Sunak Struggles as Tories Lose Taxation Poll Lead to Labour

Sunak Struggles as Tories Lose Taxation Poll Lead to Labour

Cost-of-living crisis pushes Labour ahead as public concerns about economic policies mount

Rishi Sunak is facing mounting challenges as the latest Ipsos poll reveals Labour has overtaken the Conservatives as the leading party on taxation, adding pressure on the Chancellor amidst the cost-of-living crisis.

The survey, commissioned by The Standard, showed that 32 per cent of British adults now view Labour as the most competent on tax, while the Tories trail at 25 per cent. This marks a significant shift from the Conservatives’ lead of 38 per cent in 2019, while Labour’s score represents their highest since September 2012.

The findings come in the wake of Sunak’s recent policy moves, including a 1.25 percentage-point rise in National Insurance contributions and rising concerns over energy costs, food prices, inflation and petrol expenses.

The cost-of-living crisis was identified as the most pressing issue in the lead-up to the May 5 local elections, with 67 per cent of adults citing it as very important. Climate change and asylum policies followed at 47 per cent, with other topics like the pandemic and Ukraine trailing further behind.

Sunak has recently suggested the possibility of introducing a windfall tax on energy companies that fail to invest adequately to boost supply. He has also raised the NI contributions threshold to £12,570 and cut fuel duty by 5p per litre, alongside a £9 billion support package to assist households with energy bills. Further assistance could come in the autumn if energy prices rise further.

While the Conservatives maintain a six-point lead over Labour on overall economic management, this is a steep drop from the 24-point lead they held in December 2019.

Other key poll findings include:

Labour now sits at 40 per cent, up by one point, while the Conservatives are at 35 per cent, with the Liberal Democrats unchanged at 10 per cent.
Boris Johnson’s public approval ratings have improved slightly after record lows earlier this year, although only 31 per cent believe he has what it takes to be an effective Prime Minister.
Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership ratings have dipped marginally, with 34 per cent believing he is ready to lead the country.
Gideon Skinner of Ipsos highlighted that Sunak and his administration face crucial months ahead. “With inflation at the forefront of voter concerns and a pessimistic economic outlook, Sunak must address concerns about his handling of the cost-of-living crisis if the Conservatives want to rebuild their economic credibility.”

Economic optimism remains low, with 70 per cent of respondents expecting economic conditions to deteriorate over the next 12 months.

Michael Douglas Reveals Debra Winger Lost Romancing the Stone Role After Biting His Arm

Michael Douglas Reveals Debra Winger Lost Romancing the Stone Role After Biting His Arm

Douglas recalls a tense moment with Winger that led to her being replaced by Kathleen Turner

Michael Douglas has shared that Debra Winger was originally set to star alongside him in the 1984 classic Romancing the Stone but lost the role to Kathleen Turner following an unusual incident.

During a recent appearance on the Literally! With Rob Lowe podcast, Douglas recounted meeting Winger in the early 1980s when she was preparing for her role as a terminally ill woman in Terms of Endearment. He explained that they were having dinner together with some tequilas when she unexpectedly bit his arm.

“I was shocked,” Douglas said. “I break down in tears and say, ‘I can’t go to the jungle with her – she bit me on the arm! I can’t do it – it’s not worth it!’ So they said, ‘OK, all right.’”

Douglas described the moment as both shocking and concerning, noting that the bite broke the skin. This incident ultimately led to his decision to approach director Robert Zemeckis and the studio to express his hesitation about working alongside Winger.

The story amused Rob Lowe, who declared the anecdote as his “favourite episode” of the podcast.

Recently, Douglas celebrated the 30th anniversary of Basic Instinct on Instagram, referencing the “controversy along the way” surrounding the film. His co-star Sharon Stone has previously alleged that she was misled into revealing her bare crotch during filming and confronted director Paul Verhoeven after discovering the scene in a preview screening. Verhoeven has denied her claim, asserting that Stone would have been aware of the shot’s implications.

Metropolitan Police Makes Second Attempt to Overturn High Court Decision on Sarah Everard Vigil

Metropolitan Police Makes Second Attempt to Overturn High Court Decision on Sarah Everard Vigil

Scotland Yard seeks Court of Appeal’s permission to challenge ruling on handling of 2021 vigil

The Metropolitan Police is making another effort to overturn a High Court ruling regarding their handling of the Sarah Everard vigil in March 2021. Despite the High Court’s earlier refusal to allow an appeal, Scotland Yard has confirmed its intention to seek permission from the Court of Appeal.

