Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy noticeSir Keir Starmer refused to rule out manifesto-busting tax rises for working people 12 times in an interview, even as said it was "important that politicians stick to their word". These included whether income tax thresholds will be frozen, meaning inflation pushes more and more people into paying higher rates. In his interview, Sir Keir pointed to years of austerity, a "botched" Brexit deal, the pandemic and the Ukraine war. In her interview, Ms Reeves said: "Borrowing is too high, but you can't cut it overnight.
Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
Some would argue that a visit to an airport lounge before a flight is a good way to get a holiday started as it means to go on. The best combine a great view of the runway with tasty food and drinks on tap, where you can spend an hour or two unwinding before the flight. But others would say that this pre-flight routine depends on how good — and affordable — the lounge is. Most pay-to-enter UK airport lounges are mediocre and not worth the money, according to a new report by Which?. The consumer group visited 28 lounges across the UK this summer, offered by providers such as Plaza Premium, Aspire and No 1 Lounge, awarding them from one to five stars based on criteria such as facilities; a runway view; whether there were designated quiet areas and space for families; as well as all-important food and drink.
Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
Doctors and nurses can still get ILR in five years, but care workers, of which the majority are Indian, who arrived between 2022 and 2024, will have to wait 15 years. There may be an exodus of Indian care workers now.”Sandeep Shetty, who is trained in agentic AI, is on a skilled worker visa after being recruited directly from Bengaluru. He may now have to wait 10 years to get an ILR.“When I came here, there was a clear path for ILR in five years which made the UK an attractive option. Skilled workers in general face limited career mobility because the visa ties them to a sponsoring employer, and switching roles can be difficult. The skilled worker visa should not be the priority of policy makers.
Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
Day 1 of the first Ashes cricket Test match between Australia and England in Perth (AP Photo/Gary Day)Indian cricket team wore a new training kit as they reached GuwahatiThe first Ashes Test witnessed a remarkable opening day with nineteen wickets falling, as England's bowling attack, led by captain Ben Stokes, gained an advantage after Australia bowled out England for 172.This marked a historic moment, as the last time 18 or more wickets fell on an Ashes Test opening day was in 1909 at Old Trafford, where Australia scored 147/10 and England made 119/10.Mitchell Starc's outstanding performance of 7-58 put England in a difficult position after Stokes chose to bat first on a clear day at the packed Perth Stadium.Harry Brook scored 52 runs and Ollie Pope contributed 46 runs, providing the only meaningful resistance as England's innings collapsed after lunch.England's fast bowlers responded strongly, with Stokes taking exceptional figures of 5-23, reducing Australia to 123-9 at stumps, trailing by 49 runs. Nathan Lyon remained not out on three, with Brendan Doggett yet to score.Australia's innings began with unexpected drama as Usman Khawaja did not open with Marnus Labuschagne, instead Jake Weatherald made his debut appearance.Weatherald's Test cricket debut was brief, as he was dismissed for a duck on his second ball, falling victim to Jofra Archer's lbw decision.Labuschagne managed nine runs from 41 balls before Archer's pace proved too much, bowling him with a fuller delivery.The situation intensified when Steve Smith was caught by Brook at slip off Brydon Carse 's bowling for 17 runs.Khawaja, batting at number four due to stiffness, lasted only six balls before being caught behind by Jamie Smith off Carse's bouncer, leaving Australia at 31-4.Cameron Green (24), Travis Head (21), Alex Carey (26), and Starc (12) made starts but were all dismissed by Stokes after he introduced himself into the bowling attack.Starc's impressive opening spell claimed three wickets, including Joe Root for zero, before dismissing Stokes after lunch and completing his haul.Despite all five previous Tests at Perth being won by teams batting first, England struggled initially, getting off to a poor start.Starc continued his first-over excellence, now having taken a wicket in the opening over 24 times, as he dismissed Zak Crawley for zero, caught by Khawaja at slip.Ben Duckett showed promise with a well-executed four off Scott Boland but fell to Starc's lbw appeal for 21, leaving England at 33-2.Root's latest attempt to score his first century in Australia ended quickly, edging to Labuschagne at third slip after facing just seven balls.Pope showed composure until Green dismissed him lbw, with England reaching 105-4 at lunch.Brook began aggressively after lunch, hitting Boland for six before Starc removed Stokes with an inswinger when the captain had scored six.Brook reached his fourteenth Test half-century but was caught behind off Doggett, giving the debutant his first Test wicket.Starc claimed Gus Atkinson's wicket to secure his seventeenth five-wicket haul, and alongside Doggett, they efficiently dismissed England's remaining batsmen.
Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
The Devi Mahatmya – illustrating the tale of the Divine Mother of Hinduism – are valued at £280,000, according to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. A DCMS spokesman said the 56 paintings present an opportunity for the study of this genre of work and the export bar will allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire them for the nation. More than a million Hindus live in the UK, with the paintings presenting an opportunity for their culture to be both researched and celebrated. Culture Minister Baroness Twycross said: “This series is not only beautiful, but unique in the UK. Committee member Pippa Shirley said: “In these small, jewel-like paintings, an epic unfolds before our eyes.
A Labour councillor has denied knowing that a man he met four times in Pakistan was an alleged international drug lord who has been wanted by British police for a decade. During this time, Cllr Zaffar, a councillor since 2011 who was awarded an MBE for services to the voluntary sector, met Billu at least four times at social gatherings. Pictures reviewed by the Mail show that the councillor met the alleged drug lord at a wake in 2019. A video showed Billu walking into the gathering as Cllr Zaffar embraced another man in greeting. Cllr Zaffar met with Billu at the alleged gangster's house again in July 2024 to discuss politics.
Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
President Donald Trump does not hold back when attending public events such as press conferences. The fiery leader of the USA is becoming notorious for shouting at those who question him - mainly reporters. In many viral moments, he has been seen becoming red-faced as he blasts insults and demands that people "be quiet" when they try and ask him questions. However, as his moments of anger seem to be becoming a more regular occurrence, some of his fans have been concerned for his health. But, Trump cleared up concerns whilst speaking to reporters on Air Force One.
