• Friday, March 29, 2024

Results for "cost of living crisis"

Sunak rules out election in May

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday ruled out calling an election on May 2, hinting the country was on course for a late 2024 ballot. Mounting speculation at the Westminster had suggested Sunak could call the general election on the same day as local polls in early May. However,…

British energy bills to fall after 12 per cent price…

Most British household energy bills will fall from April after regulator Ofgem cut its domestic price cap by 12.3 per cent to its lowest level in more than two years. The drop, prompted by lower wholesale energy prices, will provide some respite for households struggling to contend with a cost…

UK regulator to scrutinise baby formula market

Britain's antitrust regulator said it would scrutinise the country's infant formula market after prices soared by 25 per cent over the last two years. The rising cost of baby milk formula has been in the spotlight during Britain's inflation-driven cost of living crisis, with media reports saying that some struggling…

Bangladeshi families most affected by cramped housing

BRITISH Bangladeshis have told Eastern Eye of the “trauma” they face living in cramped housing, as data shows that more people from this community live in social housing compared to other south Asian communities. British Asians were overall least likely to live in social housing, but there were significant variations…

‘Muslim voters discontent with Labour more likely to be felt…

MARIA SOBOLEWSKA, a professor of political science at the University of Manchester, told Eastern Eye Muslim voters’ discontent with the Labour Party would more likely be felt in by-elections rather than the general election. She said although the Israel-Gaza situation was important to Muslim voters, during a general election, it…

Labour will lose Muslim vote, say party MPs

LABOUR is “haemorrhaging” the Muslim vote, which will have a negative impact when Britain holds the general election, expected later this year, party MPs have told Eastern Eye. Late on Monday (12), Labour withdrew its support and suspended for its candidate for Rochdale, Azhar Ali, following criticism of remarks he…

Scotland’s Labour leader calls on pro-independence voters to oust Tories

During his first major speech on Monday (8), Anas Sarwar, Scotland's Labour leader urged independence backers to switch allegiance from the Scottish National Party (SNP) in a bid to unseat the Tories from Downing Street. Simultaneously, during his speech, first minister Humza Yousaf emphasised to undecided voters that the current…

Post Office sets new cash withdrawal record amid cost of…

A record-breaking sum of over £62 million was withdrawn from Post Office branches nationwide, on the Friday (22) before Christmas, marking the highest single-day cash withdrawal to date. This surge surpassed the prior record of just over £51 million, recorded on the same day last year, across the 11,500 branches…

Starmer pledges growth; blames Tories for fiscal crisis

A Labour government would not "turn on the spending taps" but will focus obsessively on growth because British prime minister Rishi Sunak's Tories have wrecked public finances, the party's leader Keir Starmer will say on Monday (4). With Labour some 20 points ahead in opinion polls before an election expected…

UK’s heading in the right direction, says Swati Dhingra

A MEMBER of the Bank of England’s (BoE) monetary policy committee said UK businesses have reasons to be “optimistic” over future growth. Dr Swati Dhingra said she believes the UK has “come out of the worst of the inflation and cost of living crisis” and the country will return to…

RSPCA expects ‘winter crisis’ as animal abandonments rise

The RSPCA is preparing for a ‘winter crisis,’ due to escalating rates of animal abandonments, revealing a surge in incidents across several regions in England. Figures from Surrey alone show a concerning 27.4% increase in animal abandonments compared to 2020. Among the recent cases, a bearded dragon and two tortoises…

Coping with cash worries

THE recent cost of living crisis has created a wave of anxiety among many, with around three in four adults reporting feeling overwhelmed about their financial well-being, according to ONS. Although it’s natural to experience such worries, excessive concern can become all-consuming, leaving you unable to function in daily life.…

How to navigate the cost of living crisis

WHETHER it is a substantial increase in mortgages, rent, and household bills, including food prices, the cost of living crisis is hitting hard. More people than ever are becoming aware of spending and trying to find ways to get through the financial crunch. With that in mind, Eastern Eye put…

Bangladesh garment worker shot dead in new wage protests

A WOMAN was shot dead on Wednesday (8) when police in Bangladesh opened fire on protesting garment workers who had returned to the streets after rejecting a new pay increase, authorities and the victim's family said. The south Asian country's 3,500 garment factories account for around 85 per cent of…

How to make this Diwali a memorable celebration

WHETHER it is the food, fireworks, fabulous outfits or family gatherings, there is a lot to consider during Diwali. Making the right decisions will usually mean the difference between having a delightful time or something not so memorable. With that in mind, Eastern Eye prepared a quick A to Z…

Pension size of ethnic minorities less than half of white…

ETHNIC minorities in the UK are significantly under-pensioned compared to white British people, according to new research. Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) found that at £52,333, the average minority ethnic person’s pension pot was less than half the size of the average white British person’s £114,941. Insufficient disposable income…

Sunak faces ‘test of support’ as voting starts in two…

VOTERS went to the polls in elections to fill two vacant parliamentary seats on Thursday (19) that will be a test of how prime minister Rishi Sunak's Tories are faring in his party's heartlands before a national election expected next year. The by-elections were triggered by high-profile resignations of two…

Asians root for ‘grow your own’ amid scarcity of plots

AMARJIT SINGH GUDAIL, who is a member of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), agrees there is now a shortage of allotments in the country. Last Sunday (15), he showed Eastern Eye around the Bixley Fields Allotments in Southall in west London, from where it is possible to see “up to…

