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EU countries have approved providing Ukraine with a loan of up to €35bn before the end of the year as part of a G7 plan to fund Kyiv’s defence against Russian aggression.
A majority of EU ambassadors on Wednesday backed the issuance of a loan guaranteed by the bloc’s common budget, according to people familiar with the matter. The decision comes after months of wrangling over how to structure their share of a $50bn plan by the G7 to support Ukraine.
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The option of raising money against the EU budget was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen when she travelled to Ukraine last month, as a way to circumvent objections from countries opposed to further aid for Kyiv.
Under the G7 plan, the entirety of the $50bn loan will be repaid by profits from Russian state assets frozen in the west in response to Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. More than €200bn of those assets are immobilised in the EU.
It remains unclear whether the US will be able to join the G7 scheme and reduce the EU’s share from €35bn. The UK, Canada and Japan are also part of the G7 fundraising effort.
Washington had premised its participation in the G7 loan on the EU extending the length of its sanctions regime from 6 months to 36 months in order to guarantee that the Russian assets remained frozen and put the repayment scheme on a more predictable footing.
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“The scale of our participation depends on the strength of EU assurances that the Russian reserves will remain immobilised” until Moscow pays for the destruction it has carried out in Ukraine, a US official said.
But Hungary and Slovakia on Wednesday blocked that change to the EU’s sanctions regime, casting the US participation into doubt, said two people familiar with the decision.
The leaders of Hungary and Slovakia have indicated their preference for former US president and Republican candidate Donald Trump to win the November 5 election. Trump has said that if he is returned to the White House, he would cease aid to Ukraine.
Malta abstained on the €35bn loan raising concerns over its neutrality, but the decision did not require unanimity. The European parliament will also need to approve the loan later this month.
Asylum seekers such as these can find work in Spain six months after they have arrived
A group of Sub-Saharan African men are playing bingo in a conference room of a hotel near the northern Spanish city of León.
They laugh and celebrate when their numbers are called out, but many of these asylum seekers have harrowing stories.
Among them is Michael, who fled Ghana to escape a violent feud that saw his sister and father killed. After travelling by land to Morocco, he paid a trafficker who put him on an inflatable boat crammed with people which took him to the Canary Islands.
“I was so happy, because I knew all my troubles, and the people trying to kill me, were behind me,” he says. “Because once you are in Spain you are safe.”
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In Ghana he worked as a petrol pump attendant and a storekeeper. He also started studying human resource management, which he hopes to be able to continue in Spain once he has settled.
“Spain is one of the most respected countries in the world,” he says. “Being here is an opportunity for me.”
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Migrants and refugees who try to take small boats to Spain often have to be rescued
Around 170 asylum seekers are staying in this hotel, in the town of Villaquilambre, which has been converted into a migrant centre.
They are among the many thousands of people who take the maritime route between the African coast and Spain each year.
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So far this year, more than 42,000 undocumented migrants have arrived in Spain, an increase of 59% on 2023, the vast majority having undertaken the perilous crossing to the Canary Islands.
The archipelago’s difficulties in managing these large numbers have contributed to a fierce political debate about immigration, mirroring that in many other European countries. In Spain the controversy is driven in great part by the far-right Vox party, which frequently describes the trend as an “invasion”.
However, the arrivals have also underlined a major potential source of manpower for an economy which faces stiff demographic challenges.
Javier Díaz-Giménez, a professor of economics at the IESE business school and an expert in pensions, says that a baby boom which lasted from the mid-50 to the late-70s has created a generation of Spaniards who are heading for pension age, and the “baby crash” that followed means there are not enough workers to replace them.
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“The next 20 years are going to be critical, because more and more people are going to retire,” he says. “According to the most recent demographic scenario, 14.1 million people will retire during that time.”
One way of tackling the workforce deficit, he says, is to ape the kind of economic model implemented by Japan, which has a similarly low birth rate, by investing heavily in algorithms and machines. The obvious alternative to that is immigration.
