Reeves fails the credibility test: One can no longer take the Chancellor's pronouncements at face value, says ALEX BRUMMER By ALEX BRUMMER FOR THE DAILY MAIL Updated: 22:33 GMT, 26 November 2024 e-mail View comments Unfortunately, one can no longer take pronouncements by Rachel Reeves at face value. The Chancellor’s vow made to the CBI that ‘she would not have to come back for more’ taxes needs to be examined with Talmudic detail. Keir Starmer and Reeves lost respect in the boardrooms of Britain when they took the decision to punish enterprise and jobs with a £23.8billion hit to be paid by raising employers National Insurance contributions (NIC). Now Reeves’ words to the CBI are being reinterpreted just 24 hours after they were uttered. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds explains that there will not be a further tax ask of the business community ‘comparable to what we had to do at the beginning of this parliament’. Surprise, surprise, there may be more to come. The Labour government circumvented the manifesto pledge not to tamper with NICs by explaining it only applied to working people, so raising taxes on employers was fine. Jobs tax: Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured) lost respect in the boardrooms of Britain with their £23.8bn hit to be paid by raising employers NI contributions Yet it is more than clear from most of Britain’s biggest employers – such as Tesco and the Royal Mail – that working people will pay the price. A combination of hiring freezes, lost jobs and higher prices means that workers will be hard hit. Higher NICs will make it much harder for the Government to complete a mission of encouraging Britain’s army of 9.2m people (including 2.8m long-term sick) of economically inactive citizens back into the workforce. The notion that there was ‘no alternative’ but to heap £40billion of extra taxes on Britain, with business lumbered with the lion’s share, is fanciful. Ministers may have been instructed (they still do it in every interview) to repeat the calumny that there was a £22billion black hole in the public finances. However, some £9.4billion of this was a result of unconditional public pay settlements. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next John Lewis pins its hopes on a bumper Black Friday as it... Minister demands rapid rates reform: Reynolds urges Reeves... Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) stocks and shares Isa and the right DIY investing account Hitting employers was not the only choice. A Musk-style government efficiency drive might have been one solution. Reeves could have backtracked on the Tories’ last cut in employees’ National Insurance. Fuel duties could have risen as part of the green agenda and so on. Instead of heaping funds into the NHS before reforms have been cemented, the extra spend could have been phased. The economy was doing nicely until the tax rises came along. By destroying confidence, output has been slowed, potential tax revenues sacrificed and the interest bill on the national debt increased. Reeves’ CBI pledge not to raise taxes was naïve from someone who claims strong economic credentials. We live in uncertain times. Harold Macmillan’s quote ‘Events, dear boy, events’ made in 1984, is as relevant today as it has ever been. The public finances were blown off course by the great financial crisis, the pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine. There is no shortage of geo-political shocks to contemplate, such as hostilities in the South China sea, trade wars, further conflict in the Middle East and dislocation caused by climate change. Only yesterday, Vauxhall ended more than a century of carmaking at Luton. There were high hopes for Reeves when she took office, and a desire to see stability restored after the roller-coaster ride of the Tories. It has taken just five months to dismantle the credibility so critical to growth. Bankers’ feast Liz Truss’s credibility was destroyed in a few short days after her tax-cutting mini-Budget. Among the factors which cost her dearly was a decision to lower the top rate of income tax and abolish restrictions on bankers’ bonuses in one statement. Her intention to encourage enterprise was a noble cause. But the combination of the two was seen by Labour as a giveaway to rich City grandees who were responsible for the great financial crisis. Now that Labour is in power, the importance of finance to Britain’s efforts to rekindle output has become obvious. Taking advantage of the freedoms granted by Brexit, the Bank of England is seeking to underpin London as Europe’s financial hub by allowing faster access to earned bonuses. The new rules proposed mean that bankers will be able to receive some of their bonuses in year one instead of having to wait three years. The Old Lady, at least, is embracing a growth and competitiveness agenda. DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS AJ Bell AJ Bell Easy investing and ready-made portfolios Learn More Learn More Hargreaves Lansdown Hargreaves Lansdown Free fund dealing and investment ideas Learn More Learn More interactive investor interactive investor Flat-fee investing from £4.99 per month Learn More Learn More Saxo Saxo Get £200 back in trading fees Learn More Learn More Trading 212 Trading 212 Free dealing and no account fee Learn More Learn More Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. Compare the best investing account for you Share or comment on this article: Reeves fails the credibility test: One can no longer take the Chancellor's pronouncements at face value, says ALEX BRUMMER e-mail Add comment Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence. More top storiesonline games gcash legit 。

