US ‘hitwoman’ whose gun jammed during Birmingham assassination attempt jailed

An American woman disguised in a niqab whose gun jammed in a failed assassination plot has been jailed for 30 years.

Aimee Betro tried to shoot shop owner Sikander Ali at point-blank range outside his home in South Yardley, Birmingham, in September 2019.

Earlier this month jurors at Birmingham Crown Court found the 45-year-old graphic design and childhood education graduate guilty of conspiracy to murder, possessing a self-loading pistol and fraudulently evading the prohibition on importing ammunition.

Betro, who is originally from West Allis, Wisconsin, but lived in Armenia until earlier this year, took part in a plot orchestrated by co-conspirators Mohammed Aslam, 56, and his son Mohammed Nabil Nazir, 31, to attack a rival family.

Betro showed no emotion as Judge Simon Drew KC jailed her on Thursday for 30 years, with concurrent sentences of six years for possessing a firearm and two years for evading the prohibition.

He said: “You went beyond simply reaching an agreement to kill and, in reality, you did intend to kill Mr Ali. It is only a matter of chance that Mr Ali wasn’t killed. You were engaged in a complex, well-planned conspiracy to murder. You were prepared to pull the trigger and did so on two separate occasions.”

Betro’s three-week trial heard that she met Nazir online in late 2018 and then communicated with him on Snapchat before flying into the UK on Christmas Day. She told the court she slept with Nazir at an Airbnb in London before returning to the US in January 2019.

On a two-week follow-up visit in May 2019, Betro told the court she did not see Nazir, instead visiting a friend in Birmingham and staying at “someone’s house in the middle of England to take care of their dog”.

Records show that she landed at Manchester Airport on a flight from Atlanta on August 22 2019, 16 days before the attempted killing of Mr Ali.

Betro was caught on CCTV at and near the scene of her failed attempt to shoot Mr Ali, who fled in his car after her gun jammed. She had waited in a Mercedes car for around 45 minutes for Mr Ali to arrive, then used a “burner” phone to send Mr Ali’s father messages reading “Where are you hiding?” and “Stop playing hide and seek, you are lucky it jammed”.

Security camera footage also captured Betro’s return to the scene hours later, when she aimed three shots through two windows at Mr Ali’s family home. The damaged Mercedes was later found dumped, leading to the discovery of a black glove with Betro’s DNA on it.

Betro told the court she had flown into the UK to celebrate her 40th birthday and knew nothing of any shooting or plot by the time she returned to the US. She also claimed that the woman caught on CCTV wielding a gun and recorded booking taxis was “another American woman” known to Nazir, who had a similar voice and footwear.

Nazir was jailed for 32 years in November 2024 for offences including conspiracy to murder, and Aslam was sentenced to 10 years. The men, both from Derby, denied any wrongdoing but were convicted after a trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

Addressing Betro, Judge Drew said: “So far as you are concerned, clearly you had a leading role. I accept that Nazir recruited you, but you were the gunwoman. You were the person who was prepared to fire the gun. As a result, you showed that you were willing to carry out the killing yourself. Furthermore, this was a conspiracy to murder more than one person.”

Defending, Paul Lewis KC said Betro would find custody in the UK difficult, and he urged the judge to give her credit for the 198 days she had spent on remand in Armenia awaiting extradition before her trial.

He said: “She has apparently been a model prisoner on remand. She is likely to find incarceration particularly difficult because all her family and friends are in America and she has had very few visits except for her lawyers.”

Addressing Betro, Judge Drew said: “I take into account your antecedent history, your age, the fact that you will serve some or all of your sentence in a UK prison, far away from home, and the contents of your letter in which you express remorse for your actions.”

Experienced skydiver fell to her death after relationship ended

An experienced skydiver deliberately fell to her death from 15,500ft the day after her relationship ended, an inquest heard.

Jade Damarell, 32, did not deploy her main parachute or the reserve and switched off an automatic activation device (AAD) before she crashed onto farmland near the airfield at Shotton Colliery, County Durham, on April 27, the hearing was told.