“If you want to grow GDP, if you want to pay pensions for all the retiring baby boomers, you need to grow GDP in a different way to how we’re growing it now, because there will not be as many people, unless we bring them in through immigration,” adds Prof Díaz-Giménez.
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Spain has an aging population
Spain’s central bank has put a figure on the projected labour shortfall. In a report published in April, it said that the country will need around 25 million immigrants over the next 30 years.
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The left-wing Spanish government has also made the economic case for immigrants, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez describing them as representing “wealth, development and prosperity” for his country, while on a recent tour of Mauritania, Gambia and Senegal.
“The contribution of migrant workers to our economy is fundamental, as is the sustainability of our social security system and pensions,” he said.
Mr Sánchez’s coalition is hoping that a proposal to legalise the status of up to 500,000 undocumented migrants, mainly from Latin America, will get through parliament. Spain has seen nine such mass regularisations in its democratic era, most recently in 2005 under a previous government led by the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party.
However, the country’s economic needs contrast with ordinary Spaniards’ perception of immigration. A new poll shows that 41% of people are “very worried” by the phenomenon, making it their fifth-biggest concern after inflation, housing, inequality and unemployment.
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While only 9% of Spaniards associate immigrants with economic progress, 30% link them to insecurity, and 57% believe that there are too many of them.
Villaquilambre, meanwhile, is an example of how undocumented new arrivals can integrate into the workforce.
The asylum seekers here are allowed to work six months after their arrival in Spain.
“Before they receive the authorisation to start working we place great emphasis on them learning Spanish, as well as offering them training courses and classes on risk avoidance,” says Dolores Queiro, of the San Juan de Dios Foundation, the non-governmental organisation that manages the migrant centre in Villaquilambre.
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“When the date for them being able to start working approaches we get in touch with different companies – and they contact us as well – and we start looking for jobs for them.”
Companies get in touch, she says, “because they know that we have people here who want to work.”
Makan, from Mali, now works for a local Spanish business
Makan, from Mali, has just started working for a local business, GraMaLeon, which makes walls, bathrooms and kitchen counters out of marble and granite. He commutes the short distance from the hotel to the factory each day on an electric scooter.
“I’m happy to be working,” he says, in halting Spanish, after completing a shift hauling slabs of marble around the factory.
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Ramiro Rodríguez Alaez, co-owner of the business, which employs around 20 people, says that finding workers is not easy.
“We need a lot of manpower in this profession. But it’s tough, it gets cold, you have to lift heavy weight, so it’s not a job that many young people here want to do.
“There aren’t a lot of companies in this industry around here, but those that do exist all need people. We’re all looking for people locally and we can’t find them.”
He adds: “Immigrants provide an important source of manpower for us.”
HERE’S how you could get unlimited free refills on hot drinks this winter at a major supermarket.
The chain is offering a Winter Refills Allowance which provides unlimited free refills across all self-serve hot drinks at its cafés.
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Morrisons has said it will provide unlimited free refills on hot drinks throughout winterCredit: Alamy
Morrisons made the announcement in order to “help customers stay warm throughout the colder months.”
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Unlimited free refills will be available across all its self-serve hot drinks including fruit teas, lattes, cappuccinos and hot chocolates.
The supermarket giant has a wide range of beverages available to warm the body and soul starting from just £1.85.
Those looking to complement their hot drink with a sweet treat can also do so for just £4.
Morrisons offers a range of desserts including Victoria sponge cake and Sicilian lemon muffins.
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The chain’s cafés also offer affordable breakfast, lunch and dinner options.
For example, breakfast sandwiches and a hot drink cost just £4.25 while an adult sandwich meal deal is £6.50.
Plus, kids eat free every day, seven days a week when customers purchase an adult meal costing £5 or over, available for any child aged under 16 in Morrisons Cafés nationwide.
Main meals can be found on the menu under ‘The Breakfasts’, ‘The Classics’ or the ’Chippy’ – ‘Extras’ are not included.
