For many families, the summer holidays mean more than just eight weeks away from school. It can also mean a sharp rise in food costs.

Susan Lilley, a single mother of two who is training to become a classroom assistant, said the weekly shop has become one of her biggest financial worries.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the families of 90,000 children eligible for free school meals received £27 per child each fortnight during school holidays.

They were axed by the Department of Education (DE) in March 2023 due to a lack of money, but a new bill introduced at Stormont could see holiday payments reinstated.

The then Permanent Secretary in Dr Mark Browne said axing the scheme was the most difficult decision he had to make.

Lilley, who received the grant during covid, said the support made a real difference.

Without it, she said she sometimes has to choose a less healthy, processed option for her children because it’s often cheaper than fresh foods.

“You want to have everything they need, everything that’s nutritious for them, but it’s impossible trying to get the quality of food, especially food and veg and protein, with the prices.

“My little girl would like strawberries and blackberries, but it’s a fortune, I was in this morning and I had to ask her to pick something else,” she continued.

“I can go and buy a 35p donut versus a £4.50 box of strawberries, but it won’t fill her the same, won’t give her the brain power for school. It will actually damage her more.”

She believes that politicians think people “will just manage”, but that “people aren’t managing”.

“Put your money where your mouth is. Children are our future. If they are being limited now how are they going to be the best they can be, to be productive and grow in to full, whole human beings and adults.”

“Nutrition affects them growing up, it can be a barrier to education.

“It’s important that everyone has access to healthy food, especially children.”

The new bill has been introduced in the assembly by Sinn Féin assembly member Danny Baker.

If it is passed, it would see the return of holiday food payments at an estimated annual cost of about £20m.

Children are eligible for free school meals if their family’s household income is below £15,390 a year.

Although UK food inflation has slowed, prices are continuing to rise, just at a slower rate.

Australian dock workers are demanding a 28-hour work week with no loss of pay as the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation expands across the country’s ports.

The AI push is being led by port logistics giant DP World, which the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) said has put workers’ jobs “in the crosshairs”.

The union said: “If DP World wants AI and automation, then they must pay the social dividend. The new technology doesn’t have to cost our members their jobs or put their livelihoods at risk just so a terminal operator can boost profits.”

The BBC has contacted DP World for comment and the MUA for more details.

DP World, which is based in Dubai, is increasingly testing AI tools to manage employees and work schedules in its operations, according to a study by the Centre For International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research, which was commissioned by the MUA.

The automation programme is part of a pattern of pushing AI into operations “without genuine consultation” and that it threatens up to a thousand jobs or more than 60% of the dock and maintenance workforce, the study said.

The company has also proposed the use of AI-assisted remote-control cranes and driverless vehicles, it added.

The technology “should be used to improve workers’ lives, not destroy them,” the union said in a statement on 3 July as it called for a 28-hour work week.

DP World dock workers are believed to currently work around 32 to 35 hours a week, depending on their location, according to the Australian Financial Review, which first reported the negotiations.

DP World is one of the world’s largest port operators. In Australia, it moves millions of shipping containers each year through its ports in Sydney, Melbourne and other parts of the country.

With more than 126,000 employees around the world, the firm handles more than a tenth of global container traffic.

TUCSON, Ariz. — A retired FBI hostage negotiator says he believes the person responsible for kidnapping Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, is an inexperienced criminal rather than a hardened professional, pointing to a series of what he describes as rookie mistakes captured on the family’s home security footage.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, retired FBI special agent Chip Massey said the suspect’s behavior in doorbell camera footage from the night of Guthrie’s disappearance suggested a lack of criminal expertise. Massey pointed to the way the masked individual, who has become known online as “porch guy,” attempted to disguise his gait and height while approaching the home. “The way he tries to get lower to disguise his gait and height, how he tries to cover up the camera – that’s not something an experienced criminal would do,” Massey said.

