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My dad was a white van man – and I’ll cut taxes for small businesses if I become Tory leader

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My dad was a white van man - and I'll cut taxes for small businesses if I become Tory leader

Labour promised change and they certainly are delivering it. 

They’ve created their own black hole in the public finances by forking out billions of pounds in pay rises for their union masters.

Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick has vowed to stand up for small businesses if he wins

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Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick has vowed to stand up for small businesses if he winsCredit: PA

And another £8.3 billion to fund Ed Miliband’s fantasy new energy company that won’t produce any energy. 

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Now they’re rolling the pitch for big tax rises in the budget to fund their spending splurge. 

The truth is we need stronger public services. The NHS needs more funding to cope with the pressures of an ageing population, but it also requires radical reform.

We must shift from obsessing about inputs and instead focus on outputs. 

Starmer’s dour vision of ever higher spending and taxes isn’t inevitable. 

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We could save billions of pounds, and cut taxes, by cutting the fat off the British state.

By reforming the welfare system, Mel Stride and Rishi Sunak cut national insurance for millions of people. 

And we could create further room for tax cuts. For starters, by releasing the additional 100,000 civil servants we took on because of Brexit and the pandemic. 

My mission is to reclaim the low-tax, pro-business agenda and restore the Conservative’s reputation for sound money that we have lost in recent years. 

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My politics is shaped by my upbringing. Not from what my parents said, but what they did. 

My mum was a secretary. My dad was an apprentice who set up his own small business out of his white van. 

I saw every day how hard they worked. 

At times it was tough. But they made it work and provided me with opportunities for which I’ll be forever grateful. 

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The race to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader has begun

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The race to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader has begunCredit: EPA

There are millions of small business owners like them around the country. They are the engine room of our economy which power our country. 

But we don’t always make it easy for them. And I am in politics to change that. 

Just as Margaret Thatcher created a culture of entrepreneurship in the 1980s that my parents benefited from, I want to drive forward a revolution in this country to make it the best place to start and scale up a business. 

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In Government, I always made sure I was on the side of small business. I froze fuel duty and cut duties on our great exports like whisky. 

During the pandemic I slashed red tape so that restaurants and bars could provide outdoor seatings and takeaways, and more easily convert empty high street shops.

Shamefully, those changes have ended and our hospitality industry is once again in trouble.  

But to unlock Britain’s immense potential we need an altogether more radical approach. 

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We need to free British workers from the reams of bureaucracy that get in the way.

There is no reason for small businesses or sole traders to be saddled with the same regulation as big corporations with huge back-office teams. 

We need a tax system that rewards risk-takers, not punishes them. We should take advantage of our Brexit freedoms and change the VAT thresholds so that small businesses can keep and invest more of the money they make. 

We should increase the thresholds to £100,000, as recommended by the Federation of Small Businesses, which would allow tens of thousands of businesses to have an additional untaxed turnover of £10,000.

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That would allow them to hire more staff and invest in equipment that boosts our productivity. 

The state does have an important role to play in all of this. But we need a small state that works, not a big state that fails. 

So instead of the taxpayer subsidising low-value degrees, we should be funding the real skills of the future. 

That’s why I am calling to redirect funding away from the worst performing 10 per cent of universities towards the biggest expansion in technical colleges and apprenticeships in a generation. 

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We should never again be in the position where we are reliant on foreign labour for brickies, plumbers and welders that help make this country what it is.

These are important and well-paid jobs that Brits should be doing.  

And we need an energy policy that prioritises reliably cheap energy. Since 2000 our electricity prices have trebled. That has crippled British industry and tipped many businesses over the edge. 

It means a fundamentally different energy policy where we are pragmatic about reaching net zero. There are no prizes for reaching net zero first.

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I refuse to pursue net zero off the backs of working people. Instead of throwing more money at expensive renewables, we need a baseload of reliable energy from nuclear and gas that keeps bills lower for businesses and consumers. 

This Labour Government seems intent on making things harder for working people at the upcoming budget. 

I support shortening the contest so the new leader can hold this Labour Government to account for their broken promises when the eyes of the nation are watching. 

If I am lucky enough to be elected leader, I will change the Conservative party, unite it around the serious answers to the big challenges facing the country, and put this dismal Labour Government out of its misery.

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Killing terrorist Nasrallah has decapitated Hezbollah – but will its fighters now become a many-headed monster?

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Killing terrorist Nasrallah has decapitated Hezbollah - but will its fighters now become a many-headed monster?

KILLING terrorist kingpin Hassan Nasrallah has decapitated Hezbollah.

Alongside his corpse lie those of his deputy and several other commanders.