The marketing manager left instructions on the lock screen of her phone on how to access the handset and left notes and details of her finances in its Notes folder, the inquest at Crook Civic Centre, County Durham, was told.

Coroner Leslie Hamilton gave a conclusion of suicide after finding that she had intended to take her own life that morning.

Ms Damarell, who was born in Hong Kong and lived in Caerphilly, Wales, loved skydiving and had completed more than 500 jumps.

The day before she died, she had completed six jumps safely and without issues.

Dr Hamilton summarised a statement from her former partner, which stated that “they had ended their relationship the night before”.

The coroner did not go into further detail, except to say that they had met through a shared love of skydiving.

Bryn Chaffe, co-owner of Sky-High Skydiving from where she jumped, gave a statement in which he said he saw Ms Damarrel eating toast in the base’s cafe before she jumped, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

A post-mortem found she died from blunt trauma injuries, and toxicological tests were negative for drink or drugs.

Her GP reported that she was not on medication at the time.

A report for the coroner by British Skydiving, which investigated her fatal freefall, found that all the equipment was in working order.

Ms Damarell would normally wear a camera on her helmet, but did not have one on when she fell, the organisation said.

She confirmed she had an AAD, which was designed to deploy a parachute if a certain speed or altitude was met, but it was later found she had switched it off.

She was aware that she had to deploy a parachute before her altitude dropped below 2,500ft, the inquest heard.

Detective Inspector Andrew Stephenson, of Durham Police, attended the scene and found Ms Damarell had landed on her back.

He later recovered Ms Damarell’s phone and found she had left instructions on its lock screen on how to open it and to look in its Notes folder.

The detective’s report said she left a note for her family “apologising and thanking them for their support”.

Dr Hamilton concluded that the “very experienced” skydiver chose not to deploy either of her parachutes or use the AAD and that she did intend to take her own life.

Jeff Montgomery, head of safety and training at British Skydiving, attended the hearing and said afterwards: “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jade Damarell and it is an extremely tragic incident.”

Her parents, Liz and Andrew Samuel, observed the hearing remotely.

After the inquest, her family said: “Our beloved daughter Jade was a brilliant, beautiful, brave and truly extraordinary person.

“A bright, adventurous, free spirit, she lived with immense energy, passion and love and touched countless lives with her warmth and kindness.”

If you are experiencing feelings of distress or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit http://988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to http://www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you

Man arrested for sharing Facebook posts backing Palestine Action

A man who shared posts on his Facebook page backing Palestine Action has told how he was hauled from his bed by police and arrested on suspicion of breaking terror laws in a terrifying dawn raid.

Mat Cobb, 52, a part-time cleaner, is now facing potentially life-changing criminal charges after becoming the latest member of the public to fall foul of the controversial decision to ban the direct-action group.

He told The Independent the arrest at his home in Hinckley, Leicestershire, had “totally blown my mind” after he was handcuffed and taken to a police station on Wednesday morning.

Mr Cobb, who has 2,200 followers on his Facebook page, said he had never attended a demonstration or been a member of Palestine Action – now a proscribed terrorist organisation.

His arrest comes after more than 500 peaceful protesters were arrested at a demonstration in Parliament Square earlier this month for holding placards supporting the group.

Shami Chakrabarti, a former shadow attorney general and civil liberties campaigner, said Mr Cobb’s arrest jeopardised public trust in policing and demonstrated the danger of the ongoing ban, which means showing support for the group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Palestine Action has won permission to challenge the law in the High Court.

The Labour peer added: “Dawn bedroom raids [like this] highlight the dangers of the ongoing proscription of Palestinian Action. Public trust and policing by consent are in jeopardy while we wait for higher courts to rule on the legality of the ban. Whatever advice informed the original proscription, the Home Secretary would be wise urgently to review it in the light of subsequent events.”

She previously warned that the ban risked becoming a “mistake of poll tax proportions” – a reference to Margaret Thatcher’s unpopular policy that triggered civil disobedience and riots.