Massey identified several additional details he said pointed toward an amateur perpetrator. He noted that the suspect’s gun holster appeared to be positioned incorrectly, saying it was worn in a manner that would leave the weapon vulnerable to being grabbed by someone else. He also said the suspect’s gloves appeared oversized, a detail he said would make it difficult to properly handle a firearm. Massey further pointed to the presence of blood found near the exit of Guthrie’s home as evidence that the abduction did not go as planned. “The fact blood was on the exit tells me there was a struggle inside,” he said. Taken together, Massey concluded the pattern of errors, along with the inconsistent handling of subsequent ransom communications, pointed away from a professional operation. “If he were a professional, that wouldn’t have happened, so that tells me he’s an amateur, as does the whole back and forth afterwards (with ransom notes) where they don’t provide proof of life,” Massey said.

Massey’s assessment adds to a long list of competing theories that have circulated throughout the five-month investigation. As CNN has reported, analysts and commentators following the case have offered widely divergent characterizations of the suspect over time, at various points describing the abduction as a robbery gone wrong, a ransom-motivated kidnapping, the work of a solo amateur, and the work of a sophisticated group, with some individual commentators even reversing their own assessments within a matter of weeks. President Donald Trump himself weighed in on the uncertainty earlier this year, telling reporters the suspect either “knew what they were doing very well, or they were rank amateurs.”

Massey is not the only investigator to speak publicly and critically about aspects of the case in recent days. Atlanta-based crime scene expert Sheryl McCollum has separately criticized the broader handling of the investigation, describing it as “botched” and pointing to what she characterized as a lack of coordinated public messaging between the Guthrie family and the law enforcement agencies involved. “You have not seen Savannah and her family on the same podium as the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff. They should have been standing together, making statements, from day one. And we haven’t seen that yet,” McCollum said, adding that “they’re not on the same page. It’s really sad to see this.”

The renewed scrutiny comes as the investigation passes a significant and painful milestone for the Guthrie family. In a statement provided to Arizona television station KOLD 13 News on July 1, Savannah Guthrie marked five months since her mother’s disappearance. “It is five months of agony and unending trauma for our family,” Guthrie said. “There is not a moment that goes by that we aren’t actively trying to find our mom.” She went on to thank the community of Tucson “for holding her in their hearts,” along with the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Office “for their tireless work on behalf of our family,” closing her statement with the appeal, “Bring her home.”

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos also provided an update to KOLD 13 News around the same time, saying investigators continue to actively pursue the case, with particular focus on DNA evidence and genetic genealogy techniques that could help identify a suspect even without a direct database match. “Especially when you throw in genealogy—now, you’ve got… this may not be the bad guy, but this person might be the bad guy’s relative three times over,” Nanos said. According to the sheriff, responsibilities in the investigation have been divided between agencies, with the FBI handling the evaluation of ransom notes while his department focuses on forensic evidence processing, including ongoing DNA analysis being conducted with the assistance of outside laboratories and Google’s video analysis capabilities.

Guthrie was last seen alive around 9:45 p.m. on January 31, when a family member dropped her off at her Catalina Foothills home following dinner. She was reported missing the next morning after failing to appear for church, and investigators later determined she had been abducted from the residence overnight. Blood found near her front doorstep was subsequently confirmed to belong to Guthrie. Despite an extensive, multi-agency investigation involving the FBI, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and search-and-rescue teams, no suspect has been publicly identified, and Guthrie has not been located.

The case has also been complicated by a series of ransom communications sent to media outlets and the Guthrie family, several of which the FBI has since determined were fraudulent. In early July, a California man pleaded guilty to federal charges connected to one such fake ransom message, marking the first criminal conviction directly tied to the flood of communications investigators have had to sort through since Guthrie’s disappearance. The FBI has said other notes remain under active investigation as potentially legitimate, though it has not disclosed further details about which communications fall into that category.

A combined reward exceeding $1 million remains available for information leading to Guthrie’s safe recovery. Authorities continue to urge anyone with relevant information to come forward through the Pima County Sheriff’s Department’s tip line or the FBI’s national tip line, as the investigation moves further into its sixth month without a confirmed suspect or resolution.

Analysts advise caution after Trent shares crashed around 13% to post the sharpest single-day plunge in more than a year on Tuesday, following the Zudio-parent’s Q1 business update which failed to meet investor expectations.

What lies ahead for Trent shares?