Killing terrorist kingpin Hassan Nasrallah has decapitated Hezbollah

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Killing terrorist kingpin Hassan Nasrallah has decapitated HezbollahCredit: AFP – Getty
Isolating Hezbollah’s forces will be key to whether the group can carry on a missile campaign against Israel

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Isolating Hezbollah’s forces will be key to whether the group can carry on a missile campaign against IsraelCredit: AFP – Getty

No doubt, too, scores of civilians Nasrallah cynically housed as human shields above his underground HQ were killed in Israel’s precision strike on his bunker.

So, with its leaders dead or disabled, will Hezbollah’s thousands of fighters be headless chickens or a many-headed monster?

Isolating what’s left of Hezbollah’s forces will be key to whether the group can absorb the blow to its leadership and carry on a missile campaign against Israel or organise a resistance to an Israeli ground attack.

Let’s remember Israel’s massive bombardment follows the daily impact of Hezbollah rockets and drones on northern Israel — forcing at least 60,000 civilians from their homes.

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Yet the West fears a wider war.

An open conflict with Iran would spark an oil crisis with supplies from the Gulf region blocked.

A global depression would follow.

Iran’s terrorist network could try to hit countries friendly to Israel, like ours.

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Nasrallah death leaves Hezbollah terror group in ‘disarray’, Israel will now ‘ratchet up’ their pain

That might inspire the West to act decisively on the Israeli model.

But I doubt if Britain or America have the troops, leadership and willpower to rise to such a challenge and impose peace.

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Foreign lagers are the most popular in UK pubs – accounting for 28 per cent of all pints sold

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Foreign lagers are the most popular in UK pubs - accounting for 28 per cent of all pints sold

FOREIGN lagers have the biggest share of the beer market in UK pubs — accounting for 28 per cent of all pints sold.

Italian and Spanish tipples such as Moretti, Peroni, Estrella and San Miguel helped them to top the pile.

Current boom in world lager is down to the 2020 launch of Spanish-themed Madri

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Current boom in world lager is down to the 2020 launch of Spanish-themed MadriCredit: PR Handout
Bitter, ale and stout — with classic and premium offerings combined — claimed 23 per cent of the market

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Bitter, ale and stout — with classic and premium offerings combined — claimed 23 per cent of the marketCredit: Getty – Contributor

Adding in classic and premium lagers (each on 20%) — including pilsners and those made in the UK — the brewing style made up 68 per cent of beer bought in pubs, bars and restaurants.

Lager’s market share rose 70 per cent year-on-year, with the value of Spanish pints up 22 per cent, Heineken’s Beer Report 2024 said.

Bitter, ale and stout — with classic and premium offerings combined — claimed 23 per cent of the market, while trendy craft beers took eight.

Heineken’s report put the current boom in world lager down to the 2020 launch of Spanish-themed Madri — despite it being brewed in Tadcaster, North Yorks.

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It said: “Brands that evoke happy memories and holiday vibes were therefore set to do well.”

I tried the world’s strongest beer

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F-16s Retire from Dutch Service for a New Chapter in Ukraine

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F-16s Retire from Dutch Service for a New Chapter in Ukraine

The Netherlands officially retired its fleet of F-16 fighter jets after a remarkable 45 years of service.

New Chapter in Ukraine

This momentous occasion was marked by a flyover of eight F-16AM/BM aircraft, which have played a vital role in safeguarding Dutch airspace and supporting NATO operations since their introduction in 1979.

However, the story of these aircraft does not end here. Following necessary modifications, they are set to begin a new chapter in Ukraine, where they will be deployed against Russian aerial threats, according to WP

As the F-16s transition out, the Netherlands has welcomed F-35 jets into its air force, which have recently received certification for carrying nuclear weapons.

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‘OMG’ cry parents as they race to major supermarket to nab discounted £2 Disney books for kids perfect for Christmas

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'OMG' cry parents as they race to major supermarket to nab discounted £2 Disney books for kids perfect for Christmas

PARENTS are rushing to buy discounted £2 Disney books for kids at a major supermarket that make the perfect Christmas gift.

An eagle-eyed shopper had spotted the offer and shared the deal in a post on Facebook.

Prices have been slashed in half for many iconic Disney story books at the supermarket giant

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Prices have been slashed in half for many iconic Disney story books at the supermarket giantCredit: Facebook
The deal was spotted in a Tesco store

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The deal was spotted in a Tesco storeCredit: Alamy

The selection of books included many related to Disney’s most iconic films.

Included were stories about The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast.

Shoppers were quick to tag their friends on the post and express their desire to nab the deal.

One user said: “Reuben wants this.”

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Another tagged two friends and said: “If you see this please grab it.”