Diwali Foundation gears up to share the spirit of the…

The Diwali Basket Brigade, an initiative organised by The Diwali Foundation, operates as a voluntary campaign dedicated to providing food hampers to vulnerable families from various faiths and backgrounds. These families, nominated by local charities and community organisations, are identified as those facing severe financial challenges, struggling to provide food…

Five key events from Charles III’s first year as king

Charles III commemorates his first year as king today (8). Here are five pivotal moments from his first year on the throne. - Inaugural address - Following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96 on September 8, 2022, Charles assumed the throne. During his…

Labour wants to address hidden fees on remittances

LABOUR has pledged to clamp down on costly hidden fees associated with international remittances from the UK to countries, such as India, as it makes its pitch to voters in the lead up to a general election, expected next year. Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy hosted a special “Connecting Communities”…

Leo Quinn: ‘What you do going forward matters, not where…

IT IS not often you meet a university dropout who returned to the company he started at as a graduate civil engineer – and is now the group chief executive of one of Britain’s best-known and most successful construction and infrastructure companies. Leo Quinn, who heads Balfour Beatty, is a…

Labour vows to tackle high remittance fees if voted to…

Amidst the ongoing Cabinet reshuffle led by Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour Party celebrated 'Britain’s global bonds and bridges', a reception for diaspora communities, where the party outlined its objectives to mitigate hidden fees on remittances sent overseas as a means to combat poverty. The reception held on Monday (4)…

Anas Sarwar unveils expert panel to advise Scottish Labour on…

SCOTTISH Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, has unveiled an expert independent board to advise the party on economic growth. The panel consists of high-profile business leaders, including a media executive who appeared on The Apprentice, as reported by The Times. Sarwar said that the panel will focus on green energy, finance,…

New study highlights adverse effects of the cost-of-living crisis on…

British development and relief NGO based in Manchester, Human Appeal, has unveiled new research, shedding light on the substantial contributions of BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) individuals to the UK's volunteer community. The research was released on August 28, 2023. This research highlights the adverse effects of the cost-of-living…

Asian eateries turn to fusion cuisine as recipe for success

VARIETY is the spice of life, as the saying goes, and the restaurant sector is embracing this with new fusion cuisines and combinations. Palmito, an Ecuadorean-Indian restaurant in Brighton, Sussex, is among the businesses earning rave reviews with dishes such as grilled squid in a Keralan roast style sauce, and…

Ulez expanded to cover entire London

LONDON mayor Sadiq Khan's Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) expansion to cover every borough of the city came into force on Tuesday (29). Drivers must pay a charge of £12.50 per day to drive a non-compliant vehicle anywhere in the city now. Those driving in the zone in a high…

Anusha Rathod: Cool content creator is right on the money

THE cost of living crisis crippling more people than ever before has turned Anushka Rathod into an important content creator.  In the past three years, the former investment banker has gained more than 1.3 million followers on social media with finance-based content, which gives marvellous money saving tips in an…

UK top bosses earn 118 times more than workers, study…

BOSSES running Britain's biggest listed companies enjoyed payrises of 16 percent last year as workers' wages struggled with the worst cost of living crisis in a generation, research published Tuesday (22) found. According to independent think-tank the High Pay Centre, the median FTSE 100 chief executive officer was paid 118…

‘Leicester’s health inequalities worsened by pandemic, impact yet to unfold’

The pandemic years will have exacerbated existing inequalities in health in Leicester, but the size of this impact still remains to be seen, the city’s director of public health has said, writes Hannah Richardson. Leicester was among the hardest hit by the Covid pandemic and strict lockdown rules as the…

Labour scraps plan to roll out Ulez-style zones across country

LABOUR has ditched plans to roll out clean air zones across the country aimed at cutting carbon emissions after Uxbridge by-election defeat, reported The Telegraph. A narrow by-election loss last month in outer London has been blamed on London mayor Sadiq Khan's expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez),…

Yousaf unveils Scottish citizenship and passport proposal

First minister Humza Yousaf of Scotland has unveiled a plan for citizenship and passports in the event of an independent Scotland. The proposal, titled "Citizenship in an independent Scotland," outlines the rights and entitlements of citizens, migrants, and British nationals following the country's potential departure from the union. The prospectus…

Political unconscious bias or fair cop, guv? The Asda case…

WHEN Rishi Sunak became prime minister, TV and radio programmes asked for my thoughts. In almost every interview, I said this was our Barak Obama moment, but Sunak would be seen through a different lens from any of his prime ministerial predecessors. He was the first person of colour in…

Union proposes 12% pay raise as solution to end NHS…

The British Medical Association (BMA) consultants committee chairman, Dr Vishal Sharma, has suggested that a pay rise of approximately 12% for NHS consultants could potentially end the ongoing strikes. Dr Sharma said that any offer above inflation would be sufficient to present to BMA members. The comments were made in…

Senior doctors in England stage rare walk out

ENGLISH hospitals were braced on Thursday (20) for the latest doctors' strike to hit the state-run health service, with managers warning it will leave "routine care virtually at a standstill". The two-day strike by consultants comes amid record patient waiting times due to a vast pandemic backlog and multiple strikes…

‘Lack of funding leaves south Asian domestic abuse survivors vulnerable’

CHARITIES supporting Asian domestic abuse survivors are in a funding crisis with a lack of space in refuges and a shortage of trained frontline workers, experts have cautioned. They said further services are at risk of shrinking or closing due to a dearth of financial support. Research by the Refuge…