After the 13% crash, Trent shares have technically slipped below their 20-day EMA, while the RSI has witnessed a sharp downtick, signalling a shift in momentum from bullish to bearish, said Sudeep Shah, Head of Technical and Derivatives Research at SBI Securities. He added that the stock’s DI- has crossed above the DI+ on the ADX indicator, suggesting that sellers are gaining control over buyers. The Rs 3,120–3,130 zone is expected to act as an immediate resistance, and the stock is likely to remain under pressure as long as it trades below this zone, according to the analyst.

Taking a look at the longer picture, Harshal Dasani, Business Head at INVasset PMS, explained that Trent shares have seen a clear technical downtrend, falling around 50% from its 2024 peak near Rs 6,000 to the current Rs 2,967 zone. He noted that the structure is showing a well-defined series of lower highs and lower lows on the monthly candles.

Also read: Trent Q1 revenue rises 19% to Rs 5,666 crore as Westside, Zudio expansion continues

“The June rally to the Rs 3,400 zone was itself a lower high against the prior peak, and Tuesday’s 11% single-session break has invalidated even that short-term recovery attempt. The monthly RSI at 49.98 is the more telling data point. It has collapsed from a peak reading above 90 to just below 50, and every prior attempt to reclaim the 60 zone has failed, which is the classic footprint of a stock still working through a multi-quarter distribution phase rather than one in a corrective pause. Volume on the down-months has been visibly higher than volume on the up-months, confirming institutional distribution rather than accumulation,” the analyst explained.

“The technical read is that the Rs 2,780 to Rs 2,850 support becomes the first line of defence, and a decisive break below Rs 2,780 opens the path toward the Rs 2,400 zone on the monthly frame. The stance on the stock stays cautious until either the monthly RSI reclaims the 60 zone or the price prints a higher high above Rs 3,400 with volume confirmation,” Dasani added.

Trent’s stock crash is healthy valuation consolidation?

The recent correction in Trent’s share price represents a healthy valuation consolidation rather than structural decay, said Nishchal Jain, Quant Researcher at Share.Market by PhonePe. He added that the underlying investment thesis remains firmly intact, anchored by the hyper-scalable Zudio model and deep consumer trust, framing this market dip as a temporary realignment of explosive store network growth with near-term unit economics.
For market participants currently maintaining exposure, the prevailing sentiment shifts away from reactionary liquidation, Jain said which advising ‘Hold’ or ‘Accumulate on Dips’ stance. As the long-term investment framework remains structurally sound, seasoned investors may leverage this valuation breather as a strategic window to deepen exposure near key technical floors, he said.Conversely, for those awaiting an opening, the analyst believes that this retracement provides a long-awaited gateway into a high-conviction retail powerhouse. Nevertheless, a methodical ‘Staggered Buying’ tactical plan is essential to weather temporary price volatility and capitalize on the stock as it carves out a durable bottom, Jain concluded.

Also read: Rs 18,000 crore crash in Trent shares explained, and should you buy the dip

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

Applying for a loan can be exciting because it opens opportunities to achieve important financial goals. Whether you’re planning to start a business, expand an existing company, buy a vehicle, renovate your home, or cover emergency expenses, getting approved is often the biggest challenge.

Many Filipinos believe that loan approval depends only on salary or income. In reality, lenders evaluate several factors before deciding whether to approve or reject an application. The good news is that many of these factors are within your control.

If you’re wondering how to increase your loan approval, this guide will walk you through proven strategies that banks, lending companies, and digital lenders commonly consider. Following these tips can improve your chances of getting approved and may even help you qualify for lower interest rates.

Why Loan Applications Get Rejected

Before learning how to improve your chances, it’s important to understand why lenders reject applications. Common reasons include:

• Low or unstable income
• Poor credit history
• Incomplete loan requirements
• High existing debts
• Frequent late payments
• Inconsistent employment history
• Errors in the application form
• Applying for an amount beyond your repayment capacity

Fortunately, most of these issues can be corrected before submitting your application.

1. Maintain a Good Credit History

Your credit history is one of the first things lenders examine. It tells them how responsibly you’ve handled loans, credit cards, and other financial obligations in the past.