In addition to the advancements in materials, the team at JHU also introduced a series of groundbreaking algorithms that optimize processes in real-time, ensuring maximum efficiency and performance. By utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence, the researchers were able to identify and eliminate bottlenecks in various systems, enabling them to operate at peak efficiency levels. This level of automation and optimization has not only accelerated processes but has also reduced errors and downtime to almost negligible levels.The discussions at the roundtable centered around the importance of cultivating a comprehensive system that can support sustainable economic growth. Participants emphasized the need for investments in infrastructure, innovation, and human capital to create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. By building a robust ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and innovation, China can lay the foundation for long-term economic prosperity.

Social media quickly lit up with complaints and frustrated comments from users who were unable to access the website they had been eagerly waiting for. Memes and jokes about the server crash spread like wildfire, adding a touch of humor to an otherwise exasperating situation.Former President Jimmy Carter dead at 100Caoimhín Kelleher saves Kylian Mbappe penalty as Liverpool close in on Champions League last-16 with win over Real Madrid

A new electric ferry allows commuters in one of Europe 's prettiest capitals to zoom through its waterways using special wings. Nova, a hydrofoil ferry powered by electric motors, began operating in Stockholm late last month, offering an energy efficient new way to travel into the Swedish city, which is built on more than a dozen islands. The ferry, built by boat manufacturer Candela, skims as much as a metre above the water. In October, it took passengers on the nine-mile journey from Ekero, a suburb in Stockholm county, to the capital's city hall in just half an hour as it opened to the public for the first time, AP reported. The morning commute via an old-style diesel-powered ferry line takes 15 minutes longer without stops. It's taking to the waves in a nine-month pilot which Gustav Hemming, the city councilor in charge of climate and infrastructure, says it intended to “make more people park their cars and buy a (public transportation) card instead.” Hemming said the city introduced the service “to show the way in the green transition at sea". Candela's chief executive and co-founder Gustav Hasselskog told Zag Daily that the ferries "not only speed up the commute in Stockholm, and will do so elsewhere, but they also cut emissions drastically". “Stockholm’s public transport is largely emission-free except for the city’s vessels which use the bulk of fossil fuels used by the public transport system. They are also very costly to run,” he added. The city's 70-odd public transport vessels reporedly consume more fossil fuels than all of its trains and buses combined. Nova was the first of the firm's new P-12 model to enter service, Hasselskog said. Using computer-controlled hydrofoil wings, the vessel lifts its hull above water, which is said to cut energy consumption by 80% compared to conventional vessels. The boats, which are designed to carry 25 passengers, are operated by the city's public transport provider SL. Part of the route is subject to speed limits, but on open water the hydrofoil is free to reach impressive speeds. Nova cruises at around 25 knots (29 mph) but is capable of reaching 30 knots (35 mph) putting it some way beyond what other electric passenger ferries are capable of. Another thing going for the vessel, which can operate in waves of up to two metres, is that it's exempt from the 12-knot speed limit in Stockholm due to the fact that it leaves no wake. The restriction, with other boats are subject to, prevent waves swamping other vessels or causing erosion the shoreline, as per the news agency. Candela, which hopes waterborne transport will be also championed in other major cities like New York and Venice, says the technology cuts the energy per passenger-kilometer by 95% compared with the diesel ferries operating in the archipelago. The year 2022 saw some 6.2 million public transport boat journeys in the Stockholm region, and though these types of journey remain a small part of the public transit system as a whole, it's the fastest-growing mode of public transport following the pandemic .In recent years, Chinese dramas have gained immense popularity among Korean audiences, with many series capturing the hearts of viewers across the nation. Among the plethora of Chinese dramas that have made waves in South Korea, one standout favorite is the acclaimed historical drama "Empresses in the Palace," also known as "The Legend of Zhen Huan" or "嬛嬛宫斗天花板" in Chinese.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records Tuesday after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street, even if they could roil the global economy were they to take effect. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% to top the all-time high it set a couple weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 123 points, or 0.3%, to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite gained 0.6% as Microsoft and Big Tech led the way. Stock markets abroad mostly fell after President-elect Trump said he plans to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China once he takes office. But the movements were mostly modest. Stock indexes were down 0.1% in Shanghai and nearly flat in Hong Kong, while Canada’s main index edged down by less than 0.1%. Trump has often praised the use of tariffs , but investors are weighing whether his latest threat will actually become policy or is just an opening point for negotiations. For now, the market seems to be taking it more as the latter. The consequences otherwise for markets and the global economy could be painful. Unless the United States can prepare alternatives for the autos, energy products and other goods that come from Mexico, Canada and China, such tariffs would raise the price of imported items all at once and make households poorer, according to Carl Weinberg and Rubeela Farooqi, economists at High Frequency Economics. They would also hurt profit margins for U.S. companies, while raising the threat of retaliatory tariffs by other countries. And unlike tariffs in Trump’s first term, his latest proposal would affect products across the board. General Motors sank 9%, and Ford Motor fell 2.6% because both import automobiles from Mexico. Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States, dropped 3.3%. The value of the Mexican peso fell 1.8% against the U.S. dollar. Beyond the pain such tariffs would cause U.S. households and businesses, they could also push the Federal Reserve to slow or even halt its cuts to interest rates. The Fed had just begun easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high a couple months ago to offer support for the job market . While lower interest rates can boost the economy, they can also offer more fuel for inflation. “Many” officials at the Fed’s last meeting earlier this month said they should lower rates gradually, according to minutes of the meeting released Tuesday afternoon. The talk about tariffs overshadowed another mixed set of profit reports from U.S. retailers that answered few questions about how much more shoppers can keep spending. They’ll need to stay resilient after helping the economy avoid a recession, despite the high interest rates imposed by the Fed to get inflation under control. A report on Tuesday from the Conference Board said confidence among U.S. consumers improved in November, but not by as much as economists expected. Kohl’s tumbled 17% after its results for the latest quarter fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Tom Kingsbury said sales remain soft for apparel and footwear. A day earlier, Kingsbury said he plans to step down as CEO in January. Ashley Buchanan, CEO of Michaels and a retail veteran, will replace him. Best Buy fell 4.9% after likewise falling short of analysts’ expectations. Dick’s Sporting Goods topped forecasts for the latest quarter thanks to a strong back-to-school season, but its stock lost an early gain to fall 1.4%. Still, more stocks rose in the S&P 500 than fell. J.M. Smucker had one of the biggest gains and climbed 5.7% after topping analysts’ expectations for the latest quarter. CEO Mark Smucker credited strength for its Uncrustables, Meow Mix, Café Bustelo and Jif brands. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up U.S. indexes. Gains of 3.2% for Amazon and 2.2% for Microsoft were the two strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. All told, the S&P 500 rose 34.26 points to 6,021.63. The Dow gained 123.74 to 44,860.31, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 119.46 to 19,174.30. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady following their big drop from a day before driven by relief following Trump’s pick for Treasury secretary. The yield on the 10-year Treasury inched up to 4.29% from 4.28% late Monday, but it’s still well below the 4.41% level where it ended last week. In the crypto market, bitcoin continued to pull back after topping $99,000 for the first time late last week. It’s since dipped back toward $91,000, according to CoinDesk. It’s a sharp turnaround from the bonanza that initially took over the crypto market following Trump’s election. That boom had also appeared to have spilled into some corners of the stock market. Strategists at Barclays Capital pointed to stocks of unprofitable companies, along with other areas that can be caught up in bursts of optimism by smaller-pocketed “retail” investors. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.Although the road ahead may be challenging and uncertain, one thing is clear: the young Fiorentina player's passion for football and his commitment to succeed will guide him through the darkest moments and lead him to new heights of achievement. As he takes his first steps towards a future in a different league, we can only watch in admiration and anticipation of the great things he will achieve in the days to come.