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Customers can receive one free kids meal from the kids menu that includes favourites like Chicken Nuggets, Chips and Beans, Bangers and Mash or Mac ‘n’ Cheese – which would usually be £3.50 each.
Top things to buy at Morrisons
The offer is also available on the Kids Pick n Mix meal deal from the fridge.
Children must be under the age of 16 and with an adult at the time of purchase.
Becky Wilson, Morrisons Café Buyer, said: “We are always looking for ways to give our customers more reasons to visit our Cafés – and the Winter Refills Allowance does just that.
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“As well as the quality food at affordable prices, our Cafés are a space for communities to connect, work or relax, and they can now do so over a warm mug of their choosing.”
Morrisons is not alone in providing unlimited free refills on its hot drinks, however.
Pub chain Wetherspoons, for example, provides bottomless top ups on its wide range of hot drinks, starting at just £1.56.
List of cakes available in Morrisons deal
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HERE’S the full list of sweet treats available in Morrisons’ £4 offer.
Blueberry Muffin
Lemon Muffin
Chocolate Muffin
Chocolate Fudge Cake
Carrot Loaf Cake
Victoria Sponge
Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake
Childrens Cupcakes
Salted Caramel Brownie
Rocky Road
Caramel Shortbread
Raspberry & Almond Slice
Rainbow Cookie
Toffee & Pecan Yum Yum
Biscoff Cheesecake
Lemon Cheesecake
Gingerbread Biscuit
Carrot and Walnut Cake
Seasonal Muffin
Doughnut
Scone
Croissant
Cookie
McGhees Empire Biscuit (Scotland)
McGhees Pineapple Tart (Scotland)
Tunnocks Tea Cakes (Scotland)
Lemon Meringue Pie
Chocolate Lumpy Bumpy
Egg Custard Slice
Victoria Sponge Cake
Salted Caramel Chocolate Brownie
Childrens Cupcakes
Sicilian Lemon Muffin
Wild Blueberry Muffin
Croissant
Walker’s Giant Shortbread Fingers
Caramel Shortbread
Mrs Crimbles Macaroon
Shortbread Fingers
Giant Jammie Dodger
Carrot and Walnut Cake
Chocolate Fudge Cake
Other ways to get free hot drinks
There are also other ways to nab free hot drinks this winter.
Greggs: Download the bakery chain’s app and sign up to its loyalty scheme for the first time to get a free hot drink.
The offer includes tea, coffee and hot chocolate.
You’ll be able to collect loyalty stamps through the app, too, which add up to freebies.
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Octopus energy customers can also get a complimentary hot drink every week at Greggs by signing up to the Octoplus section on the power provider’s app.
Group deals: Last winter, select Asda cafes provided a “community cuppa” initiative which gave community groups a space to meet and have a free hot drink.
If the scheme starts up again this year, you could grab yourself a free cup of warmth.
Similarly, Hungry Horse hosted “Communi-tea Cuppas” events at pubs across the country throughout last winter to combat loneliness in adults.
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Each guest attending could get a free cup of Yorkshire Tea.
Keep an eye out in case these resume this year.
IKEA: Pop into the homeware giant during the week to get a free cup of tea or filter coffee with one of the store’s loyalty card.
It costs nothing to sign up to Ikea Family and you can join at ikea.com or in store.
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As well as free drinks, you will get discounts and access to events.
Waitrose: You can also bag a free hot drink at Waitrose if you’re a MyWaitrose member when you make a purchase instore and if you bring your own reusable cup.
Get a tea, coffee, cappuccino or latte with the deal.
And the purchase need not cost a lot – buy a piece of fruit or a cheap chocolate bar.
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However, the free drink can only be redeemed from self serve machines located in store, not from the café. Sign up at waitrose.com.
Loyalty pays: If you’re a regular customer at big drinks chains Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Caffe Nero, sign up to their respective loyalty scheme.
They give a free drink after a certain number of purchases — usually around nine or ten.
