Heather Hallett, chair of the Covid inquiry, has just published the report from the inquiry’s module 6, looking at what happened in care homes Badenoch says Britain needs tax cuts. We need to get out of the way of job creators who make our country richer. We need to encourage risk taking, wealth creation, enterprise. Britain’s tax burden has never been higher. You are taxed on the heating in your home. You’re taxed at the petrol pump filling up your car. You’re taxed when you insure that car. You’re taxed if you take the family away on holiday. You’re taxed if you stay in the UK thanks to Andy Burnham’s tourist tax. You’re taxed to buy a home, taxed to live in a home, taxed to pass on your home. This is clearly not working. Britain does not feel better off. Andy Burnham wrote in The Times yesterday about the moral outrage of the current benefit system. But as far as I could work out, his
Ban on family visits to care homes at start of pandemic had ‘devastating consequences’, inquiry finds – UK politics live

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UK to deploy jets to defend Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks
RAF Typhoon fighters will fly defensive missions over cities and infrastructure, in extension of UK support for Riyadh RAF Typhoon fighters are to protect Saudi Arabia from attack by Yemen’s Houthis, flying defensive missions over the country’s cities and critical infrastructure, as western allies step up their intervention in the escalating conflict. The operation – the most significant military mission signed off by Andy Burnham as prime minister – will involve RAF pilots attempting to shoot down Houthi missiles and drones, after attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities. Continue reading...

UK to deploy fighter jets to protect Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks
RAF Typhoon fighters will fly defensive missions over cities and infrastructure, in extension of UK support for Riyadh RAF Typhoon fighters are to protect Saudi Arabia from attack by Yemen’s Houthis, flying defensive missions over the country’s cities and critical infrastructure, as western allies step up their intervention in the escalating conflict. The operation – the most significant military mission signed off by Andy Burnham as prime minister – will involve RAF pilots attempting to shoot down Houthi missiles and drones, after attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities. Continue reading...

UK government failures led to Covid spreading ‘like wildfire’ in care homes, inquiry finds
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Ex-Greens co-leader urges council groups to reject Zionism policy
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Criminals detained in hospital set to lose benefits
The families of the victims of Nottingham killer Valdo Calocane had been campaigning for the change.

Healey to reject calls to raise capital gains tax in budget
Cabinet colleagues have previously called for an increase but chancellor feels it might ultimately cost the Treasury John Healey will not raise capital gains tax in next week’s budget, despite previous calls to do so from cabinet colleagues including Louise Haigh and Wes Streeting. The chancellor has decided that any increase might ultimately cost the Treasury if wealthy individuals defer the sale of assets or move them out of the country, according to Treasury sources. Continue reading...