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of Microsoft 365 customers worldwide reported having issues with services like Outlook and Teams on Monday. In social media posts and comments on platforms like outage tracker Downdetector, some impacted said that they were having trouble seeing their emails, loading calendars or opening other Microsoft 365 applications such as Powerpoint. Microsoft acknowledged “an issue impacting users attempting to access Exchange Online or functionality within Microsoft Teams calendar” earlier in the day. In updates posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, the company’s status page said it identified a “recent change” that it believed to be behind the problem — and was working to revert it. Microsoft shared that it was deploying a fix — which, as of shortly before noon E.T., it said had reached about 98% of “affected environments.” Still, the company’s status page later added , targeted restarts were “progressing slower than anticipated for the majority of affected users.” As of midday Monday, Downdetector showed thousands of outage reports from users of Microsoft 365 , particularly Outlook .

As we reflect on the past 20 years of New Year celebrations with He Jiong and Wang Han, it is clear that their presence has become an integral part of this special holiday. They have witnessed the passage of time, the ups and downs of life, and the changing of seasons, yet their warmth and positivity have remained constant. They have evolved with the times, adapting to new trends and technologies, while staying true to their roots and values.

In response to the allegations, the company in question launched an internal investigation into the matter and issued a statement condemning any form of discrimination or harassment within the workplace. The company's HR department emphasized the importance of empathy and understanding towards employees facing personal hardships, reaffirming their commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment.

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Thiago Messi, the eldest son of the Argentina star, has made his debut in the “Newell’s Cup” tournament in the countryside city of Rosario. The 12-year-old Messi played with the No. 10 jersey of an Inter Miami youth team, which lost 1-0 on Monday to host Newell’s Old Boys in the traditional under-13 competition. The team also played Tuesday. Lionel Messi took his first steps as a footballer in the Argentinian club in Rosario, 300 kilometers (186 miles) northwest of capital Buenos Aires. Thiago's mother, Antonela Roccuzzo, and several members of his family, including grandparents Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini, were in the stands to watch him play. Lionel Messi did not attend. Thiago, who was substituted in the second half, played with his friend Benjamín Suárez, son of Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, Messi's teammate and close friend at Barcelona and now at Inter Miami. Story continues below video Messi and Suárez are in Rosario after Inter Miami’s early elimination in the MLS playoffs. On Sunday, they watched a friendly game of Inter Miami's U13 team against Unión at the same sports complex. The youth tournament in Argentina brings together eight teams from North and South America. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerNEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 26, 2024-- Better Home & Finance Holding Company (NASDAQ: BETR, BETRW) (“Better”), a leading digital homeownership company, today announced that senior management will host meetings at the following investor conferences: UBS Global Technology and AI Conference Date: December 3 - 5, 2024 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Wolfe Research Small and Mid-Cap Conference Date: December 5, 2024 Location: Virtual Benchmark Discovery One-On-One Investor Conference Date: December 11, 2024 Location: New York, NY About Better Since 2017, Better Home & Finance Holding Company (NASDAQ: BETR; BETRW) has leveraged its industry-leading technology platform, TinmanTM, to fund more than $100 billion in mortgage volume. TinmanTM allows customers to see their rate options in seconds, get pre-approved in minutes, lock in rates and close their loan in as little as three weeks. Better’s mortgage offerings include GSE-conforming mortgage loans, FHA and VA loans, and jumbo mortgage loans. Better launched its “One Day Mortgage” program in January 2023, which allows eligible customers to go from click to Commitment Letter within 24 hours. Better was named Best Online Mortgage Lender by Forbes and Best Mortgage Lender for Affordability by WSJ in 2023, ranked #1 on LinkedIn’s Top Startups List for 2021 and 2020, #1 on Fortune’s Best Small and Medium Workplaces in New York, #15 on CNBC’s Disruptor 50 2020 list, and was listed on Forbes FinTech 50 for 2020. Better serves customers in all 50 US states and the United Kingdom. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126685898/en/ For investor relations inquiries, please emailir@better.com KEYWORD: ARIZONA NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY FINANCE BANKING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TECHNOLOGY FINTECH RESIDENTIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE SOURCE: Better Home & Finance Holding Company Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/26/2024 05:30 PM/DISC: 11/26/2024 05:28 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126685898/en

