CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves could secure at least £10 billion annually through a significant overhaul of pension tax relief that would make the system less favourable to higher earners, a report from a thinktank has revealed.
The Fabian Society said that pension tax breaks have become increasingly costly for the government. The proposed reforms could address half of the £22bn deficit identified in the public finances by the chancellor, according to the Guardian analysis of the report.
Reeves has hinted at a stringent, revenue-raising budget set for 30 October but has committed to not increasing income tax, VAT, or national insurance.
Andrew Harrop, general secretary of the Fabian Society and author of the report, suggested that Reeves should consider reducing pension tax relief and redistributing it to ensure it is more equitable, particularly for lower and middle earners.
The report noted that tax relief on pension contributions amounted to £66bn in 2022-23, a 55 per cent increase since 2016-17. Although tax is eventually paid when individuals draw their pensions, this generated only £22bn for HMRC in 2023.
While higher and top-rate taxpayers made up 19 per cent of those paying taxes, they received an estimated 53 per cent of the pension tax relief in 2022-23. Additionally, only 35 per cent of the tax relief went to women.
Harrop pointed out that Reeves has several strategies to consider, any of which could potentially generate at least £10bn annually. One option is to introduce a flat rate of tax relief on pension contributions for both individuals and employers, replacing the current system where relief varies depending on an individual's tax band.
Another approach could involve imposing employee national insurance on employer pension contributions, with a compensatory higher government top-up on the initial £7,500 of annual pension savings.
Additionally, reducing the maximum tax-free lump sum to either £100,000 or 25 per cent of the pension value—down from the current allowance which can exceed £250,000—could also contribute to the revenue increase.
Another possibility is to apply inheritance tax and income tax to all inherited pensions to ensure a fairer taxation system. Finally, charging employee national insurance on private pension incomes, with exceptions for smaller pensions, could be an option if it results in the cancellation of the planned cut to winter fuel payments.
"Pension tax relief is costly and disproportionately benefits higher earners. It drains over £60bn from the exchequer annually, with more than half of this going to higher and top-rate taxpayers. Given the significant pressure on public finances, the UK cannot sustain such an expensive and poorly targeted system," Harrop was quoted as saying.
He added that Reeves needs to find ways to increase revenue while protecting family living standards and adhering to Labour's manifesto commitments. Introducing reforms to pension tax relief as part of her October budget could save money and shift taxpayer support from wealthier individuals to low and middle earners.
Other measures Reeves is reportedly considering include raising additional revenue from capital gains tax and inheritance tax, which would impact those with higher incomes.
An inspiring evening of sport, solidarity, and celebration unfolded on Friday (13) as Her Excellency Nimisha J Madhvani, High Commissioner of Uganda to the UK, hosted a dynamic fundraising event for the Tritons Uganda Rugby Tour 2025. The fundraiser drew attention to a groundbreaking moment in UK and Ugandan rugby relations, the first ever UK women’s rugby team set to tour Uganda.
The high-energy evening included guest appearances by celebrated rugby personalities Simon Shaw, a former England lock and British & Irish Lion, and Shaunagh Brown, an inspirational former England Red Roses international.
Set to take place from 19th to 23rd November 2025, the Tritons Uganda Tour will see both a men’s and women’s UK team travel to the "Pearl of Africa" to face the Uganda Club Select and National Select XVs. The tour, organised by Tritons Sports in collaboration with the Uganda Rugby Union, is poised to make history, marking the first ever UK women’s rugby team to play in Uganda.
Last year’s men’s match against the Ugandan National Veterans XV left an indelible mark. The 2025 tour is expected to build on that legacy with renewed purpose, inviting players and supporters alike to “Play. Explore. Make History.”
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Veeraswamy was opened in 1926 by Edward Palmer, an Anglo-Indian and retired British Indian Army officer.
VEERASWAMY, the UK's oldest Indian restaurant, is locked in a legal battle with the Crown Estate, which is seeking to evict it from its home at Victory House on Regent Street, where it has operated since 1926.
The Crown Estate wants to take back the building to renovate the upper-floor offices, which have remained empty since a flood in late 2023.
According to The Times, the plans include removing the wall that separates the restaurant’s entrance from the office entrance to create a larger reception area. The restaurant’s co-owner, Ranjit Mathrani of MW Eat, has said this would block access to Veeraswamy, effectively shutting it down.
Mathrani told The Times he had proposed several alternatives, such as sharing the entrance or giving up the first floor and retaining only the basement and mezzanine levels, but none had been accepted. “My dealings with the [Crown Estate] have been characterised by an uncompromising refusal to consider any change to their design plan,” he said in a court filing.