Mr Cobb said two police officers had attended his address a week earlier, but he was away on holiday. They told his housemate there was nothing to worry about. He was still in bed when they returned at 7am on Wednesday. When his housemate answered the door, he said, they barged inside and burst into his bedroom, where he was arrested and handcuffed. Officers also seized his mobile phone.

“I heard my housemate answer the door, then some shouting, then running up the stairs and my housemate shouting ‘I’m sorry, Mat’, then they came in my room and told me I was under arrest and to put my hands where they can see them. Then they put me in handcuffs.”

He was taken to a police station in Leicester where he was put in a holding cell before he was searched, photographed, swabbed for DNA and had his fingerprints taken.

In a police interview, officers, who showed Mr Cobb a series of Facebook posts, said he was under investigation for supporting a proscribed terrorist organisation. He was released under investigation at around 1pm, after almost six hours in custody.

Mr Cobb described the decision to ban the group as a “terrifying development”, which he hopes will be overturned when Palestine Action founder Huda Ammori brings a judicial review this autumn.

“This is a matter of human rights – not just the right to free speech but the rights of Palestinians as they are being murdered,” he said. “For the government to respond to this protest by banning the group that’s protesting is a terrifying development.”

He told The Independent: “If they are going to proscribe non-violent people for protesting against mass murder, they are tyrants.”

The Home Secretary has continued to defend proscribing the direct-action group, repeating claims that an assessment found evidence of “ideas for further attacks” which cannot be reported due to ongoing legal proceedings.

“Many people may not yet know the reality of this organisation, but the assessments are very clear – this is not a non-violent organisation,” said Yvette Cooper. “UK national security and public safety must always be our top priority.”

A Leicestershire Police spokesperson said: “On Wednesday 20 August, police in Leicestershire made a pre-planned arrest in Hinckley as part of an ongoing investigation. A man has been arrested on suspicion of support for a proscribed organisation, under section 12 (1A) of the Terrorism Act 2000. He has been released under investigation while police continue to carry out enquiries.”

Trump suggests Kyiv needs to ‘fight back’ against Putin in fiery tirade

US president Donald Trump has suggested Ukraine should “fight back” to win against Russia in his latest fiery tirade on Truth Social, as he continues his attempts to broker peace between the warring nations.

He wrote: “It is very hard, if not impossible, to win a war without attacking an invaders country. It’s like a great team in sports that has a fantastic defense, but is not allowed to play offense. There is no chance of winning!”

Reflecting on the conflict, he accused former president Joe Biden of not allowing Ukraine to “FIGHT BACK, only DEFEND.

“How did that work out? Regardless, this is a war that would have NEVER happened if I were President – ZERO CHANCE”, he said, adding there were “Interesting times ahead!!!”

Mr Trump frequently criticises his predecessor over the handling of the Ukraine war, while Kyiv has attacked Russia, most notably when it launched a surprise operation in Kursk last year.

The outburst follows efforts to arrange a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. He met with the Russian leader in Alaska last week for the first time in seven years.

After a consultation with Zelensky on Monday, the Ukrainian president has said Kyiv wants an understanding of security guarantees in the next week, before bilateral and trilateral leaders meetings can take place.

Hurricane Erin live: New Jersey under state of emergency

Hurricane Erin has battered North Carolina‘s Outer Banks with strong winds and waves and is now moving north and out into the Atlantic.

The Category 2 storm continues to produce dangerous surf and rip currents along the East Coast and is expected to do so over the next few days, according to the National Hurricane Center. The hurricane, which is forecast to weaken and become a post-tropical storm over the weekend, is not predicted to make landfall in the U.S.

New Jersey officials have declared a state of emergency and advised residents to stay out of the water on Thursday and Friday due to “life-threatening” rip currents caused by the hurricane.

As Erin’s outer bands brushed the Outer Banks, water flooded the main route connecting the barrier islands and a few stilted homes perched precariously above the beach. More than 2,000 people were evacuated from Ocracoke Island by ferry, according to the governor’s office.