Wall Street’s benchmark equities index closed at a record high, with investors turning their attention to the release of important inflation data on Thursday.
The S&P 500 gained 0.7 per cent to finish at 5,792.04, surpassing its September 30 peak of 5,762.48.
The technology-dominated Nasdaq Composite ticked up 0.6 per cent, but remained shy of its mid-July record high.
The S&P 500 is now up 21.4 per cent so far in 2024, while the Nasdaq has gained 21.9 per cent.
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Wednesday’s stock moves came after the release of the minutes from the Federal Reserve’s September policy meeting and ahead of inflation data on Thursday that could have an impact on the central bank’s November rate decision.
The yield on the policy-sensitive two-year Treasury climbed 0.04 percentage points to 4.02 per cent.
AUTUMN weather calls for lots of cosy nights in with warming homemade grub.
But over time, grease and food debris builds up in your oven, leaving it needing a good clean.
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We have five tips for cleaning your oven this autumnCredit: Getty
You can call in professionals, or save yourself some money by doing the job yourself with these tips.
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LEMON BAKE: Fill a heatproof dish with water and squeeze the juice from half a lemon into it.
Bake on a medium heat for half an hour or until the water starts to boil.
Once the oven is cool enough to touch, the acid in the lemon should have helped cut through the grease and grime, making it easier to wipe off.
SODA SAVIOUR: Heavy duty cleaning products can contain lots of hazardous chemicals.
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So before reaching for these, try creating a paste with baking soda and warm water, then apply it all over the inside of the oven.
Leave to work for about an hour and the paste should neutralise acids and break down grease.
SHELF SOAK: If your grill shelves are coated with stuck-on grease, give them a good soak in hot water and soda crystals.
You can use scrunch up kitchen foil to scrub the wires and help get the metal sparkling again.
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STAY IN THE LINES: One way of making cleaning super-easy in the future is by lining the bottom of your oven to catch drips and spills.
Queen of Clean Lynsey Crombie’s 5 seasonal cleaning tips
You can get heavy-duty oven liner, £4, from Dunelm.
SAFE EATING: A clean oven doesn’t just look good, it will also help the appliance heat evenly and work as efficiently as possible, according to Zimbini Nkonjera, cooking category manager at appliance firm Hotpoint.
She said: “Although it may seem tedious, cleaning your oven is crucial in preventing bacteria growth and ensuring safe and healthy cooking.
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“The average oven has three components that require regular cleaning.”
All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
Deal of the day
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This padded jacket down from £79.99 to £49.99 at Mountain WarehouseCredit: Supplied
WRAP up from the elements with this snow padded jacket down from £79.99 to £49.99 at Mountain Warehouse.
SAVE: £30
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Cheap treat
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Butterkist limited-edition Wicked popcorn is £2.40 from MorrisonsCredit: Supplied
PUT on a movie and grab a bowl of Butterkist limited-edition Wicked amazafying sweet popcorn, £2.40 from Morrisons.
What’s new?
FEELING peckish? KFC’s tasty new limited-edition original wrap is coated with black pepper mayo and available for £2.49, until November 10.
Top swap
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Dr Jart cicapair tiger grass treatment is £40Credit: Supplied
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Lacura’s colour-correcting treatment is just £4.99 from AldiCredit: Supplied
COVER skin blemishes with Dr Jart cicapair tiger grass treatment, above, £40 from lookfantastic.com.
Or say goodbye to redness with Lacura’s colour-correcting treatment, £4.99 from Aldi.
SAVE: £35.01
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Little helper
GET 20 per cent off kids Halloween costumes at Wilko.
It takes this Day Of The Dead outfit down from £6.99 to £5.59.
Shop & save
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This Habitat salt and pepper set is down from £18 to £12 at ArgosCredit: Supplied
ADD some seasoning to dishes with this Habitat salt and pepper set, down from £18 to £12 at Argos.
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SAVE: £6
Hot right now
WICKES paint sale runs until November 6. Get a third off own-label products and brands including Dulux and Crown.