One shopper even exclaimed: “Omg I need it!”

Another commenter noted, however, that a similar deal was also available at a rival supermarket.

They said: “Aldi had this one for 99p recently other similar stories too.”

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The books are normally priced for £4 at Tesco but this offer reduced their price by half.

It should be noted that the discount is only available for those who are signed up to the supermarket’s Clubcard scheme.

The programme, which is free to sign up to, provides you access to discounts across Tesco stores.

It also allows you to collect points which you can later redeem for vouchers or discounts at other outlets.

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What can I get with Tesco Clubcard?

TESCO’S Clubcard scheme allows shoppers to earn points as they shop.

These points can then be turned into vouchers for money off food at the supermarket, or discounts at other places like restaurants and days out.

Each time you spend £1 in-store and online, you get one point when you scan your Clubcard.

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Drivers using the loyalty card get one point for every two litres spent on fuel.

One point equals 1p, so 150 points gets you a £1.50 money-off voucher, for example.

You can double their worth when you swap them for discounts with “reward partners”.

For example, £12 worth of vouchers can be swapped for a £24 three-month subscription to Disney+.

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Or you can swap 50p worth of points for £1 to spend at Hungry Horse pubs.

Where you can spend them changes regularly, and you can check on the Tesco website what’s available now.

Tesco shoppers can also get Clubcard prices when they have the loyalty card.

The discounted items change regularly and without a Clubcard you’ll pay a higher price.

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These Clubcard prices are usually labelled on shelves, along with the non-member price.

But it’s worth noting that just because it’s discounted doesn’t necessarily make it the cheapest around, and you should compare prices to find the best deal.

You can sign up to get a Tesco Clubcard in store or online via the Tesco website.

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Israel continues to target Hezbollah commanders as adversaries threaten revenge

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Israel continues to target Hezbollah commanders as adversaries threaten revenge

The Israeli military claimed to have killed a senior member of Hezbollah’s “intelligence array” a day after killing the militant group’s leader – stoking fears of an all-out regional war.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said Saturday its airstrike on the Dahiyeh area of Beirut eliminated Hassan Khalil Yassi who headed a unit in Hezbollah’s intelligence division that was tasked with locating Israeli military and civilian sites.

It came just one day after the IDF claimed attacks on the same suburb – where tens of thousands of residents live – killed Hezbollah’s leader and one of its founding members, Hassan Nasrallah. More than 80 bombs were dropped on Dahiyeh on Friday, over a period of several minutes, according to defence sources who spoke to the New York Times.

Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, Nasrallah’s cousin, has emerged as a frontrunner to succeed the former Hezbollah chief, i understands.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Nasrallah as the “master murderer”. In his first public remarks since the killing, he said: “We settled accounts with those responsible for the murder of countless Israelis and many citizens of other countries, including hundreds of Americans and dozens of Frenchmen.”

“He and his people were the architects of the plan to destroy Israel. He was not only activated by Iran, many times he also activated Iran,” Mr Netanyahu added, before reiterating his promise to bring peace to northern Israel, which has been subjected to a long-running series of attacks by Hezbollah.

Nasrallah’s death, confirmed by Hezbollah on Saturday, sent shockwaves throughout the region where he has been a dominant political and military figure for more than three decades.

It has potentially far-reaching implications for the Middle East as Israel shifts its attention from its nearly year-old war with Iran-aligned Hamas in Gaza to operations against Hezbollah, amid fears that continued strikes on Lebanon could trigger a wider war that draws in Iran.

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Hezbollah, considered a terrorist state by the US and the UK, is also backed by Iran and is seen as one of its most powerful proxies in the Middle East, and a potentially vital buffer with Israel.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, responded to Nasrallah’s death, vowing that “the blood of the martyr shall not go unavenged.”

Tehran also announced on Saturday that a prominent general in its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard died in an air strike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut.

Khamenei has been transferred to a secure location, with officials saying it is in constant contact with Hezbollah and other regional allies to determine “the next step”, sources have told Reuters.

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A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the news outlet they were not “exactly sure where things go from right now”.

In the midst of the uncertainty, Israel has refused to rule out further escalation.

The country’s defence minister held talks to assess the “operational situation” regarding his country’s military offensive on its northern front, Yoav Gallant’s office said in a statement.

A senior US official reportedly told ABC News that the IDF is preparing for a limited ground incursion into southern Lebanon.

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FILE PHOTO: Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 79th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 27, 2024. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo
Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

Meanwhile, long-range rockets were launched from Lebanon overnight towards the Jerusalem area with sirens sounding in several West Bank settlements, east of the capital. It marked the deepest rocket fire carried out by Hezbollah amid the ongoing fighting, with sirens sounding in towns some 140 kilometres from the Lebanon border.