Danny Beales: Johnson’s comments, immigration bill have let down ethnic…

THE LABOUR candidate to replace Boris Johnson as Conservative MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip has said the former prime minister played a part in ethnic minorities losing “trust in democracy and public life”. Danny Beales is the Labour candidate for the byelection in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, which became…

Poll: Humza Yousaf’s performance as first minister disappoints Scots

A new poll revealed that half of Scots believe the first minister is doing a bad job, while only a small minority (23 per cent) believe that he is performing well. According to the YouGov survey, fewer than a fifth of voters said that Humza Yousaf is performing well in key…

Cost of living crisis makes kitchens in Asian restaurants go…

SOUTH ASIAN cuisine is going more green during the cost of living crisis, with restaurants turning away from charcoal and gas ovens. More eateries are using large combination electric cookers, rather than a tandoor oven, which can cook chicken, lamb and naan together, according to owners. The industry has largely…

Hunger could become ‘new normal’ in UK: study

Going hungry in the UK due to historically high levels of food inflation risks becoming "the new normal" for millions of people, according to a study released on Tuesday (27). The study by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Sussex said it was "concerning" that 14…

India rises eight spots to rank 127 in global gender…

India has made significant progress in terms of gender parity, climbing eight places to rank 127 out of 146 countries, according to the World Economic Forum's annual Gender Gap Report for 2023. In the previous edition of the report in 2022, India was ranked at 135. The country has shown…

Experts caution against impact of inflation on Asian businesses

RISING food prices during the cost of living crisis have had a bigger impact on south Asian families and businesses, according to experts. They have highlighted that the inflation of products – including rice, cooking oil and spices – has disproportionately affected Asian households. The Runnymede Trust think-tank said the…

Delay in high-sugar promotion ban sparks outrage among UK health…

The decision by the British government to extend the delay on implementing rules that would prohibit multi-buy deals on high-fat, salt, or sugar (HFSS) foods and drinks has generated disappointment among health campaigners. They argue that this postponement will not contribute to the financial relief of struggling families. On Saturday…

Lawmakers set to punish Boris Johnson for ‘Partygate lies’

BRITISH MPs vote on Monday (19) on a damning report that found former prime minister Boris Johnson deliberately lied to parliament about lockdown-breaking parties, in what the government hopes will be the final chapter in the damaging "Partygate" scandal. The parliamentary vote is being held on Johnson's 59th birthday as…

Anas Sarwar terms SNP a ‘dysfunctional political party’

The Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has called the Scottish National Party (SNP) 'dysfunctional' after the party paused its selection process for a key by-election, reported The Times. During his visit to Glasgow Girls FC, Sarwar said that the SNP was too focused on its internal issues to address the…

Aide claims Johnson ‘plotted to sack Sunak’ as chancellor

Rishi Sunak was accused by Boris Johnson loyalists of stabbing the then prime minister in the back when he resigned from the cabinet – but dramatic new evidence suggests the chancellor was acting in self-defence and was also morally in the right when he quit government. What exactly happened between…

Humza Yousaf demands independence referendum in first meeting with Rishi…

Scotland's first minister Humza Yousaf has urged Rishi Sunak to 'respect the democratic wishes' of the Parliament and demanded the power to hold an independence referendum. In response, the Prime Minister asked Yousaf to work with the UK government on tackling the cost of living crisis, The Telegraph reported. In…

Sadiq Khan flags private landlords profiting billions from sub-standard homes

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is urging for national action after a recent analysis conducted by City Hall revealed that private landlords are receiving billions of pounds in rent for sub-standard homes. This situation is particularly concerning given that over a billion pounds of this rent are derived from…

Call to reduce pension scheme threshold to help Asian women

CAMPAIGNERS have called on the government to lower the figure for auto-enrolment on to pension schemes after research revealed that nearly half of south Asian women in the UK have no savings for retirement. An estimated 17 per cent of south Asian women in employment do not currently meet the…

Newham Trading Standards service closely monitors local retail practices to…

The Newham Trading Standards service has carried out several visits to retailers in Green Street to ensure that buyers get a fair treatment in local shops especially at a time of the cost-of-living crisis. The service officials conducted 151 visits, including in clothing, hardware and pound shops, to assess price…

Sadiq Khan announces scheme to give every London primary pupil…

London mayor Sadiq Khan on Sunday (19) announced an emergency scheme worth £130 million to help families tackle the spiraling cost-of-living crisis by ensuring that every primary school-going child in London receives free meals at their place of education in the next academic year. With the move, Khan steps in…

Cost of living impacts access to prescription medicines – RPS…

The results of a survey conducted by The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) have revealed that pharmacists in England are reporting that the rising cost of living is affecting patients' ability to pay for their prescribed medications. According to the RPS, the survey was conducted among its community pharmacist members in…

Sadiq Khan announces fresh investment to help vulnerable women, girls…

London mayor Sadiq Khan on Thursday (9) announced a new investment to support women and girls, who have been affected by violence, access support during the cost-of-living crisis. The total investment is worth £4 million. A cost-of-living fund worth £1 million was launched by the mayor to support vital VAWG…

Sadiq Khan, Martin Lewis come together to help Londoners tackle…

London mayor Sadiq Khan and MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis CBE have joined forces for a one-off live event to help Londoners tackle the cost-of-living crisis. On Thursday (2), Khan and Martin were set to be joined by an audience at City Hall to discuss everything from managing soaring energy costs…

Sunak marks 100 days as PM with pledge to deliver…

Rishi Sunak marked his 100th day in office as the first non-white British Prime Minister on Thursday with a slick new video for social media pledging to deliver change, amidst multiple challenges, including spiralling inflation. The UK's first Indian-origin Prime Minister took charge at 10 Downing Street a day after…