In conclusion, the case of Bu and the male master's student is a reminder of the thin line that separates compassion from complicity and the importance of upholding the principles of justice and accountability. As the investigation moves forward and more details come to light, it is crucial that all parties involved be held accountable for their actions. Only then can justice be served, and the truth be brought to light in this troubling and contentious case.

Looking ahead, the future trajectory of gold prices remains uncertain, with various factors such as economic data, geopolitical events, and central bank policies influencing market dynamics. As investors and consumers monitor developments in the gold market, one thing is clear: the allure of gold as a timeless and valuable asset endures, transcending fluctuations in prices and market conditions.

One of the key highlights of the latest index report is the resilience demonstrated by Chinese enterprises in the face of challenges and uncertainties. Despite the impact of the global pandemic and other external factors, businesses in China have shown remarkable adaptability and determination to navigate through the tough times. This resilience is reflected in the stable credit performance and overall confidence levels of enterprises across different sectors.

UTAH VALLEY 77, WEST GEORGIA 74The England and Black Caps test teams will honour the late Martin Crowe and Graham Thorpe with a trophy named in the pair’s honour. The Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, a collaboration between NZC, the ECB, and the families of each player, will be unveiled on the morning of the first test against England in Christchurch next Thursday. Both were hugely successful test batsmen in their time: Crowe averaging 45.36 and posting 17 centuries with a highest score of 299, and Thorpe averaging 44.66 with 16 centuries and a highest score of 200 not out – against New Zealand in 2002. The Crowe-Thorpe Test Cricket trophy carved by David Ngawati. Photo / Photosport Made from wood sourced from a bat from each player, the trophy is designed by David Ngawati of Mahu Creative and will be played for in future New Zealand-England Test series. David was the craftsman who designed the Tangiwai Shield, for New Zealand v South Africa Tests, last summer. The bat gifted by the Thorpe family (a Kookaburra) is the one with which Graham scored his first two centuries against New Zealand, in consecutive Tests in 1997, while the one donated by the Crowe family was the GM with which Martin scored his century at Lord’s in 1994. Graham Thorpe raises his bat during the test win over the Black Caps in 2002. Photo / Photosport New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Scott Weenink said it was fitting the stories and memories of both players would be kept alive through the newly named trophy. “Today’s generation of players are standing on the shoulders of those who went before them, players like Graham and Martin,” said Weenink. “It’s good that we recognise this and respect their legacy. “Both those players were seriously good batsmen who understood the game intimately - they commanded respect wherever they went.” Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said: “Martin and Graham are two legends of the game, and it is fitting that Test series between our two men’s sides will now be contested in their name. “It’s heart-breaking to have lost both men so early, but by honouring them in this way I hope we can help ensure the memories and legacies of two of our nations’ finest cricketers live on long into the future.” Thorpe, who debuted in 1993 and played 100 tests, was a constant needle in the side of the New Zealand teams, against whom he scored four centuries and averaged 53. He died earlier this year, aged 55. Crowe scored five centuries against England, including 142 at Lord’s in his last visit. He died in 2016, aged 53. The Crowe-Thorpe Trophy will be unveiled by Deb Crowe (Martin’s sister) and former England Test captain Michael Atherton on the ground ahead of the national anthems on Thursday.Design and Display: