Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered the clearest indication yet that the Labour government may abandon its election manifesto commitment not to raise taxes on working people — a major shift ahead of the budget scheduled for 26 November. Reeves told the BBC that adhering strictly to the manifesto pledge — which covers income tax, national insurance and VAT — would force “deep cuts” to capital spending . Given the state of public finances and a downgraded productivity outloo

Children in Britain today are growing up in a marketing minefield — one where the loudest, brightest, and most persuasive voices belong not to apples or carrots, but to crisps, fizzy drinks and chocolate bars. For every ad promoting goodness from the ground, there are dozens enticing children towards high-fat, high-salt, high-sugar alternatives. And here’s the thing — we know this matters. Every bit of evidence out there shows junk food advertising doesn’t just build brand aw

The latest data from the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) indicates a modest yet meaningful rise in apple and pear production forecast for the 2025/26 season across Europe. The revised figures suggest apples are approaching 11 million tonnes, while pears are also set to increase. Key Figures Apple production is projected to reach nearly 11 million tonnes in the European region under WAPA’s revised outlook. Pear production is also expected to rise, though specific volu