The original March ruling concluded that the police had violated the rights of organisers from Reclaim These Streets (RTS) by how they managed the planned vigil, which was meant to honour Sarah Everard and protest violence against women. The event was to take place near Clapham, south London, where Sarah went missing in March 2021, but RTS withdrew after being warned of fines of £10,000 each and potential prosecution.

RTS has criticised the police for pursuing further legal action. In a statement on Twitter, the group accused the Met of “spending more taxpayer money to continue to fight us in court” and highlighted concerns about transparency in decisions affecting citizens’ rights to free expression and peaceful assembly.

The group also called for clarity about how the police enforce legal restrictions while remaining impartial. RTS maintains that the appeal focuses on the decisions and communications leading up to the vigil, rather than the actual policing of the event itself.

Jessica Leigh, Anna Birley, Henna Shah, and Jamie Klingler of RTS argued that police actions prior to the vigil infringed on their human rights to freedom of expression and assembly. They also claimed that the Met had failed to assess risks to public health when making their decisions.

Following their legal challenge, Lord Justice Warby and Mr Justice Holgate ruled that the Met’s actions were “not in accordance with the law.” Despite this, the Met has now filed an application to the Court of Appeal to review the case directly.

The situation reflects broader concerns about how legal powers are applied in protests and the balance between public health, police responsibilities, and citizens’ rights.

US Pushes for New Law to Liquidate Oligarch Assets to Aid Ukraine

US Pushes for New Law to Liquidate Oligarch Assets to Aid Ukraine

Biden administration seeks expanded powers to sell seized assets and support reconstruction efforts

The Biden administration is advocating for new legislation to streamline the process of seizing and selling the assets of Russian oligarchs. The goal is to use proceeds from these sales to support Ukraine’s recovery from the war while increasing pressure on Russia to end its invasion.

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives approved the Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act with minimal opposition, sending the bill to the Senate. This legislation would allow the US government to liquidate assets from sanctioned Russian individuals, with funds exclusively earmarked for Ukraine’s post-war rebuilding, military support, and humanitarian aid.

The administration’s proposal goes further by creating a new criminal offence for those who knowingly benefit from assets linked to corrupt dealings with Russia. Additionally, the proposal would target property involved in sanctions evasion and speed up court reviews of asset forfeitures.

Currently, only the Justice Department determines how seized funds are spent under federal law, creating bottlenecks and delays. The Biden administration hopes that this new legislation will grant greater flexibility and enable faster response times.

According to the US Treasury Department, assets worth over $1 billion — including yachts, aircraft, and bank accounts — have already been frozen or sanctioned. However, the challenges of maintaining and liquidating these assets are substantial. Former investigations have revealed over 2,000 suspicious transactions linked to Russian oligarchs, with just 271 cases forwarded to law enforcement and intelligence.

One key exclusion from the current legislative proposal concerns Russian Central Bank assets, estimated at over $600 billion and frozen by US and allied sanctions. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has indicated that using these funds for Ukraine would require international consensus and careful consideration.

While the new law would speed up the sale and repurposing of assets, experts caution that the process of liquidating these holdings and using the proceeds could take years. Nonetheless, the administration maintains that these measures are vital to supporting Ukraine and deterring further Russian aggression.

Elon Musk Jokes About Buying Coca-Cola to “Bring Cocaine Back” Post-Twitter Acquisition

Elon Musk Jokes About Buying Coca-Cola to “Bring Cocaine Back” Post-Twitter Acquisition

The SpaceX CEO teases his next business move following his £34.5 billion Twitter takeover

Elon Musk has playfully suggested that Coca-Cola could be his next acquisition, following his recent £34.5 billion purchase of Twitter. Inspired by his latest business venture, the Tesla CEO tweeted on Wednesday to his 87.8 million followers: “Next I’m buying Coca-Cola to put the cocaine back in.”

Although Musk’s comment was clearly intended as a joke, Coca-Cola has consistently denied that its drinks have ever contained cocaine or any narcotic substances. The company’s FAQs explicitly state: “Coca‑Cola does not contain cocaine or any other harmful substance, and cocaine has never been an added ingredient in Coca‑Cola.”

This playful remark came shortly after Musk completed his Twitter acquisition, a move that has generated mixed responses. Some critics have raised concerns about one individual having control over the social media platform while others have questioned Musk’s stance on free speech and its potential influence on Twitter’s policies.

