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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

England’s regional mayors should be given more influence over health, policing and education policy, with greater powers to commission, design and implement projects, according to the Labour Together think-tank.

Greater involvement of these elected officials in public service delivery would help drive the improvements promised by the Labour government, even when funding was in short supply, the study said.

“Getting this right will set the government up to make meaningful progress quickly,” said Sam Freedman, the report author, and lay the ground for a “public service agenda that will undo years of damaging over-centralisation”.

Labour Together was led by Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keir Starmer’s new chief of staff appointed on Sunday after Sue Gray stepped down from the role, and was closely associated with the UK prime minister’s rise to power. Its current chief executive is former shadow cabinet minister Jonathan Ashworth.

The report, released on Monday, comes ahead of the Budget on October 30 with public services in crisis and public finances constrained by many competing demands.

The number of mayoral combined authorities has increased, becoming an increasingly important tier of government across the country over the past 25 years. There are now 11 mayoral combined authorities (MCAs) in England.

But each has divergent powers and little if any control over health, policing and education policy in most places. The MCAs sit above a local government network that has been severely hit by a funding crisis.

Labour has promised to make further devolution central to its programme of national renewal. But rather than a big bang approach, it should set off with five principles to drive better decision-making in the short term while underpinning longer-term decentralisation, the study said.

“I wouldn’t start from here,” said Freedman, of the complicated system that governs the regions. “But there are immediate benefits that can be drawn by including them [regional mayors] more.”

Freedman, author of the book Failed State: why nothing works and how we fix it, said that within existing structures mayors can already take greater control over areas such as policing, as Greater Manchester has for example, by absorbing police commissioner roles.

MCAs should also be given first refusal on delivering one-off, centrally determined schemes such as school improvements, the paper added.

It also argued for public service delivery to be included as a separate part of funding settlements, replacing an existing system where regions compete ad hoc for financing pots from different government departments.

The regional structure of public services should share the same geographic boundaries as regional authorities to facilitate strategic oversight, the report added. Currently in areas like education and healthcare, this is often not the case.

“There is an overall principle underlying the drive for devolution which is that decisions are better taken the closer they are to the people they affect,” said Oliver Coppard, mayor of the South Yorkshire combined authority, who supported the report’s findings.

He said South Yorkshire was developing a record that made this case with the establishment of health and diagnostic centres within town centre redevelopments.

Authorities like his would be asking not only for more money from central government but for more control and flexibility over how they used and ultimately raised funds, he said.

“If we get people back into work, paying taxes into the Treasury and off benefits, there is a double benefit to the whole of the country,” Coppard noted, adding that regional authorities had the “ideas, intelligence and insight” to know how best to go about this.

SHOPPERS are raving about B&M’s dupe of a beloved M&S favourite which is scanning at a fraction of the price.

A savvy shopper posted the dupe in the Food Find UK Official Facebook group, where bargain hunters regularly share new items they discover in supermarkets.

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M&S’s Hazelnut Creme has been a favourite among shoppers – but now B&M are giving the spread a run for its money.

Shoppers are looking to stock up on some sweet essentials in time for Christmas.

And one lucky shopper’s shared an incredible deal on Facebook that has shoppers rushing to the bargain retailer.

Sharing a picture of the unbelievable find, the user wrote: “Hazelnut Spread found in B&M in Spondon, Derby.”

The Cocoa Co’s smooth hazelnut spread is priced at a mere £1.89.

In comparison, M&S’s hazelnut creme is £4.50.

By opting for the B&M version that is 58 per cent cheaper, shoppers could save themselves an unbelievable £2.61.

The post accumulated hundred of likes and comments of shoppers desperate to get their hands on the spread.

One user said: “This could save us a fortune!”

Another commented: “I love choc spread.”

And: “I need this lol!”

Similarly, shoppers are racing to get a Home Bargains dupe of a beloved M&S chocolate snack scanning at a cheaper price.

Home Bargain’s new Elkes Temptations is a dupe of M&S’ popular Milk Chocolate Custard Creams.

The knock-off treats are scanning at the popular discount chain’s tills for only £1.99.

This is just over £1 less than the price at which M&S is selling their chocolatey snack.

Home Bargain fans can choose from a Chocolatey Custard Cream or the sought-after Chocolatey Bourbon Creams.

The caption for the post read: “Found these in-home bargains today they are £1.99 bit cheaper than the M&S ones not tried them yet.”

Hundreds of fellow bargain hunters have left likes and left comments expressing their desire to snap up the tasty treats.

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

Alphabet has been ordered to open its Android operating system to rivals, allowing them to create their own app marketplaces and payment systems to compete with its dominant Google Play Store, in the latest blow for the search giant that has lost recent antitrust cases.

A federal judge in San Francisco ordered the changes on Monday following a successful lawsuit from Epic, the maker of popular video game Fortnite, which argued Google suppressed competition in Android apps and used its monopoly to charge excessive fees.

US district judge James Donato issued an injunction that bans Google from paying developers to “launch an app first or exclusively” in the Play Store and can no longer force customers to use its in-house billing system, which charges fees of as much as 30 per cent.

Additionally, Google can no longer strike revenue share deals with mobile device manufacturers such as Samsung and LG to preinstall Play Store prominently on their home screens — or pay them not to preinstall a rival Android app distribution platform — under the injunction, which takes effect on 1 November and lasts for three years.

Google must also allow third-parties access to its app library for that period of time in order for them to build a legitimately competitive product. Epic had argued in the lawsuit that Google paid off network operators such as AT&T and T-Mobile, and game developers such as Activision Blizzard, to prevent them from launching Play Store rivals.

The ruling gives Epic most of what it sought in the case and could potentially affect a lucrative stream of revenue for Google, which made an operating profit of $12bn from its Play Store in 2021 alone, according to evidence presented in the case (the company does not routinely disclose performance of its Play unit). Alphabet shares fell 2.3 per cent after the news.

Google said it will appeal against the verdict and asked the changes be put on hold, arguing they would put customers’ privacy and data security at risk. “The Epic verdict missed the obvious: Apple and Android clearly compete,” the company said of the underlying judgment.

The injunction could have a wider impact on the strict controls that Big Tech groups wield in their mobile app stores. Epic lost a related case against Apple in 2021, when a California judge concluded the iPhone maker did not break the law by imposing rules that block rival stores and payment methods on its devices. The ruling was upheld by an appeals court; Epic is seeking a US Supreme Court review.

Epic chief executive Tim Sweeney said on X: “All app developers, store makers, carriers, and manufacturers have 3 years to build a vibrant and competitive Android ecosystem with such critical mass that Google can’t stop it.”

“The court’s injunction applies to the United States only, so the legal and regulatory battle will continue around the world,” Sweeney added.

In August 2020, the games maker deliberately circumvented Apple and Google’s payment rules, resulting in Fortnite being removed from their respective stores.

The app store is just one of the antitrust battles that Google is defending. In August, it lost a case against the US Department of Justice for running a monopoly in online search. On Tuesday, the DoJ will propose remedies which could be as drastic as breaking up the company.

Furthermore, the DoJ is also suing Google for its alleged monopolistic control over digital advertising, with the future of its $20bn ad tech business at stake. The trial started last month in Virginia.

GIVE your spending power a little boost this month by bagging more loyalty points.

With extra autumn challenges and bonus offers, now is the perfect time to stock up on points ahead of your festive shopping.

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TAKE ADVANTAGE: If you have a Boots Advantage Card, download the Boots app and link your card number.

Then check out the offers section.

You should find a double points deal that can be used twice, valid until October 24.

Save this for your bigger purchases to maximize your points.

RISE TO THE CHALLENGE: Open the Tesco Clubcard section in the Tesco app to see if you’re eligible for the Tesco Clubcard challenges.

Eligible customers can earn extra points by completing challenges, which usually involve spending a set amount on certain products.

You can do up to ten of 20 challenges, with some focusing on fruit and veg while others cover confectionery.

Offer runs until November 10.

JUST THE TICKET: Need to renew or buy a railcard?

Head to VirginTrainsticketing.com to earn 2,000 bonus Virgin points with your purchase.

These are worth £10 and can be used towards future train travel, Greggs bakery treats or cinema passes.

MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK: If you’re a regular Morrisons shopper and have a Morrisons More card, you can earn 400 points when you buy a packet of Morrisons fresh fish fillets, or 300 points when you purchase Morrisons large frozen pies.

ASDA BE WORTH IT: Boost your Asda cashpot by completing a mission in the Asda Rewards app.

The missions are tailored to customers and, currently, selected shoppers can earn £1 in their cashpot when they buy three packs of Ben’s Original Rice.

SWEET TREAT: Off to Sainsbury’s? Check the Nectar app first for weekly, personalized offers based on your shopping habits.

Currently, selected customers might find an offer for 5x Nectar points when spending £20 in store.

• 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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NEED to iron out the wrinkles in your wardrobe?

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Cheap treat

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KEEP kids busy with the Quiet Time unicorn colouring book, previously £4.99, now £1.99, at thetoyshop.com.

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Top swap

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PICK up a bottle of cult fragrance Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge EDP, £245 for 70ml, at John Lewis.

Or pop round to Poundland for a bottle of the Scentalis No. 10 Scarlet Gold perfume, £4 for 100ml.

SAVE: £241

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GET your Christmas shopping done early at Bouxavenue.com. Buy one set of pyjamas in a bag and get another pair half price from today, including matching mother-and- daughter sets.

Shop & save

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CLEAN up fast with Surf liquid laundry detergent in Tropical Lily.

A 100-wash bottle was £10, now £6 at Iceland.

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JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.

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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RYANAIR passengers will have to follow new boarding pass rules next year – and it isn’t good news.

The low-cost airline has confirmed that paper boarding passes are to be scrapped in 2025.

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Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary confirmed that they would phase our the physical boarding passes by May, saying that as many as 60 per cent currently use mobile passes.

Currently, Brits can get a boarding pass at the airport with the airline.

But passengers are charged £55 if they forget to check in and download their boarding passes before arriving at the airport.

The new rules would mean there would be no option to to check in at the airport at all, with the desks scrapped.

He said: “Our goal is to eliminate check-in desks at the airport, just like we’ve done with luggage counters.

“Everything will be managed through the app, making the process fully digital and eliminating paper entirely.”

The scrapping of the desks would also mean the scrapping of the £55 fee.

He added: “I’m one of the last remaining people still showing up with my piece of paper.

“It also means, once we get everybody onto the app, nobody will ever again pay for a boarding pass at an airport – the airport check in fee will be gone. 

“So, I think it will be a smoother, easier journey for everybody.” 

Some countries, however, require a physical print out of the boarding pass, such as Morocco, Turkey and Albania‘s Tirana, so it isn’t clear how this will be affected for passengers who forget to print one.

The Ryanair website currently states: “If you depart from a Moroccan airport, a digital boarding pass will not be accepted.

“You must carry a physical printout of your boarding pass, and you’ll need to present this boarding pass at the Moroccan airport check-in facility.”

Ryanair has also increased their luggage fees this week.

The airline previously charged up to £38 for anyone booking Priority upgrades at the airport, which come with a 10kg suitcase and hand luggage bag.

New rules could see passengers charged up to £60 if adding this after booking flights or at the airport.

A spokesperson said the fees depend on the route and travel dates selected.

Earlier this year, the Ryanair boss warned that flight prices will soar this Christmas.

Due to passenger caps at Dublin airport, he said that flight prices could hit £422, adding he will “make a fortune” this Christmas.

It’s not the only outlandish way the airline wanted to make money.

Previous Ryanair plans included paying £1 to use the onboard toilets.

And the airline even proposed standing cabins and scrapped armrests to reduce the weight of the plane – saving them money.

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A MAJOR energy supplier with five million customers is set to pull a fixed energy deal that is currently the cheapest on the market.

New and existing customers who sign up for EDF Energy‘s Essentials Fixed 1Yr Oct25v3 tariff are promised savings of £163 a year.

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This plan costs a typical household £1,553 per year, making it cheaper than Ofgem’s current price cap.

At the beginning of this month, the 29 million customers on standard variable tariffs linked to Ofgem’s price cap saw their annual bills increase by £149, rising from £1,568 to £1,717.

If these households were to switch and take up EDF’s offer, they’d save £163 over the next 12 months.

The tariff is available to new and existing EDF customers and requires a smart meter or an agreement to have one installed.

The 12-month fixed offer includes a £25 exit fee per fuel or £50 for a dual fuel tariff.

But households wanting to switch will only have until midnight to do so.

EDF Energy’s offer is the cheapest among the country’s largest energy suppliers, including British Gas and Octopus Energy.

It’s not unusual for suppliers to reprice or remove their fixed energy tariffs in reaction to fluctuating wholesale market conditions.

This means that the best deals can be pulled at any time.

How do fixed deals work?

Fixed deals work to protect customers from bill hikes if Ofgem were to increase the price cap in the future.

Customers on their supplier’s standard variable tariff see their energy prices change every three months, as these are tied to Ofgem’s price cap.

However, those who lock into a fixed energy deal are charged the same gas and electricity rates throughout the contract’s term.

Of course, doing so carries a slight risk of you paying more than those on the standard variable tariff if Ofgem’s energy price cap were to fall within your deal’s term.

However, experts say this risk is minimal as analysts at Cornwall Insight predict that the energy price cap will rise again in January.

The price cap is reviewed every three months in Oct, Jan, April and July, and can go up or down depending on what’s happening in the wholesale energy market.

Currently, those on the standard variable tariff (SVT) have their rates capped by Ofgem at the following levels:

• 5.48p per kilowatt hour (p/kWh) for gas
• 22.36p per kWh for electricity
• A standing charge of 31.66p per day for gas
• A standing charge of 60.99p per day for electricity

For a typical household that uses an average of 11,500kWh of gas and 2,700kWh of electricity every year, these rates will cap bills at roughly £1,717 .

As this is only an estimate for a typical household, if you use more energy, you’ll pay more.

But if you’re offered a fix that’s cheaper than the current price cap, it’s always worth considering.

Elise Melville, energy expert at Uswitch, said: “There are many fixed energy tariffs on the market right now that are cheaper than the current energy price cap.

“Some are offering savings of over £150 per year for households with average energy usage.

“The January 2025 price cap is predicted to only drop by 1%, so it’s worth locking in a cheaper fixed rate now that will save you money throughout winter.”

Outfox the Market is currently offering the second cheapest deal on the open market right now to new and existing customers.

Its Fix’d Dual Oct24 v5.0 tariff costs a typical household £1,555 a year.

This means it is £162 cheaper than Ofgem’s October price cap.

It comes with a £25 exit fee per fuel or £50 if you lock in with a dual fuel tariff.

British Gas’ The Fixed Tariff v5 tariff matches the Outfox the Market deal, but it comes with a £50 exit dee per fuel.

Octopus Energy’s 12M Fixed October 2024 v1 costs £1,566 a year – £151 less than Ofgem’s October price cap.

This deal also comes with no exit fees, so customers are free to ditch and switch supplier at anytime they wish.

Remember to always compare prices before switching, as energy tariffs vary widely, and costs differ depending on where you live.

What are the alternatives?

Customers unwilling to commit to long-term fixed energy deals may want to consider flexible tariffs.

For example, E.ON Next‘s Pledge variable tariff offers a fixed discount of around three per cent on the price cap rates for 12 months.

It will save the average household around £50 a year but comes with a £50 exit fee if you switch before the year ends.

The deal is available to both new and existing customers.

EDF Energy’s Ensure Tracker works in a similar way and offers a £50 discount off the price cap’s standing charges for 12 months.

For a bigger reward but at a higher risk, Octopus Energy offers two variable tariffs which track wholesale gas and electricity costs.

Customers on the Octopus Tracker see their prices change daily, but unit rates have remained consistently lower than the price cap in recent months.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

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