LCCI policy & public impact head welcomes London mayor’s vehicle-scrappage…

James Watkins, head of Policy and Public Impact at London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) welcomed the move made by London mayor Sadiq Khan to launch the biggest vehicle-scrappage scheme worth £110 million to help organisations and individuals to replace or retrofit their old, pollution-causing vehicles. He said the…

Sadiq Khan launches biggest vehicle-scrappage scheme to aid businesses, charities,…

London mayor Sadiq Khan on Monday (30) launched the biggest scrappage scheme worth £110 million to help charities, sole traders and business with 10 or fewer employees or those city dwellers on lower incomes or disabled, to replace or retrofit their old, polluting vehicles. To accompany the scrappage scheme, Khan and…

Sadiq Khan allocates £75m funding for 800 new homes for…

London mayor Sadiq Khan on Tuesday (24) announced £75 million funding to deliver up to 800 homes for rough sleepers. The mayor announced the funding during a visit to a Crisis at Christmas service in Newham, where he met Crisis and St Mungo’s staff, people who have recently been sleeping…

Met Police steps up response to robbery: ‘We are not…

Officers across the Met are conducting proactive and high-visibility patrols to protect young people from robbery after sunset. It has been reported that school-going children are also being targeted by criminals as they return to their studies after the Christmas recess. On Thursday (5) night, Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley…

Keir Starmer lauds Pramukh Swami Maharaj & BAPS for inspiring…

British opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer on Friday (6) lauded former BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) guru and president Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016) whose birth centenary celebrations are currently underway in India saying the spiritual leader had built more than 1,200 temples and the effort has been recognised across…

Opposition slams Rishi Sunak’s ‘excruciating’ exchange with homeless man

The UK Opposition Labour Party on Saturday slammed Rishi Sunak over a television clip showing an awkward exchange with a man while volunteering at a soup kitchen for the poor and homeless at Christmas.The British Indian leader was caught on camera during a visit to a shelter run by the…

EXCLUSIVE: “Tackle mental health Tsunami”

THE bosses of 20 mental health organisation have written an open letter to the prime minister to step in and stop suicides which are being caused by the cost-of-living crisis. The message, seen by Eastern Eye, warns Rishi Sunak that “people living in the most deprived 10 per cent of…

Sunak faces new demands from his fractious party

British Conservative politicians on Sunday launched two campaigns to address concerns about the direction of the party and the government, the latest challenge to new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s attempts to unite a fractured party. The Conservative Party has already ousted two prime ministers in 2022 – Boris Johnson and…

Record funding from Sadiq Khan to equip communities with hate…

London mayor Sadiq Khan on Wednesday (7) announced a record £725,000 investment for grassroots community groups with the goal of empowering them to counter extremism; tackle the rise in hate crime offences; and protect Londoners from radicalisation. The investment is part of the mayor’s fund of more than £2 million…

Leicester businessman guilty of defrauding 18 people still at large

A Leicester businessman was found guilty of selling fraudulent franchise licences to victims across the UK, following a four-day trial at Leicester Crown Court. Nazir Abdul Rashid Daud, 58, formerly of Landseer Road, Leicester, was found guilty in his absence though pleaded not guilty during the trial. Daud was  charged…

Bank of England’s Dhingra warns of deeper and longer recession…

Bank of England rate-setter Swati Dhingra on Saturday (3) said that higher interest rates could lead to a deeper and longer recession, adding there were few signs that demands for higher wages risked a wage-price spiral. While most of her colleagues backed a 75 basis-point hike to 3 per cent…

Work in curry house best training: Rishi Sunak

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has shared memories of his time doing shifts at an Indian food restaurant in Southampton in his student days as the “best training” he had for the top job. In a video message to the annual Curry Awards in London celebrating South Asian cuisine across…

‘We will harness skills, talents of whole society’

THIS month we have marked Equal Pay Day, the day that the Fawcett Society calculates that women effectively stop earning relative to their male equivalents. This year, that day fell on November 20. It’s shocking that we still have to raise awareness of the gender pay gap, or that such…

One in five British Muslims depend on food banks due…

British Muslim households are struggling to pay bills due to the cost of living crisis and one in five Muslims have been depending on food banks since August last year, according to a study. The survey of 1, 568 Muslims by Muslim Census has revealed that 50 per cent of…

This London Chef aims to feed 5,000 nurses and raise…

With the cost of living crisis forcing the NHS nurses to visit food banks and take strike action, one young chef Niaz Caan, from London’s Brick Lane has taken it upon himself to bring a nutritious hot meal to weary hospital staff members this winter and to also appeal to…

EXCLUSIVE: Sunaks join list of richest Asians

PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty have made their debut on the Asian Rich List 2022, which profiles the 101 wealthiest Asians in Britain. Sunak and his wife – whose father NR Narayana Murthy co-founded Indian IT major, Infosys – are ranked 17th in the list, with…

Award winning chef completes trek up Kilimanjaro to raise over…

AN award-winning chef has raised over £7,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support as she completed a trek to the top of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in August. Lorna Nanda Gangotra of Lorna’s Indian Kitchen at Addlestone in Surrey has described he experience of reaching Uhuru summit, the roof of Africa, truly ‘lifechanging’.…

40 per cent of Londoners could default on their rent:…

London mayor Sadiq Khan on Monday (14) said 40 per cent of Londoners think that they will struggle to meet their rent payments as he sought to bring together private renters, charities, advocacy groups, and politicians to call on the government to tackle the capital's spiralling rental crisis urgently, a…

