James Palmer (right)

Environmentalist and archaeologist Helen Geake, a former Green councillor from Suffolk, said: "We have a surplus of homes but they are being used in the wrong way, being used for second homes, or short-term lets, or empty. "Also, private rentals are a very inefficient use of a house. We have got to see more homes with owner-occupiers and socially rented." James Palmer, chair of regional business champion the Eastern Powerhouse, has called for better infrastructure to be built to support new housing. Speaking at a BBC Politics East special at the Big Sky Living development at Cringleford, on the outskirts of Norwich, he said: "The public transport in the East is appalling. "We need a long-term infrastructure plan to then deliver the homes."

Nic Rigby/BBC A new estate is being built at Cringleford on the outskirts of Norwich

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokeswoman said: "We have inherited a devastating housing crisis. "As set out in our plan for change, we will build 1.5 million new homes and give working people the stability and security of a home they deserve. "We're committed to supporting first-time buyers with a new permanent mortgage guarantee scheme, helping them take their first crucial step on the ladder with a small deposit."

One would-be buyer says a mortgage broker advised her to ask for a pay rise or find a partner.

Young people in the East of England struggle to buy a first home

How a joke about rice cost a Japan cabinet minister his job

21 May 2025 Share Save Mariko Oi Business reporter Share Save

Reuters Taku Eto's comments that he never had to buy rice caused outrage

When Japan's farm minister declared that he never had to buy rice because his supporters give him "plenty" of it as gifts, he hoped to draw laughs. Instead Taku Eto drew outrage - and enough of it to force him to resign. Japan is facing its first cost-of-living crisis in decades, which is hitting a beloved staple: rice. The price has more than doubled in the last year, and imported varieties are few and far between. Eto apologised, saying he had gone "too far" with his comments on Sunday at a local fundraiser. He resigned after opposition parties threatened a no-confidence motion against him. His ousting deals a fresh blow to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's minority government, which was already struggling with falling public support. Rice can be a powerful trigger in Japan, where shortages have caused political upsets before. Riots over the soaring cost of rice even toppled a government in 1918. So it's not that surprising that rice prices have a role in Ishiba's plummeting approval ratings. "Politicians don't go to supermarkets to do their grocery shopping so they don't understand," 31-year-old Memori Higuchi tells the BBC from her home in Yokohama. Ms Higuchi is a first-time mother of a seven-month-old. Good food for her postnatal recovery has been crucial, and her daughter will soon start eating solid food. "I want her to eat well so if prices keep going up, we may have to reduce the amount of rice my husband and I eat."

A costly error?

It's a simple issue of supply and demand, agricultural economist Kunio Nishikawa of Ibaraki University says. But he believes it was caused by a government miscalculation. Until 1995, the government controlled the amount of rice farmers produced by working closely with agricultural cooperatives. The law was abolished that year but the agriculture ministry continues to publish demand estimates so farmers can avoid producing a glut of rice. But, Prof Nishikawa says, they got it wrong in 2023 and 2024. They estimated the demand to be 6.8m tonnes, while the actual demand, he adds, was 7.05m tonnes. Demand for rice went up because of more tourists visiting Japan and a rise in people eating out after the pandemic.

Getty Images Many stores are asking customers to buy only one bag per person or family to avoid empty shelves

But actual production was even lower than the estimate: 6.61m tonnes, Prof Nishikawa says. "It is true that the demand for rice jumped, due to several factors - including the fact that rice was relatively affordable compared to other food items and a rise in the number of overseas visitors," a spokesperson for the agriculture ministry told the BBC. "The quality of rice wasn't great due to unusually high temperatures which also resulted in lower rice production."

Growing rice is no longer profitable

Rice farmers have been unable to make enough money for many years, says 59-year-old Kosuke Kasahara, whose family have been in farming for generations. He explains that it costs approximately 18,500 yen ($125.70; £94.60) to produce 60kg of rice but the cooperative in his area of Niigata on the west coast of Japan offered to buy it last year at 19,000 yen. "Until three or four years ago, the government would even offer financial incentives to municipalities that agreed to reduce rice production," he adds. The ministry spokesperson confirms that the government has offered subsidies to those choosing to produce wheat or soybeans instead of rice. Meanwhile, younger farmers have been choosing to produce different types of rice that are used for sake, rice crackers or fed to livestock because demand for rice in Japan had been falling until last year. "I got tired of fighting retailers or restaurants that wanted me to sell rice cheaply for many years," says Shinya Tabuchi. But that's been flipped on its head, with the going rate for 60kg of rice today at 40,000 to 50,000 yen. While higher prices are bad news for shoppers, it means many struggling farmers will finally be able to make money. But as the public grew angry with the surge, the government auctioned some of its emergency reserves of rice in March to try to bring prices down.

Getty Images Rice, a Japanese staple, has caused political upsets before

Many countries have strategic reserves - stockpiles of vital goods - of crude oil or natural gas to prepare for exceptional circumstances. In Asia, many governments also have stockpiles of rice. In recent years, Japan's rice stockpile had only been tapped in the wake of natural disasters. "The government has always told us that they would not release its emergency rice stocks to control the price so we felt betrayed," Mr Tabuchi says. Despite the government's rare decision to release rice, prices have continued to rise.

Tackling soaring prices

The cost of rice is also soaring in South East Asia, which accounts for almost 30% of global rice production - economic, political and climate pressures have resulted in shortages in recent years. In Japan though the issue has become so serious that the country has begun importing rice from South Korea for the first time in a quarter of a century, even though consumers prefer homegrown varieties. PM Ishiba has also hinted at expanding imports of US rice as his government continues to negotiate a trade deal with Washington. But shoppers like Ms Higuchi say they are unlikely to buy non-Japanese rice. "We've been saying local production for local consumption for a long time," she says. "There has to be a way for Japanese farmers to be profitable and consumers to feel safe by being able to afford home-grown produce."

Memori Higuchi First time mother Memori Higuchi says she hesitates to buy non-Japanese rice

Soaring rice prices are a powerful trigger in Japan, where shortages have caused political upsets before.

How a joke about rice cost a Japan cabinet minister his job

Blackmail victims told 'don't suffer in silence'

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

Getty Images

Students are being urged not to suffer in silence when targeted by scams on dating apps, as investigators see blackmail cases rise. Fraud teams at Nationwide, the UK's biggest building society, said trusted friends could help potential victims avoid sending private or intimate images during new online relationships. Anyone who has been scammed should report cases to the authorities, they said. One student in Cardiff told the BBC how a drink in the pub had alerted them to the risk of a friend being tricked by fraudsters using AI technology. Last year, the National Crime Agency (NCA) put out its first ever all-school alert, warning teenagers about the dangers of sextortion.

Blackmail warning

Sextortion is when criminals pose as young people online, trick a victim into sending sexually explicit material, and then blackmail them. Annya Burksys, head of fraud operations at Nationwide, said that scammers were "efficient and unrelenting". As a result, these kinds of scams were "commonplace" among students. Data on such crimes is difficult to gather, as they are recorded in different ways or are never reported at all. A survey by Nationwide suggested 28% of students asked had been scammed, and 50% of students worried about becoming a victim. Last year, BBC News sent a Freedom of Information request to every police force in the UK, asking how many reported blackmail offences featured the word "sextortion" over the last decade. The 33 forces (out of a total of 45) who responded recorded almost 8,000 blackmail cases logged with a reference to sextortion in 2023. The same number of forces recorded just 23 in 2014. All the forces to respond were in England and Wales.

'You're talking to a bot'

On a night out with friends, Emma Evans, a student in Cardiff, was chatting to one of them about his chats on dating apps. He suggested the group look through some of the conversations, but one "particularly attractive and particularly keen" match raised alarm bells. "We looked at this chat and the thing that gave it away was that this person was saying the same words over and over again," Emma told BBC Radio 4's You and Yours. "For example, he kept on saying how he wanted to find someone who is really passionate over and over again, and he wasn't really answering my friend's questions." The group pointed out to their friend that the language seemed to be the speech patterns of an AI chatbot.

Talk to a friend

Jim Winters, head of economic crime at Nationwide, urged people not to overshare images, particularly with someone they had never met. "Blackmail is one of the hardest things to face and it's happening more often. It's not easy but if something doesn't feel right, speak up," he said. "It might be tempting in the moment to share information or photos but once shared, you will never have control over it again." He has the following tips: Look out for odd phrases in messages and conversations that do not relate to what you have written

Put any profile photos into a search engine and see if they have been used elsewhere, and are stock images

If you are unsure about a situation, show the messages to someone else for a second opinion before things go too far

Anyone who is being blackmailed should report their case to the authorities, for help and support "Talk to someone you trust, maybe a friend or family member. Don't suffer in silence," he said.

Exploiting grief

Getty Images

Students are being targeted by romance scams on dating apps, but talking to a friend can help avoid the danger.

Dating app scam victims told 'don't suffer in silence'

How much is the winter fuel payment and who will get it?

2 days ago Share Save Kevin Peachey Cost of living correspondent Share Save

Getty Images

More people will get the next winter fuel payment after a widely-expected U-turn over eligibility. The government bad been criticised for its 2024 decision to limit the payment to those receiving pension credit or another means-tested benefit, which meant millions of older people missed out. The reversal means 75% of pensioners in England and Wales will receive the payment in winter 2025, and the rules will also change again in Scotland.

What is the winter fuel payment and how are the rules changing again?

The winter fuel payment was previously paid to all pensioners to help with energy costs during the coldest period of the year. But in July 2024, the government said future payments in England and Wales would go only to those on low incomes who received specified benefits such as pension credit. The changes meant that more than 10 million pensioners did not receive a winter fuel payment in 2024. Several charities, unions, and MPs criticised the decision. They expressed concern about the number of older people living on a relatively small income who would miss out, as well as those who do not claim pension credit despite qualifying for it. Some Labour MPs blamed the policy for the party's losses in the May local elections and the Runcorn and Helsby by-election. After much speculation, Reeves announced a U-turn in June which means winter fuel payments will now go to around nine million pensioners in England and Wales with an annual income of £35,000 or less. She said the government would "continue to means-test this payment so that it is targeted and fair, rather than restoring eligibility to everyone including the wealthiest". Labour hopes to put winter fuel misstep behind them

Millionaires shouldn't get winter fuel cash, minister says

How much is the winter fuel payment worth and how will it be paid in England and Wales?

The winter fuel payment is worth £200 for people of state pension age up to 79-years-old. People aged 80 or older receive £300. In winter 2025, pensioners in England and Wales will get the payment automatically. It is usually paid in November or December. Households in England and Wales which do not receive an income-related benefit such as Pension Credit will share the payment. For example, a couple each aged under 80 will be paid £100 per person. In a household with two eligible residents, if one earns more than £35,000 and the other earns less than that, the higher-income pensioner will not receive anything and the lower-income pensioner will receive half the payment. In order to work out who you're in a household with, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will cross-reference all the data held in the benefits system. This includes the state pension, pension credit and the Attendance Allowance which is then matched with your address. The roughly two million people above state pension age who have a taxable yearly income of more than £35,000 will receive the winter fuel payment but it will be clawed back through higher tax bills.

Getty Images

What is happening to winter fuel payments in Northern Ireland and Scotland?

It is not yet clear if Northern Ireland will also reverse the move to means-based winter fuel payments. In 2024 Northern Ireland Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said funding constraints meant the Stormont government had to follow Westminster's lead. He later said affected pensioners would receive a one-off payment of £100 to help with heating costs. In Scotland, the government had already planned to introduced a new winter heating payment "for every single Scottish pensioner" before winter 2025. However, Holyrood ministers now plan to match the £35,000 income limit being introduced in England and Wales. The amount paid may be slightly higher - either £203.40 or £305.10 per household - as, unlike in England and Wales, the payment would be increased in line with inflation.

How was the winter fuel payment linked to pension credit?

Although the winter fuel payment is typically paid automatically, without a direct claim, the vast majority of those eligible in winter 2024 only received the money if they had already registered to receive pension credit. This is a state pension top-up, which itself is worth thousands of pounds a year, and can be a gateway to other financial support, including a reduction in council tax, a free TV licence for those aged over 75, or help with NHS costs. However, despite regular campaigns from the government encouraging take-up - and an increase in claims after the July 2024 announcement - more than half a million eligible pensioners still fail to claim it. You could be eligible for Pension Credit if you are above state pension age and have an income of less that £218.15 a week, or less than £332.95 as a joint weekly income with your partner. Savings are also taken into account. You can check your eligibility via the government's online calculator. Information is also available about how to make a claim.

How can I check if I'm eligible for other benefits?

The independent MoneyHelper website - which is backed by government - provides a general guide to benefits including details about who qualifies, and what to do if something goes wrong. Independent benefits calculators are run by Policy in Practice and charities Entitledto and Turn2us

The government has confirmed it will reverse some of the recent changes to the winter fuel payment.

What is the winter fuel payment worth and who will get it?

Group stepping in where 'everyone is struggling'

12 minutes ago Share Save Josh Sandiford BBC News, Wolverhampton Share Save

BBC Jane Platt is a volunteer helping others even though she is struggling herself

Jane Platt's bright pink polo shirt marks her out as a volunteer at the Big Venture Centre. The community shop provides discounted items and other help to people living in some of the most deprived areas of Wolverhampton. Places like Bushbury, Heath Town and Low Hill, where Ms Platt believes "everyone is struggling", including herself. The local council insists it is there for those who need support, but some living in the areas say they feel forgotten.

"My baby won't play out in the streets," explained Ms Platt, who lives near the Scotlands Estate.

The Big Venture Centre helps people with discounted items and other support

The 45-year-old has been volunteering at the centre for years and said it helped her gain skills and look after her own mental health. But she claimed it was also one of the only places she felt safe in the area. "You can't look at people when you [are out]," Ms Platt said. "I try and look the opposite way because you just don't know what they're going to say."

Tracey Walters likes living in the area but said there was scope for improvement

Tracey Walters, a resident being supported by the Big Venture Centre, was born in the area. The 61-year-old said she liked living there but felt it had been "forgotten" about. She demanded more activities for younger children on the estate, and was also concerned about rubbish. "I don't think Wolverhampton Council care about this area," she said. The council said there was more than £121,000 in funding for children in the Scotlands during the school holidays, adding it received regular litter picks and sweeps.

One woman asked not be named but said the area was "scruffy"

The local authority also insisted 112 jobs involving roads and street lighting had been carried out. But another centre user, who asked not to be named, said it looked "scruffy". The woman, who has lived in the area all her life, said drugs and other forms of anti-social behaviour were a big problem, often because young people did not have anything to do. "It used be nice area at one time but there's nothing left," she claimed. "It's just empty houses that get smashed up. You find needles on the floor [and] nobody cares."

The council said it was working to make sure no residents were left behind

Despite the issues, volunteer director David Chadwick insisted the Scotlands was a place where "everybody will help everybody". "Without us a lot of families would suffer and that's why we're here," he said. City of Wolverhampton Council said it was working with police and other organisations to make sure the area was safe and nobody was "left behind". "The council has awarded millions of pounds in regeneration grants in the area and created The Big Venture centre by a community asset transfer," a spokesperson said. "We hold regular community resident meeting where people can talk directly to the council."

Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

The BBC visits a community centre in one of Wolverhampton's most deprived areas.

Big Venture Centre stepping in where 'everyone is struggling'

Did Trump really strike Gulf deals worth $2tn?

20 May 2025 Share Save Sameer Hashmi Business reporter Reporting from Jeddah Share Save

Getty Images Trump started the four-day visit in Saudi Arabia where deals worth $600bn were announced

Flying home from his Gulf trip last week, President Donald Trump told reporters "that was a great four days, historic four days". Visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), he added in this trademark swagger that "the jobs and money coming into our countries, there has never been anything like it". Trump claimed that he was able to secure deals totalling more than $2tn (£1.5tn) for the US, but do the numbers add up? The trip itself was an extravaganza, with the three Gulf states pulling out all the stops. Escorts of fighter jets, extravagant welcoming ceremonies, a thundering 21-gun salute, a fleet of Tesla Cybertrucks, royal camels, Arabian horses, and sword dancers were all part of the pageantry. The UAE also awarded Mr Trump the country's highest civilian honour, the Order of Zayed. The visit's optics were striking; the region's richest petrostates flaunted their opulence, revealing just how much of that fortune they were ready to deploy to strengthen ties with the US while advancing their own economic goals.

Before embarking on the trip, President Trump, who touts himself as a "dealmaker in chief" was clear that the main objective of the trip was to land investments worth billions of dollars. On the face of it, he succeeded. In Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reiterated a pledge to invest $600bn in US-Saudi partnerships. There were a plethora of deals announced as part of this, encompassing arms, artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare, infrastructure projects and science collaborations, and various security ties and initiatives. The $142bn defence deal grabbed a lot of the attention as it was described by the White House as the largest arms deal ever. However, there remains some doubt as to whether those investment figures are realistic. During his first term in office from 2017 to 2021, Trump had announced that Saudi Arabia had agreed to $450bn in deals with the US. But actual trade and investment flows amounted to less than $300bn between 2017 to 2020, according to data compiled by the Arab Gulf States Institute. The report was authored by Tim Callen, the former International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission chief to Saudi Arabia, and now a visiting fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute. "The proof with all of these [new] deals will be in the pudding," says Mr Callen. The BBC contacted the White House for comment.

Getty Images President Trump was given a welcome fit for royalty

In Qatar, Trump announced an "economic exchange" worth at least $1.2tn. However, in the fact sheet released by the White House deals worth only $243.5bn between the two countries were mentioned. One of the Qatari agreements that was confirmed was Qatar Airways purchasing up to 210 passenger jets for $96bn from the beleaguered American aircraft manufacturer Boeing. The White House said the deal would support 154,000 jobs in the US each year of their production, totalling one million jobs over the deal's lifecycle. Meanwhile, the UAE inked an agreement to construct the world's largest AI campus outside the US, reportedly granting it access to 500,000 cutting edge microchips from US giant Nvidia, starting next year. This project sits within the UAE's broader pledge to invest $1.4tn in the US over the next decade.

As well as the challenge of delivering what is promised, another potential obstacle to these figures being realised are oil prices. Oil prices tumbled to a four-year low in April amid growing concerns that Trump's tariffs could dampen global economic growth. The decline was further fuelled by the group of oil producing nations, Opec+, announcing plans to increase output. For Saudi Arabia, the fall in global oil prices since the start of the year has further strained its finances, increasing pressure to either raise debt or cut spending to sustain its development goals. Last month, the IMF cut the forecast for the world's largest oil exporter's GDP growth in 2025 to 3% from its previous estimate of 3.3%. "It's going to be very hard for Saudi to come up with that sort of money [the $600bn announced] in the current oil price environment," Mr Callen adds. Other analysts note that a lot of the agreements signed during the trip were non-binding memorandums of understanding, which are less formal than contracts, and do not always translate into actual transactions. And some of the deals included in the agreement were announced earlier. Saudi oil firm Aramco, for instance, announced 34 agreements with US companies valued at up to $90bn. However, most were non-binding memorandums of understanding without specified monetary commitments. And its agreement to purchase 1.2 million tonnes of liquified natural gas annually for 20 years from US firm NextDecade was also included in the list of new deals, despite it first being announced months ago.

Getty Images One of the deals announced on the trip was Qatar Airways buying 210 new aircraft from Boeing

Yet the massive investments mark a continuation of the shift in the US-Gulf relationship away from oil-for-security to stronger economic partnerships rooted in bilateral investments. Bader Al Saif, an assistant professor at Kuwait University and an associate fellow at think tank Chatham House, says that the deals indicate that US and the Gulf states are "planning the future together and that was a significant change for the relationship". He adds that the AI deals with the UAE and Saudi Arabia were central to this as "they clearly demonstrate that they are trying to see how to build the new global order and the new way of doing things together". This emphasis on AI underscores the growing strategic importance of the technology to US diplomacy. Trump was accompanied on the trip by Sam Altman, the boss of OpenAI, Nvidia's Jensen Huang, and Elon Musk, who owns Grok AI. And on the eve of the visit, the White House scrapped tough Biden-era restrictions on exports of the advanced US semiconductors required to best run AI systems. The rules had divided the world into tiers, with some countries enjoying broad access to its high-end chips, and others being denied them altogether. About 120 countries, including the Gulf nations, were grouped in the middle, facing strict caps on the number of semiconductors they could import. This had frustrated countries such as Saudi Arabia, who have ambitions to become high-tech economies as they transition away from oil. Both Saudi and the UAE are racing to build large-scale AI data centres, while Abu Dhabi, the UAE's capital, aims to become a global AI hub. The UAE has made visible efforts to reassure Washington – deepening partnerships with US tech firms, curbing ties with Chinese companies, and aligning more closely with American national security interests. Mr Al-Saif says that the UAE is "betting on the Americans when it comes to AI". "We have seen that the technological turn in the 90s came from the US anyway."

Getty Images After Saudi Arabia Trump travelled to Qatar where $1.2tn of deals were announced

Some analysts question whether the amount of investment will ultimately be that high.

Did Trump really strike Gulf deals worth $2tn?

BBC threatens AI firm with legal action over unauthorised content use

5 hours ago Share Save Liv McMahon Technology reporter Share Save

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The BBC is threatening to take legal action against an artificial intelligence (AI) firm whose chatbot the corporation says is reproducing BBC content "verbatim" without its permission. The BBC has written to Perplexity, which is based in the US, demanding it immediately stops using BBC content, deletes any it holds, and proposes financial compensation for the material it has already used. It is the first time that the BBC - one of the world's largest news organisations - has taken such action against an AI company. In a statement, Perplexity said: "The BBC's claims are just one more part of the overwhelming evidence that the BBC will do anything to preserve Google's illegal monopoly."

It did not explain what it believed the relevance of Google was to the BBC's position, or offer any further comment. The BBC's legal threat has been made in a letter to Perplexity's boss Aravind Srinivas. "This constitutes copyright infringement in the UK and breach of the BBC's terms of use," the letter says. The BBC also cited its research published earlier this year that found four popular AI chatbots - including Perplexity AI - were inaccurately summarising news stories, including some BBC content. Pointing to findings of significant issues with representation of BBC content in some Perplexity AI responses analysed, it said such output fell short of BBC Editorial Guidelines around the provision of impartial and accurate news. "It is therefore highly damaging to the BBC, injuring the BBC's reputation with audiences - including UK licence fee payers who fund the BBC - and undermining their trust in the BBC," it added.

Web scraping scrutiny

Chatbots and image generators that can generate content response to simple text or voice prompts in seconds have swelled in popularity since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in late 2022. But their rapid growth and improving capabilities has prompted questions about their use of existing material without permission. Much of the material used to develop generative AI models has been pulled from a massive range of web sources using bots and crawlers, which automatically extract site data. The rise in this activity, known as web scraping, recently prompted British media publishers to join calls by creatives for the UK government to uphold protections around copyrighted content. What is AI, and how do chatbots like ChatGPT and DeepSeek work? In response to the BBC's letter, the Professional Publishers Association (PPA) - which represents over 300 media brands - said it was "deeply concerned that AI platforms are currently failing to uphold UK copyright law." It said bots were being used to "illegally scrape publishers' content to train their models without permission or payment." It added: "This practice directly threatens the UK's £4.4 billion publishing industry and the 55,000 people it employs." Many organisations, including the BBC, use a file called "robots.txt" in their website code to try to block bots and automated tools from extracting data en masse for AI. It instructs bots and web crawlers to not access certain pages and material, where present. But compliance with the directive remains voluntary and, according to some reports, bots do not always respect it. The BBC said in its letter that while it disallowed two of Perplexity's crawlers, the company "is clearly not respecting robots.txt". Mr Srinivas denied accusations that its crawlers ignored robots.txt instructions in an interview with Fast Company last June. Perplexity also says that because it does not build foundation models, it does not use website content for AI model pre-training.