Addressing his views on free speech, Musk wrote: “The extreme antibody reaction from those who fear free speech says it all.” He further clarified his beliefs, explaining: “By ‘free speech’, I simply mean that which matches the law. I am against censorship that goes far beyond the law.” Musk added that those seeking less free speech would need to enact new laws, underscoring his philosophy on the boundaries of regulation.

In a separate tweet, Musk also shared a light-hearted response to a suggestion about him buying McDonald’s to fix their ice cream machines, saying, “I can’t do miracles.” His latest quips only add to the growing intrigue surrounding his ventures and ambitions.

Most Americans Eligible for Free Tax Filing but Few Take Advantage

Most Americans Eligible for Free Tax Filing but Few Take Advantage

A new report reveals low usage of government-supported tax filing services despite widespread eligibility

A recent report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has revealed that while most Americans are eligible to file their taxes at no cost, only a small percentage actually utilise the available government-supported services.

According to the GAO’s findings from the 2020 tax filing season, although 70% of taxpayers qualified for the IRS’s free-filing programme, only 3% took advantage of the service. This programme, a public-private partnership involving tax software companies, provides free filing to eligible individuals outside the IRS website.

Eligible taxpayers typically include those with an adjusted gross income of $73,000 or less. Despite this, many taxpayers opt for alternative, often paid, filing methods. One proposed solution to address the low participation — introducing a new public filing option — was dismissed by the IRS, citing concerns about funding.

Douglas W. O’Donnell, the IRS deputy commissioner for services and enforcement, wrote in an April 11 letter to the GAO that implementing such an option would require new legislation and additional resources. “If new legislation and funding were approved, then the IRS would expect to assess the feasibility and utility of offering additional tax preparation and filing options,” he said.

The IRS continues to face challenges, including a severe backlog of millions of tax returns and ageing computer systems. Despite recent efforts to expand its workforce by hiring 10,000 additional employees, the agency is still struggling. At the end of 2021, the IRS had a backlog of 35.3 million returns, marking its largest in history.

The GAO report highlighted that the IRS might be underestimating its ability to improve aspects of the taxpayer experience without developing entirely new filing options. The agency’s budget has declined over the past decade, further exacerbating its operational difficulties. IRS officials maintain that increased funding is essential to address these challenges and modernise its systems effectively.

BBC Proms Director Rules Out Pro-Putin Artists as Ukrainian Orchestra Joins Line-Up

BBC Proms Director Rules Out Pro-Putin Artists as Ukrainian Orchestra Joins Line-Up

David Pickard emphasises there is “no place” for pro-Russian views at the prestigious classical music festival

The director of the BBC Proms, David Pickard, has stated there is “no place” at the renowned classical music festival for any performers supportive of Vladimir Putin’s regime. His comments come as the Proms announce a special concert by the newly formed Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra.

Led by Canadian-Ukrainian conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson, the orchestra includes refugee musicians and Ukrainians now based in European orchestras. The Ukrainian Ministry of Culture is making a rare exemption to allow military-aged men in the orchestra to perform on 31 July without returning to military service. This event will also be recorded and broadcast on BBC4.

Although the BBC Proms has avoided a full ban on Russian performers, Pickard highlighted that any public supporter of the Russian regime would be excluded. “We do have Russian artists coming this summer, many of whom have openly opposed the regime,” he explained. “But if someone were to express those views, bluntly put, there would be no place for them at the Proms.”

Pickard also stressed the difficulty of asking musicians to publicly state their political positions, given the potential risks to their safety and the safety of their families.

In addition to the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra, the 2024 Proms will feature a diverse line-up of presenters and events. BBC News presenter Clive Myrie, acclaimed for his war reporting from Kyiv, will host the First Night of the Proms on BBC Two. Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo and Scottish DJ Edith Bowman are also part of the presenter team.

Naturalist Chris Packham will host Earth Prom, exploring the BBC’s natural history unit and Sir David Attenborough’s groundbreaking documentaries. An innovative event, The Prom At Printworks, will combine music, dance, theatre and soundscapes from Philip Glass and Handel at a south London events space.

For the first time, the Proms will also introduce Gaming Prom, presented by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Robert Ames, showcasing iconic video game soundtracks.

The Last Night Of The Proms will feature star soloist Sheku Kanneh-Mason and the world premiere of James B Wilson’s latest work under the leadership of Dalia Stasevska. All concerts will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and available via BBC Sounds, with 22 Proms also scheduled for BBC television and BBC iPlayer broadcasts.