PLAY NOW TO WIN £200
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Join thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle
JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.
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Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.
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UK TRAVELLERS risk being stuck on planes after arriving at European airports once enhanced border checks are introduced, the boss of easyJet said.
Chief executive Johan Lundgren said airlines being unable to disembark passengers and others unable to board because of congested terminal buildings is a “worst case” consequence of the Entry/Exit System (EES).
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Brits are being warned of huge terminal queues and even being stuck on planes when the new EES rules are introducedCredit: Alamy
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The government issued £10.5 million of funding for UK ports such as Dover and Folkestone for the improvementsCredit: PA
The new system is meant to be launching around November 10 but the EU has yet to confirm if this will actually happen with a further update is expected to be made on Thursday.
Under EES, travellers from non-EU countries such as the UK will need to have their fingerprints scanned and a biometric image of their eye taken.
This will register them on a database when they enter a member state, with the data stored for three years.
There are fears this will spark queues at EU airports, as well as the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel’s terminal in Folkestone and London’s St Pancras railway station, where French border checks are carried out before people embark on cross-Channel journeys.
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In an interview at the annual convention of travel trade organisation Abta in Costa Navarino, Greece, Mr Lundgren said it is possible EES will cause airport terminals to be congested with arriving passengers waiting to be processed, leaving no room for additional travellers.
“In the worst case you actually can’t disembark, you hold people on the plane,” Mr Lundgren warned.
He said: “We have to think about what can actually happen.”
Mr Lundgren predicted “there will be some disruption” from EES as “it is a new procedure”.
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He called for the launch to be further delayed unless it is possible for travellers to pre-register before beginning their journeys.
He added: “We have been clear – if the EU is not ready, change the date.”
The Sun Travel Q&A with Lisa Minot
A mobile app enabling this to happen is still being developed by the EU.
Neil Swanson, who was appointed UK and Ireland managing director for tour operator Tui last month, predicted there “could be some hiccups” with EES.
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He has urged the Government to take more action to ensure holidaymakers are prepared.
He said: “We will absolutely be looking after our customers, we will be making sure they’re aware.
“But I think the Government should be doing a bit more as well to make sure that everyone’s aware of what the situation is.”
Worries about chaos at airports has seen travel association ABTA brief their members.
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My view on what this means for your travel
Head of Travel Lisa Minot weighs in further on what EES will mean for you
SPEAKING to the bosses of easyJet and TUI at the ABTA travel convention this week, it was obvious to me there is a huge frustration at the chaotic roll-out of the new EU Entry Exit System.
Delayed multiple times, it was meant to be launching on November 10 but even that is not yet confirmed.
In recent weeks, France, Germany and the Netherlands all indicated they were not ready to launch the new system.
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Airports, ferry terminals and the entire travel industry are desperate for clarity. They’ve invested millions in new infrastructure, they want to put plans in place to counter any disruption that could inevitably happen.
An app to allow visitors to pre-register their details before they even get to a border was meant to launch at the same time as the new system.
Yet it seems the app itself will not be ready until next summer.
EasyJet boss Johan told me: “We should have had the ability to do pre-registration from the very start of the new system.”
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And the chaos isn’t helped by the fact that individual EU member states are all interpreting the new system in different ways.
What British travellers – and the industry as a whole – need is a clear indication of when the ESS will start and just how it will work.
Chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “It’s frustrating that there will be delays for customers. Nobody wants that.
“Because we haven’t had a clear date for when this is going to commence, we haven’t really been able to start detailed communication yet.”
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His views were echoed by ABTA’s director of public affairs, Luke Petherbrige, who felt that the constant delays and changing of dates has led to confusion for holidaymakers.
He said: “There is still a fair way to go before the majority of travellers fully understand how the new EU Entry/Exit System will change their passport control experience when travelling to Europe.
“That’s perhaps unsurprising given that we’re waiting for official confirmation of when the scheme will go live. It’s difficult to talk to a customer about a new system without knowing if it will actually be in place for their holiday.