'Answer engine'

It is first time that the BBC has taken such action regarding alleged scraping of its content for AI.

BBC threatens AI firm with legal action over unauthorised content use

River Island set to close 33 shops

2 hours ago Share Save Tom Espiner Business reporter, BBC News Share Save

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River Island plans to close 33 shops in the UK in a move which puts hundreds of jobs at risk. The clothing retailer said more people shopping online and higher costs to run stores were behind its proposals to creditors. It also wants its landlords to cut rents at a further 71 stores which are at risk. The family-owned retailer currently has 230 shops and employs about 5,500 people, but has suffered heavy financial losses.

Ben Lewis, chief executive of River Island, said that although River Island is "a much-loved" British high street retailer, more online shopping means it has "a large portfolio of stores that is no longer aligned to our customers' needs". He added that a "sharp rise in the cost of doing business over the last few years has only added to the financial burden". He said a turnaround plan was in place, but restructuring was also necessary. "We regret any job losses as a result of store closures, and we will try to keep these to a minimum," he added. River Island made a £33.2m loss in 2023 after sales fell 19%, according to its most recent set of accounts. It declined to say which stores it is planning to close.

The chain said it intends to consult employees over the possible job losses, and will redeploy staff where possible. No head office staff will be directly affected by the proposed closures, a company source said. Creditors will start to vote on the plan on 4 August, and a court will decide whether to approve the plan on 7 August. River Island was founded in 1948 under the Lewis and Chelsea Girl brand before being renamed in the 1980s.

The retailer blames the rise of online shopping for its decision, which risks hundreds of jobs.

River Island to close 33 shops

Thames Water nationalisation prep 'stepped up'

Leonie Dubois, from the water company, said it was "working hard to get the company on a much firmer financial footing".

Earlier this month, Thames Water faced a major blow in its attempt to secure its future after US private equity giant KKR pulled out of a £4bn rescue deal for the company.

Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Steve Reed said the government "stand ready for all eventualities" - including placing the embattled water company under its control "if that were to become necessary".

The government has "stepped up" preparations for the potential temporary nationalisation of Thames Water, the environment secretary has said.

"The government will always act in the national interest on these issues," he added.

Answering a question from the Labour MP for Monmouthshire, Catherine Fookes, Reed said Thames Water "remains financially stable" and that the government had "stepped up" its preparations for potential nationalisation.

'Business as usual'

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

But it has huge debts and is struggling to fix leaks, stop sewage spills, and modernise outdated infrastructure.

In May, the water company's chief told MPs that its survival depended on the industry regulator Ofwat being lenient over fines and penalties for its environmental failings.

The BBC understands that KKR pulled out of its deal to invest in the firm in part due to the political and regulatory risk surrounding the firm.

But speaking on Thursday, Mr Reed said: "Thames Water must meet its statutory and regulatory obligations to its customers and to the environment—it is only right that the company is subject to the same consequences as any other water company."

When asked about the firm being placed into government-supervised administration, Ms Dubois said: "We're getting on with the business of serving customers with water and treating their sewage, so it's business as usual for us."

"We're working hard to get the company on a much firmer financial footing and we're just getting on with the day job," she said.

In a statement, Thames Water added: "Our focus remains on a holistic and fundamental recapitalisation, delivering a market-led solution which includes targeting investment grade credit ratings."

Regardless of who owns Thames Water, its water services will continue as normal.

Thames Water is effectively owned by its lenders and a consortium of them has prepared a plan to raise equity which sources say is ready to go and fully funded.

The Thames Water Creditor Group have submitted to Ofwat a £17bn plan for the recapitalisation of the water company.

A spokesperson for the creditors said: "Broad regulatory support is needed to unlock a market-led solution for Thames Water that will secure billions of pounds in fresh investment for its ageing network, allowing a world class leadership team to start the intensive turnaround and deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment.

They added that the group was "committed to working with the government and regulators to agree a pragmatic plan that recognises what Thames Water can realistically deliver".

The Environment Secretary Steve Reed says the government "stand ready for all eventualities".

Thames Water nationalisation prep 'stepped up', says government

New emissions guidance for oil and gas projects

16 hours ago Share Save Mary McCool BBC Scotland News Share Save

PA Media Operators now have to carry out assessments that take emissions from burning oil and gas into account

The UK government has published guidance on how it will consider fresh applications for oil and gas projects. Operators will now have to draw up new environmental impact assessments that take emissions released from burning oil and gas into account - not just the emissions from production. The move will determine whether production can go ahead in the controversial Scottish fields Rosebank and Jackdaw - but gives no indication as to whether ministers would give their approval. Energy Minister Michael Shanks said the guidance provided clarity on the way forward for the North Sea oil and gas industry.

However climate campaigners say new developments will make "barely a dent" in the UK's reliance on imported fossil fuels.

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The new guidance was drawn up in response to a landmark Supreme Court ruling last year, that Surrey County Council should have considered the full climate impact of burning oil from new wells. Previously, those assessments took into account emissions generated by the process of extracting oil and gas. However, they did not count the greenhouse gases which would be released when those fossil fuels were eventually burned - known as "downstream" or "Scope 3" emissions. In January, the Court of Session in Edinburgh ruled that the decision in that case should apply retrospectively to Rosebank and Jackdaw. Shell's Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea was originally approved by the previous UK Conservative government, and the industry regulator, in summer 2022. Permission for the Rosebank oil development, 80 miles west of Shetland in the North Atlantic, was granted in autumn 2023. Lord Ericht said work on both fields could continue while the new information was gathered but no oil and gas could be extracted unless fresh approval was granted.

The climate watchdog - Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning - and regulator the North Sea Transition Authority had paused decisions on licenses for new drilling projects and the granting of existing licenses until the government clarified its position. Publication of the new guidance means offshore developers can submit their applications for consent to extract oil and gas in already-licensed fields. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and the regulator will then reconsider whether or not to grant consent, taking downstream emissions into account. Miliband previously described the licence issued to Rosebank as "climate vandalism". The UK government said it would consider the significance of a project's environmental impact, "while taking into account and balancing relevant factors on a case-by-case basis such as the potential economic impact and other implications of the project". No decisions are expected until the end of the summer. Michael Shanks said: "This new guidance... marks a step forward in ensuring the full implications of oil and gas extraction are considered for potential projects and that we ensure a managed, prosperous, and orderly transition to the North Sea's clean energy future, in line with the science. "We are working with industry, trade unions, local communities and environmental groups to ensure the North Sea and its workers are at the heart of Britain's clean energy future for decades to come – supporting well-paid, skilled jobs, driving growth and boosting our energy security." First Minister John Swinney said his government would take take time to consider the implications of the new advice on oil and gas consenting. He said the guidance recognised his government's contention that all emissions have to be considered when decisions are taken about future projects. Judgements, he said, have to be taken "objectively and dispassionately" and that it was important to act to protect the planet.

'Incompatible' with climate commitments

Tessa Khan, executive director of the climate campaign group Uplift, said the new guidance means that oil and gas companies will be "finally be forced to come clean over the enormous harm they are causing to the climate". She said: "In the case of the Rosebank oil field, which Equinor can now seek reapproval for, it is overwhelmingly obvious that the project is incompatible with the UK's climate commitments. "Whether or not this government then follows the science and rejects Rosebank will be a real test of its climate credibility." Ms Khan added that Rosebank is a "bad deal" for the UK, would not help lower fuel bills or boost energy independence. A Shell spokesperson said: "We are reviewing today's guidance and remain committed to delivering Jackdaw, which is a nationally important energy project and supports the government's growth agenda. "Jackdaw would provide enough fuel to heat 1.4 million UK homes at a time when the UK remains reliant on imported gas to meet its energy needs." Greenpeace UK said it was right that the government take account of emissions from burning oil and gas in their decision-making. However, it said approving projects like Rosebank would be a "political sleight of hand" that would benefit oil companies. The charity's head of climate, Mel Evans, said: "Real energy security and future-proofed jobs for energy workers can only come through homegrown, cheap renewable energy, and that's what ministers should focus on. "The UK has just been hit by major droughts, wildfires and ocean heatwaves. Rosebank alone could release as many planet-heating emissions as 56 coal plants running for a year. Ed Miliband was right to say approving Rosebank would be climate vandalism - he should remain true to his word." The update comes shortly after the UK government's Spending Review last week, which included about £200m for the Acorn Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) scheme in Aberdeenshire. Shanks also told the BBC he expects plans to be announced "soon" for the future of Grangemouth.

This guidance will determine whether production can go ahead in the controversial Scottish fields, Rosebank and Jackdaw.

New emissions guidance published for North Sea oil and gas projects

Telegram boss to leave fortune to over 100 children he fathered

17 minutes ago Share Save Peter Hoskins Business reporter, BBC News Share Save

Pavel Durov/Instagram

The founder of instant messaging app Telegram, Pavel Durov, says the more than 100 children he has fathered will share his estimated $13.9bn (£10.3bn) fortune. "They are all my children and will all have the same rights! I don't want them to tear each other apart after my death," Mr Durov told French political magazine Le Point. Mr Durov says he is the "official father" of six children with three different partners, but has more than 100 other children after donating sperm to a fertility clinic. He also reiterated that he denies any wrongdoing in connection with serious criminal charges he faces in France.

The self-exiled Russian technology tycoon also told the magazine that his children would not have access to their inheritance for 30 years. "I want them to live like normal people, to build themselves up alone, to learn to trust themselves, to be able to create, not to be dependent on a bank account," he said. The 40-year-old said he had written a will now because his job "involves risks – defending freedoms earns you many enemies, including within powerful states". His app, Telegram, known for its focus on privacy and encrypted messaging, has more than a billion monthly active users.

Pavel Durov/Instagram Mr Durov said criminal charges he faces in France are "totally absurd"

Mr Durov also addressed criminal charges he faces in France, where he was arrested last year after being accused of failing to properly moderate the app to reduce criminality. He has denied failing to cooperate with law enforcement over drug trafficking, child sexual abuse content and fraud. Telegram has previously denied having insufficient moderation. In the Le Point interview he described the charges as "totally absurd". "Just because criminals use our messaging service among many others doesn't make those who run it criminals," he added.

The technology tycoon said his children would not have access to their inheritance for 30 years.

Pavel Durov: Telegram boss to leave fortune to over 100 children he fathered

'Dismal' month for supermarkets pushes down retail sales

6 minutes ago Share Save Share Save

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UK retail sales fell sharply last month after "dismal" sales at supermarkets, official figures show. Sales volumes were estimated to have fallen by 2.7% in May, the biggest monthly fall since December 2023, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It said there were signs that alcohol and tobacco sales were lower after customers chose to make cutbacks. Separate figures from the ONS showed that government borrowing rose last month, hitting the second highest level for May since monthly began in 1993.

Borrowing - the difference between spending and tax income - was £17.7bn, up £0.7bn from May last year. The ONS said revenue from income tax and National Insurance contributions increased, but spending rose by more, partly due to inflation-linked uplifts to many benefits.

Consumers cutting back

Sales volumes in May saw their biggest monthly fall since December 2023.

'Dismal' month for supermarkets pushes down retail sales

'Crumbling' hospitals, schools and courts to get funding boost

7 hours ago Share Save Faisal Islam • @faisalislam Economics editor Tom Espiner BBC business reporter Share Save

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The UK government has pledged more money for "crumbling" hospitals, schools and courts as part of a ten year infrastructure strategy. It will spend £9bn a year over the next decade to fix and replace buildings, but is yet to publish a list identifying major projects such as new roads and rail lines. The strategy is a cornerstone of the government's plans to put some life into Britain's sluggish economic growth, and promises £725bn of funding over a decade. The announcements on Thursday focussed on what the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones called a "soaring maintenance backlog" in health, education and justice buildings.

The strategy promised a more rounded plan for major schemes, but the publication of a new pipeline of hundreds of projects has been delayed until mid-July. Jones said the projects will be shown on a map of the country. He said the government would be doing "fewer things better instead of the same things badly", a sign that the list of more than 600 projects inherited from the Conservatives may be cut back. There was no formal green light at this stage for the long-promised northern high-speed rail link between Liverpool and Manchester. Plans for the link were first revealed in May 2024 after the cancellation of HS2's northern leg. The Treasury also indicated it was looking at new models for funding economic projects, including public private partnerships, and would report back by the autumn Budget. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: "Crumbling public buildings are a sign of the decay that has seeped into our everyday lives because of a total failure to plan and invest." But Conservative shadow minister Richard Fuller said the previous government "had to deal with a series of economic disruptions including the impact of Covid, the unwinding of quantitative easing across all advanced economies, and the invasion of Ukraine by Russia". "The global impact of these were to disrupt supply chains, increase inflation, and raise interest rates, " Fuller said. Despite these shocks, the last government increased public spending on capital projects, he said.

The announcements on Thursday focussed on what the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones called a "soaring maintenance backlog".

Hospitals, schools and courts to get funding boost

Adorable or just weird? How Labubu dolls conquered the world

4 hours ago Share Save Fan Wang BBC News Reporting from Singapore Adam Hancock Business reporter, BBC News Reporting from Singapore Share Save

Xia Yu/VCG via Getty Images

Whether you reckon they are cute, ugly or just plain weird, chances are you have heard of the furry dolls that have become a global sensation - Labubu. Born a monster, the elf-like creature from Chinese toy maker Pop Mart is now a viral purchase. And it has no dearth of celebrity advocates: Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian and Blackpink's Lisa. Ordinary folk are just as obsessed - from Shanghai to London, the long queues to snap up the doll have made headlines, sometimes descending into fights even. "You get such a sense of achievement when you are able to get it among such fierce competition," says avowed fan Fiona Zhang. The world's fascination with Labubu has almost tripled Pop Mart's profits in the past year - and, according to some, even energised Chinese soft power, which has been bruised by the pandemic and a strained relationship with the West. So, how did we get here?

What exactly is Labubu?

It's a question that still bothers many - and even those who know the answer are not entirely sure they can explain the craze. Labubu is both a fictional character and a brand. The word itself doesn't mean anything. It's the name of a character in "The Monsters" toy series created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. The vinyl faces are attached to plush bodies, and come with a signature look - pointy ears, big eyes and a mischievous grin showing exactly nine teeth. A curious yet divided internet can't seem to decide if they are adorable or bizarre.

He Xiaoxiao/VCG via Getty Images The Labubu universe includes other characters that have inpired their own dolls

According to its retailer's official website, Labubu is "kind-hearted and always wants to help, but often accidentally achieves the opposite". The Labubu dolls have appeared in several series of "The Monsters", such as "Big into Energy", "Have a Seat", "Exciting Macaron" and "Fall in Wild". The Labubu brand also has other characters from its universe, which have inspired their own popular dolls - such as the tribe's leader Zimomo, her boyfriend Tycoco and her friend Mokoko. To the untrained eye, some of these dolls are hard to distinguish from one another. The connoisseurs would know but Labubu's fame has certainly rubbed off, with other specimens in the family also flying off the shelves.

Who sells Labubu?

Pop Mart had been selling so-called blind boxes - where customers only found out what they had bought when they opened the package - for some years when they tied up with Kasing Lung for the rights to Labubu. That was 2019, nearly a decade after entrepreneur Wang Ning opened Pop Mart as a variety store, similar to a pound shop, in Beijing. When the blind boxes became a success, Pop Mart launched the first series in 2016, selling Molly dolls - child-like figurines created by Hong Kong artist Kenny Wong.

Getty Images Pop Mart first opened as a variety store in Beijing in 2010

But it was the Labubu sales that fuelled Pop Mart's growth and in December 2020, it began selling shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Those shares have soared by more than 500% in the last year. Pop Mart itself has now become a major retailer. It operates more than 2,000 vending machines, or "roboshops", around the world. And you can now buy Labubu dolls in stores, physical or virtual, in more than 30 countries, from the US and UK to Australia and Singapore, although many of them have recently paused sales due to overwhelming demand. Sales from outside mainland China contributed to nearly 40% of its total revenue in 2024. The demand did not rise overnight though. It actually took a few years for the elfin monsters to break into the mainstream.

How did Labubu go global?

Before the world discovered Labubu, their fame was limited to China. They started to become a hit just as the country emerged from the pandemic in late 2022, according to Ashley Dudarenok, founder of China-focused research firm ChoZan. "Post-pandemic, a lot of people in China felt that they wanted to emotionally escape… and Labubu was a very charming but chaotic character," she says. "It embodied that anti-perfectionism." The Chinese internet, which is huge and competitive, produces plenty of viral trends that don't go global. But this one did and its popularity quickly spread to neighbouring South East Asia. Fiona, who lives in Canada, says she first heard about Labubu from Filipino friends in 2023. That's when she started buying them - she says she finds them cute, but their increasing popularity is a major draw: "The more popular it gets the more I want it. "My husband doesn't understand why me, someone in their 30s, would be so fixated on something like this, like caring about which colour to get."

Getty Images Labubu pendants are the most coveted

It helps that it's also affordable, she adds. Although surging demand has pushed up prices on the second-hand market, Fiona says the original price, which ranged from C$25 ($18; £14) to C$70 for most Labubu dolls, was "acceptable" to most people she knows. "That's pretty much how much a bag accessory would cost anyway these days, most people would be able to afford it," she says. Lababu's popularity soared in April 2024, when Thai-born K-pop superstar Lisa began posting photos on Instagram with various Labubu dolls. And then, other global celebrities turned the dolls into an international phenomenon this year. Singer Rihanna was photographed with a Labubu toy clipped to her Louis Vuitton bag in February. Influencer Kim Kardashian shared her collection of 10 Labubu dolls with her Instagram following in April. And in May, former England football captain Sir David Beckham also took to Instagram with a photo of a Labubu, given to him by his daughter. Now the dolls feel ubiquitous, regularly spotted not just online but also on friends, colleagues or passersby.

What's behind the Labubu obsession?

Put simply, we don't know. Like most viral trends, Labubu's appeal is hard to explain - the result of timing, taste and the randomness that is the internet. Beijing is certainly happy with the outcome. State news agency Xinhua says Labubu "shows the appeal of Chinese creativity, quality and culture in a language the world can understand", while giving everyone the chance to see "cool China". Xinhua has other examples that show "Chinese cultural IP is going global": the video game Black Myth: Wukong and the hit animated film Nezha.

Getty Images A Pop Mart store in Shanghai

The dolls have almost tripled their maker's profits - and, according to some, energised Chinese soft power.

Labubu: How the Pop Mart dolls conquered the world

A wave of machine-learning weather models have been unleashed by some of the very biggest businesses on the planet.

These challenge the orthodoxy of traditional physics-based computer forecasts that have been incrementally developed and improved over many decades.

But are the machine learning models any good?

The weather is a national obsession for us Brits, and it is no wonder given the huge changes that are seen and felt from one day to the next.

The biggest tech firms are using AI to forecast the weather but is that better than existing models?

Weather forecasts: The tech giants use AI but is it any good?

Energy price cap: What next for gas and electricity bills and can I fix?

6 hours ago Share Save Share Save

BBC

Gas and electricity bills will fall on 1 July, when the new energy price cap takes effect. The drop will more than reverse the increase which millions of households faced on 1 April when the current cap began. The energy price cap sets the maximum amount customers can be charged for each unit of energy, but actual bills depend on how much gas and electricity you use.

What is the energy price cap and how is it changing?

The energy price cap covers around 21 million households in England, Wales and Scotland and is set every three months by Ofgem. It fixes the maximum price that can be charged for each unit of energy on a standard - or default - variable tariff for a typical dual-fuel household which pays by direct debit. Between 1 April and 30 June 2025, gas prices are capped at 6.99p per kilowatt hour (kWh), and electricity at 27.03p per kWh. This means the annual bill for a dual-fuel direct debit household using a typical amount of energy is £1,849 per year, an increase of £111 from the previous cap. However, from 1 July, this annual bill falls £129 to £1,720. Between 1 July and 30 September 2025, gas prices will be capped at 6.33p per kilowatt hour (kWh) and electricity at 25.73p per kWh.

Those who pay their bills every three months by cash or cheque pay more, but those on prepayment meters pay a little less. The cap does not apply in Northern Ireland, which has its own energy market.

What is a typical household?

Your energy bill depends on the overall amount of gas and electricity you use, and how you pay for it. The type of property you live in, how energy efficient it is, how many people live there and the weather all make a difference.

The Ofgem cap is based on a "typical household" using 11,500 kWh of gas and 2,700 kWh of electricity a year with a single bill for gas and electricity, settled by direct debit. The vast majority of people pay their bill this way to help spread payments across the year. Those who pay every three months by cash or cheque are charged more.

Should I take a meter reading when the energy cap changes?

Submitting a meter reading when the cap changes means you will not be charged for estimated usage at the wrong rate. This is especially important when prices go up. Customers with working smart meters do not need to submit a reading as their bill is calculated automatically.

What is happening to prepayment customers?

About four million households had prepayment meters in January 2025, according to Ofgem. Between April and June, households on prepayment meters paid slightly less than those on direct debit, with a typical bill of £1,803, a rise of £113 from the previous quarter. From 1 July, households on pre-payment meters will still pay slightly less than those on direct debit, with a typical annual bill of £1,672.

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Many pre-payment meters have been in place for years, but some were installed more recently after customers struggled to pay higher bills. Rules introduced in November 2023 mean suppliers must give customers more opportunity to clear their debts before switching them to a meter. They cannot be installed at all in certain households. Households who pay their bills by cash or cheque will pay more than pre-payment or direct debit customers, with a typical annual bill of £1,855

Can I fix my energy prices?

Fixed-price deals are not affected by the energy price cap, which changes every three months and can rise and fall. They offer certainty for a set period - often a year, or longer - but if energy prices drop when you are on the deal, you could be stuck at a higher price. You may also have to pay a penalty to leave a fixed deal early. Ofgem, the energy regulator, says customers who want the security of knowing what their bill will be should consider moving to a fixed deal. However, it says they should make sure they understand all the costs. Martin Lewis, founder of Money Saving Expert, recommends checking whole-of-market energy price comparison sites to help find the best deal.

What are standing charges and how are they changing?

Standing charges are a fixed daily fee to cover the costs of connecting to gas and electricity supplies. They vary slightly by region. On 1 April, the average electricity standing charge fell from 60.97p to 53.8p but the average gas standing charge increased from 31.65p to 32.67p Some customers in London and the North Wales and Mersey region saw larger increases. From 1 July, standing charges will typically fall to 51.37p a day for electricity and 29.82p a day for gas. Campaigners argue standing charges are unfair because they make up a bigger proportion of the bill of low energy users. In response, Ofgem has said that energy firms must provide a choice of price-capped tariffs from winter 2025. One would have a standing charge and unit rate - as is the case now - and another no standing charge but a higher unit rate. However, the proposals have been criticised as being too complicated.

Gas and electricity prices will fall in July, under regulator Ofgem's new price cap.

Energy price cap: What next for gas and electricity bills and can I fix?