To improve your credit standing:

• Pay loans before their due dates.
• Always settle your credit card bills on time.
• Avoid defaulting on existing loans.
• Keep your financial records clean and updated.

Even a few months of consistent on-time payments can improve your financial profile over time.

2. Increase Your Monthly Income

Income plays a significant role in determining your loan eligibility. Lenders want assurance that you have enough earnings to repay your monthly obligations.

You can strengthen your application by:

• Working overtime if available.
• Starting a side business.
• Taking freelance work.
• Earning commissions or bonuses.
• Showing additional legal sources of income.

If you’re self-employed, maintain complete business records to prove your income consistently.

3. Reduce Existing Debt

One of the biggest reasons for loan rejection is having too much existing debt.

Lenders often calculate your Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio, which compares your monthly debt payments to your monthly income.

A lower DTI ratio means you’re financially healthier and more capable of handling another loan.

Before applying:

• Pay off small loans.
• Reduce credit card balances.
• Avoid taking multiple loans simultaneously.
• Finish installment purchases whenever possible.

4. Prepare Complete Documents

Incomplete requirements often delay or even cancel loan applications.

Typical documents include:

• Government-issued IDs
• Proof of billing
• Certificate of Employment
• Latest payslips
• Income Tax Return (ITR)
• Bank statements
• Business permits (for business owners)
• Financial statements

Double-check every document before submission to avoid unnecessary delays.

5. Stay Longer in Your Current Job

Employment stability increases lender confidence.

Applicants who have worked for the same employer for at least one or two years generally have stronger applications than those who frequently change jobs.

If possible, wait until you’ve completed your probationary period before applying for a loan.

6. Choose the Right Loan Amount

Many borrowers make the mistake of requesting more money than they actually need.

The higher the loan amount, the higher the lender’s risk.

Instead:

• Borrow only what you truly need.
• Calculate affordable monthly payments.
• Consider a shorter repayment period if manageable.

Asking for a realistic amount often leads to better approval chances.

7. Build a Healthy Banking Relationship

Having an active bank account demonstrates financial responsibility.

Maintain:

• Regular deposits
• Stable account balance
• Minimal overdrafts
• Consistent banking transactions

Some banks even offer pre-approved loans to loyal customers with good account histories.

8. Avoid Multiple Loan Applications at Once

Applying to many lenders simultaneously may appear risky.

Some lenders interpret multiple recent applications as a sign of financial difficulty.

Instead:

• Research lenders carefully.
• Compare eligibility requirements.
• Apply only to institutions where you meet the qualifications.

9. Correct Errors in Your Application

Simple mistakes can lead to rejection.

Review your application carefully:

• Name spelling
• Address
• Contact number
• Email address
• Employer information
• Monthly income
• Loan amount

Ensure every detail matches your supporting documents.

10. Improve Your Credit Card Usage

If you have credit cards, use them wisely.

Good practices include:

• Paying the full balance every month.
• Avoiding maxing out your credit limit.
• Keeping utilization below 30% whenever possible.
• Never missing payment deadlines.

Responsible credit card management demonstrates financial discipline.

11. Consider Applying with a Co-Borrower

If your income alone isn’t sufficient, a qualified co-borrower or co-maker may improve your application.

The lender evaluates both applicants’ financial capabilities, which can reduce lending risk.

Choose someone with:

• Stable income
• Good credit standing
• Strong employment history

12. Organize Your Business Records

If you’re applying for a business loan, lenders typically require proof that your business is financially healthy.

Prepare:

• Business permits
• Mayor’s Permit
• DTI or SEC registration
• Audited financial statements
• Sales records
• Bank statements
• Tax filings

Well-organized records increase lender confidence and speed up approval.

13. Improve Your Savings

Having savings shows financial discipline.

Lenders prefer borrowers who maintain emergency funds because they’re generally more capable of handling unexpected expenses while continuing loan payments.

Even modest but consistent savings can strengthen your application.

14. Apply with the Right Lender

Not all lenders have the same requirements.

Some specialize in:

Choose a lender whose lending criteria match your financial situation instead of applying randomly.

15. Demonstrate Responsible Financial Behavior

Lenders look beyond your income.

They also evaluate your overall financial habits.

Good financial practices include:

• Paying bills on time.
• Maintaining stable employment.
• Avoiding bounced checks.
• Keeping accurate financial records.
• Living within your means.

Responsible financial behavior signals that you’re a low-risk borrower.

Bonus Tips to Increase Loan Approval

• Apply after receiving a salary increase.
• Keep your contact information updated.
• Answer verification calls promptly.
• Submit genuine documents only.
• Build long-term relationships with your bank.
• Pay utility bills before their due dates.
• Maintain active government contributions when applicable.
• Review your application before submitting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I improve my loan approval quickly?

Pay existing debts, submit complete documents, maintain stable employment, and avoid multiple loan applications at the same time.

Does salary affect loan approval?

Yes. Higher and more stable income generally improves your ability to qualify for larger loan amounts, but lenders also evaluate your debts, payment history, and financial stability.

Can I get approved even with average income?

Yes. Many borrowers with average income are approved if they have good credit history, low debt, complete documents, and stable employment.

Does paying loans early help?

Paying on time consistently is most important. Early repayment may also reflect positively depending on the lender’s evaluation policies.

Learning how to increase your loan approval is less about finding shortcuts and more about demonstrating financial responsibility. Lenders want borrowers who can repay their loans consistently and on time.

By improving your credit history, reducing debt, maintaining stable employment, organizing your financial documents, and borrowing only what you genuinely need, you significantly improve your chances of loan approval.

Whether you’re applying for a personal loan, business loan, auto financing, or home loan in the Philippines, preparation is your greatest advantage. Building good financial habits today not only helps you secure a loan but also positions you for better interest rates and larger borrowing opportunities in the future.

Oil prices rose over 2% on Wednesday after the United States carried out airstrikes on Iran and reinstated sanctions on Iranian crude sales, reigniting concerns over the stability of the Middle East ceasefire and the risk of fresh supply disruptions.

Crude oil price on July 8

Brent crude futures climbed $1.62, or 2.16%, to $76 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained $1.63, or 2.31%, to $72 a barrel. Both benchmarks had already advanced about 3% on Tuesday after the United States withdrew the general licence that had allowed the sale of Iranian crude following the vessel attacks.

“U.S. Central Command forces have begun launching a series of powerful strikes against Iran to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway,” CENTCOM said in a post to X.

According to the U.S. Central Command, the strikes were launched in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway is a critical route for transporting crude oil from the Middle East to global markets.

Analysts said the latest escalation has reminded markets that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains vulnerable. The renewed tensions have also challenged the prevailing expectation that global oil markets were heading into oversupply, prompting traders with large short positions to reassess their bets.

Also read: Iran promises a ‘decisive’ answer to US strikes
Iran did not claim responsibility for the attacks on the vessels. However, Qatar blamed Iran for the incidents, including an attack on a Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker that was struck by a drone, triggering a fire in its engine room. A Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker, believed to be the supertanker Wedyan, was also reported damaged off the coast of Oman, although maritime security sources said the cause was not immediately known.
The incidents have once again raised concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which handled cargoes equivalent to about one-fifth of global energy supply before the war began in February.
Oil prices had retreated to pre-war levels after the United States and Iran reached a truce last month. The decline encouraged traders to build sizeable short positions in oil futures on expectations that delayed Middle East supplies would soon return to the market.

Where are prices headed?

Industry experts said normal operations in the strait are unlikely to resume quickly. They noted that restoring regular traffic would require coordinated vessel movements, restarting oil wells, repairing damaged infrastructure and agreements on de-mining operations. Several shipowners also continue to remain cautious about resuming operations in the Strait of Hormuz and the broader Persian Gulf.

Analysts also said global oil inventories were drawn down during the prolonged disruption to shipping through the strait and will take time to rebuild. They expect inventories to remain under pressure until additional crude supplies from the Gulf begin reaching international markets.

Read more: US strikes Iran & blocks oil sales in new threats to ceasefire

Last month, Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Officer Amin Nasser had warned that any prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could delay the return of stability in global oil markets until 2027. According to him, an extended disruption could affect nearly 100 million barrels of oil supply every week. Saudi Aramco is the world’s largest oil producer.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)