The hurricane formed on August 11 from a tropical wave that moved across the Cape Verde Islands and was upgraded on August 15, becoming one of the fastest-intensifying on record.

There are now three other areas of concern being watched in the Atlantic that could develop into tropical storm systems.

Summer escapes made easy: find your perfect sunbreak fuss-free

When it comes to booking your summer getaway, finding the perfect break can sometimes feel like a bit of a challenge. Whether it’s a fun-packed family holiday, a romantic couples trip, an activity-filled solo break or a group trip where you need to tick everyone’s travel boxes, there’s a lot to consider, and a vast range of options to choose from. So it can be tricky knowing where to start.

To make it easier to plan your perfect break, holiday experts Travel Republic have you covered, whether you’re researching dream destinations or making last-minute plans. With over 20 years of travel know-how, plus big-name airlines, top hotels and exciting attractions – they make booking your next great value getaway easy, affordable and totally stress free.

From trending destinations to incredible money-saving deals and travel ideas tailored to you, Travel Republic has everything you need to find and book your perfect trip. On top of all that, they offer flexible payment plans, super low deposits, are ATOL protected and offer all the holiday extras you need such as car hire, airport parking, transfers and travel insurance.

Ready for some travel inspo? Here’s our guide to four diverse, versatile destinations that offer it all: dreamy beaches, family entertainment, culinary delights, active adventure, and history and culture by the spadeful.

With over 6000 islands and islets, 200 of which are inhabited, not to mention a culture-rich mainland, Greece definitely has something for every type of traveller. For couples, friends and singles looking to party, head to the clubs and beach parties of Ios, Zante (Zakynthos) or Mykonos – enjoy the growing foodie scene in the pretty white-washed, streets of Mykonos Town, while adrenaline junkies will feel at home on the water, with kitesurfing, windsurfing, scuba diving and jet skiing on offer. For sandy beaches and calm waters, book into the islands of Rhodes or the family friendly Kos. If chilling on the beach is your priority, some of the world’s best can be found in Crete or Halkidiki – sporty types take note of the 13km scenic coastal cycling route. Or head to Faliraki with the kids for banana boat rides, snorkelling and splashing about at Faliraki Waterpark.

History lovers won’t want to leave Greece: explore the archeological wonder that is the Athens Acropolis, walk the capital’s charming old Plaka neighbourhood and stop at one of the many local cafes to enjoy souvlaki, moussaka and gyros. For another UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit the island of Corfu’s Old Town and submerge yourself in a world of Venetian cobbled streets, fortresses and tunnels.

Whether you want the perfect package holiday with breathtaking beaches, buzzing bazaars and cafes on your city break or a boutique stay to explore a multitude of ancient ruins, Turkey has a dream holiday for everyone.

Istanbul will keep every generation entertained: visit the impressive Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosques, go haggling in the Grand Bazaar, then grab a traditional pide (folded pizza) and a Turkish tea before making a trip to the array of castles and fortresses. There’s also a zoo, aquarium and entertainment parks.

Turkey has an abundance of historical sites, with many accessible from top beach resorts such as Side and Izmir. Head to the Dalaman region, often referred to as the Turquoise Coast in reference to the picture-perfect Blue Lagoon beach. Make the short journey from Daylan town to the magnificent ancient port city of Kaunos, which dates back to the 9th century BC and be sure to go turtle spotting at the neighbouring İztuzu Beach. Thrill seekers should head to the nearby resort of Fethiye, to spy its rugged scenery and historic sites from a paraglider. While Marmaris offers everything from parties and waterparks to romance. Head inland to Anatolia to experience the ‘fairy chimney’ rock formations of Cappadocia from the skies in a hot air balloon — a true bucket list experience.For resorts that offer a bit of everything, choose Bodrum and Antalya for everything from Roman ruins, bazaars and nightclubs to yacht-filled marinas, waterparks and pristine beaches. Lots to keep little ones entertained, and party goers busy while couples can enjoy luxe adult-only hotels.