Music shop closure brings fear for industry's future

28 minutes ago Share Save Maddy Jennings BBC News, Norfolk Share Save

Google Maps Professional Music Technology first opened in Norwich in 2008

A drum salesman said he is "heartbroken and devastated" by the closure of a city music shop. Professional Music Technology (PMT) went into administration in June. It first opened it's Norfolk store in Anglia Square, Norwich, in 2008, before moving to Botolph Street in 2012. Administrators Interpath said rising costs, dwindling margins, and the cost of living had led to "challenges too difficult to overcome" in keeping it open. Dan Moss, who worked as the store's percussion expert, said that the music store industry was "definitely and gradually dying."

Mr Moss first heard the news on the day the store went into administration. "It was pretty heavy, it completely came out of the blue. We had no idea it was going to happen," he said. He added that the closure created a "void" for musicians in the county. "Youngsters would come in and get inspired. The whole community could come in and see instruments in person," he said. "It's going to have a massive impact on Norfolk."

Dan Moss Dan Moss worked as a drum salesperson at PMT before the Norwich store's closure

Norwich-based sound engineer and tour manager, Dylan Barber, said music stores like PMT were "paramount" in helping him get into the music industry. The 24-year-old bought his first guitar from the store and said he was worried about the impact music shop closures will have on the music industry. "There's nothing quite like the physical element of picking up an instrument and feeling connected to it," he said. "The fact that there's less of that available presents as a bit of a stark warning that we need to do something if we want to keep the industry flowing."

James Wickham Dylan Barber credited shops like PMT for helping him to get into the music industry

Interpath said: "Our immediate priority is to provide support to those employees who have been made redundant."

Mark Hedges of Cookes Band Instruments in St Benedicts St said while his own business was thriving, he was "sorry" to see PMT close. "They're all passionate people who love music and want to pass on their knowledge," he said.

Professional Music Technology closed their 11 UK stores after filing for administration in June.

Norwich music store closure brings fear for industry's future

The secretive US factory that lays bare the contradiction in Trump's America First plan

18 May 2025 Share Save Faisal Islam • @faisalislam Economics editor Reporting from Arizona Share Save

BBC

Among the cactuses in the desert of Arizona, just outside Phoenix, an extraordinary collection of buildings is emerging that will shape the future of the global economy and the world. The hum of further construction is creating not just a factory for the world's most advanced semiconductors. Eventually, it will mass produce the most advanced chips in the world. This work is being done in the US for the first time, with the Taiwanese company behind it pledging to spend billions more here in a move aimed at heading off the threat of tariffs on imported chips. It is, in my view, the most important factory in the world, and it's being built by a company you may not have heard of: TSMC, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. It makes 90% of the world's advanced semiconductors. Until now they were all made on the island of Taiwan, which is 100 miles east of the Chinese mainland. The Apple chip in your iPhone, the Nvidia chips powering your ChatGPT queries, the chips in your laptop or computer network, all are made by TSMC. Its Arizona facility "Fab 21" is closely guarded. Blank paper or personal devices are not allowed in case designs are leaked. It houses some of the most important intellectual property in the world, and the process to make these chips is one of the most complicated and intensive in global manufacturing.

TSMC's Arizona factory is closely guarded

They're hugely protective of the secrets that lie within. Important customers, such as Apple and Nvidia, trust this company to safeguard their designs for future products. But after months of asking, TSMC let the BBC in to look at the partial transfer of what some argue is the most critical, expensive, complex and important manufacturing in the world.

The poster child for Trump's policy

President Trump certainly seems to think so. He often mentions the factory in passing. "TSMC is the biggest there is," he has said. "We gradually lost the chip business, and now it's almost exclusively in Taiwan. They stole it from us." This is one of the US president's regular refrains. TSMC's recent decision to expand its investments in the US by a further $100bn (£75bn) is something Trump attributes to his threats of tariffs on Taiwan and on the global semiconductor business. The expansion of the Arizona facility, which was announced in March is, he believes, the poster child for his economic policies - in particular the encouragement of foreign companies to relocate factories to the US to avoid hefty tariffs.

Getty Trump heralded TSMC's decision to invest in the US as proof of success for his tariff policy

China is also watching developments carefully. Taiwan's chip-making prowess has been part of what its government has called its "Silicon Shield", against a much-feared invasion. While the original strategy was to make Taiwan indispensable in this area of critical technology, the pandemic supply chain difficulties changed the calculus because relying on a single country seemed like a greater risk. China claims the self-ruled Taiwan as its territory but Taiwan sees itself as distinct from the Chinese mainland. So, many currents of the world economy, frontier technology and geopolitics flow through this one site and within it lies the essential contradiction of Trump's economic and diplomatic policy. He sees this plant as the exemplar of America First, and the preservation of economic and military superiority over China. Yet the manufacture of these modern miniaturised miracles at the frontier of physics and chemistry inherently relies on a combination of the very best technologies from around the world.

The cleanest environment on Earth

Greg Jackson, one of the facilities managers, takes me around in a golf buggy. The factories are almost a carbon copy of the TSMC spaces in Taiwan, where he trained. "I would say these facilities are probably some of the most advanced and complicated in the world," he says. "It's quite the dichotomy. You've got really, really small chips with really small structures, and it takes this massive facility with all the infrastructure to be able to make them... Just the sheer complexity, the amount of systems that it takes, is staggering." Inside the "Gowning Building", workers dress in protective clothing before crossing a bridge that is supposed to create the cleanest environment on Earth, in order to protect the production of these extraordinary microscopic transistors that create the microchips underpinning everything. Konstantinos Ninios, an engineer, shows me some of the very first productions from TSMC Arizona: a silicon wafer with what is known as "4 nanometre chips".

Watch: TSMC engineer Konstantinos Ninios shows Faisal Islam how transistors are made

"This is the most advanced wafer in the US right now," he explains. "[It] contains about 10 to 14 trillion transistors... The whole process is 3,000 to 4,000 steps." If you could somehow shrink your body to the same scale and get inside the wafer, he says that the many different layers would look like very tall streets and skyscrapers.

Manufacturing manipulation of atoms

TSMC was founded at the behest of the Taiwanese government in 1987, when chip executive Morris Chang was directed to start the business. The model was to become a dedicated foundry for microchips, manufacturing other companies' designs. It became wildly successful. Driving the advancement of the technology is the miniaturisation of the smallest feature on chips. Their size is measured these days in billionths of a metre or nanometres. This progress has enabled mobile phones to become smartphones, and is now setting the pace for the mass deployment of artificial intelligence. It requires incredible complexity and expense through the use of "extreme ultraviolet (UV) light". This is used to etch the intricate building blocks of our modern existence in a process called "lithography".

The world's dependence on TSMC is built on highly specialised bus-sized machines, which are in turn sourced almost entirely from a Dutch company called ASML, including in Arizona. These machines shoot UV light tens of thousands of times through drops of molten tin, which creates a plasma, and is then refracted through a series of specialised mirrors. The almost entirely automated process for each wafer of silicon is repeated thousands of times in layers over months, before the $1m LP-sized wafer of 4nm silicon chips is formed. "Just imagine a particle or a dust particle falling into this," Mr Ninios says to me incredulously. "The transistors are not going to work. So all of this is cleaner than hospital operating rooms."

Caution in Taiwan

Taiwan does not have special access to the raw materials - but it has the know-how to stay years ahead of other companies in the intricate process of producing these atomic building blocks of modern life. Some in the Taiwanese government are cautious about spreading the frontier of this technology off the island. Trump wasted little time in claiming the firm's decision to bring its highest level of technology to the US was due to his economic policies. He said this would not have happened without the stick of his planned tariffs on Taiwan and semiconductors. Those I speak to at TSMC are diplomatic about that claim. Much of this was already planned and subsidised under former US President Biden's Chips Act.

The supply chain for semiconductors is global as no single country can do everything at the moment, says Rose Castanares, President of TSMC Arizona

On the walkway into the building are photographs showing Biden's visit in 2022, with the building site draped in the Stars and Stripes and a banner saying "a future Made in America". "The semiconductor supply chain is global," says TSMC Arizona President Rose Castanares. "There's really no single country at this moment that can do everything from chemicals to wafer manufacturing to packaging, and so it's very difficult to unwind that whole thing very quickly."

'Non-Red' supply chains to counter China

As for the semiconductor supply chain, tariffs will not help. The supply chain stretches all over the world. Whether it's the silicon wafers from Japan, the machines required from the Netherlands, or mirrors from Germany, all sorts of materials from all around the world are required. Now, they could face import charges. That said, TSMC's boss was quick off the mark in confirming the expansion of the US site at an event with Trump at the White House. In recent weeks, America's tech elite - from Apple's Tim Cook, to Nvidia's Jensen Huang - have been queueing up to tell the world that TSMC Arizona will now produce many of the chips in their US products. The global chip industry is very sensitive to the economic cycle, but its cutting-edge technology enjoys very healthy margins, that could cushion some of these planned tariffs.

The company was founded in Taiwan in 1987. In March this year, they announced an expansion of their Arizona facility

There are many geopolitical subtexts here. The factory sits at the heart of US strategy to gain technological, AI and economic supremacy over China. Both the Biden and Trump administrations have developed policies to try to limit Chinese access to the frontier semiconductor technology - from a ban on exports to China of ASML's machines, to new legislation to ban the use of Huawei AI chips in US software or technology anywhere in the world. Taiwan's President Lai this week urged democracies such as Japan and the US to develop "non-Red" supply chains to counter China. Not everyone is convinced that this strategy is working, however. Chinese technologists have been effective at working around the bans to develop competitive indigenous technology. And Bill Gates this week said that these policies "have forced the Chinese in terms of chip manufacturing and everything to go full speed ahead". Trump wants TSMC Arizona to become a foundation stone for his American golden age. But the company's story to date is perhaps the ultimate expression of the success of modern globalisation. So for now, it's a battle for global tech and economic supremacy, in which Taiwan's factory technology, some of which is now being moved to the Arizona desert, is the critical asset.

An exclusive look inside the closely guarded factory the president wants to become a foundation stone for a US golden age.

The US factory that lays bare the contradiction in Trump's policy

Poundland founder would have bought business back

18 hours ago Share Save Aida Fofana BBC News, West Midlands Sarah Julian BBC Radio WM Share Save

Steven Smith Steve Smith said he had called to buy back the business but was too late

The founder of Poundland has said he tried to buy the firm back when he heard it was up for sale. Steve Smith's business venture began on a market stall in Bilston where he sold items for £1, with the first Poundland store opening in Burton-upon-Trent in 1990 and Mr Smith selling his shares in the firm for £250m in 2006. The business, which currently has 792 stores in the UK and Ireland and employs about 16,000 people, was sold last week to US investment firm Gordon Brothers. "I would've liked to have bought it back because I'm still passionate about the people and the concept," Mr Smith said.

The businessman, who grew up in Willenhall, said: "I'm proud that 85% of the population have bought something from the shop. "I did pick up the phone when I heard it was for sale but I was a bit too late," Mr Smith said. Poundland is also seeking rent reductions from landlords which, together with leases expiring on some stores, could result in about 70 shop closures in the future. A distribution centre at Darton, South Yorkshire, and its national distribution centre at Bilston in the West Midlands have also been earmarked for closure.

'I would've changed the price'

Mr Smith, who now lives in Shropshire, admitted he was sad but not entirely surprised at the news of the business needing to restructure. "I'm sorry to hear that Poundland are closing so many stores, it wasn't just me that started the business but the people that worked there. "I do think it was inevitable, this was going to happen because I experienced it on the market stall with our prices going from 10p to 20p and so on. "Customers are used to the £1 concept but as the price point changes so do our prices." He said while he understood the need for price increases more would have been needed to help support the business, in his opinion. "It's still a one prince concept, that's what customers loved and what made Poundland different," he said, "but I would've changed the price point and I think it does need new systems [and] it's important the business get support from their suppliers."

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Steve Smith says he made an attempt to buy his old firm, but was too late.

Poundland founder would have bought business back

Scotland to recover winter fuel payment from better-off pensioners

17 hours ago Share Save Share Save

Getty Images All pensioners with an income of less than £35,000 will qualify for the payment

The Scottish government says it will no longer offer its new winter fuel payment for pensioners on a universal basis. It said it would seek to recover funds via the tax system from pensioners earning more than £35,000 - matching a move by the UK government. Scottish ministers had set out plans for a payment slightly more generous than that on offer from the UK, by £3 to £5 per household. However, they faced criticism as payments would go to all pensioners - potentially including millionaires - rather than being targeted at those most in need.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said that "following careful consideration of the options available" talks were taking place to match the UK system. She said: "We will bring forward regulations to ensure that, from this winter onwards, all pensioners will receive either £203.40 or £305.10 per household, depending on age. "We are in discussion with the UK government to extend the proposed arrangements in England and Wales to recover payments from those pensioners with an individual income of more than £35,000 through the tax system." She added this would ensure the payments were targeted to helping those in poverty.

Getty Images Campaigners urged the UK government to reverse their original decision

Somerville said those receiving the payment in Scotland will be better off than their counterparts in the rest of the UK, because payments will be uprated by inflation compared to last winter - something that hasn't happened with the UK system. Around 720,000 people are expected to be eligible for the funding. UK chancellor Rachel Reeves last week confirmed the payment would be reinstated to the majority of pensioners in England, following months of anger and protest over changes implemented last year. Somerville said this was a "welcome, if belated" move following a "betrayal of millions of pensioners" in 2024. The Scottish government had delayed plans for its pension age winter heating payment after the Westminster cut was announced. But in November it announced pensioners would receive at least £100 every year.

Getty Images Shirley-Anne Somerville said the Scottish government had carefully considered all options

Minister will seek to recover funds from pensioners earning more than £35,000 - matching a move by the UK government.

Scotland to recover winter fuel payment from better-off OAPs

Texas Instruments pledges 'historic' $60bn US chip investment

Texas Instruments operates 15 sites around the world, including facilities in the US and Asia

Computer chip giant Texas Instruments (TI) will invest more than $60bn (£44.74bn) in the US, as President Donald Trump pressures big technology firms to increase manufacturing in the country.

The company said it plans to build or expand seven chip-making facilities at three sites in Texas and Utah, and create 60,000 jobs. TI did not give a detailed timeline for the investment.

The Dallas-based firm described the move as the "largest investment in foundational semiconductor manufacturing in US history."

It follows similar announcements from others manufacturing semiconductors, including Micron, which said last week that it would increase its planned spending in the US to $200bn.

The announcement comes as Trump pressures big technology firms to increase manufacturing in America.

Texas Instruments to make 'historic' $60bn US chip investment

Millions more on benefits to get £150 off energy bills

Simon Francis from the End Fuel Poverty Coalition says the discount should now be more than £150.

Simon Francis from the End Fuel Poverty Coalition said: "With bills still hundreds of pounds higher than in 2020, millions will continue to face unaffordable energy and cold, damp homes this winter".

While debt charities and energy groups have welcomed the move, some say the scheme still leaves out some of those most at risk, including those on non-means tested benefits.

Anyone on means-tested benefits will automatically see the money knocked off their bills no matter what size of property they live in.

Double the number of households in Britain will get £150 off their energy bills this winter as the government changes the rules on who qualifies for the Warm Home Discount.

It's energy companies who pay for and distribute the £150 discount to people's bills across England, Scotland and Wales. But it's the government which sets the criteria for who should receive it.

Those rules were tightened under the previous administration, limiting the payment to those on the guaranteed element of pension credit, or those on means-tested-benefits living in a home with a high energy score.

Now the qualification about property size, type and home energy score is being scrapped. As a result this winter 2.7 million more homes will get this extra energy bill help, including almost a million households with children.

This extension comes hot-off-the-heels of the government U-turn to re-instate the Winter Fuel Payment to the majority of pensioners.

The bill for expanding the Warm Home Discount will be paid by energy companies and could be passed on through the Standing Charge, so it's possible all customers will see a slight increase in bills in the Autumn to cover this announcement.

However, the government say any rise will be cancelled out by savings made by cutting energy company's expenditure and doing more to sort problem debt.

Household bills controlled by the energy price cap have been reduced over the summer months, and Standing Charges fell in all areas because the rules on what expenditure companies can pass on was restricted.

However, current market expectations are for another rise in gas and electricity bills from the start of October because of higher oil and gas prices.

Representing energy suppliers, Energy UK's chief executive Dhara Vyas welcomed today's announcement and said she hoped to see more help for those most in need "by accelerating progress on a new improved targeted support scheme."

Earlier this month, Chancellor Rachael Reeves used the Spending Review to confirm £13.2bn will be spent on the government's Warm Homes Plan, which aims to make homes more energy-efficient and cheaper for people to heat.

The criteria has changed so 2.7m more people will get the money automatically knocked off their bills.

Warm Homes Discount: Millions on benefits to get £150 off bills

Bank of England expected to hold interest rates at 4.25%

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

Getty Images

The Bank of England is expected to keep interest rates on hold when its policymakers announce their next decision later. The Bank cut the rate to 4.25% in early May, when its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) also hinted at more reductions to come. But analysts think those cuts will not arrive until later in the year, as the rate of price rises remains above target. The Bank rate is the key benchmark for lenders setting the cost of borrowing, and for banks and building societies deciding what returns to pay to savers.

The decision will be announced by the MPC at 12:00 BST. When interest rates were cut in May from 4.5% to 4.25%, it was the fourth reduction in a year. While the downward staircase of interest rates is expected to continue, there are some complicated and conflicting issues for the nine-member committee to consider.

Growth in the UK economy remains somewhat sluggish, putting pressure on policymakers to cut rates to boost investment and growth. The economy unexpectedly shrank by 0.3% in April after taxes increased for businesses, household bills jumped, and exports to the US plunged. However, the rate of inflation remained at its highest level for more than a year in May, at 3.4%. Food prices, in particular, jumped. As an essential for any household budget, that creates a further squeeze on personal finances. The Bank uses interest rates as its primary tool for bringing inflation to its target level of 2%. A rise in rates can limit demand and therefore reduce inflation, although that has an impact on the economy.

Policymakers will also be closely monitoring the impact of global tensions. The conflict between Israel and Iran could well push up the price of oil. As well as affecting the price paid by drivers at the pumps, any sustained increase would have a significant effect on inflation. Meanwhile, the fall-out from the US policy on tariffs will also need to be factored into their calculations. Many economists believe there will be two more interest rate cuts by the Bank this year. However, some others only expect one. "We forecast inflation to remain above 3% for the remainder of the year amidst persistent wage growth and the inflationary effects from higher government spending," said Monica George Michail, associate economist at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research. "Additionally, the current tensions in the Middle East are causing greater economic uncertainty. We therefore expect the Bank of England to keep rates on hold this Thursday and implement just one further cut this year."

How it affects you

Analysts predict cuts to come later in the year, but say the Bank rate is likely to remain at 4.25% for now.

Bank of England expected to hold interest rates

What are the Pip and universal credit changes and who is affected?

4 hours ago Share Save Share Save

Getty Images

Sir Keir Starmer has criticised Labour MPs who are threatening to vote against the government's welfare bill, insisting "we have got to get the reforms through". Ministers say changes to a key disability benefit called personal independence payment (Pip) and universal credit (UC) will save £5bn by 2030. Overall, the government estimates that 3.2 million families will be worse off as a result of the reforms, while 3.8 million families will be better off.

What is Pip and how will it change?

Pip is paid to more than 3.6 million people who have a long-term physical or mental health condition in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. There are two elements - a daily living component and a mobility component. Claimants may be eligible for one or both. Under the government's proposals, assessments for the daily living part will be tightened, which the official forecaster - the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) - says will affect around 800,000 people. Pip assessments involve questions about tasks like preparing and eating food, washing and getting dressed. Each is scored on a scale from zero - for no difficulty - to 12 - for the most severe - by a health professional. From November 2026, the government says people will need to score at least four points for one activity, instead of qualifying for support with a score that could describe less severe difficulties (ones and twos) across a broad range of tasks. For example, needing help to wash your hair, or your body below the waist, would be awarded two points, but needing help to wash between the shoulders and waist would equate to four points. The payments for daily living are: A standard rate of £72.65 per week

An enhanced rate of £108.55 per week Payments for the mobility element - which are not affected - are: A standard rate of £28.70 per week

An enhanced rate of £75.75 per week Pip is usually paid every four weeks and is tax-free. It does not change depending on your savings or income and does not count as income affecting other benefits, or the benefit cap. You can get Pip if you are working. At present, the payment is made for a fixed period of time between one and 10 years, after which it is reviewed. You may be reassessed sooner if your circumstances change. The government plans more frequent reassessments for many people claiming Pip. However, those with the highest levels of a permanent condition or disability will no longer face reassessment. There is a similar but separate benefit in Scotland called the Adult Disability Payment.

How is universal credit changing?

The government has also announced changes to universal credit, which is paid to 7.5 million people. At present, more than three million recipients have no requirement to find work due to their health, a number that has risen sharply. The basic level of universal credit is worth £393.45 a month to a single person who is 25 or over. But if you have limited capacity to work because of a disability or long term condition, this payment more than doubles, because of an extra top up worth £416.19. Under the government's proposals, claimants will not be eligible to get this incapacity top-up until they are aged 22 or over. New claimants will also see this top-up fall from £97 extra per week in 2025-26 to £50 a week by 2026-27, before being frozen until the end of 2029-30. The higher rate for existing health-related claimants will also be frozen for the same period. At the same time, the basic payment level for universal credit will rise. When the government first set out its plans, it said it would rise to £107 a week by 2029-30, but the Spring Statement confirmed it would go up to £106.

Who will be affected by the changes?

In March the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said that it expects 3.2 million families – a mixture of current and future recipients - to lose out financially as a result of the total package of measures, with an average loss of £1,720 per year. This includes: 370,000 current Pip recipients who will no longer qualify and 430,000 future Pip recipients who will get less than they would previously have been entitled to, with an average loss of £4,500 per year

who will no longer qualify and 430,000 who will get less than they would previously have been entitled to, with an average loss of £4,500 per year 2.25 million current UC recipients who will be affected by freezing the incapacity top up with an average loss of £500, although this will be partially offset by the increase in the standard allowance of UC

who will be affected by freezing the incapacity top up with an average loss of £500, although this will be partially offset by the increase in the standard allowance of UC 730,000 future UC recipients who will lose an average of £3,000 per year. However, these calculations don't take into account the effects of the extra £1bn the government it says it will spend to help those with disabilities and long-term health conditions find work. It expects this support will mitigate some of the predicted financial losses. In addition, the DWP says 3.8 million families will gain an average of £420 a year as a result of the increase in the standard UC allowance and changes to the assessment process. Dozens of Labour MPs have raised concerns about the cuts, and in particular, the potential impact on disabled people. In a letter to The Guardian, 42 MPs said the proposals had "caused a huge amount of anxiety and concern among disabled people and their families" and "were impossible to support". Sir Keir insists the current welfare system isn't working for taxpayers or those who need support, and that the reforms are necessary.

What is being done to get more people into work?

Getty The government has promised to invest £1bn to help disabled people and those with long-term conditions find jobs and stay in work.

The government says it wants to help those who can work back into employment, while doing more to protect those with severe conditions who are unable to do so. As part of this it will invest £1bn in what it calls "high-quality, tailored and personalised support" to help people find jobs. A number of changes have been announced which the government hopes will break the link between trying to get into work and losing benefits. The work capability assessment, which checks eligibility for the health related top-up to universal credit, will be scrapped by 2028. Instead, claimants will have to go through the Pip system to claim for a health benefit. The government says they will be assessed on how their disability affects their daily life, rather than on their capacity to work. While you can receive universal credit or Pip while in employment, universal credit is means-tested and tapers off as earnings increase, while Pip is not affected by how much someone works or their level of savings. A new "right to try" system will mean people will not be financially penalised if they take a job which doesn't work out. The government will also consult on merging employment and support allowance and jobseeker's allowance into a single time-limited benefit that is not means-tested. This would be more generous but available for a shorter period. "If you have paid into the system, you'll get stronger income protection while we help you get back on track," Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said.