“So, we are urging the EU to provide clarity on when EES will go live, and to make sure the changes are clearly communicated to consumers.
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In August, the Department for Transport announced £10.5 million of funding for UK ports where juxtaposed border checks are conducted to support new facilities and technology to deal with EES.
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Airlines are warning of massive queues at the airportCredit: Alamy
In Karen’s case, by looking at other comparison sites, she managed to save almost £300.
The previous week’s email also included the story of Fiona, who managed to save an enormous £423 after following the same help guide.
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Fiona’s email said: “I received a renewal notice which shot up by a few hundred quid to £866 (for a standard four-bed).
Martin Lewis explains how to slash your energy bills
“Your newsletter landed, I used your tips and which comparison websites to use, and 40 minutes later I found the exact same cover for £443.
“A huge saving of £423, woohoo. Thank you so much.”
Home insurance prices have had record heights for over a year now, with prices sitting at almost 30% higher than last year.
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However, the stats imply we may have reached the peak, with average quotes dropping 1% over the past three months, according to Consumer Intelligence.
If you’ve not checked your home insurance in a while, it’s worth looking to see if you’re overpaying.
Six steps to save on home insurance
HERE are Martin Lewis’ six core steps to saving on home insurance.
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COMBINE comparison sites for 100s of quotes in minutes – don’t assume they’re all the same. Never just auto-renew – there’s no guarantee your existing insurer will give you the cheapest or best cover. It’s always worth a check elsewhere. Comparison sites zip your info to dozens of insurers and brokers at once. Yet don’t just use one as a) they can cover different insurers, and b) they often have different prices for the same firm.
Check special deals to see whether you can beat the comparisons’ cheapest. Biggie Direct Line doesn’t appear on comparisons and can be competitive for some, so it’s worth a try. Yet there are also some special deals available for firms that are on comparisons, though you’ll need to buy direct to get the vouchers. So check the price and factor in the incentive to see which wins overall.
– Coverbaloo gives a £25 Amazon voucher (comes within 90 days). – Urban Jungle gives a £15 Amazon voucher after seven months when you use code MSE_OFFER. – If you’re a member of cashback sites Quidco or Topcashback, you can do a comparison through them, and get up to £35 back. But check prices are the same (or cheaper) as through the main comparisons.
Establish what cover you need. Everyone, including renters, should consider contents insurance, but buildings insurance is usually only for freehold homeowners (otherwise it’s generally the management company or landlord’s responsibility – check your lease if you’re not sure). This is how to think about it…
– Contents insurance: Beware UNDERinsuring. Many underinsure, thinking: “I’d never claim for everything” … but insure only half your contents’ value, then claim for, say, a TV, and you may only get half the TV’s value once they assess whether the cover was accurate. Use a contents calculator.
– Buildings insurance: Beware OVERinsuring. Many wrongly insure for their home’s market value, but what counts is how much it’d cost to rebuild if it was knocked down. Use a rebuild cost calculator to find out.
The sweet spot is about three weeks ahead of renewal, but even if that’s ages away, check anyway. Leave getting insurance until the very last minute and the price can go up, as insurers deem those who leave it later to be a higher risk. On average, the cheapest time to get quotes is 21 days ahead of your renewal, though a few days either side won’t matter much. See best time to renew home insurance.
Not at renewal? It’s still worth a check, especially if you auto-renewed last time around. If you can make a substantial saving (and haven’t claimed yet this year), you can cancel and usually get a pro-rata refund, minus a £35ish admin fee (though you won’t earn the year’s no-claims discount). See switching home cover mid-year.
Haggle. Want to stick with your existing firm? Ask it to match your cheapest price from steps 1 and 2 – it will often work. See home insurance haggling help.
Ensure the policy’s right for you before buying. Go through the main terms to check you’re happy, and check the provider is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. And remember, if you have a claim unfairly rejected, you have a right to escalate any complaints to the free Financial Ombudsman.
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