UK economy: A crisis in the making for some time…

It has been anything but a smooth ride for the Rishi Sunak led UK government, with the latest official data released this week reflecting a shrinking economy and a looming two-year-long recession. The British Indian former finance minister, who took charge at 10 Downing Street last month with the promise…

Sadiq Khan says tackling violence in London is ‘top priority’

London mayor Sadiq Khan has said that tackling violence is his top priority as he will continue to lead from the front in the city by being tough on crime and its complex causes. Khan and the Met’s head of Frontline Policing Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe joined local neighbourhood police…

Sadiq Khan demands rent freeze for London tenants

London’s mayor Sadiq Khan has called for a rent rebate to support vulnerable people as the cost-of-living outpaced earnings in the UK.While the overall price rise has topped 10 per cent, the rental inflation in the British capital shot up by almost 18 per cent by July.Khan said an effective…

Closures in the Hospitality Industry Continue to Rise

The number of restaurant insolvencies has risen by around two thirds from 856 in the financial year 2020/21 to over 1,400 this year, largely due to soaring inflation and severe staff shortages.  In the current economic climate, many different types of business from large retail companies facing administration to hauliers…

Britons skipping meals in cost of living crisis: poll

Millions of Britons are skipping meals in current the cost-of-living crisis, a consumer group warned Thursday, having already forecast that many risk fuel poverty after the UK curbed its energy price freeze. The news came after data showed UK inflation jumped back above 10 percent in September on rampant food…

Truss sacrifices finance minister, scraps tax plan in fight to…

British prime minister Liz Truss fired her finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng on Friday and scrapped parts of their economic package in a desperate bid to stay in power and survive the market and political turmoil gripping the country. Kwarteng said he had resigned at Truss's request after being forced to…

You have asked me to stand aside as your Chancellor.…

British finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng confirmed on Friday he had been sacked by Prime Minister Liz Truss, becoming the third chancellor to leave the government this year. "You have asked me to stand aside as your Chancellor. I have accepted," Kwarteng said in a letter to Truss, which he published…

Black, Asian and minority ethnic women experience wider pay gap,…

Many black, Asian and minority ethnic women have already stopped earning two months before Equal Pay Day on 18 November compared to the average male worker, a new analysis by the Labour party has revealed. In the wake of the findings, the party has urged the government to take urgent…

What is moral burnout? Know the signs and how to…

We've all been hearing about workplace trends like 'quiet quitting' and the Great Resignation, where employees are leaving work as they are no longer able to cope the same way they used to. According to a recent study, a new type of burnout is emerging this year and it might…

Equal rights ‘had not gone far enough’ for black and…

Nearly half (45 per cent) of the respondents to a survey has said that equal rights 'had not gone far enough' for black and Asian people in UK. Two decades ago, the proportion was 25 per cent. The latest annual poll of British social attitudes has also revealed that the…

Minority ethnic workers are disproportionately paid below living wage in…

Minority ethnic workers are disproportionately paid the lowest wages in the UK, new research has revealed amid the deepening cost-of-living crisis. Some 33 per cent of Bangladeshi-origin workers are paid below the real living wage, followed by 29 per cent of people of Pakistani heritage and 25 per cent of…

Sadiq Khan launches emergency energy advice service for Londoners; says…

London mayor Sadiq Khan on Wednesday (7) announced a new advice service -- Energy Advice London -- to support Londoners struggling to pay soaring energy bills due to the cost of living crisis. This comes as Londoners face the possibility of not being able to heat their homes or put…

Liz Truss vows tax cuts after winning vote to be…

Liz Truss will become Britain's next prime minister after winning a leadership race for the governing Conservative party on Monday, vowing to press ahead with promises of tax cuts and to deal with a growing energy crisis. After weeks of an often bad-tempered and divisive leadership contest, Truss, currently the…

Truss promises immediate action on energy if appointed PM

British foreign minister Liz Truss said on Sunday (4) she would set out immediate action to tackle rising energy bills and increase energy supplies if she is, as expected, appointed prime minister this week. Writing in the Sunday Telegraph newspaper on the eve of the announcement on who will replace…

Universal free school meals will support a quarter of a…

An extra 270,000 children in London could receive free school meals, saving families struggling with the cost of living up to £440 a year per child, if provision was extended to all primary school pupils, a research initiative taken by London mayor Sadiq Khan has revealed. The mayor has reiterated…

UK cost of living crisis sees surge in pet abandonments:…

The UK's leading animal charity on Tuesday blamed spiralling costs and the huge upsurge in pet ownership during the pandemic for a 24-per cent rise in pet abandonments this year. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) reported 22,908 abandonments in the first seven months of…

Priti Patel castigates eco ‘thugs’ for holding motorists hostage

Home Secretary Priti Patel has urged police to act sternly on “lawless” pro-environment protesters whose actions disrupted vehicular traffic in Essex.Just Stop Oil activists have been tunnelling under road surfaces in Thurrock demanding that the government call off all new oil and gas projects. The burrowing forced the police to…

Cost of living crisis: Pensioner admits seeking refuge in public…

The cost of living crisis in UK is pushing people to the wall, literally. People are trying various ways to survive in these difficult times. Recently, a 72-year-old pensioner has told LBC that she went to public galleries in London to keep warm in the winter months. Annie was speaking…

Priti Patel may lose job to Braverman if Truss becomes…

Only a few days are left for the election of the new British prime minister by the Conservative party. The new Tory leader will be announced on September 5. As expected, there will be major changes in the cabinet following the election of the new leader. Latest report suggests that…