No injuries have yet to be reported.

The Houthis, another Iran-backed rebel group located in Yemen, said they fired a ballistic missile at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport upon Netanyahu’s arrival from America.

The group previously said the death of Nasrallah would not break their resistance and that “the Jihadist spirit of the Mujahideen brothers in Lebanon and on all fronts of support will grow stronger and bigger”.

Before the weekend, though, there had been hopes of a ceasefire, something Netanyahu later dashed.

The US, along with Western allies, including the UK, drew up a 21-day ceasefire proposal during the UN General Assembly in New York. America’s national security spokesperson, John Kirby, said the plan had been written with “careful consultation, not only with the countries that signed on to it, but Israel itself”.

In a speech to the UN, Netanyahu made no mention of the ceasefire, instead saying: “We will continue degrading Hezbollah”.

US President Joe Biden has called the Israeli strike that killed Hezbollah’s chief Hassan Nasrallah a “measure of justice for his many victims”.

He added: “The United States fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and any other Iranian-supported terrorist groups. Just yesterday, I directed my Secretary of Defense to further enhance the defense posture of U.S. military forces in the Middle East region to deter aggression and reduce the risk of a broader regional war.

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“Ultimately, our aim is to de-escalate the ongoing conflicts in both Gaza and Lebanon through diplomatic means.”

Mr Biden’s words were echoed by Vice President Kamala Harris who stressed her “unwavering commitment to the security of Israel”, before adding: “President Biden and I do not want to see conflict in the Middle East escalate into a broader regional war.

“We have been working on a diplomatic solution along the Israel-Lebanon border so that people can safely return home on both sides of that border. Diplomacy remains the best path forward to protect civilians and achieve lasting stability in the region.”

The UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he had spoken with Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati, saying the pair had “agreed on the need for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the bloodshed”.

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Around one million Lebanese have now been displaced by Israeli attacks and at least 50,000 civilians living in Lebanon have crossed into Syria fleeing airstrikes, the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees said.

Over the past week, Israeli strikes have killed more than 700 people in Lebanon.

Thirty-three people were killed and 195 wounded in Israeli strikes on Lebanon on Saturday, the Lebanese health ministry said.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged for “this cycle of violence must stop now,” spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Saturday. “The people of Lebanon, the people of Israel, as well as the wider region, cannot afford an all-out war.”

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Home inspired by Oasis’ Definitely Maybe album cover goes on sale for £550,000

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Home inspired by Oasis' Definitely Maybe album cover goes on sale for £550,000

THIS home on sale is ‘Definitely Maybe’ worth a viewing by an Oasis fan with £550,000 to spare – after the owner decked out his living room to mirror their iconic 1994 album cover.

From the outside, the three-bed semi listed by Purplebricks, appears like any other home lining the leafy east London street in Abbey Wood – but a peek inside reveals it’s a place a true fan could really Live Forever.

This home is decked out with a living room to mirror Oasis' iconic 1994 album cover

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This home is decked out with a living room to mirror Oasis’ iconic 1994 album coverCredit: Jam Press/Purplebricks
The cover of the band's album Definitely Maybe

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The cover of the band’s album Definitely Maybe

It’s not just the Cigarettes and Alcohol on the wooden living room floor that give the game away, flamingos on the fireplace and an Epiphone guitar are also there in tribute.

A framed image of music hero Burt Bacharach leaning against the sofa and another of Man City legend Collin Bell by the fireplace add to the effect.

And, to top it off, a giant spinning globe hangs beside the mirror, to the right of the image as it appears on the Purplebricks listing.

Located in Zone 4, the property is not Half The World Away (about 0.4 miles) from Abbey Wood train station and the Elizabeth Line.

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The home’s entrance hall connects to the through lounge and extended kitchen, a first floor bathroom with over-bath shower, two double bedrooms and a single bedroom.

At the rear there is a laid-to-lawn garden with patio and out-building with windows in its Wonderwalls – and She’s Electric with power and lighting so can be used as an office or gym.

Owner, Jonathan Leclerc-Strode, said: “Definitely Maybe is one of the all-time greats and certainly a game changer in my generation’s lifestyle.

“Oasis makes me think back to a simpler time, when you could spend lazy afternoons blasting indie rock without looking back in anger.

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“A well-placed glass of wine and lo and behold, a striking similarity that left me speechless.”

A Purplebricks spokesperson said: “We love what the owner has done to their living room.

“The likeness to the Definitely Maybe album cover is uncanny.

“It is the perfect house for any Oasis fan.”

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