Veeraswamy pays around £205,000 in annual rent, and Mathrani has said he is willing to match the rent paid by future office tenants after renovation. Though initially open to relocating, he said the Crown Estate's claim of helping find a new site was “disingenuous”. “They’ve made no real attempt to find alternative sites for us,” he told The Times.
Veeraswamy’s lease expires at the end of June. However, MW Eat can continue to trade until the court hearing, expected in spring or early summer next year. If the court rules in its favour, the restaurant’s protected tenancy could allow a 14-year extension. If not, Mathrani hopes for a two-year lease to allow time for relocation. “If we lost, that would be our fallback, but moving sites will cost us about £5 million and therefore it is not our preferred option,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Crown Estate said: “We need to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment of Victory House to bring the building back into full use. We appreciate how upsetting this is for Veeraswamy and have offered to help find new premises elsewhere on our portfolio, having explored other options to accommodate the restaurant’s needs. We thank Veeraswamy and their customers for their contributions to the West End.”
Nearly a century on Regent Street
Veeraswamy was opened in 1926 by Edward Palmer, an Anglo-Indian and retired British Indian Army officer.
Located at 99-101 Regent Street, the restaurant has served regional Indian cuisine for decades, with dishes from Punjab, Lucknow, Kashmir and Goa.
It has long attracted royalty, political leaders and celebrities. Past diners include Winston Churchill, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Charlie Chaplin, and King Gustav VI of Sweden.
Ownership and Michelin recognition
In 1997, the restaurant was acquired by Ranjit Mathrani and Namitha Panjabi. They restored its interiors and integrated it into their MW Eat group.
In 2016, Veeraswamy received a Michelin star. Inspectors noted that it continued to serve “classic dishes from across the country” with care and professionalism.
Historical roots
Before opening Veeraswamy, Edward Palmer had started EP Veeraswamy & Co. in 1896 to promote Indian food in Britain.
In 1924, he advised the Indian Government Pavilion restaurant at the British Empire Exhibition, which served around 500 curries a day.
Veeraswamy was not the first Indian restaurant in the UK, but it was among the first high-end ones and has remained at its Regent Street location for 99 years.
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Aamir Khan addresses love jihad allegations and shares rare details about his family
In the lead-up to his upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan has addressed a long-standing controversy that has trailed him for years: allegations that his 2014 film PK promoted ‘love jihad’ and disrespected religion. Speaking on Aap Ki Adalat, the actor finally offered his side of the story, calling the accusations “baseless” and “misinformed”.
“When two people fall in love and decide to marry, it’s not a conspiracy. It’s a human connection,” Aamir said, firmly rejecting the label of ‘love jihad’.
‘PK’ wasn’t against religion, it warned against blind faith: Aamir clarifies intent
Back in 2014, PK sparked debate for showing a Hindu woman in love with a Pakistani Muslim man. Critics accused the film of mocking religious beliefs. Responding to this, Aamir said the film respected all faiths and was never intended to ridicule anyone’s beliefs.
“We respect every religion deeply. PK was about being cautious of those who misuse religion to exploit people. This kind of manipulation exists in all communities,” he explained. He stressed the film’s core message: don’t fall for those who use faith as a tool for fear or financial gain.
Aamir Khan defends PK and calls out misuse of religion to create divisionGetty Images
Aamir also addressed questions about his children’s names. Despite being married to Hindu women Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao, his children carry Muslim names like Ira, Junaid, and Azad. “My wives chose the names. There was no pressure from me,” he said, adding with a smile, “Husbands don’t always get their way.”
‘Humanity over headlines’: Aamir gives personal examples to challenge narrative
To further break down the ‘love jihad’ myth, Aamir pointed to his own family. “My sister Nikhat is married to Santosh Hegde, Farhat to Rajeev Dutta, and my daughter Ira to Nupur Shikhare, all Hindu men. Will you call that love jihad too?” he asked.
He urged people to look beyond religion when it comes to relationships, calling love a personal choice that transcends labels. “When two minds connect, it’s above any religion. It’s about humanity,” he said.
Aamir says real love is a human bond not a conspiracy Getty Images
Aamir also addressed criticism for delaying his response to a recent terror attack in Pahalgam. The actor clarified that he isn’t active on social media and said the timing of his statement and the trailer release of Sitaare Zameen Par was purely coincidental.
Sitaare Zameen Par hits cinemas on 20 June.
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5 moments from the Kantara 2 shoot that shocked fans and halted filming
The shoot of Kantara 2 has been anything but smooth. What was meant to be a spiritual sequel to one of Kannada cinema’s biggest hits has instead been plagued by a series of disturbing incidents, including a drowning, a boat capsizing with Rishab Shetty on board, and even environmental fines. While the production team insists filming is on track, the number of on-set mishaps has left fans concerned and questioning the safety standards behind the camera. Here's a timeline of five serious events that disrupted the shoot.