London mayor announces new funding worth £2m to shield children,…

London mayor Sadiq Khan on Wednesday (17) announced £2 million of new funding to support children and young people at risk of being exploited by criminal gangs. With millions of Londoners being impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and low-income families in the capital being hit hardest as food and energy…

Ministers must act now to help prevent cost of living…

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, today urged the Government to focus on tackling the spiralling cost of living and stop this from becoming a national disaster. This comes as a new online poll comprising 1,245 adults, reveals that 20 percent of lower-income Londoners have regularly or occasionally gone without…

Amid soaring cost of living, partnership work key to reduce…

As the cost of living crisis threatens to reverse reductions in violent crime, closer partnership between the Met Police and communities is key to preventing and tackling violence, London mayor Sadiq Khan said on Thursday (11), a release from his press office said. He visited Engine Room youth centre in…

UK’s Liz Truss ready to speed up tax cut plan,…

Liz Truss, the front-runner to become Britain's next prime minister, plans to rush through tax cuts earlier than planned in an attempt to boost the country's flagging economy, the Sunday Telegraph reported. Truss was considering accelerating by six months her plan to reverse this year's increase in social security contributions…

Tesco apologises to mother-of-three for placing ‘racist’ security tags on…

Supermarket chain Tesco has apologised to a mother-of-three after she complained that 'racist' security tags were placed on cosmetics for black skin but not lighter skin in one of its stores, according to reports. Natalie Westgate said that she spotted Garnier's Skin Active BB Cream for dark skin was put…

Racism isn’t a factor in Conservative leadership contest, says Rishi…

Britain’s prime ministerial hopeful Rishi Sunak said he was playing catch-up to his rival Liz Truss but rejected the claims that “latent racism” could hinder his chances of becoming the next Conservative leader.The former chancellor of the exchequer insisted that “merit” would be the most prominent factor in the Tory…

Britain’s trains disrupted in second widespread rail strike in a…

Around 5,000 train drivers across almost a quarter of Britain's rail network went on strike on Saturday, as part of a campaign for higher pay after the country's inflation rate hit its highest in 40 years. The 24-hour strike organised by train drivers' union ASLEF is the second significant industrial…

‘Whoever triumphs will face challenges’

FOREIGN SECRETARY Liz Truss and ex chancellor Rishi Sunak are battling it out to become Britain’s next prime minister, setting up the last stage of the contest to replace Boris Johnson. Both candidates present a clean face to help restore the government’s integrity and reputation. Truss was against Brexit, so…

Hundreds of young Londoners saved from County Lines gangs by…

HUNDREDS of young Londoners have been diverted away from the dangers of County Lines gangs by an intervention scheme set up by mayor Sadiq Khan, according to a report published on Wednesday (27). The Rescue and Response report, by Brent Council on the impact of the £5.6 million scheme, revealed that…

Race for Downing Street: Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss squabble over…

DIFFERENCES over how to revive Britain's slow-growth, high-inflation economy could hardly be starker within the ruling Conservative Party as the two remaining contenders to become its new leader, and thereby prime minister, clash over tax. Rishi Sunak wants continuity of the economic policies he introduced as finance minister, promising to…

Shocking! About 65% of calories in average UK school meals…

High-processed foods which include fast foods, frozen meals, candies, soft drinks, and salty snacks are made primarily from substances extracted from food like starches, sugar, and fats. “The increasing availability and variety of ultra-processed foods have reshaped global food systems by displacing dietary patterns previously based on fresh and minimally…

Tory leadership race: Britain will get either its first British…

THE final two candidates to become UK prime minister will be decided Wednesday (20), with Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Penny Mordaunt battling it out with frontrunner Rishi Sunak. Former finance minister Sunak was only two votes short of securing his place in the final two after Tuesday's (19) voting,…

Sunak widens lead in race to become UK PM after…

FORMER finance minister Rishi Sunak widened his lead in the latest round of voting Monday (18) by Conservative MPs to decide Britain's next prime minister, but the race to get in the final two tightened. Sunak won the support of 115 Tory lawmakers, followed by Penny Mordaunt on 82 votes,…

EXCLUSIVE: We will need to build bridges in politics and…

ELECTIONS divide – and the race to determine the next leader of the Conservative party is no different. Every candidate for prime minister has reminded the Conservatives that they will need to unite around whoever emerges as leader. But calls for a clean contest have been honoured more in the…

Ex-finance minister Rishi Sunak tops first vote to be next…

FORMER finance minister Rishi Sunak won the biggest backing from Conservative lawmakers on Wednesday (13) in the first vote to choose who will succeed Boris Johnson as party leader and British prime minister, while two more rivals were eliminated. Sunak, whose resignation as finance minister last week helped precipitate Johnson's…

Eight hopefuls wanting to be next UK PM face first…

Conservative lawmakers will vote on Wednesday to narrow the field of eight candidates hoping to succeed Boris Johnson as party leader and prime minister, as rival camps trade barbs in an increasingly fractious contest for the leadership.Three of the 11 initial challengers for the premiership fell away on Tuesday after…

Six in 10 women in the UK terminate their pregnancies…

Having kids in the UK is pricey and increasingly becoming a privilege that is financially out of reach for many. According to a new study, six in 10 women who have had an abortion say the cost of childcare led them to take the drastic decision. Many parents seem to…