Why does the government want to cut welfare spending?

Some Labour MPs have criticised the government's plans to cut welfare spending and get more people into work.

What are the Pip and universal credit changes and who will be affected?

Fears for baby bank's future after damp and mould

4 hours ago Share Save Richard Madden BBC News Share Save

West Marsh Baby Bank Leanne Hudson, the founder of the West Marsh Baby Bank, is worried what the future holds for her group

A baby bank has been forced to throw away supplies destined to help families after they became damp and mouldy. The group, which is based at the West Marsh Community Centre, in Grimsby, said a shipping container it uses for storage has started to leak due to its age. Leanne Hudson, one of the founders, said she is worried they might not be able to continue in the future unless they can secure a new home. She said: "I've tried to sort things out but we've noticed our supplies are damp. We've had to throw about 80% of our stock and clothing away."

"If we can't sort a replacement container then we're not going to be able to continue."

West Marsh Baby Bank Mould and damp in the converted shipping container led the group to throwing away the majority of its supplies

The group was started in 2022 by a group of volunteers who were worried about the cost of living crisis. It now helps about 15 families a week by supplying nappies, baby wipes, milk formula, prams and other goods. Ms Hudson added: "It's not just families who are on benefits because we have people who are working as well. Everybody's feeling the pinch and people are really struggling. "We get a lot of calls from health visitors, social workers who sometimes just phone us when they've got an emergency. We help where we can." She told BBC Radio Humberside the lack of dry, secure storage had raised questions about the future of the group. "Our shipping container is many, many years old and its getting a lot of mould. We've had mice and we've had to put boards on the floor so we don't sink through it. "We're really appealing for anybody to help us replace it - whether that's a new container or some cash to help us. It would mean a lot to us and those we help," Ms Hudson added.

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The group, on West Marsh in Grimsby, has had to throw nappies, baby formula and clothing away.

Fears for future of West Marsh baby bank in Grimsby

Japan's Nippon seals controversial US Steel deal after Trump pact

4 hours ago Share Save Natalie Sherman BBC News Share Save

AFP/Getty

Japanese firm Nippon Steel has completed its long-sought takeover of US Steel, after agreeing to yield unusual control to the US government. Nippon's $14.9bn (£11bn) purchase of the smaller American company, will create one of the world's biggest steelmakers and turns Nippon into a major player in the US. The plan, first announced in 2023, had been seen as a lifeline for the storied but struggling 124-year-old US Steel. But the deal ran into trouble during last year's presidential election, when US President Donald Trump and his Democratic opponents said they were concerned about the foreign acquisition of one of the last major steel producers in the US.

However, Trump reversed his stance, after Nippon made concessions which the President said had satisfied his national security concerns. He gave the official green light to the deal in an executive order on Friday. Nippon agreed to pay $55 per share and take on the company's debt, a deal worth $14.9bn together. It said it had also promised the government it would invest $11bn in US Steel by 2028, including a new facility that would be completed after that year. It also granted the US government a "golden share" in the company, giving the government say over key decisions, including the transfer of jobs or production outside of the US, and certain calls to close or idle factories. Nippon also committed to maintain its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and install US citizens to key management positions including its chief executive and the majority of its board. "This partnership ensures that US Steel will retain its iconic name and headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and that it will continue to be mined, melted, and made in America for generations to come," Nippon and US Steel said in a statement as shares in US Steel stopped trading. They said the deal would "protect and create more than 100,000 jobs".

Nippon agreed to give a "golden share" to the US government to win approval of the takeover.

Nippon and US Steel complete controversial merger

Old meter switch-off is pushed back

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

Smart Energy GB

Hundreds of thousands of households who may have been left without hot water and heating at the end of June will not immediately have their old meters switched off, the government has said. There will instead be a "cautious and targeted phase out" of Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters, it said. The switch-off will begin on a smaller scale, and affected homes and businesses will be contacted by suppliers "well ahead of time", the energy department said. Fuel poverty campaigners said the switch-off process had been "doomed to failure" after it became clear that the 30 June deadline was "simply unachievable".

As of last month, about 314,000 households were using the RTS meters, and having them switched off could have meant they lost heating - or had it stuck on constantly. About a third of those households are in Scotland. The meters use a longwave radio frequency to switch between peak and off peak rates, and can also be used to turn heating and hot water systems on and off. They have been in use since the 1980s, but are now becoming obsolete. Suppliers have been replacing the meters, but not quickly enough to meet the deadline. In most cases, meters will be replaced with a smart meter, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said. Energy consumers minister Miatta Fahnbulleh said "thousands of vulnerable consumers" with RTS meters would not now experience any "sudden disruption" at the end of this month.

Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said ministers were "right to be getting a grip on the situation and holding Ofgem and the energy industry to account". He called for a plan "that sets out how the gradual switch-off will take place, including which regions will be affected and when". "Crucially, we also need firm and binding reassurances that no customers will be left without heating or hot water, and that no household will face higher bills as a result of the changes," he added.

Regulator Ofgem said it had been "clear that customers must be protected at every stage of the phased area-by-area shutdown, and we are spelling out to suppliers key requirements that must be met before an area loses its RTS signal". Charlotte Friel, Ofgem's retail pricing director, said it "remains crucial that these meters are replaced urgently so it's vital to engage with your supplier when offered an appointment".

Thousands of households will now not face disruption to hot water and heating, the government says

RTS meter switch-off is pushed back

Fed holds interest rates for fourth time despite tariff turmoil

39 minutes ago Share Save Natalie Sherman BBC News Share Save

Bloomberg/Getty

People and businesses in the US have faced a whirlwind of policy change in recent months. But one thing has remained fixed: borrowing costs set by the US central bank. The Federal Reserve stuck with that strategy on Wednesday, leaving its key interest rate unchanged, even as officials' expectations for the economy worsened. The decision marked the fourth in a row without action, keeping the bank's influential lending rate hovering around 4.3%, where it has stood since December. That came despite forecasts from policymakers suggesting they expect slower growth, higher unemployment and faster inflation than they did just a few months ago.

Typically, the Fed lowers borrowing costs if it believes the economy is struggling and raises them if prices start to rise too quickly. Inflation, the pace of price increases, remains above the Fed's 2% target, coming in at 2.4% in May. President Donald Trump has repeatedly called on the Fed to cut interest rates, arguing, in part, that the problem has faded. But Fed officials, who are empowered to make policy independent of the White House, have said they will make decisions based on the data. They have said they want more information about the extent to which tariffs and other policy changes will drive up prices, slow the US economy - or both - before lowering rates. In the rate announcement, the bank said that the economy overall remained "solid". But it released projections showing that policymakers, on average, are expecting growth to slow to 1.4% this year, down from the 1.7% they were forecasting in March. The forecasts call for inflation of roughly 3%, up from the 2.7% predicted in March and a rise in the unemployment rate to 4.5%.

In remarks on Wednesday ahead of the Fed's decision, Trump repeated his criticism of Fed chair Jerome Powell, calling him "stupid" and speculating about the end of his term. The European Central Bank has cut interest rates eight times since last June. The Bank of England cut borrowing costs last month but is expected to hold rates steady this week.

But Isaac Stell, investment manager at Wealth Club, said Trump may have "talked himself into a bit of a bind", as the Fed stays committed to its wait-and-see approach. "Central bankers tend to jealously guard their independence, which means that unless there's a really compelling reason to cut they might just stay sat on the fence," he said.

The US central bank leaves its key interest rate unchanged at 4.3%, as its view of the economy darkens.

Fed holds interest rates for fourth time despite tariff turmoil

Food shopping accounts for the biggest proportion of households "basic spending" in Northern Ireland, according to research from the Consumer Council.

That's the highest level since it started monitoring these figures two years ago.

Mum of three Jessica Ireland from Londonderry posts videos comparing the cost of her food shopping on TikTok.

Read more here.

Food shopping accounts for the biggest proportion of households "basic spending" in NI, according to new research.

How to save on your weekly food shop

When will interest rates go down again?

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

BBC

The Bank of England cut interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25% in May - the second reduction in 2025. Analysts expect the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee to announce further cuts later in the year. Interest rates affect mortgage, credit card and savings rates for millions of people.

What are interest rates and why do they change?

An interest rate tells you how much it costs to borrow money, or the reward for saving it. The Bank of England's base rate is what it charges other banks and building societies to borrow money. That influences what they charge their own customers for loans such as mortgages as well as the interest rate they pay on savings. The Bank moves rates up and down in order to keep UK inflation - which is the increase in the price of something over time - at 2%. When inflation is above that target, the Bank can decide to put rates up. This encourages people to spend less, reducing demand for goods and services and limiting price rises. Once inflation is at or near the target, the Bank may hold rates, or cut them to stimulate spending and economic growth.

Will rates fall further?

It is difficult to predict exactly what will happen to interest rates, even in the medium-term. The main inflation measure, CPI, was 3.4% in the 12 months to May 2025, the same as in the previous month. Although that is far below the peak of 11.1% reached in October 2022, inflation remains above the 2% target.

As well as inflation, the Bank has to consider how the UK economy is doing more generally. It also pays close attention to the performance of the global economy, which has been thrown into chaos by the widespread tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump. Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey previously said he would take a gradual and careful approach to cutting rates. But the uncertainty caused by US tariffs may mean UK interest rates fall further than predicted as the Bank seeks to help boost the economy. Some analysts believe rates could fall to 3.5%. What tariffs has Trump announced and why?

How does it affect me if share prices fall?

Why should I care if the US dollar falls?

How do interest rates affect mortgages, loans and savings rates?

Mortgages Just under a third of households have a mortgage, according to the government's English Housing Survey. About 600,000 homeowners have a mortgage that "tracks" the Bank of England's rate, so the latest base rate change has an immediate impact on their monthly repayments. Typically, their monthly repayments will now be £29 cheaper. But the vast majority of mortgage customers have fixed-rate deals. While their monthly payments aren't immediately affected by a rate change, future deals are. Mortgage rates are still much higher than they have been for much of the past decade. As at 18 June, the average two-year fixed mortgage rate was 5.12%, according to financial information company Moneyfacts, and a five-year deal was 5.10%. The average two-year tracker was 4.91%. This means many homebuyers and those remortgaging are having to pay a lot more than if they had borrowed the same amount a few years ago. About 800,000 fixed-rate mortgages with an interest rate of 3% or below are expected to expire every year, on average, until the end of 2027. Their borrowing costs are expected to rise sharply. Lenders have been reducing rates on new fixed deals in expectation that UK interest rates will fall further. You can see how your mortgage may be affected by future interest rate changes by using our calculator:

If you can't see the calculator, click here.

Five ways to save money on your mortgage Credit cards and loans Bank of England interest rates also influence the amount charged on credit cards, bank loans and car loans. Lenders can decide to reduce their own interest rates if Bank cuts make borrowing costs cheaper. However, this tends to happen very slowly.

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Savings The Bank base rate also affects how much savers earn on their money. A falling base rate is likely to mean a reduction in the returns offered to savers by banks and building societies. The current average rate for an easy access savings account is 2.68%, according to Moneyfacts. Any cut in rates could particularly affect those who rely on the interest from their savings to top up their income.

What is happening to interest rates in other countries?

Interest rates, set by the Bank of England, affect mortgage, loan and savings rates for millions.

When will interest rates go down again and how do they affect mortgages?

OpenAI boss: Meta offering $100m plus to poach my staff

However Mr Altman said "at least so far" none of his "best people" had been persuaded to jump ship.

Meta - which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp - is attempting to boost the artificial intelligence (AI) side of its business, including recently spending $14bn (£10.4bn) to buy 49% of the startup, Scale AI.

The boss of OpenAI, Sam Altman, says members of his team have been getting "giant offers" from rival tech firm Meta, including $100m (£74.3m) "signing bonuses."

Speaking on his brother Jack's podcast, Sam Altman said he respected Meta's aggression in competing with OpenAI, which makes the world's best known AI-powered product, ChatGPT.

He said in addition to the signing bonuses, Meta was offering more than that in "compensation per year", though did not spell out whether that was in wages or stock options and other incentives.

But Mr Altman said he thought people were staying at OpenAI because of its "mission" of creating superintelligence and the "economic awards and everything else flowing from that".

OpenAI and other AI firms think artificial general intelligence (AGI) is not far off, which would mean AI systems can perform as well as - or better than - humans.

Superintelligence is the next step, where the aim is to create AI which can vastly outperform human cognitive abilities.

Big tech firms are spending vast amounts of money pursing these goals.

For example, in January OpenAI announced a joint deal with other funders to spend $500bn on a number of new data centres - which power AI - in the US.

Unsurprisingly, Mr Altman said he thinks OpenAI has "a much better shot at actually delivering on superintelligence, and also may eventually be the more valuable company."

He said it is "a really special culture" at OpenAI which attracts engineers to the company, especially when it comes to innovation.

"There's many things I respect about Meta as a company, but I don't think they're a company that's, like, great at innovation," he told his brother.

Though he called Meta's pursuit of superintelligence "rational," he compared it to Google's failed attempt at setting up a social media platform to rival Facebook.

Sam Altman said so far none of his "best people" had jumped ship to his big tech rival.

OpenAI boss: Meta offering $100m plus to poach my staff

Food shopping accounts for the biggest proportion of households' "basic spending" in Northern Ireland, according to research from the Consumer Council.

That is the highest level since it started monitoring these figures two years ago.

It comes as the rate at which prices are rising, known as inflation, remained unchanged last month at 3.4%.

Jessica Ireland, from Londonderry, regularly posts videos comparing the cost of her food shopping on TikTok.

Read more here.

Food accounts for 23% of basic spending, which includes housing, clothes, health, transport and education, NI Consumer Council finds.

Cost of living: Food shopping taking up biggest chunk of NI incomes

UK inflation remains at highest for more than a year

UK inflation remained at 3.4% in the year to May as cheaper air fares offset higher food prices as the cost of chocolate and meat rose.

The pace of price rises was the same as in April, following a revision by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and means that inflation remains at its highest for more than a year.

It said that the cost of plane tickets fell compared with a large rise last year "as the timing of Easter and school holidays affected pricing".

Inflation remains above the Bank of England's target rate of 2% but it is not expected to cut interest rates when it meets on Thursday.

The pace of price rises stayed at 3.4% in May as cheaper air fares off-set costlier food.

UK inflation remains highest for more than a year

Amazon boss says AI will replace jobs at tech giant

5 hours ago Share Save Natalie Sherman Business reporter, BBC News Share Save

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Amazon boss Andy Jassy has told staff to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and warned the technology will lead to a smaller corporate workforce in the next few years. He shared the prediction in a memo to staff on Tuesday, which urged employees to "be curious about AI". The tech giant is the latest firm to set out its plans for using AI amid concerns the technology will lead to rapid job losses across the world. Mr Jassy said he expected AI to lead to "efficiency gains" that would allow the firm to reduce its corporate workforce.

"We will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today, and more people doing other types of jobs," he wrote. "It's hard to know exactly where this nets out over time, but in the next few years, we expect that this will reduce our total corporate workforce as we get efficiency gains from using AI extensively across the company."

Companies, especially in the tech sector, have been investing heavily in AI in recent years, spurred on by technological advances that have made it easier than ever for chatbots to create code, images and text with limited instruction. But as the new tools gain traction, they have sparked warnings from some tech leaders of job losses, especially in entry-level office roles. Dario Amodei, chief executive of AI-firm Anthropic, told news website Axios last month that the technology could wipe out half of entry-level white collar jobs. Geoffrey Hinton, whose work on AI, including at Google, has earned him the moniker "Godfather of AI", echoed those warnings on a recent podcast. "This is a very different kind of technology," he said, pushing back against arguments that job losses from AI will be outweighed as the technology creates new kinds of positions, in a pattern seen with earlier technological leaps. "If it can do all mundane human intellectual labor, then what new jobs is it going to create? You'd have to be very skilled to have a job that it couldn't just do." Amazon directly employed more than 1.5 million people around the world at the end of last year. The majority of those staff are in the US, where it ranks as the country's second-largest employer after Walmart. While many staff the firm's e-commerce warehouses, about 350,000 people also serve the company in office roles.

Amazon using AI in 'every corner of company'

Andy Jassy tells staff to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) as he warns the workforce will get smaller.

Amazon boss says AI will replace jobs at tech giant

Opening of HS2 line set to be delayed beyond 2033

It is the latest setback for the high-speed rail project, which has been scaled back and delayed repeatedly.

She is set to outline the findings of two reviews into HS2, one of which a "litany of failure" has been blamed for ballooning costs.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to tell Parliament on Wednesday that there is "no reasonable way to deliver" the railway line on schedule and within budget - but is not expected to say how long the delay will be.

The opening of HS2 will be delayed beyond the target date of 2033, the BBC understands.

What is HS2 and why scrap the Manchester link?

Alexander is expected to say that Conservative governments presided over the cost of HS2 rising by £37bn between 2012, when the line was first approved, and the general election last year.

Under the original plans, HS2 was intended to create high-speed rail links between London and major cities in the Midlands and North of England.

It was designed to cut journey times and expand capacity on the railways, but has faced myriad challenges and soaring costs.

It has already been pared down to a high-speed link between Birmingham and London, with the Birmingham to Manchester leg cancelled in 2023 due to costs getting "totally out of control", the then-Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said.

That was two years after a planned eastern leg between Birmingham and Leeds was also axed.

Alexander is to release the two reports into HS2 in a bid to "draw a line in the sand" and mark a government reset in how major infrastructure is delivered.

One report will detail the findings of a review conducted by the former chief executive of Crossrail, James Stewart, which was commissioned last year to "investigate the oversight of major transport infrastructure projects".

It is expected to set out what has gone wrong with the HS2 to date and what ministers can learn for future projects.

A second review by Mark Wild, the chief executive of HS2 who was put in place as part of efforts to get control of rising costs in October last year, will assess the construction of the project's phase from London to Birmingham.

Last year, the Department for Transport said the remaining project cost was estimated at between £45bn and £54bn in 2019 prices - but HS2 management has estimated it could be as high as £57bn.

In 2010, it was estimated HS2 would cost £33bn and open in 2026.

Alexander is also expected to announce the appointment of Mike Brown, the former commissioner of Transport for London to become the new chair of HS2 Ltd.

The BBC understands the government will confirm the delay on Wednesday when a review of the project is published.

Opening of HS2 line set to be delayed beyond 2033

'Food shop is my biggest expense after the mortgage'

3 hours ago Share Save Clodagh Rice BBC News NI business correspondent Share Save

Food shopping taking up biggest chunk of NI incomes

Food shopping accounts for the biggest proportion of households' "basic spending" in Northern Ireland, according to research from the Consumer Council. That is the highest level since it started monitoring these figures two years ago. Every quarter it tracks what households earn and spend using data from Grant Thornton on how UK regions are impacted by the cost of living crisis. The research suggests food costs account for almost a quarter (23%) of basic spending, which includes things like housing, clothes, health, transport and education. Mum-of-three Jessica Ireland, from Londonderry, says her weekly food shop has increased by up to £50.

"At the minute, I would spend about £100-120 a week on food - that's for me, my husband, a five year old, a three year old and a baby," she told BBC News NI. She used to spend £70-80 a week on food but has noticed a jump in recent years. "It would definitely be - besides my mortgage - my biggest expense," she said. "And it's one thing you can only lower so much because everyone needs to eat and kids need snacks, they need nappies and shampoo. You can only cut that cost so much." Ms Ireland regularly posts videos comparing the cost of her food shopping on TikTok. "Things have definitely gotten more expensive," she said. "If they haven't gone up in price, they have definitely gone down in size. "I had a Celebrations (chocolate) tub I'd kept from last year and then when I bought another one this year and put them side by side I was like wow! I thought I had got such a good price this year because it was the same as last year and then when I compared them it was considerably smaller than last year."

Getty Images Research by the Consumer Council suggests the lowest earning households in NI are spending more on their food shopping than any other bill

Ms Ireland said rising food prices have impacted both how she shops and cooks. "I now buy more own brand stuff, I am trying to cook more things from scratch because I do find that typically is cheaper," she said. "I love to buy anything on offer and I love to shop the yellow sticker section. So that's the two big things I would always look out for on a shop."

Bread, milk, eggs and cheese

Ms Ireland has noticed a huge increase in the price of chocolate, in particular. "I usually just wait for chocolate, the same as say cheese and butter, which are some things that I would have bought every single week," she said. "I now try to wait until they are on offer and buy loads of it in one go. "Eggs, I feel, have got really expensive and milk. It seems like a lot of staple items have got more expensive, like fruit, but I just try to shop that stuff on offer and try to stock up while it's on offer so I don't ever have to pay full price for butter, cheese or chocolate." As for her advice for trying to keep costs down, she says planning is key. "I don't ever go into the shops without a full list of exactly what I need, based on the meals," she said. "I meal plan too, based on what's on offer, so if I notice a whole roast chicken is on offer, I'm going to have that for dinner that week which helps keep costs down."

Philippa McKeown-Brown is head of food policy at the Consumer Council

The research by the Consumer Council also suggests the lowest earning households in Northern Ireland are spending more on their food shopping than any other bill. Philippa McKeown-Brown, who is head of food policy, said: "Low income households are still spending the majority of their basic spend on food, outstripping housing costs, electricity, gas and other fuels. "So that's really quite significant that such a big proportion of people's income is just to cover their food bill. "Food is such a fundamental basic right, we all depend upon it and for that to be taking such a big proportion of people's spend, you have to wonder, what is being sacrificed because of it?"

Queen's University Belfast student Aimee Stevenson says many students are struggling with food poverty

Student Aimee Stevenson, 20, helps other students at Queen's University Belfast's pantry. "Mostly, as students, we like to bulk buy our groceries and cook all at once and freeze a lot of things so you aren't spending as much money as often," she added. But, she added, the demand for the food support service means they are helping as many as 100 students a day.

Young adults 'skipping meals and going hungry'

Cost of living: Food makes up majority of NI household spending

Co-op offers members discount on shopping after cyber attack

3 hours ago Share Save Share Save

EPA

Retailer Co-op is to offer its members £10 off a minimum shop of £40 following disruption caused by a recent cyber attack. The grocery chain said it had not yet completely recovered from being targeted by hackers last month, which resulted in a significant amount of customer data being stolen. Although the offer appears generous, one analysts said the majority of customers do not spend £40 or more per shop, so it would not appeal to many people. The one-off deal, which runs from Wednesday for a week, is open to existing Co-op members, and a shoppers wanting to sign up, but not to staff.

A Co-op source said since stock levels had returned to normal over the past few weeks, there had been a strong pick-up in sales. The offer was to show that the Co-op was "on the front foot" ahead of summer trading, the source told the BBC. But retail consultant Catherine Shuttleworth said the offer indicated that members may have started to shop elsewhere and was an effort from Co-op to try to get them back. Co-op said if members spend £40 or more in store, they will get £10 off their shop.

Easy to redeem?

"You'd be pushed to spend that in a Co-op - the average shop would be between £10 and £15. It's a very high threshold for a convenience business," added Ms Shuttleworth. She said the chain was trying to show commitment to its frequent shoppers, but suggested the business was "not going to be huge redemptions on that offer". Ms Shuttleworth said members would probably appreciate practical help on securing their data more. In some rural areas such as Skye in Scotland, the Co-op is the main shop - albeit with a choice of other smaller retailers. But the majority of Co-op stores are in urban areas with more competition.

'Near to full recovery'

The retailer says the offer is to thank members but a retail analyst says the bar is high to redeem it.

Co-op offers members discount on shopping after cyber attack

Trump to extend US TikTok ban deadline, White House says

TikTok and ByteDance did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the BBC.

The popular video sharing app was supposed to be banned in the US after its Chinese owner, ByteDance, refused to sell it to a US buyer by a January deadline.

"President Trump will sign an additional Executive Order this week to keep TikTok up and running," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday.

TikTok will live on for at least another three months in the United States, as President Donald Trump is poised to extend a sale or ban deadline for the third time since taking office this year.

Leavitt said the 90-day extension would "ensure this deal is closed so that the American people can continue to use TikTok with the assurance that their data is safe and secure."

Before Leavitt's announcement, Trump told the BBC that he would "probably" extend the TikTok.

"We'll probably have to get China approval," Trump said. "I think we'll get it. I think President Xi will ultimately approve it."

When asked if he has the legal basis to extend the deadline, he responded: "We do."

Trump's extension is at odds with the will of Congress, which passed the sale-or-ban measure last year. His predecessor, former President Joe Biden, immediately signed the bill into law.

The law was aimed to address concerns that TikTok, which has 170 million American users, could be used by China as a tool for spying and political manipulation.

The Supreme Court agreed with a lower court and upheld the law in January just before Trump was set to take office.

The platform briefly went dark for a few hours during the weekend before Trump's inauguration.

TikTok praised Trump for saving the platform after it became available again.

Trump tried to force a sale of TikTok to an American buyer in 2020, during his first term in office.

But last year, Trump said he liked the platform because he believed it had helped him win the 2024 presidential election.

"I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok, because I won youth by 34 points," Trump said in December, although most young voters backed the Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.

Trump's unilateral deadline extensions have led some analysts to dismiss the notion that a ban might ever take place during his time in office.

"What ban? There is nothing 'looming' about the potential TikTok ban anymore," said Forrester principal analyst Kelsey Chickering.

"TikTok's behaviour also indicates they're confident in their future, as they rolled out new AI video tools at Cannes this week."

"Smaller players, like Snap, will try to steal share during this "uncertain time," but they will not succeed because this next round for TikTok isn't uncertain at all," Ms Chickering added.

The Trump administration said in April that the US and China had neared a deal that would have placed majority control of TikTok's US operations under American ownership. That deal has yet to materialise.

"There are key matters to be resolved," a ByteDance spokesperson said at the time. "Any agreement will be subject to approval under Chinese law."

Trump has said he would be open to seeing it sold to cloud computing giant Oracle, whose co-founder Larry Ellison is a long-time ally of Trump's.

Billionaire Frank McCourt, Canadian businessman Kevin O'Leary, and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian are part of another team bidding for the platform.

And the biggest YouTuber in the world Jimmy Donaldson - AKA MrBeast - has said he's also interested in buying TikTok as part of a different investor group.

The app was supposed to be banned in the US after its Chinese owner refused to sell it by a January deadline.

Donald Trump to extend US TikTok ban deadline, White House says

UK watchdog fines 23andMe for 'profoundly damaging' data breach

5 hours ago Share Save Liv McMahon Technology reporter Share Save

Getty Images

DNA testing firm 23andMe has been fined £2.31m by a UK watchdog over a data breach in 2023 which affected thousands of people. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) said the company - which has since filed for bankruptcy - failed to put adequate measures in place to secure sensitive user data prior to the incident. "This was a profoundly damaging breach that exposed sensitive personal information, family histories, and even health conditions," said Information Commissioner John Edwards. 23andMe is set to be sold to a new owner, TTAM Research Institute, which said it had "made several binding commitments to enhance protections for customer data and privacy."

23andMe's users were targeted by what is known as a "credential stuffing" attack in October 2023. This saw hackers use passwords exposed in previous breaches to access 23andMe accounts for which people had used the same or similar credentials. They were able to access 14,000 individual accounts - and, through those, download information relating to about 6.9m people linked to as possible relations on the site. According to the ICO, this included access to personal data belonging to 155,592 UK residents, such as names, year of birth, geographical information, profile images, race, ethnicity, health reports and family trees. Stolen data did not include DNA records. "As one of those impacted told us: once this information is out there, it cannot be changed or reissued like a password or credit card number," said Mr Edwards.

The fine comes as the DNA testing firm, which filed for bankruptcy in March, is set to be sold to a new owner.

UK watchdog fines 23andMe for 'profoundly damaging' data breach

Nissan unveils new electric car to be built in UK

The new Leaf will be built in Sunderland and powered by batteries also manufactured nearby

Car manufacturer Nissan has unveiled details of its new Leaf electric vehicle, which is set to be built at its UK factory.

The third-generation model will be built at its Sunderland plant by its 6,000-strong team, the Japanese carmaker said.

The new Leaf will be able to travel up to 375 miles (604km) on a single charge and will be available for customers to order later this year, Nissan said.

It will be powered by batteries from AESC UK, Nissan's battery partner, which is based next to the Wearside factory.

The new Leaf will be powered by batteries also manufactured in Sunderland.

New Nissan Leaf electric car to be built in Sunderland

More than 1,000 jobs at risk as Poundland plans 68 store closures

1 hour ago Share Save Emma Simpson & Faarea Masud BBC News Share Save

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Budget chain Poundland has said it will be closing 68 stores as part of a turnaround plan to revive its fortunes, putting more than 1,000 jobs at risk. A distribution centre at Darton, South Yorkshire and its national distribution centre at Bilston in the West Midlands have also been earmarked for closure. In addition, Poundland is seeking rent reductions from landlords which, together with leases expiring on some stores, could result in an additional 70 or so shop closures in the future. Poundland, which currently has 792 stores in the UK and Ireland and employs around 16,000 people, was sold for a pound last week to US investment firm Gordon Brothers.

The restructuring plan still requires approval by a court. "It's no secret that we have much work to do to get Poundland back on track," said Barry Williams, Poundland managing director. While it was "regrettable" the turnaround plan included closures, he said this was "necessary if we're to achieve our goal of securing the future of thousands of jobs and hundreds of stores". "While Poundland remains a strong brand, serving 20m-plus shoppers each year, our performance for a significant period has fallen short of our high standards and action is needed to enable the business to return to growth." 'I used to spend £50 there': What's gone wrong at Poundland?

The discount chain sets out turnaround plans a week after it was bought by a US investment firm.

Poundland plans 68 store closures putting more than 1,000 jobs at risk

Trump Organization enters mobile phone business

7 hours ago Share Save Natalie Sherman Business reporter, BBC News Reporting from New York Lily Jamali North America technology correspondent Reporting from San Francisco Share Save

Nur Photo/Getty Images

Donald Trump's family business is launching a new Trump-branded phone service, in its latest plan to cash in on the US president's name. The Trump Organization, which is run by his sons, said it planned to sell a gold-coloured, "built in the United States" smartphone for $499 (£367.50), along with mobile phone service for a monthly fee of $47.45 - a reference to their father serving as the country's 47th and 45th president. Ethics watchdogs said the latest venture represented another means for potential corruption and conflicts of interest. A supply chain expert has also told the BBC that making such a phone in the US from all-American components would be "virtually impossible."

"It's unbelievable that the Trump family has created yet another way for President Trump to personally profit while in office," said Meghan Faulkner, communications director for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). Trump has said he has put his business interests in a trust, which is managed by his children. The White House has maintained he acts on the interests of all Americans. But Ms Faulkner said the latest venture raised familiar issues, including whether the new business will win customers from people hoping to influence Trump and how the president will craft policies and regulation for an industry in which his family now has a stake.

Made in America?

Technology experts have questioned what the Trump Organization's "built in the United States" claim about its handsets means and argued it is probably not currently possible to manufacture smartphones from scratch in the US. "They don't even have a working prototype. It's extremely unlikely," said Professor Tinglong Dai, who teaches operations management at Johns Hopkins' Carey Business School. "You would have to have a miracle. You would need to have economies of scale. You would need to have sustainable demand for this kind of product," Prof Dai added. The decision comes as Trump tries to pressure Apple chief executive Tim Cook to manufacture iPhones sold to American buyers in the US. Last month, the president threatened to place a 25% import tax "at least" on iPhones not manufactured in America. Analyst Leo Gebbie of CCS Insight noted that the US currently "simply does not have the high-tech supply chain" required for smartphone assembly, especially not in time to be released in August, as the Trump Organization has said. "However, it's possible that the device could be assembled in the US with parts imported from abroad. This might be the most likely outcome that lets the T1 claim American sovereignty," Mr Gebbie said. The announcement was light on details, including the name of the business partner that will run the service and is licensing the name. The Trump Organization did not immediately respond to questions from the BBC about its business partner, criticisms around potential ethics issues and a request for details of its "built in the United States" claim. In announcing its plans, it said "hard-working Americans deserve a wireless service that's affordable, reflects their values, and delivers reliable quality they can count on". It pitched a policy of "discounted" international calls to families with members serving outside the US in the military. The announcement said the mobile service would have customer support staff based in the US to answer questions, as well as the gold-coloured phone, which is currently available for pre-order.

Trump's net worth has more than doubled

The deal is an extension of a business strategy that Trump embraced long before his presidency, striking deals to sell his name to hoteliers and golf course operators in exchange for fees and royalties. But the opportunities to profit from his brand have expanded since he entered politics a decade ago. On his most recent financial disclosure, Trump reported making more than $600m last year, including millions from items such as Trump-branded bibles, watches sneakers and fragrances. Forbes in March estimated his net worth was $5.1bn, more than double than a year earlier. It said the surge was due in part to the president's "diehard following", which is credited with helping to prop up the value of Trump's social media company that runs the Truth Social platform, which accounted for roughly half his wealth last year.

It is the latest plan by US President Donald Trump's family that looks to cash on his name.

Trump Organization enters mobile phone business

Trump signs order confirming parts of UK-US tariff deal

27 minutes ago Share Save Natalie Sherman Business reporter Chris Mason • @ChrisMasonBBC Political editor Share Save

Watch: A trade deal, a family photo and conflict in the Middle East - Trump’s short G7

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to reduce tariffs on UK cars being shipped to the US, which will bring into force parts of a tariff deal agreed between the two countries last month. Speaking at the G7 summit in Canada, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the move a "very important day" for both countries. It comes after weeks of talks to implement parts of the pact, which the UK government hopes will shield British businesses from the impact of Trump's tariffs. But the deal includes a 10% levy on most UK goods, including cars, and did not address the expected removal of charges on steel imports.

The pact, initially agreed last month, is the first that the White House has announced since it imposed wide-ranging tariffs on various goods entering America earlier this year. It was signed shortly before the White House said Trump would leave the summit early due to the situation in the Middle East. Chris Mason: Tariffs deal a triumph for Starmer - up to a point Trump has raised taxes on goods entering the US, in a series of rapid-fire announcements in an attempt to encourage businesses and consumers to buy more American-made goods. The moves had sparked financial turmoil and alarm around the world, including in the UK, where car manufacturers and steelmakers rely on the US as a key destination for exports.

Tariffs remain for steel

In the order Trump signed on Monday, the US said it would allow up to 100,000 cars into the US at a 10% tariff, instead of the 25% import tax imposed on all car imports earlier this year, as agreed under the terms outlined in May. The order said the US would set up a similar system for steel and aluminium, but did not specify what it would be. "We're gonna let you have that information in little while," the US President said when asked if steel tariffs would be axed for the UK - a major part of the original tariff pact. The UK government said it would "continue to go further and make progress towards 0% tariffs on core steel products as agreed". The order also agreed to remove tariffs on certain kinds of aerospace products. Sir Keir said the deal "implements on car tariffs and aerospace", and described the agreement as a "sign of strength" between Britain and America. In response to a question about future tariffs, Trump said the UK was "very well protected". "You know why? Because I like them," he added.

The deal on US-UK tariffs will come into effect seven days following its official publication. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which represents UK carmakers, said it was "a huge reassurance" to the sector. He told the BBC's Today programme there had been "a lot less" exports of British cars to the US as the industry waited for the deal to be ratified. On Monday, JLR, the UK carmaker owned by India's Tata Motors, lowered its earnings forecast after pausing shipments to the US in April due to tariffs. Mr Hawes said: "UK exports to the US were never a threat to US production. Last year, we only exported 100,000 – these are small volume, high value manufactured goods, so not the type that are made in the US." Car shipments to the US already incurred a 2.5% tariff which meant that if an agreement had not been reached, UK exports would have been taxed at 27.5% when they reached the States. Mr Hawes said that the 10% tariff "does give some of the UK manufacturers something of a competitive edge because their competitors tend to come from Italy or some from Germany which are still subject to the 27.5% tariff".

Getty Images The executive order will bring into force parts of a tariff deal agreed last month

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the announcement was "the result of work happening at pace between both governments to lower the burden on UK businesses". "We will update parliament on the implementation of quotas on US beef and ethanol, part of our commitment to the US under this deal," he added. US beef exports to the UK have historically been subject to a 20% tariff within a quota of 1,000 metric tons. The UK had agreed to scrap this tariff and raise the quota to 13,000 metric tonnes, according to terms shared last month. But the UK government has insisted there will be no weakening of food standards and that any US beef imports will need to meet food safety requirements.

Not a free-trade deal

The pact between the US and UK means tariffs will be reduced on certain goods such as cars entering the US.

Trump signs order confirming parts of UK-US tariff deal

British Steel secures £500m contract to supply UK train tracks

British Steel said the new contract represented a "huge vote of confidence in UK workers and British industry".

Ministers stepped in after accusing the Chinese firm Jingye, which bought British Steel in 2020, of planning to shut down the plant's blast furnaces.

The company will forge more than 337,000 tonnes of track, securing thousands of jobs, two months after the government used emergency powers to prevent the blast furnaces from immediate closure.

British Steel has secured a five-year contract worth £500m to supply train tracks for Network Rail, in a move which could help safeguard the short-term future of the Scunthorpe steelworks.

The contract will begin on 1 July, with the company continuing to provide Network Rail with 80% of its track needs and other European steelmakers to supply "specialist rail products" alongside, the government said.

While British Steel has long supplied the track used for Britain's railways with Scunthorpe producing rail since 1865, the latest deal provides guaranteed work for the plant for at least the next five years.

Why did the government take control of British Steel?

Clive Berrington, Network Rail's director for railway business services, said the public company, which owns and maintains Britain's railways, was "committed to buying British where it makes economic sense to do so".

"British Steel remain extremely competitive in the provision of rail and will remain our main supplier in the years ahead," he added.

Craig Harvey, commercial director for rail at British Steel added the agreement demonstrated the firm's "importance to the UK's economy and infrastructure".

In April, the government took control of British Steel from its owners but has so far stopped short of fully nationalising the business.

It has not ruled out full public ownership, but is also looking for potential private investors to fund steelmaking operations, which has increasingly been raised as a national security issue.

Concerns over the future of the UK's steelmaking capability were raised when talks between the government and Jingye broke down, with the business secretary saying it had "become clear" that the company was intent on closing down the blast furnaces.

If the furnaces were starved of fuel and went out, the UK would no longer have the ability to produce so-called virgin steel, due to the process of restarting them being extremely difficult and costly.

Virgin steel-making involves iron being extracted from its original source to be purified and treated to make all types of steel used in major construction projects, such as new railways.

Scunthorpe, which employs 2,700 people, is the last plant in the UK producing virgin steel. It has four blast furnaces, all named after English Queens - Bess, Mary, Anne and Victoria, but Bess and Anne are the only two still in operation.

The government said the new deal with Network Rail demonstrated its progress to "strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chains" in order to boost economic growth.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, who is set to visit Scunthorpe on Tuesday, said the contract "truly transforms the outlook for British Steel".

The deal comes ahead of the government's national infrastructure strategy being released later this week.

Uncertainty has surrounded the future of the UK's steel industry in recent years, with the closure of Port Talbot's blast furnaces in 2024.

US tariffs targeting imports of steel to the country have also threatened businesses. The UK has been temporarily spared from President Donald Trump's executive order doubling steel tariffs from 25% to 50%.

However, the UK could end up facing the higher rate if its deal signed with the Trump administration last month, which would see steel and aluminium tariffs axed, does not come into force.

The company will forge more than 337,000 tonnes of track in a deal safeguarding its future for the next five years.

British Steel secures £500m contract to supply UK train tracks

Why Ukraine is one of the world's most digital countries

3 hours ago Share Save Ben Morris Technology of Business Editor Share Save

Getty Images Ukrainians can access 130 services from the Diia portal

Rounding a corner in Kyiv on 24 Feb 2022, Oleksandr Bornyakov remembers driving into a gun battle. It was day one of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and Russian saboteurs were fighting with Ukrainian security forces in the centre of the Ukrainian capital. "There is shooting, cars are burning, armoured vehicles are burning... when we eventually passed... there were a lot of bodies." As a government minister he had been ordered to drive hundreds of kilometres west and continue his work in a safer location.

Beginning in 2019, Bornykov, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation, had been managing the shift of Ukraine's government services to a new app called Diia (the Ukrainian word for action). The idea was that citizens could access everything they needed from their mobile phones; driving licences, marriage certificates, house deeds, and much more. They started with driver's licences in 2019, which was quite popular, but the Diia app got a boost during the pandemic, when Covid certificates were added. "This gave another maybe two or three million people," says Bornykov. Despite the war Diia has continued to develop. Today the app hosts 40 government services, including tax payment, car registration and marriage applications. Perhaps more fun - Ukrainians can make local selections for Eurovision via the app, including selecting national jury members and choosing the national representative. Additionally, 30 documents are available on the app; Bornykov, flicked through some of his for me including his gun licence and car insurance. There is also a Diia portal, which can be accessed via a browser on a computer, which has 130 services for citizens and businesses. In total Diia has 22.7 million users. All this, according to Bornyakov, makes Ukraine one of the leading countries when it comes to digital government services - in his opinion putting Ukraine ahead of Estonia, which is well known for its digital government. "I haven't seen anybody else doing better than us, except maybe Saudi Arabia, and this both relates to number of users and and the approach."

Ministry of Digital Transformation Ukraine Marriage admin can all be done via the Diia app

How has Ukraine been able to make such progress, despite the disruption of Covid and amid, for the last three years, fighting off Russian invaders? Part of it is having the right workforce, according to Bornyakov. He says that for the past 20 years Ukraine has been a popular destination for companies looking to outsource IT projects. He estimates that there are 300,000 software developers in Ukraine, many of whom have worked on complex projects for big international companies. "There's a lot of technical and experienced engineers that can do brilliant things," he says. They are also not as expensive as elsewhere in the world. So, he estimates that between five and 10 million dollars was spent on developing Diia. Hiring software developers in the UK would cost five or 10 times as much, he says.

Getty Images The Diia app was used to select Ukraine's Eurovision act, Ziferblat

David Eaves is associate professor of digital government at University College London, and has studied efforts by governments all over the world to digitise their services. He says the key to Ukraine's success was work done prior to building the app. Using software similar to that used by Estonia, Ukraine created a data exchange, which made it easy for data flow from government departments and organisations. The Diia app was then added on top of the data exchange. "If you have this flexibility of moving data around, it becomes much easier to build new services, because rather than asking citizens for the same information all over again, you can simply request their permission to access it," says Prof Eaves. So, when applying for a benefit, users don't have to re-enter their address, place of birth, martial status, and their income could be checked against their tax records. Not only does this reduce the administrative burden, but it means the government doesn't have to design a system to recollect, store and process this information all over again.

Ministry for Digital Transformation Ukraine The Diia app hosts 40 government services and 30 documents

That flexibility allowed Ukraine to add new services to cope with the challenges of war. "We actually introduced around 15 different services related to the to the war," says Mr Bornyakov. For example users could apply for compensation if their property was damaged or destroyed. Citizens could also report the location of Russian troops through the app. Prof Eaves also points out that Ukraine's war with Russia has spurred government to modernise. "When you are on a wartime footing, there's a sense of urgency. The urgency of delivering the service becomes more important than rules that sometimes trip up bureaucracies," he says. That's put Ukraine among the countries leading the effort to digitise government services, according to Prof Eaves. He thinks Denmark is probably leading the way with both a solid infrastructure, range of services and well designed user interface.

Despite the war, Ukraine has developed of the most advanced systems for digital government services.

Ukraine: Why it has one of the most digital governments

WhatsApp to start showing more adverts in messaging app

6 hours ago Share Save Zoe Kleinman • @zsk Technology editor Share Save

Getty Images

WhatsApp is launching three new ad features in a global roll-out across the messaging app. The Meta-owned platform says the new ads will not be shown in the same place as people's private chats, nor will the contents of their messages - which are encrypted - be used to decide which ads to display. WhatsApp will instead use the country, city and language of the user, as well as how they interact with other ads and which channels they follow, to drive suggested content. But people who have chosen to link their WhatsApp account to Facebook or Instagram will see more personalised ads. The new ad features will appear in a section called Updates, which is a separate tab at the bottom of the app.

WhatsApp claims to have 1.5 billion users globally. Businesses with channels will be able to choose to promote ads in the Updates section to attract new followers, and also charge a subscription to access extra content. WhatsApp will eventually take a 10% commission of that fee, and there may also be extra costs on top of that taken at the app store level depending on the size of the business. Firms will also be able to advertise in the form of a status update, which looks similar to an Instagram story and will link through to start a chat if clicked on. Social media expert Matt Navarra told the BBC that Meta is "laying the foundation for WhatsApp to finally become a monetisable platform at scale". But "monetising the periphery" of WhatsApp, while keeping personal chats private, would not be without risk for the company, he added. This could particularly be the case in markets like the UK and Europe, he said, where the app is viewed primarily as a messaging tool with less appetite for content feeds or adverts. "Any perception that the app is becoming noisy or Facebook-ified will spark backlash," he said. How does WhatsApp make money?

'Natural extension'

People who link their WhatsApp account to Facebook or Instagram will see personalised ads.

WhatsApp to start showing more adverts in messaging app

US deal 'may force UK biofuel plant to close'

5 hours ago Share Save Jason Arunn Murugesu BBC News, North East and Cumbria Share Save

Ensus Ensus produces bioethanol in Redcar

A bioethanol plant will be forced to close "imminently" unless the government acts, according to its operator. Ensus, which runs the Redcar plant, said the recent UK-US tariff deal "fundamentally undermined its business position", as it removed a 19% tariff on US ethanol imports. The firm's chairman Grant Pearson said the government needed to come up with a "urgent" solution to save skilled jobs in the region. A Department for Business and Trade (DBT) spokesperson said it was working closely with the bioethanol industry to understand the impacts of the deal.

The company's warning follows a similar announcement made by Associated British Foods (ABF), which operates the only other bioethanol plant in the UK. It said the new deal, which is still being worked on, was the "final blow" to its Vivergo Fuels Site at Saltend, near Hull.

'Catastrophic knock-on effect'

The two plants produce bioethanol, which is blended with petrol to produce more environmentally friendly fuels, such as E10 petrol in the UK. Ensus's Redcar plant sources feed grain from farms in the UK and Europe to produce about 400 million litres (88 million gallons) of bioethanol each year. It also sells the byproducts from this process, such as high protein animal feed, to farmers. The firm said it employed more than 100 people at the plant and that it supported a wider supply chain of about 3,000 people in northern England. It is understood the influx of US produced bioethanol into the UK would severely undercut Ensus and ABF's businesses. Mr Pearson said the loss of the Teesside plant would also mean a "catastrophic knock-on effect in other vital sectors of the economy". The UK is already the second-highest destination for US ethanol exports, according to US ethanol lobby group Renewable Fuels Association. Its head Geoff Cooper said in May: "We are excited about the prospects of expanded market access that will help boost our farm economy, while also delivering lower-cost, cleaner fuel to UK drivers." US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick said on X on Thursday that he was looking forward to the UK-US deal becoming "simultaneously active in the coming days".

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Ensus says the recent UK-US tariff deal "fundamentally undermined its business position".

US deal may force Redcar biofuel plant to close, Ensus warns

The reality behind Trump's incredible investment claims

12 hours ago Share Save Natalie Sherman BBC News Share Save

Getty Images

US President Donald Trump may have called tariffs his favourite word in the dictionary. But when it comes to obsessions, business investment has got to be close. As of last month, he said more than $12 trillion (£8.8tn) had been "practically committed" on his watch. "Nobody's ever seen numbers like we have," he said, crediting his agenda of tariffs, tax cuts and deregulation with making the difference. If true, the figure would indeed be astonishing, potentially tripling the roughly $4tn in gross private investment the US reported all of last year. So is a sudden gush of business spending setting the stage for a new golden economic era as Trump claims, or is it all theatre?

First things first: it is too early in Trump's tenure to have clear data to evaluate his claims. The US government publishes statistics on business investment only every three months. January to March, which reflect two months of Trump's tenure, show a strong jump in business investment, albeit one that analysts said was partly due to data skewed by an earlier Boeing strike. Other anecdotal and survey evidence indicates that Trump's impact on investment is far more incremental than he has claimed. "We have hardly any data at this point and almost all the information we have is probably for investment projects that were planned and ordered last year," says economist Nick Bloom, a professor at Stanford University whose work looks at the impact of uncertainty on business investment. "My guess is business investment is down a little bit, not massively... primarily because uncertainty is quite high and that will pause it."

Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche, which announced plans to invest $50bn in the US over five years in April, is a good example. Some of the projects included in the sum were already in the works. Executives have also warned that some of Trump's ideas - in particular a proposal to overhaul drug pricing - could imperil its plans. "The pharma industry would need to review their expenses including investments," the company said.

Getty Images On his first day in office, President Trump touted investment by SoftBank's Masayoshi Son, Oracle's Larry Ellison and OpenAI's Sam Altman

Trump typically makes his case pointing to investment promises made by high-profile firms such as Apple and Hyundai. The White House keeps a running tally of those announcements, but at the start of June, it put total new investments at roughly $5.3tn - less than half the sum cited by Trump. Even that figure is inflated. Roughly a third of the 62 investments on the list include plans that were at least partially in the works before Trump took office. For example: US manufacturer Corning is listed for a $1.5bn investment in a new manufacturing plant, but the core $900m of the project was announced in early 2024. Stellantis, on the list for a $5bn plan to reopen a factory in Belvidere, Illinois, initially made that promise in 2023. Other commitments include items that are not traditionally considered investments at all - like Apple's $500bn spending pledge, which includes taxes and salaries paid to workers already at the company. An investment promise, by ADQ and Energy Capital, is not limited to the US.

Falling 'well short' of headlines

In reality, as of mid-May, new investment stemming from the announcements likely totalled something closer to $134bn, according to analysis by Goldman Sachs. That sum shrank to as little as $30bn, not including investments backed by foreign governments, once researchers factored in the risk that some projects might fail to materialise, or would have happened anyway. "Though not negligible economically, such increases would fall well short of the recent headlines," they wrote.

When pressed on the numbers, White House spokesman Kush Desai brushed off concerns that the administration's claims did not match reality. "The Trump administration is using a multifaceted approach to drive investment into the United States... and no amount of pointless nitpicking and hairsplitting can refute that it's paying off," he said in a statement, which noted that many firms had explicitly credited Trump and his policies for shaping their plans.

Getty Images Trump invited chief executives to the White House to mark his first 100 days in office

The BBC approached more than two dozen firms with investments on the White House list. Many did not respond or referred to previous statements. Others acknowledged that work on some of their projects pre-dated the current administration.

Incentive to exaggerate

Exaggeration by politicians and companies is hardly unexpected. But the Trump administration's willingness to radically intervene in the economy, with tariffs and other changes, has given companies reason to pump up their plans in ways that flatter the president, says Martin Chorzempa, senior fellow at the Petersen Institute of International Economics. "A firm making an announcement is a way to get some current benefits, without necessarily being held to those [spending pledges] if the situation changes," he says. "There's a strong incentive for companies to provide as large a number as possible."

That's not to say that Trump policies aren't making a difference. The tariff threats have "definitely been a catalyst" for pharmaceutical firms to plan more manufacturing in the US, a key source of sector profits, says Stephen Farrelly, global lead for pharma and healthcare at ING. But, he adds, there are limits to what the threats can accomplish. The pharma investments are set to unfold over time - a decade in some cases - in a sector that was poised for growth anyway. And they have come from firms selling branded drugs - not the cheaper, generic medicines that many Americans rely on and that are made in China and India. Mr Farrelly also warned that the sector's investments may be at risk over the long term, given uncertainty about the government's approach to tariffs, drug pricing and scientific research.

Overall, many analysts expect investment growth to slow in the US this year due to policy uncertainty. Economist German Gutierrez of the University of Washington says Trump is right to want to boost investment in the US, but believes his emphasis on global competition misdiagnoses the problem. His own work has found the decline in investment is due in part to industry consolidation. Now a few large firms dominate sectors, there is less incentive to invest to compete. In addition, the kinds of investments firms are making are typically cheaper items such as software rather than machines and factories. Tariffs, Prof Gutierrez says, are unlikely to address those issues. "The way it's being done and the type of instruments they are using are not the best ways to achieve this goal. It just takes a lot more to really get this going," he says.

The president's impact on investment in the US is far more incremental than he has claimed.

are tariffs boosting the US economy?

UK's largest road tunnel project awarded £590m

2 hours ago Share Save Lewis Adams BBC News, Essex Share Save

National Highways About 2.6 miles (4.2km) of the Lower Thames Crossing is to run underground

A project to build the UK's largest road tunnel has been granted £590m by the government. Constructing the Lower Thames Crossing, linking Tilbury in Essex and Gravesend in Kent, will cost an estimated £10bn. Plans for the 14.5-mile (23km) route were approved in March after a 16-year process that has already cost £1.2bn. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the crossing would aid "smoother, less congested passage of vital goods from Europe to our regions".

It came as part of a £1bn package to improve transport infrastructure across England, announced on Monday.

The government said it was looking to source private finance to build the Lower Thames Crossing, branding it a "national priority". National Highways hoped the road would reduce traffic at the Dartford Crossing by 20%. Construction was expected to begin in 2026 ahead of an expected opening by 2032.

National Highways Most of the route will be in a tunnel or hidden behind landscaped embankments and mounds

"This is a turning point for our national infrastructure, and we're backing it with funding to support thousands of jobs and connect communities," Reeves said. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander added: "This project is essential for improving the resilience of a key freight route and is critical to our long term trade with Europe." The road will link the A2 and M2 in Kent with the A13 and M25 in Thurrock. About 2.6 miles (4.2km) of the route is to be underground, with northbound and southbound tunnels running next to each other beneath the Thames. The funding announcement was welcomed by Logistics UK, which represents the transport and logistics sector. "Efficient logistics with minimal delays is critical to the delivery of the government's growth agenda, and our members are delighted to hear that funding has been made available to start work on the long-planned Lower Thames Crossing, after a decade of holdups at this vital interchange," said policy director Kevin Green. "It is imperative that the government also sets out a plan for providing and securing the full funding required to complete the project – our members deserve to be able to deliver efficiently for the industry they support, so that the economy can benefit." However, campaigners have raised concerns about ancient woodland being impacted by the works. Chris Todd, director of Transport Action Network, previously said the decision was "absolute madness". He added: "The only way that the government can afford this white elephant would be to take money from all the other nations and regions in the UK."

Lower Thames Crossing plans approved

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Work on the Lower Thames Crossing is expected to begin in 2026 and finish by 2032.

Lower Thames Crossing project awarded £590m by Rachel Reeves

Prom season is upon us, but for some families the monumental school event can be a financial burden.

Elms Funeral Directors in Weston-super-Mare, north Somerset, is helping to make the night memorable for teenagers by offering free limo rides.

Enquiries can be made confidentially, and those attending prom can even request things like bows and ribbons to personalise the limo for their special night.

Video journalist: Chloe Harcombe

A social media post offering lifts has spread "like wildlife" in the community, says Luke Reynolds.

Weston-super-Mare funeral director offering free limo rides to prom

Can trainers be made in the US without cheap labour?

2 hours ago Share Save Michelle Fluery BBC North American business correspondent Share Save

Keen US shoemaker Keen has bought part of its production back to the States

In a corner of Kentucky just outside of Louisville, family-owned shoe company Keen is opening a new factory this month. The move fits neatly into the "America First" economic vision championed by the Trump administration - an emblem of hope for a manufacturing renaissance long promised but rarely realised. Yet beneath the surface, Keen's new factory tells a far more complicated story about what manufacturing in America really looks like today. With just 24 employees on site, the factory relies heavily on automation -sophisticated robots that fuse soles and trim materials - underscoring a transformation in how goods are made today.

Manufacturing is no longer the labour-intensive engine of prosperity it once was, but a capital-heavy, high-tech enterprise. "The labour rates here in the US are very expensive," says Keen's chief operating officer, Hari Perumal. Compared to factories in Asia, American staffing costs run roughly 10 to 12 times higher, he explains. It's a reality that forced Keen to come up with a solution back in 2010, when rising costs in China pushed the company to begin producing domestically - a decision which today offers it some buffer against Trump's tariffs. But it's far from a straightforward win. Shoemaking, like many industries, remains tightly linked to sprawling global supply chains. The vast majority of footwear production is still carried out by hand in Asia, with billions of pairs imported annually into the US. To make domestic production viable, Keen has invested heavily in automation, enabling the Kentucky plant to operate with just a fraction of the workforce required overseas. "We are making products here in the USA very economically and very efficiently," says Mr Perumal. "And the way we do that is with tons of automation, and [it] also starts with how the products are designed and what kind of materials and automation we utilise."

Keen Keen utilises robotics at its US manufacturing facilities

The challenges of reshoring manufacturing go beyond Keen. Major brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour also attempted to develop new manufacturing technologies in the US around a decade ago — efforts that ultimately failed. Even Keen only assembles 9% of its shoes in America. It turns out that making shoes in a new way, and at scale, is complex and expensive. The story of American manufacturing is one of dramatic rise and gradual decline. After World War Two, US factories churned out shoes, cars, and appliances, employing millions and helping to build a robust middle class. But as globalisation accelerated in the late 20th Century, many industries moved overseas, chasing cheaper labour and looser regulations. This shift hollowed out America's industrial heartland, contributing to political and economic tensions that still resonate today. Shoemaking has become a symbol of these changes. Approximately 99% of shoes sold in the US are imported, mainly from China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The domestic footwear supply chain is almost non-existent - only about 1% of shoes sold are made in America.

Pepper Harward, CEO of Oka Brands, one of the rare companies still producing shoes in the US, knows this challenge well. His factory in Buford, Georgia, crafts shoes for brands like New Balance and Ryka. But sourcing affordable parts and materials in the US remains a constant struggle. "It's not a self-sustained ecosystem," Mr Harward says. "You kind of have to build your own. That is extremely challenging as vendors and suppliers sometimes come in and out." To source the foam and PVC for their soles, Oka Brands tried tapping into the automotive industry's supplier network — an unconventional but necessary workaround.

Oka Shoemaker Oka does all its production in the US

American production is possible, but it often needs to be automated to be cost effective.

Can trainers be made in the US without cheap labour?

Shared ownership: 'It's a con and we felt trapped'

2 hours ago Share Save Meghan Owen Work & Money Correspondent, BBC London Share Save

BBC Chris and Diana struggled to sell their shared ownership property, and lost £10,000 in the process

Touted as a stepping stone to getting on the property ladder, shared ownership was designed to be one answer to a tough housing market. But behind the hope lies a growing wave of discontent, as complaints to the housing watchdog - over repairs, costs and selling - have soared. "We had none of the rights of homeowners, and all the obligations of renters," said Diana, who together with her husband Chris, bought a shared ownership property in east London in February 2020. Shared ownership schemes involve purchasing a share of a property and paying rent on the rest. But the couple decided to sell in 2021 after finding it "traumatic". They said they had to try to sell through what is known as a nomination period during which the housing association or landlord has the exclusive right to find a buyer for the shared ownership home. Two years later and £10,000 worse off, after the property was re-evaluated at less than what they paid, they eventually sold. "It's a big con and we felt trapped," said Diana. "Not being able to sell was a trauma." They have gone back to private renting because, according to Chris, it is "much simpler and easier". Now out of it, Diana says she would not recommend the scheme because "they sell it to you as a dream but then it became a nightmare".

There are currently about 250,000 shared ownership households in England, according to figures. In 2019-20 there were about 202,000, according to the English Housing Survey. Although more shared ownership properties were being delivered year on year, the complaint figures, obtained via a BBC Freedom Of Information (FOI) Act request, show shared ownership complaints have risen by almost 400% in the past five years, and are continuing to rise. The FOI also found: There has been a rapid increase in the number of complaints the ombudsman has received relating to shared ownership tenures; in 2024 it received 1,564 - almost five times the 324 received in 2020

Shared ownership complaints have risen faster than wider social housing ones

Of the complaints made over the last five years, 44% were based in London, and the South East having the second highest number The most common complaints relate to repairs, costs, managing relations, and moving and selling properties.

Kathy bought a 40% share with a friend in a two-bedroom flat in north London in 2017. She pays a subsidised rent on the remaining 60%. "I don't have the bank of mum and dad. It was either that or put most of my salary into rent and have this feeling that I'd never be on the property ladder or have my own space," said the 44-year-old. "I love my flat and the community. In terms of where the building is located and how close it is to London, these are all amazing things. "But it has mega downsides, particularly regarding finances and transparency and the level of service that we receive from the housing provider."

Kathy says she has had to get a lodger to keep her "head above water" to cover increasing costs but her long-term plan is to sell

In the past eight years, she said her costs had increased so much, including more than £200 a month rise in service charges, that she has had to get a lodger and cannot afford to increase her share. Repairs take years to complete, she said, adding a buzzer was broken for a year and a sewage system has been faulty since 2012. "The sewage was overflowing and flowing directly into the river, and going into the children's playground. It stank in summertime," she said. "They sent out all these consultants and they charged everything to us. The sewage system was not fit for purpose so why are we paying?" Kathy's housing association is not being named because her neighbours are scared it will devalue the property. "It's not affordable anymore. I have to have a lodger live in my house just to help me pay and keep my head above water," Kathy added. "My long-term plan is to sell - I can't continue like this."

Single parent Fatima said she had "no choice" but to choose shared ownership

Fatima bought a shared ownership property in 2019 after being evicted from two rental properties when her two children were younger. As a single parent, she said there was "no way" she would have been able to get a mortgage so shared ownership was "the only option". Now "in a bind" due to an 80% increase in service charges within the last year, Fatima, along with others in the block, complained and said they would not pay the increase until it had been investigated. Repairs have been an issue for a long time, she said. When the BBC filmed at her flat, the communal corridors were heated to 31C (88F) and the lift was broken. "The biggest issue is all the heating costs that go into our service charges are heating the communal hallways. The building is cooking from the inside."

Fatima's corridor was 31C (88F) due to issues with overheating

She said the shared ownership model was an "in-between option which could work if there weren't so many companies involved". There was a freeholder who had appointed a managing agent, as well as a housing association, she said. "We don't know who to go to, everything takes so long." Fatima added: "I have an asset but if it's unsellable and unaffordable it's not an asset. "It's always on my mind. It causes a lot of anxiety."

'Relationship breakdown'

Housing Ombudsman Richard Blakeway said the "inherent complexities" of shared ownership presented challenges to landlords and residents. "Shared ownership has been around for decades, and there are still some inequities with the way in which it works that is driving complaints to us," he said. He described a "mismatch" between the expectation and understanding of the shared owner and the landlord. "Whilst it can start off as smiles, very quickly we can see that relationship break down."

Housing Ombudsman Richard Blakeway says the government should address "fundamental inequities" in the shared ownership system

He added the number of parties involved could be "depressing for a shared owner; that feeling of being passed from pillar to post and being fobbed off at different parts of the process". "I can also see from a landlord's perspective they don't necessarily always have all of the levers in their hands to resolve the issue," he said. "Put all of that together and you've got a perfect storm - and that's what lands on our desks." He added that landlords must improve communication and transparency, and the government should address "fundamental inequities in the way in which shared ownership is designed".

The Shared Ownership Council, a cross-sector initiative, said while it believed shared ownership had a "key role to play" in addressing housing needs, it recognised it "has not always worked as well as it should for everyone" and "key challenges" need to be addressed. "We take the concerns raised by the Housing Ombudsman and shared owners very seriously," it added. It has recently developed a code to "standardise best practices and consumer protection" ensuring, it says, "transparency, fairness, and improved support for shared owners in marketing, purchasing and management of homes".

'Drive up transparency'

But Timea Szabo from the campaign group Shared Owners network says it is "too little, too late". "This is a sector that has consistently failed to comply with their statutory obligations - some of the housing providers who back the code have multiple maladministration findings to their name," she said. "We do not think that a voluntary code of practice will have much of an impact on their day-to-day experience." Figures shared exclusively with the BBC show 83 of 140 (59%) of Shared Owners members surveyed in February 2025 have struggled to sell their share, for reasons including unresolved building safety issues, high service charges, and a short lease that the shared owner cannot legally extend. A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said it was "aware of the challenges faced by some who have entered the scheme". The spokesperson added the government was "considering what more can be done to improve the experience of shared owners, alongside consulting this year on implementing measures to drive up transparency of service charges, ensuring leaseholders and tenants can better hold their landlords to account".

Londoners, including couple Chris and Diana, share their experiences of shared ownership.

Shared ownership: 'It was sold as a dream but became a nightmare'

Cosmetics icon Leonard Lauder dies aged 92

Lauder served as the honorary chairman of the board of directors at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

The New York-born billionaire had an estimated fortune of $10.1bn (£7.5bn), according to the 2025 Forbes rich list.

"He was an icon and pioneer, earning respect worldwide. His energy and vision helped shape our company and will continue to do so for generations to come", said Stephane de La Faverie, chief executive of Estee Lauder.

Lauder took over his parents' company in 1958 and served as chief executive for 17 years. He was an accomplished dealmaker and bought brands including Clinique, Bobbi Brown and MAC.

Leonard Lauder, the businessman who built Estee Lauder into one of the world's biggest cosmetic makers, has died aged 92.

Lauder passed away on Saturday surrounded by his family, said Estee Lauder in a statement.

Born in 1933, he was the eldest son of Estee and Joseph Lauder. He served as a lieutenant in the US Navy before joining the family business aged 25.

At the time, the firm's annual sales were less than $1m - about $11m in today's money. It is now a global cosmetics giant, operating in 150 countries with sales of $15.6bn last year.

Lauder led the firm's expansion into Europe and Asia and created its first ever research and development laboratory.

He took the company public in 1995, with its share price rising 33% on the first day of trading in New York.

Lauder stepped down as chief executive in 1999. He remained involved with the business and was chairman emeritus until his death.

Celebrities and business people have been paying tribute to Lauder.

Elizabeth Hurley, who got her first modelling job with his company, said on Instagram: "I called him my American Daddy and I can't imagine a world without him."

Steve Forbes, editor-in-chief at Forbes Media, said Lauder "lived life well, & his passing is the world's loss'."

"His legacy will be felt for generations to come," said multi-billionaire and former New York mayor, Mike Bloomberg.

Away from business, Lauder was passionate about art. In 2013, he pledged his billion-dollar collection of Cubist artworks to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

He was also an advocate for cancer research and served as the honorary chairman of the board of directors at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Lauder took over his parents' company in 1958 and served as chief executive for 17 years.

Estee Lauder: Cosmetics icon Leonard Lauder dies aged 92

HS2 reports subcontractor over alleged fraud

The firms in question were providing workers to Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV), a contractor for HS2.

HS2 Ltd said last month it was conducting its own investigation, looking into two firms who supplied it with workers. The company has now also referred the matter to HMRC.

Whistleblowers made allegations over the way pay was handled for some construction staff on the high-speed line.

The company building the HS2 rail line between London and Birmingham has reported one of its subcontractors to the tax authorities over possible fraud.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to raise the issue in Parliament this week. It is the latest difficulty to beset the troubled giant rail infrastructure project.

HS2 has faced myriad challenges and spiralling costs since it was first announced in 2009.

It was originally designed to boost capacity on the railways between the north and south of England but the last, Conservative, government decided to scrap the second phase of the project, which included building lines to Manchester and Leeds.

Earlier this year whistleblowers flagged concerns over the way some subcontracted staff were being paid. They said self-employed workers had been falsely declared as salaried staff, with "fake" payslips submitted at a higher payrate. The allegations were first published in the i newspaper in May.

One of the labour suppliers is understood to remain suspended from new contracts while inquiries continue.

An HS2 spokesperson said: "We treat all whistleblower allegations seriously and are continuing to conduct our own investigation."

The firm said it encouraged anyone with relevant information to report it via confidential internal channels.

The Department for Transport said last month it had "a zero-tolerance attitude towards fraud, bribery, and corruption" and would ensure any claims of wrongdoing were thoroughly investigated.

The firm managing the giant rail project has shared whistleblower allegations with HMRC.

HS2 contractors referred to taxman over supply of workers

Reeves vows to shield UK from Israel-Iran price shock

1 hour ago Share Save Lucy Hooker BBC Business reporter Share Save

Getty Images

Chancellor Rachel Reeves says the government will do "everything in [its] power" to protect people in the UK from the knock-on economic effects of the conflict between Iran and Israel. She would not "take anything off the table" in response to the threat of rising energy costs, she told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme. The global oil price rose sharply on Friday following the initial attacks by Israel and Iran's subsequent response. A rise in the cost of oil pushes up petrol and diesel prices and can fuel inflation more broadly.

Following Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, oil prices spiked to nearly $130 a barrel, contributing to higher prices for UK shoppers on everything from transport to food. However the cost of a barrel of oil, currently around $75, is still lower than it was in January. "There is no complacency from myself or the Treasury," Reeves told the BBC. In 2022, following the start of the Ukraine war, the Conservative government responded to higher energy prices by stepping in to help households with their bills. "We are not anywhere near that stage at the moment," the chancellor said. Household energy bills respond slowly to rising wholesale energy prices, and average bills, as set by the price cap, are due to come down in July. If the conflict continues, and in particular if there is disruption to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway off the south coast of Iran, the price of oil and gas could rise further. However, oil market experts say there is currently less upward pressure on the price of oil than there was three years ago. How the Israel-Iran conflict could affect energy prices

The chancellor said nothing was "off the table" in protecting people from the impact of higher oil prices.

Reeves vows to shield UK from Israel-Iran price shock

The curious case of why a billionaire wants to buy Royal Mail

13 April 2025 Share Save Simon Jack • bbcsimonjack Business editor Share Save

BBC

Listen to an audio version of this article on BBC Sounds "A pair of scissors, one empty teapot and some hot water, please." The slightly baffled staff at Claridge's scrambled to comply with Daniel Kretinsky's breakfast order as he sanitised and moisturised his hands. The upscale hotel has been serving tea to the global elite for decades but Mr Kretinsky brought along his own packet of Chinese green tea, which he snipped open (hence the scissors) and poured into the empty pot. He was tall, perfectly groomed, steely-eyed but unfalteringly polite and thoughtful. If you told anyone in the dining room he was a billionaire, they would have no problem believing it. Known as the Czech Sphinx for his enigmatic style, Mr Kretinsky, who is 49, is worth £6bn according to the Sunday Times Rich List. He lives in plush mansions in Paris and London, was originally a lawyer and made his fortune in European energy markets.

Reuters Billionaire investor Daniel Kretinsky has major investments in Sainsbury's and West Ham United football club

Our meeting was at Claridge's in June 2024 - I was trying to convince him to give me an interview about his audacious attempt to buy a British institution that was once seen as a national treasure: Royal Mail. His profile as a buyer was one that unions and ministers typically would be wary of because of his historic connections with Russia - his companies own a gas pipeline that has transported Russian gas to Europe. But six months on, his bid to buy Royal Mail's parent company was cleared by the UK government after he agreed "legally binding" undertakings. The government was awarded a so-called "golden share", requiring it to be notified of any major changes to Royal Mail's ownership, headquarters location and tax residency. The deal was also blessed by unions. Earlier this month, the owner of Royal Mail said that the takeover could be completed by the end of April as the deal cleared the final regulatory hurdles standing in the way. But step back and Royal Mail seems a strange target for a globally mobile oil and gas billionaire investor to set his sights on. It begs the question why would anyone, let alone a successful international entrepreneur, want to buy this faded relic?

How Royal Mail's crown slipped

Royal Mail was founded by Henry VIII more than 500 years ago and still carries the royal cipher on its vans. It is part of the fabric of British life and many people still have a fond relationship with their 'postie', who walks down their path bringing their letters and parcels to their door. But in recent years Royal Mail's crown has slipped. It is losing money and market share, has been fined for missing delivery targets and has made an enemy of its own workforce through a series of bitter strikes. Royal Mail's letter business is in steep decline too. It has gone from a peak of 20 billion letters sent in 2004 to under seven billion sent last year.

In December 2024, it was fined £10.5m by the regulator Ofcom for failing to meet delivery targets for first and second class mail. While the boom in e-commerce has seen the volume of parcels rise, Royal Mail's share of that more profitable business has been falling as new competitors like DPD, DHL, Amazon and Evri have eaten into its market share. Royal Mail was split off from the Post Office in 2012 and privatised in 2013 at a value of £3.3bn. Its shares immediately rocketed by 38% on the first day of trading, leading to criticism - from the National Audit Office, among others - that it had been sold on the cheap. At its peak in Covid-era May 2021, the company was worth more than £6bn but had slumped to just over £2bn when Mr Kretinsky launched his takeover bid last April. He sealed the deal at £3.6bn - 63% higher than before he signalled his intent, but barely more than it was worth at privatisation over a decade ago.

"Royal Mail is a business that has historically found it difficult to grow revenues by more than costs," says Alex Paterson, an analyst at Peel Hunt stockbrokers. "It has seen its parcels market share eroded by more dynamic competition that has been able to invest more in technology, and it has struggled with industrial relations to keep staff working towards a common goal. "This is not a challenge to underestimate nor one that can be overcome quickly, but that requires considerable long-term investment in infrastructure, technology and staff." Part of the challenge, and one that puts Royal Mail at a disadvantage compared with its rivals, is that unlike them, Royal Mail has to meet a string of legal and regulatory obligations, says Hazel King, the editor of Parcel and Post Technology International. Under what is called the universal service obligation (USO), Royal Mail is required by law to deliver letters six days a week and parcels five days a week to every address in the UK. So it cannot pick and choose which business it wants to do. "Royal Mail must meet their universal service obligation while trying to compete with private firms who often cherry-pick the most profitable business," says Ms King.

The 'Czech Sphinx's' plan

Mr Kretinsky says he has a plan. His success in the energy sector allowed him to buy a 27.5% stake in Royal Mail's parent company, International Distribution Services (IDS). And his company – EP Group – intends to build a pan-European conglomerate built on three pillars: energy, retail and logistics. He sees IDS as the cornerstone of the logistics pillar, with a plan to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Deutsche Post DHL, DPD and Amazon. The USO has been under review by Ofcom, with Royal Mail hoping that the regulator will reduce the requirement to deliver second-class letters from six days a week to every other weekday. That single move could save Royal Mail £300m a year – putting it back on a break-even footing.

PA Media Mr Kretinsky aims to create a pan-European logistics giant, potentially rivalling Evri

Mr Kretinsky told me during our interview that he would honour the USO "as long as I am alive", but he is unsurprisingly very much in favour of changing its terms. He said he hopes that "rational minds prevail" when reforming a service that is unsustainable in its current form. So far, the noises from Ofcom seem to be supportive. The regulator's chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes told the BBC there were "real questions about what the service needs to be going into the future". Given letter numbers are falling, "we have to think about what is economical", she said, adding Ofcom would be publishing plans for the regulation of Royal Mail "to make sure it is sustainable". While Royal Mail generally welcomed the proposed changes to the Universal Service Obligation, Royal Mail pushed back against proposed new delivery time and business customer requirements. Royal Mail said last week that the level at which Ofcom is proposing to set the new delivery targets – 99.5% of First Class letters delivered within three days, and the same percentage of Second Class letters within five – is "over specified and will add significant cost to the delivery of the Universal Service". It also expressed concerns that proposals to add a new category of regulation to ensure timely delivery for business users like direct mail companies "goes against the wider government drive to reduce unnecessary regulation".

European parcel know-how

But there are other factors that may have driven the sale. Some analysts have speculated that there is another jewel in the crown of IDS - and that Mr Kretinsky may really be after a different part of the business. Along with Royal Mail, IDS also owns a European parcels business called GLS which it acquired in 1999 – long before Royal Mail was split off from the Post Office and privatised. Last year GLS made a profit of £320m, compared to Royal Mail, which lost £348m as letter volumes continued to plunge and new competitors ate into its market share of the more profitable parcels business.

"GLS has been a profitable growth business, which has seen investment whereas Royal Mail has been a perpetual underperformer, as the board of parent company IDS has invested where it thinks it will see the best returns," says Mr Paterson. Mr Kretinsky rejects suggestions from some quarters that he wants to break up the group and has committed to keeping it together for at least five years. Even beyond that, he says the plan is to grow the company rather than shrink it, so a disposal of GLS would be "nonsensical". In fact, Mr Kretinsky says he hopes to bring the European parcel know-how at GLS to bear on Royal Mail's operations. What the unions are hoping, and Kretinsky is promising, is that Royal Mail will see greater investment and over time begin to look a bit more like GLS and its European counterparts such as Deutche Post DHL.

Catching up with competitors

Given all the challenges Royal Mail faces, there's an obvious question - why would a billionaire want to chance his arm on turning round something that others couldn't, while up against powerful competitors? Well, if you believe as Kretinsky does - and he is surely right - that getting parcels to people is a profitable and growing industry, then buying Royal Mail and GLS gives you a way to become a big European player in logistics quickly. Add to that a powerful and historic brand, a database with every single UK address and a frontline workforce that most of its customers are fond of and pleased to see when they walk down the path - then, despite the challenges, it begins to make sense.

Reuters The Czech entrepreneur has been described as a "quiet sphinx" for his inscrutable style

Mr Kretinsky is convinced future growth lies in out-of-home (OOH) delivery. The parcel lockers found in supermarket car parks and elsewhere, operated by the likes of Amazon, Evri and UPS, have grown quickly across Europe. Earlier this month it was reported that Sainsbury's would be the first supermarket to partner with Royal Mail and install parcel lockers at supermarkets. Some are already operating at several stores including ones in Clapham, Kidderminster and Chislehurst. Royal Mail has also trialled a new postbox that can take small parcels. Customers procure a barcode from an app, then at the postbox they scan the barcode and drop the parcel into a drawer - this is all powered by solar panels on the box. Emma Gilthorpe, Royal Mail chief executive, called it an "historic change" to give postboxes "a new lease of life". All of this boils down to the same thing: convenience. It means customers don't have to wait at home for a delivery - the sender or parcel business emails or texts a code to unlock the locker. For the business it's more efficient, allowing couriers to deliver lots of parcels to one place - meaning fewer miles on the road and less time.

Getty Images Royal Mail has long been part of the fabric of British life

"If they can grow the parcels business and claw back market share, there is every chance that they can add new jobs that could offset the reduction in jobs in the declining letters business," says Mr Paterson. "There is a significant long-term opportunity to run Royal Mail more successfully with regulatory changes to the USO and greater investment in technology and out-of-home deliveries." But Royal Mail still has a lot of catching up to do with its competitors. It currently has 1,500 lockers in the UK and aims to grow this figure to at least 20,000 over time. By contrast, Amazon already has 5,000 lockers across the UK and InPost has 7,500 across the UK.

Winning over doubters

That Mr Kretinsky has pulled off the takeover is no easy feat. Royal Mail is, after all, considered vital national infrastructure and as such the deal required review under national security laws. Then there is the fact that his companies own a gas pipeline that has transported Russian gas to Europe – paid for and approved by EU member states. The small amount that was transported was reduced to zero at the end of 2024 when Ukraine refused to renew permission for any gas to flow across its borders. Speaking in front of MPs in November, UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds referred to Mr Kretinsky as a "legitimate business figure" whose alleged links to Russia had already been reviewed and dismissed when he became the biggest shareholder in the company two years ago. Getting the unions on board seemed even more of a challenge and the Communication Workers Union was wary of Mr Kretinsky. "The CWU believes Royal Mail should be in public hands," Dave Ward, the CWU's general secretary, told the BBC in June. "We know there are legitimate concerns about Royal Mail Group being owned by a foreign private equity investor." But during negotiations, union representatives secured a series of time-limited commitments from him, including guarantees that he will protect Royal Mail's pension surplus, that there will be no compulsory redundancies for two years, no sell-off or break-up of any operational part of the existing company and no outsourcing of grades represented by the CWU.

Getty Images Royal Mail, a key part of British infrastructure, is set for a new chapter

Mr Kretinsky also agreed to restrictions on moving dividends out of Royal Mail Group and to respect agreements with and recognition of the CWU. He said he would keep the brand name and Royal Mail's headquarters and tax residency in the UK for the next five years. Union bosses told me that a life under Mr Kretinsky "couldn't be any worse than what we have had for the last 10 years". So, as Mr Kretinsky looks certain to pull off the sale, what will customers notice? The frequency of second-class deliveries may be reduced after the Ofcom review. We will see new Royal Mail lockers appearing in our neighbourhoods. And the price of first-class mail may go up: second-class stamps are regulated by Ofcom, while first-class ones are not. The monarch's head will still be on those stamps, but there is a new king of our mail system. And his name is Daniel Kretinsky. Top image credit: Getty

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From the end of April, the 500-year-old Royal Mail will be controlled by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky who co-owns a football club - but why does he want it?

Royal Mail: What made a billionaire want to buy this fading relic

Sainsburys and Morrisons told to stop tobacco ads

7 hours ago Share Save Share Save

BBC Advert for a heated tobacco device on display in a Morrisons store in London

The government has written to Sainsbury's and Morrisons asking them to stop "advertising and promoting" heated tobacco products, which it says is against the law. The BBC reported in February the supermarkets were displaying posters and video screens showing devices which create a nicotine-containing vapour by heating tobacco with an electric current. At the time, both supermarkets said they believed the adverts were legal. In response to the letter, Sainsbury's said it was in "close contact with the government", while Morrisons said it would reply "in due course".

In 2002, the Labour government under Tony Blair passed a law banning tobacco advertising. It defined a tobacco product as something designed to be "smoked, sniffed, sucked or chewed". Morrisons has argued that this means that it doesn't apply to heated tobacco products, as they don't produce smoke. Advertising for Philip Morris International's (PMI) iQos heated tobacco device on posters and video screens was still on display in Sainsbury's and Morrisons stores visited by the BBC in June, where they were visible to children. PMI said it believes the Department of Health's interpretation of the law is wrong, and said it has "complied with all applicable laws and regulations" since it launched iQos in 2016. The government has now written to the supermarkets clarifying that in its opinion, the law does apply to these products. A Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) spokesperson told the BBC: "In May, we wrote to supermarkets reiterating that the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002… applies to all tobacco products currently on the market, and formally requested they stop advertising and promoting heated tobacco products in stores. "All tobacco products are harmful to health," the spokesperson added.

Surveys by the charity Action on Smoking and Health suggest that awareness of heated tobacco products has risen sharply over the past year, and is even higher among young adults, compared with those over 40.

The government has written to the supermarkets to say the adverts are banned by a law passed in 2002.

Sainsburys and Morrisons told to stop advertising heated tobacco

Paternity leave: How much time off work do new dads get across Europe?

2 hours ago Share Save Kristian Johnson BBC News Share Save

BBC Paternity leave policies vary across Europe - but the UK's offer is one of the least generous

The paternity leave offer for new dads in the UK is "one of the worst in the developed world", according to a new report published this week. The government says the system needs to be "improved" and has promised to review parental leave. But how does the situation in the UK compare to elsewhere? BBC News spoke to dads across Europe about how much time they can take off work after the birth of their children - and how that has changed fatherhood for them.

Jamie Fox has a three-year-old daughter and is expecting his second child

When Jamie's daughter Kiara was born three years ago, he says it was "incredibly difficult". "I had to watch my partner struggle looking after our child," Jamie says. "The biggest thing I remember was the crying. My daughter clearly needed support and my wife was noticeably struggling and exhausted." A few weeks after Kiara was born, Jamie's mother-in-law flew from Zimbabwe to support the family, because Jamie was only entitled to statutory paternity leave. Rules in the UK allow new fathers and second parents in full-time employment to take up to two weeks off work. That applies to all partners, regardless of gender, after the birth, surrogacy or adoption of a baby, but not those who are self-employed or dads earning less than £123 a week. Those eligible receive £187.18 a week, or 90% of their average earnings, whichever is lower. This works out as less than half of the National Living Wage. Jamie, from Ashford in Kent, says the statutory pay "was frankly pennies". He and his partner are now expecting their second child, in August - something they began saving for before Jamie's wife Zanele even fell pregnant. Jamie says his "frustration" about paternity pay led him to attend the world's first "dad strike" earlier this week, when fathers from across the country protested outside the government's Department for Business and Trade in Westminster. "Seeing things change relatively recently in other countries... why are we not keeping up?" Jamie says.

Spain has increased the amount of time off work for new dads in recent years - Octavio had eight weeks off with his first child, and four months with his second

For Octavio, spending four months at home with his daughter Alicia has made "a tremendous difference". He split his paternity leave into two parts - six weeks - which was mandatory -immediately after Alicia was born, and the remaining 10 weeks when his wife went back to work. "The extended quality time with Alicia allowed us to develop a strong bond that I believe wouldn't have formed as deeply otherwise," says Octavio, a computer engineer from Seville. Over the past few years, Spain has increased the amount of time given to new fathers. In 2019, dads were entitled to five weeks off work. But from 2021, that was extended to 16 weeks at full pay, including for those who are self-employed. There is no cap on the salary paid. It means parental leave is now equal between mums and dads in Spain. "These changes have truly made a significant difference," says Octavio.

Antoine has benefitted from France's updated paternity leave laws

France has also made progressive steps on paternity leave in recent years. Antoine is an architect who lives on the outskirts of Paris, and has benefitted from the changes. When his son Thibault was born five years ago, Antoine, who works full-time, was entitled to two weeks paternity leave. But in September 2020 paternity leave in France doubled, meaning Antoine got four weeks off work when his second child was born in 2023. "It allowed me to support my wife and children," he says. "Fathers should be allowed to be more present during these family life periods that enrich all relationships and allow them to fully take their place as full-time parents." France's paternity leave rules mean dads - including those who are self-employed - must take a week off work immediately after their child is born. Pay is covered by the employer for the first three days, but after that is state-funded. The remaining 21 days, which can be split into two chunks, are optional and can be taken anytime within the next six months. Pay is capped at €3,428 (£2,921) a month.

André has split his paternity leave into two

André, who was born in Portugal and spent nine years living in England, says the prominent role played by dads in Denmark was one of the first things he noticed when he moved there. "You see dads strolling around with their kids and young babies," André says. "I was like: 'Wow, I'm not used to this.'" Dads in Denmark, including those who are self-employed, can take up to 24 weeks off work at full pay by the state. After eleven weeks, the remaining 13 can be transferred to the birth partner if wanted, so they can use them as extra maternity leave. One of the parents can postpone up to 13 weeks of parental until their child is aged nine. André decided to split his parental leave - taking two weeks immediately after his baby Miro was born and saving the remaining 11 weeks - so he can look after his nine-month-old son when his partner returns to work. "In Denmark, it's expected that the partner is more present," André says. "You're not only connecting with your child, but you want to develop the family as a whole together."

Dr Kamil Janowicz Kamil, a psychologist and post-doctoral researcher at SWPS University, says paternity leave gave him confidence as a father

Dads with full-time jobs in Poland are entitled to two weeks of paternity leave. But unlike in the UK, the salary is paid at 100%, which Kamil says was "great". Shortly after his daughter Marianna's first birthday, Kamil took another nine weeks of non-transferable parental leave, which must be taken in the first year. This is available to both parents, as long as they are employed, and is paid at 70% of a full-time salary. "For many families, the 70% nine weeks is very low," Kamil says, "but... when I took the leave my wife started going back to work. I earned 30% less, but she started earning more, so it was beneficial for our family." Kamil says those extra nine weeks alleviated a lot of "stress" as his wife transitioned back into work after a year off on maternity leave. "I was confident," Kamil says. "I felt as though I was doing a good job - and my daughter felt good with me."

By the time he has used his full parental leave allowance, Mattias' son will be almost one

Mattias, from Stockholm, says comforting his three-month-old son is "the best feeling I've ever experienced". Mattias is able to take advantage of one of the most generous paternity leave policies in the world. Parents in Sweden, including those who are self-employed, can share up to 480 days of parent leave, with 90 days reserved specifically for each parent. Ringfencing time off for dads was first introduced in Sweden in 1995, with the introduction of a "daddy month" - 30 days just for fathers. This use-it-or-lose-it model increased to 60 days in 2002, and 90 days in 2016. The first 390 days for each parent are paid at 80% by the government, up to a monthly salary cap of SEK47,750 (£3,590). After that, there's a daily statutory compensation of SEK180 (£14). Mattias took six weeks off when Otto was born and will use another nine months of parental leave from November. "We could share the load in the beginning when everything was new," Mattias says. "Those six weeks allowed us to be parents together - that made a huge difference. "

Paternity leave - the view from the UK

Some companies, both in the UK and abroad, pay out of their own pocket for enhanced paternity leave policies beyond the statutory minimum. But research from 2023 showed just 12% of fathers from low-income households had access to their full entitlement of employer-enhanced parental leave and pay. Alex Lloyd-Hunter, co-founder of The Dad Shift, says "money is the single biggest barrier" to dads taking time off work and wants the government to fund better paternity leave for all dads. A report, published this week by the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) said statutory pay in the UK was "completely out of kilter with the cost of living". It suggested the government should consider increasing paternity pay to 90% or more and paternity leave to six weeks in a phased approach.

The report also looked at shared parental leave, introduced in 2014, which allows parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay after the birth or adoption of a child. The review found many families considered it "unnecessarily complex". It is used in fewer than 2% of all births and a report from 2023 suggests almost half (45%) of dads were not even aware shared parental leave was an option.

Most dads in the UK get two weeks off work after their baby is born, but dads in many European countries get more.

How UK paternity leave compares to the rest of Europe

Race to mine metals for EV batteries threatens marine paradise

2 hours ago Share Save Victoria Gill Science correspondent, BBC News Share Save

Global Witness The Raja Ampat archipelago in Indonesia is sometimes referred to as the 'Amazon of the Seas'

Stark images, captured from a drone by environmental campaigners and shared with the BBC, appear to show how nickel mining has stripped forests and polluted waters in one of the most biodiverse marine habitats on Earth. The Raja Ampat archipelago - a group of small islands in Indonesia's Southwest Papua Province - has been dubbed the "Amazon of the Seas". But mining for nickel - an ingredient in electric vehicle batteries and in stainless steel - has ramped up there in recent years, according to the organisation Global Witness. In a move that was welcomed by campaigners, the Indonesian government this week revoked permits for four out of five mining companies operating in the region.

Global Witness A photograph taken in December 2024 shows mining activity on Kawei island, in Raja Ampat

In a statement published online, Indonesia's Ministry for the Environment said: "Raja Ampat's biodiversity is a world heritage that must be protected. "We pay great attention to mining activities that occur in the area." But photographs - taken by Global Witness as part of an investigation - appear to show environmental damage already done. Aerial images show forest loss and sediment run-off into waters that are home to biodiverse coral reefs. Global Witness told the BBC that land use for mining, across multiple small islands in the archipelago, increased by 500 hectares - equivalent to about 700 football pitches - between 2020 and 2024.

Global Witness A photograph of mining on Kawei island in Raja Ampat, appears to show sediment running into the coastal water

Some conservationists, including the organisation Greenpeace, are concerned that the government's decision could be reversed by legal action by the mining companies. And one company that operates on Gag island, which has particularly rich deposits of nickel, has been allowed to continue its operations. The government said it would order the "restoration of the ecological impacts that occur" there. Coral reef conservationist and ecologist Dr Mark Erdmann told BBC News that he was "blown away, and so happy" about the government's decision to revoke the mining permits. "This is the global epicenter of marine biodiversity," he told BBC News. Dr Erdmann has worked in Raja Ampat for more than two decades and is one of the founders of a shark rewilding project there called Reshark. He added: "It was a voice of outrage form Indonesian people that made the government pay attention." But this ecological controversy is an example of how the demand for the metals needed to power battery technology - for electric cars and other low carbon energy sources - can damage the environment.

Global Witness Because of the biodiversity of its coral reefs, the Raja Ampat is a hotspot for diving

Indonesia now accounts for more than half of the world's nickel mine production, according to a report last year by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. And while the beauty and biodiversity of the Raja Ampat has drawn attention to mining activity there, mining has been linked to ecological damage elsewhere too. A 2024 study by Forest Watch Indonesia found a link between the loss of forests associated with mining activity and increased local flooding and landslides.

Global Witness Underwater images show sediment on the reefs around the islands

Increasing demand for so-called critical minerals is shaping economic decisions around the world. It was the driving force for President Trump's recent executive order to jumpstart the mining of metallic nodules from the deep sea in international waters. It is a move that China has called illegal. Dr Erdmann pointed out that balancing economic growth with environmental protection was a particular dilemma for Indonesia. "It has a lot of nickel - one way or the other, some of it's going to come out of the ground," he said. Dr Michaela Guo Ying Lo from the University of Kent led a study in 2024 of the impact of mining on local communities in Sulawesi, the large Indonesian island that has most of the country's nickel deposits. That concluded that mining activity reduced poverty slightly, but that there was significant "worsening of environmental well-being" including increased local water and air pollution. "Indonesia is positioning itself globally in the nickel market," Dr Lo told BBC News. "But it's important not to forget what's happening locally."

Global Witness Local activists say mining activity is harming farming and fishing livelihoods

Imam Shofwan, an environmental campaigner from an organisation called Jatam, based in Jakarta, told BBC News: "They say nickel is a solution to the climate crisis. But it's causing deforestation and destroying farmland." He also pointed out to the BBC that low-lying coastal areas, where some nickel deposits are found, are some of the places most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels. Dr Erdmann commented: "The nickel dilemma is a horrible one. "Mining is always going to be environmentally impactful and we all tend to think that electrification is a good idea. But what is the acceptable damage that we're willing to see?" The BBC contacted the Indonesian government for comment, but did not receive a reply.

Photographs appear to show how nickel mining damaged one the world's most diverse marine environments

How a race for electric vehicles threatens a marine paradise

The women at the centre of Somalia's construction boom

2 hours ago Share Save Fardowsa Hanshi BBC News, Mogadishu Share Save

Anthony Irungu / BBC Fathi Mohamed Abdi (L) and Saadia Ahmed Omar (R) have overseen more than 30 multimillion-dollar projects

Construction is booming in Somalia's capital city and as Mogadishu literally rises from the ashes of its violent past it is also giving unexpected opportunities to women like Fathi Mohamed Abdi and Saadia Ahmed Omar. The two young female engineers have been overseeing the construction of a 10-floor apartment complex in Taleh in the city's Hodan District. Wearing hard hats they navigate their way through construction material, issuing instructions to a team of workers - all of whom are men. "When I started, people doubted me," 24-year-old Ms Abdi, the chief operating officer of Arkan Engineering Services, a Somali-owned construction company, tells the BBC. "They would ask, 'How can we trust a house built by a woman? How can I trust my money and property with a young female engineer?'" She and her colleague Ms Omar have been practising engineers for the last five years. "Mogadishu needs us," says Ms Omar, who is also 24. "When I was young, this city was in chaos. Now, we are part of its reconstruction." Somalia, a former Italian colony, has experienced a prolonged period of civil war after the government of President Siad Barre collapsed in January 1991. Even now, scars of decades of war are still visible - like in the central district of Shangani where there are bombed-out buildings. But the ruins are becoming hidden or replaced by tall office complexes and apartments, and a skyline dotted with cranes and scaffolding. Both young women were born during the civil war and grew up witnessing their country fragmenting. While many Somalis chose to leave, they stayed, driven by a passion to rebuild, despite the fact that an insurgency was being waged by al-Shabab, a group linked to al-Qaeda. "I think part of the reason women are getting more chances in this field is because there's so much work to do, and not enough professionals to do it. That creates space for us," Ms Omar says.

Mohamud Abdisamad / BBC Over the last five years, more than 6,000 buildings have been constructed in Mogadishu

Ibrahim Abdi Heyle, chairman of the Somali Engineers Association, agrees the high demand for skilled professionals is leading to change - even if slowly in Somalia's traditionally male-dominated society. "With numerous ongoing infrastructure, energy, and technology projects, the workload has significantly increased. As a result, the association actively encourages greater participation from women, emphasising that they are not only welcomed but also vital in filling critical gaps in the workforce," the 34-year-old says. "The association believes that empowering women in engineering not only helps meet the growing demand but also brings diverse perspectives and innovative solutions to the industry." According to the office of the mayor of Mogadishu, over the last five years, more than 6,000 buildings have been constructed, marking a significant change in the city's landscape. "Security in Mogadishu has improved, leading to an increase in high-rise and commercial buildings," says Salah Hassan Omar, the mayor's spokesperson. Nonetheless it has not been an easy path for Ms Abdi and Ms Omar as only 5% of engineers are women - and they often find opportunities for mentorship are scarce. "When I applied for internships, most companies rejected me," Ms Omar recalls. "They didn't think a woman could handle the physical demands of engineering. I searched for three months before someone finally gave me a chance." Today, the two are among the most recognised female engineers in Mogadishu, having overseen more than 30 multimillion-dollar projects. "The city is now home to taller buildings and modern infrastructure, a stark contrast to the Mogadishu of the past," Ms Abdi says proudly.

AFP / Getting Images There are fears that the classical look of old Mogadishu will be completely lost

But not everyone is pleased with the transformation. Veteran architect Siidow Cabdulle Boolaay laments the loss of the city's historical character. "The buildings that once graced Somalia before the war were not only beautiful but also attracted attention due to their Italian-style architecture, which was rare in Africa at that time," he tells the BBC. "The urban planning of Mogadishu was highly structured." Mr Boolaay also has safety concerns: "The sand used in Mogadishu's buildings is salty, which undermines its effectiveness." Sand from Somalia's long coastline is often used to make cement - a practice that is generally discouraged and, in many circumstances, restricted by international building standards because the high salt content can cause the corrosion of steel. "These tall buildings are not designed to withstand fire or heavy rain, and safety for the tenants is not considered during development. Many of these buildings lack fire extinguishers and proper electrical installations," he adds - visibly disappointed. He is wary of the pace at which buildings are being constructed, which he says is compromising quality control. For years, there were no regulations, leading to concerns about their structural integrity. Mr Omar, from the mayor's office, admits this was the case until three years ago - and says nothing can be done about those buildings. But he insists there is now "quality control and nobody will build a building without it". "We are [also] preparing new laws that will clearly define where high-rise buildings can be constructed and where only residential houses should be built." Yet there are worries that while regulations are in place - there are often no follow-up checks because of the speed of the building boom.

Mohamud Abdisamad / BBC It is rare to see women taking charge of a construction site in Somalia

Ms Abdi and Ms Omar, who graduated from Plasma University Mogadishu's faculty of civil engineering, say under their firm all their projects have been approved by the local authorities. The rapid growth of construction projects has been attributed to diaspora investments as well as improved security - although Islamist militants who control large swathes of southern Somalia still target the city. According to the World Bank, remittances made up 16.7% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022 - something that has given opportunities to architects and engineers. But the rapid urbanisation has also exposed Mogadishu to infrastructure challenges - it lacks a proper sewage system and unregulated borehole drilling risks depleting groundwater reserves. Christophe Hodder, a UN climate security and environmental adviser, warns that the unchecked construction boom could lead to long-term environmental consequences. "We need a co-ordinated approach to water management, or we risk a crisis in the future. Each new building is digging its own borehole... in a small space, there could be 10 or 20 boreholes," he told the BBC. The government, in partnership with international organisations, is working on a new sewage system, but its implementation may require demolishing existing buildings - a controversial move that could displace residents and businesses. Mr Hodder adds that there is a high population density in Mogadishu - people driven into the city by drought and conflict. An increase in the urban population, especially in slum areas, might further increase poverty and social disparities, he says. Despite these challenges, Mogadishu's future looks promising. The city is striving to implement urban development regulations, improve infrastructure and ensure sustainable growth. Even the bombings by the Islamist armed group al-Shabab - whose fighters tend to target plush hotels often occupied by politicians - does not dent the enthusiasm of the Somali Engineers Association.

Mohamud Abdisamad / BBC The engineers hope Mogadishu will become a modern city and a model for post-conflict reconstruction

Mr Heyle admits it can be upsetting for architects and engineers whose buildings are destroyed but notes that Somalis have become resilient - especially those studying engineering. "A lot of explosions happened; our dreams did not stop on that. Today we are reviving the engineering profession, which collapsed 30 years ago. That means there is hope." And the ambition is that in five years, Mogadishu will not only be a modern city but also a model post-conflict reconstruction. "I believe Mogadishu is a different city compared to the 1990s; the city has changed to a new style, and Mogadishu's development is in line with the new world," says Ms Omar. "When I walk through the streets and see buildings I helped construct, I feel proud. We are not just building structures; we are building hope." Ms Abdi agrees, adding: "We are proving that women can not only design buildings but also lead projects and shape the city."

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Getty Images/BBC

Mogadishu's rapid expansion after decades of war is giving unexpected opportunities in a male-dominated society.

Somalia's construction boom in Mogadishu gives women high ambitions

'We sit in the dark to save money on electricity'

5 hours ago Share Save Jack Silver BBC News, Guernsey Share Save

BBC Pensioner Katina Jones said she already sat "in the dark" with lights out to save money on electricity

More than 100 protestors have demonstrated outside the head office of Guernsey Electricity Limited (GEL) against above-inflation price rises. The island's government-owned electricity company is raising its prices from the start of July, with some customers now paying more than they would in the UK. Pensioner Katina Jones, 70, said she already sat "in the dark" with the lights out to save money on her bill and only used electricity in off-peak hours, when "it's cheap electric - otherwise we can't afford it". A GEL spokesperson said the utility "absolutely understands the strength of feeling amongst some islanders" and the "impact on customers already struggling with the cost of living".

The company, which is the island's only electricity provider, said it had "worked hard to keep this year's electricity tariff increase as low as possible". Mrs Jones said: "I live in an area where there are lots of elderly people." She said many of her friends "stay in bed all day or with a blanket over them because they can't afford their heating on". "That's just not on," she added.

Jayne Lesbirel used to work for Guernsey Electricity's predecessor, the States Electricity Board

Jayne Lesbirel, 65, retired recently but used to work for GEL's predecessor, the States Electricity Board, doing data input. She said: "We're on a pension, so we have to budget quite strictly. "And we also look after our grandchildren, so we are at home a lot more than we were before when we were working. "In the winter months, we can't say: 'Oh no. Sorry, we can't afford to put the heating on for you, so you'll have to go cold.'" She said she felt the reasons Guernsey Electricity gave for the price rises, such as historic underinvestment, were "just an excuse". "It's because they have a monopoly," she said.

Mandy Moriarty said the high standing charge was unfair as "you can't cut down" on it

Mandy Moriarty, 68, said it was unfair that the standing charge - which is rising to more than £85 - was the same for everyone regardless of how big their home was. She said: "You can't cut down on that. I think the fairer way would be to put a little bit more on the units that you use." "I live in a very old Guernsey cottage, which is stone and it's freezing in there in the winter, and I only run one radiator." She said she feared that, if prices rose at the same rate in future, she would have to turn the heating off altogether, adding: "Then you get damp, so that's not the answer." "You shouldn't be sitting there freezing cold in this day and age because of greed."

GEL decided a few years ago to change the way its tariffs were structured, so people paid a higher fixed cost, known as the standing charge. It rose more than 380% between 2021 and July 2025 - from just under £18 to £86.75 a quarter. That is nearly £40 a quarter more expensive than the highest standing charge allowed on the British mainland. So, why is it rising? Before 2022, GEL said 96% of its income came from charging people for using electricity - the unit charge. However, as more people install renewable energy - such as solar panels - in their homes, this would mean the amount of money the company made dropped. This, in turn, has meant increasing the prices for people without renewables, so it could afford "the fixed costs of maintaining and upgrading the electricity network", the company said. A GEL spokesperson told the BBC the company planned to review how it charged for electricity to make it "sustainable" - including for customers "who place a lower strain on the island's electricity network". They said "there will not be further large standing charge increases" until the review had been completed.

Protest organiser Myles Duquemin said electricity was "not a luxury, it's a basic human right"

Protest organiser Myles Duquemin said it was unfair the increased standing charge was "the same whether you're in a five-bedroom mansion or live in a one-bedroom flat". "Electricity is not a luxury, it's a basic human right," he said. He added he hoped "the rates come down and it's reviewed by the new deputies". Mr Duquemin said he had received many messages thanking him for organising the protest. He said many were from cancer suffers and survivors, as well as pensioners, adding: "They either couldn't speak up or felt too afraid to."

More than 100 people attended Saturday's demonstration

GEL said it respected "our customers' right to raise their concerns and to attend the protest". A spokesperson for the company thanked Mr Duquemin for "his commitment to ensure the safety and security of our staff and premises on the day". The company took the decision to close its retail shop at its St Sampson headquarters on Saturday, as the protest was due to begin outside it. GEL said: "Where a customer is concerned about their electricity bill, our advice is always to contact us as soon as possible if they are worried about falling into difficulty." "We also share information on our website about our tariffs, the reasons for recent increases, how we spend revenue and ways which consumers can save money on their bills."

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.

More than 100 protestors demonstrate on Saturday against above-inflation electricity price rises.

'We sit in the dark to save money on electricity in Guernsey'

Why are electricity prices going up in Guernsey?

23 minutes ago Share Save Jack Silver BBC News, Guernsey Share Save

EPA Guernsey's electricity prices are to rise from next month

The price of electricity in Guernsey is going up with tariffs rising next month. As prices in the UK are dropping, what is behind the increase in the island?

The BBC used information from Guernsey Electricity Ltd's (GEL) tariff calculator and data from Uswitch to estimate annual costs for low-usage and high-usage households in different regions of England, Scotland and Wales. Using the analysis, a typical low-usage household in Guernsey would spend £637 a year on electricity from July. Depending on the region, in Britain they could expect to save between £7 and £123 a year - between 1% and 19% less than Guernsey.

However, heavy electricity users are better off in Guernsey, with a high-usage household to spend on average £1,503 a year from July. The analysis showed British households could expect to spend between £42 and £244 more a year - up to 16% more. GEL said direct comparisons between the UK and Guernsey were "challenging due to the different tariff structures and pricing models" as well as "the relative economies of scale". Note: The figures do not include special tariffs, such as those for heat pumps or selling renewable energy back to the grid. Low-usage household calculations were based on 1,408 units a year and high-usage based on 5,517 units. Figures include discounts for paying with Direct Debit in UK and Standing Order in Guernsey.

Why are prices rising in Guernsey?

Guernsey's electricity prices stayed the same from 2012 to 2019, but have since risen significantly. These price rises mean the average Guernsey household will spend between 47% and 117% more on electricity from July compared with 2021. Unlike electricity companies in the UK, GEL is responsible for all aspects of electricity on the island, including generating or importing it, distributing it and billing customers. Most of Guernsey's electricity - about 90% - comes from France through a subsea cable to Jersey, supplying the island with low-carbon energy. However, the island also has 10 generators at its Vale power station, using a combination of natural gas, diesel and oil. The price of electricity was kept "artificially low" through most of the 2010s, according to GEL chief executive Alan Bates. This was good news for consumers at the time as they paid less than they would have in the UK.

However, the company said this led to underinvestment in its infrastructure, which is one of the reasons it is having to raise prices now - to play catch up. GEL also agreed a fixed price for the electricity it buys from France with EDF, France's government-owned power company. The firm said this protected the island against fluctuations in oil and gas prices caused by factors like the Ukraine war. With that agreement ending, it means the company will need to pay more and it is passing that cost on to consumers, with the latest rise being 8%. Other factors such as increased borrowing costs and decarbonisation plans were also playing a part, said GEL. GEL said islanders could save money by switching to its "unique Super Economy 12 tariff" - which could save a typical user £270 a year. The company also offers a 2% discount for customers paying by standing order, it said.

Alexandra Gelder Alexandra Gelder, from Castel, said was "petrified" about paying her bills once the prices went up

Alexandra Gelder, a medical secretary from Castel, said her family paid nearly £200 a month for electricity despite being "barely home" and she was "petrified" about paying her bills next month. Ms Gelder, who has Raynaud's Syndrome, a condition which can cause the fingers and toes to go numb in cold temperatures, said she could not afford to heat her States home any more. She said conditions were "not so bad" in the summer but "winter is awful". "I love this island, it is beautiful - but to afford to live here sucks," she said.

Guernsey Electricity said prices were rising for a variety of reasons including a need to upgrade infrastructure

Citizens Advice Guernsey said it had not yet observed an increase in islanders asking for help about electricity bills but it was bracing an increased number of calls when tariffs rise. "We strongly encourage anyone concerned about these changes to reach out for advice as early as possible," a spokesperson said. GEL said it had bought wholesale electricity at a fixed price since 2017, which shielded islanders from "the significant price rises seen in the UK" and had saved customers "more than £70m". "To understand the exact impact of upcoming tariff changes on individual bills, we recommend customers use our online tariff calculator," it said.

What are standing charges and how have they changed?

Standing charges are a fixed daily fee to cover the costs of connecting to gas and electricity supplies. GEL's standing charge rose more than 380% between 2021 and July 2025 - from just under £18 to £86.75 a quarter. From July the standing charge is set to go from £68.25 to £86.75. Before 2022 GEL said 96% of its income came from charging people for using electricity - the unit charge. However, the increasing use of renewable energy by households, such as solar panels, meant the amount of money the company made would drop. A GEL spokesperson said the company planned to review how it charged for electricity to make it sustainable, including for customers "who place a lower strain on the island's electricity network".

However, the spokesperson said more modern electricity meters would need to be installed before changes could be implemented. They said "there will not be further large standing charge increases" until the review had been completed. GEL said its tariffs "ensure a secure electricity supply for islanders, with minimal interruptions". "Guernsey performs well compared to other jurisdictions on the average number of minutes lost per customer per year through faults and cable damage, with 99.9% availability of supply maintained across the year," the company said.

Visualisations by Georgina Barnes and the BBC Shared Data Unit

It comes as electricity prices in the UK are dropping.

Why are electricity prices going up in Guernsey?

I was Mrs Poundland, but I stopped going when their prices went up

3 hours ago Share Save Emma Haslett Business reporter Charlotte Edwards BBC business reporter Tom Espiner BBC business reporter Share Save

Sharon Carroll Poundland used to be a big attraction when everything was £1, according to Sharon Carroll

Sharon Carroll once shopped so much at her local Poundland that her friends described her as "Mrs Poundland". "I'd just buy so many things," says Sharon. "I'd spend £40 to £50. "When everything used to be £1 it was a big attraction." But when the company began to change its pricing strategy, increasing the prices of some products from £1, the 45-year-old says she cut down on her purchases. "The quality of the products was also going down and you were paying more for things."

Other shoppers also told the BBC that they were put off when the retailer started putting its prices up. This week, the struggling budget chain was sold for (appropriately) £1 by its owner Pepco to a US investment firm, Gordon Brothers. Up to 100 stores are at risk of closure. The £1 promise was Poundland's "most compelling proposition", says Howard Lake, a retail consultant at Kantar. "Removing this identity alienated its core shopper base." The company clearly agreed. After it raised some prices from £1 in 2017, earlier this year it said it was returning to its roots, increasing the number of products it offered that cost £1 or less from 1,500 to 2,400, almost half its range.

Small towns

Poundland has 825 stores in the UK, with around 16,000 staff. Many of those shops are former Woolworths or Wilko branches, which it hoovered up after the two brands collapsed. Poundland became the biggest occupant of ex-Woolworths stores after the retailer went into administration in 2009, taking on 93 of its stores, more than 10% of the Woolworths estate. In September 2023 it took over the leases of 71 former Wilko stores. Often, these stores were in the kinds of small towns where other large retailers do not have a presence. "They might have had a Woolworths, a bank and a charity shop," says Jonathan de Mello, a retail analyst and the founder of JDM Retail. Elizabeth Gray loves going into her local Poundland in Bangor, Northern Ireland. Recently, she found a pair of small ceramic houses in the store, which were a copy of a design she had seen at Zara. "We don't have a Zara near where I live," she says.

Elizabeth Gray Elizabeth Gray, pictured with the ceramic houses she bought in Poundland, says she's "kind of in love" with the retailer

Poundland's presence in small towns has been crucial to fostering a sense of customer loyalty, says retail psychologist Kate Nightingale. "Simply being present in people's daily rituals is one of the strongest ways to build interdependence. "Presence plus reliance are some of the most important qualities of loyal relationships and it is no different to relationships we build with brands." But de Mello says when Poundland expanded into small towns, not enough people went in, which hit their bottom line. "In the small locations that they've opened multiple stores in, I feel the volumes aren't there in terms of footfall, unfortunately."

Increased competition

In 2016 Poundland expanded into fashion, beginning the roll-out of its Pep&Co clothing range, but this soon faced problems. In a trading update in May 2024, the company admitted that changes to the way it sourced clothing had reduced the number of sizes on offer.

Reuters Poundland's range covers everything from food to clothing to homewares and baby products

While the wide range of products stocked by Poundland may have been handy for consumers, it became a problem for the brand. It stocked so many different products – from food to clothing, to homewares and baby products – that it became, says Kantar's Howard Lake, a "supermarket-general store hybrid". That made it vulnerable to competition from numerous other brands. On the food side, there are Aldi and Lidl, whose UK presence has grown rapidly in recent years. On the homewares side are Home Bargains and B&M. And on the clothing side are Shein and Temu, the cheap Chinese exporters which have enjoyed a surge in popularity among British shoppers. Ultimately, says Lake, consumers found these other offers "far more attractive".

Poundland told the BBC: "Our missteps have been well documented and those include the execution of Pepco-sourced clothing and general merchandise product ranges in a way that didn't fully align with UK & Ireland customers' expectations. "We're looking forward to having the opportunity to put those missteps right as we put our recovery plan in place."

Shoppers like Elinor Martin in Sutton Coldfield hope the company succeeds. She uses Poundland to pick up snacks for her sons' packed lunches, stationery and birthday cards for school, plus shampoo, shower gel and cleaning products. She says she would miss her local branch if it were to close. "I can get things I need at Poundland. I find things cheaper there [than local supermarkets]." Elizabeth Gray in Bangor says she would miss her local store too if it went. "I would be sad if it closed," she says. "I'm kind of in love with Poundland."

After the budget retailer was sold for £1, we hear from shoppers and experts on why its popularity has waned.

I was Mrs Poundland, but I stopped going when their prices went up

Badenoch calls for end to oil and gas windfall tax

6 hours ago Share Save David Wallace Lockhart BBC Scotland political correspondent Share Save

PA Media Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said the windfall tax on oil and gas companies needs to be axed while addressing a Scottish Conservatives party conference in Edinburgh

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for an end to the windfall tax on oil and gas companies and said new licenses should be issued for drilling in the North Sea. Addressing the Scottish Conservative party conference in Edinburgh, Badenoch said the tax - known as Energy Profits Levy - should be scrapped before its current 2030 expiration. The levy was brought in by the previous Conservative UK government but Badenoch said her party had got this wrong. Opposition politicians criticised Badenoch's comments and the End Fuel Poverty Coalition described them as "out of touch".

The Tory leader also claimed that Scotland had "declined" under left wing parties and that the SNP had wasted millions on "independence propaganda".

The Energy Profits Levy was introduced in May 2022 after oil and gas companies recorded skyrocketing profits due to a sharp rise in energy prices, in part due to the war in Ukraine. It has since been both extended and increased, with the current scheme due to end in 2030. The oil and gas sector says the windfall tax is holding back investment. Badenoch told the Scottish Conservative conference that as part of renewing her party she would be "standing up for our oil and gas". She claimed the windfall tax on the sector is wrong as "for months there has been no windfall to tax". The Tory leader said: "The strikes overnight in the Middle East remind us of how vital it is that we can rely on our own energy security, our own natural resources." Badenoch said Labour's extension of the tax is "killing the oil and gas industry". To applause from the conference, she said a Tory government would "scrap the ban on new licences".

PA Media An increase in the windfall tax in the UK government budget last year means oil and gas producers are now paying a headline tax rate of 78%

Scottish Conservatives leader Russell Findlay earlier said it would be a "complete act of national self-harm" not to continue drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea. He told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme: "We are the party who completely support the North Sea oil and gas industry. "The SNP in Edinburgh are completely hostile to any form of new exploration, and it's exactly the same with Sir Keir Starmer and Ed Miliband in London. "They want to leave this oil and gas in the North Sea and import oil and gas from further afield. It makes absolutely no sense."

'Out of touch'

The Conservative leader said the windfall tax on the oil and gas sector should end and new drilling licenses are needed.