Times letters: £30bn spending boost for health service
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.
Source:The Times
June 09, 2025 18:05 UTC
Winter fuel payments and two-child benefit: All Starmer’s U-turns explained
The prime minister last month announced plans to reverse his controversial cuts to winter fuel payments, saying he wants more pensioners to be eligible for the benefit - a move that has now been confirmed. And now, it looks like the prime minister is gearing up to row back on the position. While nothing has been announced, the prime minister is privately said to be in favour of lifting the cap. Sir Keir claimed to be concerned that “each day brings a new existential risk to British farming. Former prime minister Liz Truss and chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng scrapped the cap in 2022, in a bid to encourage more investment in the UK.
Source:The Times
June 09, 2025 18:01 UTC
Nigel Farage vows to reindustrialise Wales in Port Talbot speech
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.
Source:The Times
June 09, 2025 17:17 UTC
Vaikasi Visakam 2025: Date, Time, Puja Rituals and Significance
Vaikasi Visakam 2025:June 9, 2025Vaikasi Visakam 2025: Date and TimeRead Also: Jyeshtha Purnima Rituals and SignificanceVaikasi Visakam 2025: SignificanceVaikasi Visakam 2025: How it is celebrated? One of the most significant festivals honoring Lord Murugan is Vaikasi Visakam. During a certain Nakshatra known as Visakam, devotees observe fast and worship Lord Murugan on this day, which is regarded as one of the most auspicious. This year, Vaikasi Visakam is being celebrated onVisakam Nakshathram Begins - June 8, 2025 - 12:42 PMVisakam Nakshathram Ends - June 9, 2025 - 03:31 PMAccording to the Hindu scriptures, Vaikasi Visakam is one of the most significant day. It is also believed that Lord Kartikeya was born to defeat the demon Tarkasura and created righteousness in the universe.
Source:The Times
June 09, 2025 15:59 UTC
Nigel Farage’s steel plan is more of a vibe. But hey, he’s on TV
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.
Source:The Times
June 09, 2025 15:40 UTC
‘Time-warp’ 90s Ford Escort boasting its original radio & number plates sells for 5 TIMES its original price
Motorsport devotee John Phillips originally acquired the car as an early retirement present to himselfDUST INCREDIBLE ‘Time-warp’ 90s Ford Escort boasting its original radio & number plates sells for 5 TIMES its original priceA THIRTY-two-year-old Ford Escort has sold for a massive £105,750 - over five times its original price. The red 1993 Ford Escort RS Cosworth only had one owner who had done just 12,530 miles in it. Supplied new in November 1993 the Escort RS Cosworth 'Big Turbo' rolled off the production line finished in the rare colour combination of Radiant Red with a Polaris Grey Hexagon cloth interior. The original radio still showed the vehicle registration when switched on, the mandatory Vecta immobiliser was still in situ and functioning correctly and the original dealer number plates remained attached. 6 The interiors have been preserved in impeccable condition Credit: Jam Press/Iconic Auctioneers6 The vehicle was diligently maintained by its original owner Credit: Jam Press/Iconic Auctioneers
Source:The Times
June 09, 2025 15:05 UTC
Chinese vice premier meets British finance minister, discusses economic cooperation
China UK Photo:VCGHe Lifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice premier of the State Council, met with British finance minister Rachel Reeves in London on Sunday. Both sides held in-depth exchanges of views on China-UK economic and financial cooperation and issues of common concern, Xinhua News Agency reported on Monday.He Lifeng said that the two sides should make joint efforts to implement the important consensus reached between the two leaders, ensure the outcomes of China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue are delivered, further deepen exchanges and cooperation in all economic and financial fields, promote mutual benefit and win-win results, and maintain the sustained, healthy and stable development of China-UK economic relations.Reeves said that the UK attaches great importance to cooperation with China, and is willing to strengthen communication with the Chinese side, implement the outcomes of the China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue, and inject new momentum into China-UK economic cooperation, Xinhua reported.In January, He Lifeng and Reeves co-chaired the 11th China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue in Beijing. During the dialogue, the two sides reached a series of mutually beneficial outcomes and consensus, according to Xinhua.Zhao Yongsheng, a research fellow of the Institute of Regional and International Studies at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, told the Global Times that He Lifeng's talks with Reeves helps both China and the UK to enhance mutual understanding.The Chinese foreign ministry announced on Saturday that at the invitation of the UK government, He Lifeng is scheduled to visit the UK from June 8 to 13. While in the UK, He will hold the first meeting of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism with the US side, said the spokesperson.Beyond being geographically convenient, UK government sources told Sky News on Saturday that Britain is geopolitically in the right place right now to act as this bridge and facilitator between China and the US, adding that the UK-China relationship is in the process of a "reset. In an interview with Sky News' Sunday Morning, Kyle said that security concerns will be "taken care of assiduously in the planning process."