London mayor Sadiq Khan announces £2.3m for advice services to…

LONDON mayor Sadiq Khan on Friday (8) announced that he will be investing £2.3 million in vital advice services across the capital to help Londoners cope with the spiralling cost of living. He also launched a partnership with London Citizens Advice and London Legal Support Trust (LLST) to help reach…

80 per cet of customers have less than £500 in…

THE top official of a British bank has said that its customers have less than £500 of savings in their accounts, according to a report. Charlie Nunn, chief executive of Lloyds Bank said that customers with persistent debt problems jump up by a third in the first six months of…

EXCLUSIVE: End our cost of living crisis suffering

The chancellor must do more to help families and business. The call comes from Lord Karan Bilimoria, who is stepping down as the president of the Confederation of British Industry after two years at the helm. In an exclusive interview with Eastern Eye, the peer said the cost of living…

Explainer: The issues surrounding a Scottish independence vote

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced plans on Tuesday for a second referendum to be held on Scottish independence in October 2023.  In a referendum in 2014, Scots voted 55%-45% to remain in the United Kingdom, but both Brexit and the British government's handling of the COVID-19 crisis have bolstered…

UK Shoppers shift to cheaper grocery options as cost-of-living worsens:…

Britons are shifting to cheaper food alternatives in their supermarket shopping as they try to navigate a worsening cost of living crisis, industry data showed on Tuesday. Market researcher NielsenIQ said that over the four weeks to June 18 sales of frozen poultry rose 12% year-on-year, sales of rice and…

Number of women having an abortion reaches record high in…

THE latest annual abortion statistics report has revealed that a record number of abortions took place in England and Wales last year, according to a report.  There were 214,869 terminations in 2021, the highest number since the procedure became legal in Great Britain through the 1967 Abortion Act. Almost nine…

Britain’s biggest rail strikes would make travel a nightmare

Britain faces its biggest rail strike in 30 years this week when tens of thousands of staff walk out in a pay dispute that unions warn could lead to coordinated action across other industries due to the mounting cost of living crisis. British households are already experiencing the biggest economic…

Social mobility plan ‘in denial’ about inequalities

KATHARINE BIRBALSINGH, the head of Michaela Community School in west London and Boris Johnson’s social mobility chief, made her first major speech last Thursday (9). She said society should stop fixating on getting poor children to university and celebrate “small steps up the ladder” instead of “rags to riches” stories…

Katharine Birbalsingh urges rejection of the “old view” of social…

THE STRICTEST headteacher in Britain has urged people to reject the “old view” of social mobility in her inaugural speech as the chair of the Social Mobility commission. Katharine Birbalsingh, 48, is the founder and head teacher of Michaela Community school in Wembley, north London. In a speech yesterday (9),…

Boris Johnson told to cut taxes if he wants to…

There are growing calls for prime minister Boris Johnson to cut taxes to ease the cost of living burden after he managed to sail through a confidence vote.A reduction in levies amid historic inflation levels would help reunify his traditionally low-tax Conservative Party, according to his supporters.Health secretary Sajid Javid…

Surrey retailer dedicates Her Majesty’s award to fellow residents

RETAILER Mukesh Patel, who has been honoured with Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Surrey Certificate over the Platinum Jubilee weekend, has dedicated his award to fellow residents of Capel village in Surrey. Patel is given the recognition for his service to the village during Covid-19 pandemic. He kept his grocery…

Boris Johnson was jeered because people are fed up: Keir…

Britain’s opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer said the jeering faced by prime minister Boris Johnson reflected the public sentiment about the government.Johnson was booed when he arrived at St Paul's Cathedral in London for a Service of Thanksgiving for Queen Elizabeth on Friday. But the prime minister, who was accompanied…

Most vulnerable households in UK to receive £1,200 to cope…

MOST vulnerable households in UK will receive at least £1,200 this year, including a new one-off £650 cost of living payment, as part of targeted government support to help with the rising cost of living crisis, it was announced on Thursday (26). British chancellor Rishi Sunak also announced a 25…

UK must act on cost-of-living crisis: Lord Bilimoria

CONFEDERATION OF BRITISH INDUSTRY (CBI) president Lord Karan Bilimoria said the government must act on the cost-of-living crisis and help firms invest in uncertain times.In view of a negative growth in March and forecasts of a weak outlook for the rest of 2022, the government should extend the Recovery Loan…

Sunak on inflation: State cannot protect people completely

BRITISH chancellor Rishi Sunak has insisted that the state "cannot protect people completely" as he warned the next few months "will be tough"after inflation rate has surged to a 40-year high.  Reacting to Wednesday's (18) data, he blamed the situation on "global challenges" and noted Britain was not alone in…

UK cost of living crisis to peak later this year

BRITAIN'S worst cost of living crisis in three decades won't peak until the tail end of this year but the Bank of England will be more aggressive in raising interest rates than was thought as it battles soaring inflation, a Reuters poll found.Renewed coronavirus lockdowns in China and Russia's invasion…

‘More Asians stay back in family homes amid cost of…

THE cost of living crisis is leading to more British Asians from poorer backgrounds being unable to own a home and living with their parents for longer, say experts. They have also noted many from middle class backgrounds are staying in the family home after marriage to look after their…

Cost of living crisis: UK to delay ban on promotion…

BRITAIN will delay by a year new rules banning multi-buy deals on foods and drinks high in fat, salt, or sugar (HFSS), with the government saying on Saturday (14) it needed more time given the cost of living crisis. The ban on the deals, including "buy one get one free"…

Lutfur Rahman will be under scrutiny: ex-mayor of Tower Hamlets

NEWLY elected Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman should deliver on his promises, his predecessor John Biggs of the Labour party said while expressing concern over “divisive community politics” in the London borough.Rahman was stripped of the mayoral position in 2015 and banned from holding political office for five years after…

April Footfall improves, but remains below pre-pandemic levels

BRITAIN has shown an uptick in month-on-month footfall as the weather improved, although the number of store visitors remains way below the pre-pandemic levels three years ago.According to BRC-Sensormatic IQ data, the total UK footfall decreased 13.1 per cent in April year-on-three-years (Yo3Y), but there was a 2.3 percentage point…

Pharmacies offer ‘extra’ services as funding falls

PHARMACISTS are being forced to offer extra services including botox and skincare in order to survive amid a drop-off in government funding. Chemists are turning to providing ear wax removal, lip fillers and travel vaccination clinics to “make ends meet”, and have urged more financial support as they deal with…

Johnson loses ‘crown jewels’ in UK vote

PRIME Minister Boris Johnson was on Friday (6) left reflecting on a string of losses at local elections in England, in a mid-term test of his popularity after a string of scandals. Johnson conceded Thursday's (5) vote had produced a "mixed" set of results for his ruling Conservatives, including the…

Southampton’s Kaur: Cost of living crisis, rise in crime were…

NEW Labour council leader of Southampton has said that the cost of living crisis and a rise in crime across the city were the key factors behind the results. On Friday (6) Labour have taken back control of the Southampton City council after they lost it to the Conservatives last…

Muslim families struggle to afford food during Ramadan, charities say

CHARITIES in the UK have said that many Muslim families struggled to afford food to break their fasts during Ramadan, according to a report.  The charity Trussell Trust, which runs more than half of UK food banks, handed out 2.1 million food parcels in 2021-22 - of which more than…

TDR Capital says value of its investment in Asda soared…

THE co-owner of supermarket chain Asda has said that the value of its investment in the firm has soared by nearly 20 times in just over a year, according to a report. London-based private equity firm TDR Capital and British Indian billionaire brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa jointly bought a…

Restaurateur’s Asma Khan: Women Chefs are a ‘recipe for success’

ONE OF Britain’s leading restaurateurs (Asma Khan) has urged Asian women to consider a career in the industry, saying that the skills needed in a professional kitchen were “intuitive” to south Asian females. Asma Khan runs the popular Darjeeling Express in Covent Garden, having moved to the bigger site in…

Asian leaders warn of growing pressure on healthcare and the…

AN INFLUENTIAL doctors’ leader has raised concerns about the pressure GPs are likely to face as the imminent cost of living crisis bites, while a leading business figure said higher taxes will stifle economic recovery as he also urged ministers to continue free lateral flow tests beyond March. Dr Chaand…

Rishi Sunak unveils a mini-budget aimed at ‘cost-of-living’ crisis

BRITAIN unveils on Wednesday (23) a mini-budget update aimed at easing a cost of living crisis, as data revealed inflation spiking to a three-decade high on soaring energy prices.Annual inflation accelerated to 6.2 per cent in February from 5.5 per cent in January, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said…

‘Ukraine’s refugee crisis replays the journeys of Ugandan Asians’

FACED with a bombed-out House of Commons after the Second World War, Winston Churchill could have had the heavily damaged, long-outgrown Victorian-era chamber rebuilt to accommodate the correct number of MPs. Instead, it remained the same size – seating just 420 out of 650 to retain the cosy atmosphere. I…

UK retail sales recover more than expected from Omicron knock

BRITISH retail sales grew faster than expected in January, recovering about half the losses suffered when a wave of coronavirus cases caused many shoppers to stay at home during December. Retail sales volumes rose by 1.9 per cent in January after a 4.0 per cent decline in December, the largest…

Lawmakers urge focus on tackling cost crunch to end Johnson…

SENIOR members of Boris Johnson's Conservative Party urged challengers to the prime minister to rein in their ambitions and focus instead on steering Britain through the biggest plunge in living standards in a generation. Johnson is battling for his political career amid a crisis which has gripped his government over…

Sunak admits attending Downing Street lockdown party

CHANCELLOR Rishi Sunak has admitted to attending prime minister Boris Johnson's lockdown birthday party in 2020 but refused to say what happened when he entered the room and claimed that he was there for a meeting to discuss the Covid-19 situation. His comments came after Johnson's five aides, including longstanding…

Britain freezes BBC funding for next two years

THE UK government on Monday (17) announced a freeze of the BBC licence fee, arguing a new funding model was needed to ease cost of living pressures and reflect a transformed media landscape. Culture secretary Nadine Dorries told parliament the £159 annual fee, paid by every television set owner in…

Cost of living crisis: Sunak tries to quell growing Conservative…

UK chancellor Rishi Sunak will try to quell growing Conservative unrest over the cost of living as delegations of MPs press him to cancel a planned tax rise and ditch VAT on energy bills in exchange for savings on tackling the pandemic, the Guardian reported.  Sunak is committed to national…

Climate of change at COP26

I ATTENDED COP26 as the shadow business minister to meet businesses and representatives of other nations to discuss where we are making progress and what more needs to change. COP26 has been an important and historic event in Glasgow to “keep 1.5 alive” – the Paris Agreement ambition of limiting…

UK young adults face ‘cost of living crisis’, says study

BRITAIN'S young adults are facing a "cost of living crisis" as they struggle to pay bills while trying to save for the future, a study showed on Wednesday (13). Hard hit by the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, almost half of 18-30 year olds in Britain have "low financial resilience",…