A minibus ferrying around 20 junior artists back from set rolled over near Jadkal, Karnataka. Initial reports pointed to injuries. Hombale Films quickly countered, insisting it wasn’t their official transport and no one was seriously hurt. Filming pushed ahead almost immediately. The conflicting accounts left questions hanging about crew safety during transit.
A lunch break tragedy (7–8 May 2025)
The shoot took its darkest turn during a break at the Kollur Souparnika River location. Junior artist M.F. Kapil, just 24, went for a swim off-duty. Strong currents swept him away. Hours later, his body was recovered. Production halted. While the makers stressed this happened off-set and was a "personal accident," the death of a young crew member cast a long shadow over the production. A police probe followed.
Off-set losses (May–June 2025)
Within weeks, two more deaths struck, though not directly tied to set conditions. Comedian Rakesh Pujare succumbed to a cardiac arrest in May. Then, in June, mimicry artist Kalabhavan Niju collapsed on set with chest pain, dying en route to the hospital. While health-related, each incident highlighted the importance of on-call medical support.
Massive set destruction & environmental fines (Early 2025)
Months before the drownings and boat capsize, the team faced a different kind of blow. A massive, expensive set built for the film was utterly destroyed by fierce, unexpected storms and relentless rain. To compound the problem, the crew later drew flak and fines from forest officials, accused of disrupting habitats and illegally dumping waste during their work.
Boat capsize at Mani Reservoir (16 June 2025)
The most recent jolt came with the boat capsizing incident at the Mani Dam reservoir. While filming a scene, the vessel, overloaded with Shetty and crew, overturned, plunging everyone into the water. Shallow depths prevented fatalities, but equipment was lost, production stopped, and safety protocols came under intense scrutiny. Police are investigating overloading as a likely cause.
Each setback, from overturned vehicles to environmental pushback and sudden fatalities, has tested Kantara 2’s planners and crew. While no further fatalities have occurred since 15 June, production delays and budget increases are almost inevitable. The team now faces the dual task of maintaining its ambitious 2 October 2025 release date while ensuring every member can work without fearing for their safety.
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President Trump reported earning over $8 million in 2024 from various licensing agreements
The Trump Organization has announced the launch of Trump Mobile, a branded mobile phone service and a $499 smartphone, both expected to debut in September 2025. This marks the latest in a growing list of commercial ventures associated with President Donald Trump.
The 47 Plan: patriotic branding and telecoms offering
Trump Mobile’s service package, dubbed The 47 Plan, will cost $47.45 per month and include unlimited calls, texts, and data. Customers will also receive roadside assistance and access to a “Telehealth and Pharmacy Benefit”. Both the name and pricing of the plan are symbolic, referencing Trump’s political position as the 47th president of the United States.
A smartphone branded as the “T1” will also be available, priced at $499. Promotional images depict the phone with a gold-coloured casing etched with an American flag and the campaign slogan “Make America Great Again” displayed on the home screen.
Primarily a licensing venture
According to the Trump Mobile website, the service is not directly operated by the Trump Organization. Instead, it functions through a licensing agreement. A disclaimer states: “Trump Mobile, its products and services are not designed, developed, manufactured, distributed or sold by The Trump Organization or any of their respective affiliates or principals.”
This approach follows a familiar pattern in Trump’s business dealings, where his name is licensed to products and services in exchange for royalties. Previous examples include Trump-branded watches, trainers, wine, and even Bibles.
Financial and ethical implications
President Trump reported earning over $8 million in 2024 from various licensing agreements. While these ventures present lucrative opportunities, they continue to attract ethical scrutiny due to concerns about a sitting president profiting from branded commercial activity.
Nonetheless, Trump Mobile represents another step in merging political identity with consumer branding.
How it compares in the telecoms market
At $47.45 per month, Trump Mobile’s 47 Plan is more expensive than many competitors. Verizon-owned Visible offers a similar unlimited plan for $25 per month, while Mint Mobile charges $30 for its comparable package.
T1 , priced at $499The Trump Organization
Despite this, Trump Mobile claims to provide “the same coverage as the 3 nationwide phone service carriers”, a reference to Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. It also promotes a US-based customer support centre, though representatives have declined to confirm the location for “security reasons”.
Market reception and outlook
While major wireless providers have not commented on the launch, Trump Mobile may appeal to a customer base aligned with President Trump’s brand and values. Whether the venture will gain broader traction in the competitive telecommunications market remains to be seen.
As the launch date approaches, Trump Mobile is likely to generate further attention—both for its political undertones and its attempt to reshape how presidential branding intersects with consumer technology.