Source:The Times
June 09, 2025 14:03 UTC
UK officials meeting ‘legitimises’ Xi’s repression, say critics
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.
Source:The Times
June 09, 2025 13:58 UTC
LTA to support British women's tennis players' health
The programme has been designed to address specific challenges female athletes face, offering targeted interventions and expert guidance, led by LTA Chief Medical Officer Dr Guy Evans. These screenings are tailored around female health and menstrual cycles, and gives the athletes access to specialised medical support tailored to their physical reproductive health needs. A podcast series has been launched featuring discussions with leading experts to highlight and educate critical female health issues that impact elite athletes. Dr Evans added: “These conferences provide a dedicated forum to discuss the care of elite female athletes across sports and disciplines. It allows sharing of knowledge, open discussion and healthy debate ensuring we provide optimal care for our female athletes.
Source:The Times
June 09, 2025 13:10 UTC
Nintendo Switch 2 – live: The only place to get a console in the UK
open image in gallery The console is selling out across the UK ( Alex Lee/The Independent )It’s just been a few days since the Nintendo Switch 2 launched, and most places have already sold out. There’s also DLSS upscaling built in, so older games look better. Nintendo Switch 2 priceopen image in gallery The Switch 2 camera lets you see your mates as you game, even if you're not playing the same one ( Alex Lee/The Independent )The Nintendo Switch 2 on its own costs £399.99, and the main bundle with Mario Kart World costs £429.99. Nintendo Switch 2 launch gamesThere are plenty of new Nintendo Switch 2 games at launch. Civilization VII and No Man’s Sky are here too, and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour acts as a mini showcase for the new hardware.
Source:The Times
June 09, 2025 12:46 UTC
Defence or environment? UK faces spending choices
Torn between growing geopolitical tensions and constrained public finances, Britain's finance minister Rachel Reeves is set to unveil feared trade-offs in a government spending review on Wednesday. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is boosting the defence budget, and reports point to National Health Service (NHS) being bolstered -- forcing other key ministries to tighten their belts. - Defence priority -Reeves has amended her fiscal rules to allow the government more headroom for investment in the run-up to the spending review. Citing Russia's invasion of Ukraine, London has announced it will increase its defence budget to 2.5 percent of UK gross domestic product by 2027 -- and up to 3.0 percent by 2034, helped by cutting international aid. "U-turns on benefit and welfare spending, increased pressure to ramp up defence spending and higher borrowing costs have left the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, in a sticky position", concluded Ruth Gregory, deputy chief UK economist at Capital Economics.
Source:The Times
June 09, 2025 12:32 UTC
Warning over ‘reputational risk’ damage from Church abuse scandals
The annual report from the Church Commissioners for England – which manages the Church’s investment portfolio – described their reputational risk as currently being “at an elevated level”. The commissioners’ report, published on Monday, added: “This case and other safeguarding failures undermine public confidence in the assertions made by the Church, including the Church Commissioners, about the importance of, and priority given to, safeguarding. The money will go towards various areas including clergy pay, church repairs and net zero plans. Some £30 million is being allocated towards the cost of national safeguarding work, including moves towards greater independence in how safeguarding is dealt with. Some £150 million towards the costs of the new national redress scheme for survivors of Church abuse had already been announced.
Source:The Times
June 09, 2025 11:22 UTC
Rachel Reeves reinstates winter fuel payments for 9 million pensioners
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.
Source:The Times
June 09, 2025 10:59 UTC
Sam Altman’s eye-scanning identification tech expands to UK
It seems like you're already an ETPrime member withLogin using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefitsLog out of your current logged-in account and log in again using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits.
Source:The Times
June 09, 2025 09:49 UTC
Move away from China: Shein & Reliance aim selling ‘Made in India’ clothes abroad; to list India-made clothes on US, UK websites
Shein's initial strategy involves featuring Indian-manufactured clothing on their US and British e-commerce platforms. (AI image)Shein & Reliance Retail Plans25% Tariff if Phones Made in India: Donald Trump Targets Samsung After Threat to AppleShein, in collaboration with Reliance Retail, aims to significantly broaden Indian manufacturing network and start international sales of Shein-branded apparel produced in India within six to 12 months. Shein confirmed through an official statement that it has granted brand licensing rights to Reliance for the Indian market, stating that Reliance "is responsible for manufacturing, supply chain, sales and operations in the Indian market. "Shein, a prominent fast-fashion company, generates annual revenue exceeding $30 billion through competitive pricing and intensive marketing strategies. This shift is particularly notable among businesses seeking alternative supply chains outside China due to ongoing US-China trade tensions.
Source:The Times
June 09, 2025 08:38 UTC