Jameela Jamil Exits Twitter Following Elon Musk’s $44bn Acquisition

Jameela Jamil Exits Twitter Following Elon Musk’s $44bn Acquisition

The former The Good Place star expresses fears that Musk’s free speech agenda will fuel harmful behaviour on the platform

Jameela Jamil has confirmed her departure from Twitter after Elon Musk’s $44bn (£34.5bn) acquisition of the social media giant. The Tesla founder’s purchase, finalised on Monday, marks Twitter’s shift into private ownership.

Just hours prior to the deal’s announcement, Musk had invited his “worst critics” to remain on the platform despite the sale. However, Jamil, the former The Good Place star and TV presenter, expressed deep concerns about the platform’s future under Musk’s leadership.

Taking to Twitter for what she called her final post, Jamil shared four images of her dog Barold as part of her goodbye message. She wrote: “Ah he got Twitter. I would like this to be my last tweet. Just really any excuse to show pics of Barold.”

Jamil’s statement also included her unease about Musk’s free speech agenda, fearing that it would create an environment of unchecked hate, misogyny, and bigotry on the platform. She concluded: “I fear this free speech bid is going to help this hell platform reach its final form of totally lawless hate, bigotry, and misogyny. Best of luck.”

Earlier on Monday, Jamil had also tweeted her intent to leave Twitter if Musk succeeded in his acquisition. She said: “One good thing about Elon buying Twitter is that I will FINALLY leave and stop being a complete menace to society on here. So it’s win win for you all really.”

Countess of Wessex Supports Disabled Sailor and Greets Young Boy at Sailing Academy

Countess of Wessex Supports Disabled Sailor and Greets Young Boy at Sailing Academy

Sophie helps wheelchair user onto a boat and shares heartfelt moment with eight-year-old during Antigua visit

The Countess of Wessex lent her support and warmth during a visit to the National Sailing Academy in Antigua and Barbuda. Sophie and her husband, the Earl of Wessex, engaged with the Sail-Ability programme, which introduces people with disabilities—particularly children—to sailing and water activities.

During her visit, Sophie sounded a loud horn to signal the start of a boat race involving Duke of Edinburgh students, reflecting on her own experience with hearing challenges by saying, “I didn’t value my hearing at all.”

She then assisted Alexzandrina Looby, a wheelchair user in her 40s, by carefully helping her into a boat using a winch system. Ms Looby was among the small group of participants benefiting from the programme, which the royal couple witnessed in action on Monday.

Before departing, Sophie received a card from eight-year-old Aleccai Brown, a pupil at Victory Centre, a non-profit special needs school in Antigua. The card, decorated with the island’s flag, read: “Welcome to Antigua… Edward and Sophie.” Sophie responded warmly, giving the young boy two hugs before continuing her day’s engagements.

Florida Bride and Caterer Face Charges for Spiking Wedding Food with Cannabis

Florida Bride and Caterer Face Charges for Spiking Wedding Food with Cannabis

Guests hospitalised following chaotic incident at February nuptials in Longwood

A wedding in Florida turned chaotic in February after guests unknowingly consumed food laced with cannabis, leading to hospitalisation for several attendees. Bride Danya Shea Svoboda and caterer Joycelyn Bryant were arrested on Monday and face two felony charges each: food tampering and delivery of marijuana.

According to police reports, Ms Svoboda allegedly allowed Ms Bryant to spike the food without the knowledge of wedding guests. Many began to feel ill shortly after eating, with some requiring medical attention. A lawyer representing Ms Svoboda has refused to comment, while Ms Bryant did not respond to inquiries.

The incident occurred in Longwood, near Orlando, on 19 February. Guests reported an immediate, disorienting reaction after consuming the lasagna, with one attendee describing feeling “high” and overwhelmed with fear, texting herself in panic out of worry for her life.

Others recounted feelings of paranoia, hallucinations, pounding heartbeats, and extreme dryness. One guest even became so distressed she believed her son-in-law had died. Police arrest documents revealed the chaotic scene as officers arrived. When asked, the groom, Andrew Svoboda, denied any knowledge or request to spike the food.

However, further investigation suggests Ms Svoboda confessed to the act, reportedly confirming cannabis had been added to the lasagna. Testing later confirmed that at least three guests tested positive for traces of marijuana, and the lasagna itself was confirmed to have cannabis.

Both Ms Svoboda and Ms Bryant have been released from Seminole County Jail on bond and are set to appear in court in June.