From the Costas to the Canaries and Barcelona to the Balearics, Spain really does have it all. If it’s a city break you’re after, choose the cosmopolitan capital of Madrid: take in art at the impressive Prado Museum, stroll through the peaceful Royal Botanic Gardens and tour the famous Bernabeu Stadium, home to the mighty Real Madrid. Or if you like beach vibes with your culture, opt for the city of Barcelona. Visit the Gothic Quarter for breathtaking architecture, marvel at the iconic Sagrada Família and enjoy tapas and cava in the narrow streets of the El Born district – home to the Moco and Picasso museums.

For full-on beach action, stay on the mainland and choose between Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Costa Brava or the ‘Golden Coast’ of Costa Dorada. Here,Salou is a good option for those looking for buzzing restaurants and bars, active types keen on coastal walks, kayaking and snorkelling and kids keen to mix rollercoasters and waterparks at PortAventura theme park.

If you’re more about ‘island life’ there’s no shortage of options: head to Ibiza or Majorca for parties galore and secluded beaches with crystalline waters or opt for one of the equally idyllic Canaries. For a break that feels out of this world, choose volcanic island Lanzarote, which offers pristine white sand beaches across the island, including the main holiday resorts of Puerto del Carmen, Playa de los Pocillos, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca. The latter offers a wealth of bars and restaurants, waterparks, 5km promenade and lively marina with a daily market.

Dramatic coastlines with crystal clear waters, buzzing city life with pop-up restaurants and dolphin and whale watching for wildlife lovers are just some of what is on offer in Portugal, making it a must-visit for group and solo travellers alike. Head to the south coast for the holiday haven of the Algarve, home to some of Europe’s top beaches. There’s 30km of coastline to enjoy at Albufeira alone, peppered with beachfront family friendly and adult-only hotels. Be sure to explore the cobbled streets and palm tree-lined squares of the Old Town before settling down for local seafood specialities including the Cataplana stew. Want to get active? Hike the coastal Seven Hanging Valleys Trail for views of rock formations against the backdrop of turquoise waters. While nightlife lovers should head to the Algarve cities of Lagos and Faro for rooftop cocktails and tunes that play until the sun comes up.

For culture fans, head to capital city Lisbon for countless museums, galleries and beautiful historic buildings including the huge, Gothic Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lose yourself in the cobbled alleyways of the Old Town of Alfama and soak up the smells and tastes of Portuguese baking including the delicious Pastéis de Belém. Beach lovers worry not, you can have sand between your toes after a quick bus ride, while surf lovers can train it to Estoril or Cascais to catch some waves.

For more travel ideas, inspiration and great value getaways, visit Travel Republic

Labour haemorrhaging members under Sir Keir Starmer, figures show

Labour is haemorrhaging members under Sir Keir Starmer, with one in 10 quitting last year alone, official figures show.

Despite Sir Keir’s general election landslide, the party lost another 37,215 members in 2024, bringing the total Labour membership to just 333,235.

The figures show that more than a third of Labour members have left since membership peaked at 532,046 under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership in 2019.

The membership downturn comes amid growing criticism of the government’s stance on certain key issues, including Gaza, welfare and trans rights.

Despite the fall, Labour is still the UK’s largest party by membership, with a ticker on the website for Nigel Farage’s Reform claiming it has 234,460 paid-up supporters.

Meanwhile, a party headed by Mr Corbyn and ousted ex-Labour MP Zarah Sultana has seen more than 800,000 registrations of supporters since it was formally announced last month.

The Liberal Democrats suffered a slight fall in membership from 86,599 to 83,174 despite recording its best electoral results, while the Greens gained around 5,000 new members.

The Conservative Party does not routinely publish its membership figures in its annual accounts, but did record an increase in income from membership fees of around £500,000. Some 131,680 people were eligible to vote in the Tory leadership election last year, 40,000 fewer than in the 2022 contest.

Thursday’s accounts also showed both main parties reporting deficits for the year after the most expensive general election in British history.

Labour recorded a loss of £3.8m after spending £94.5m over the course of the year, while the Conservatives spent £52m and lost £1.9m.

Smaller parties fared better. The Liberal Democrats and Reform UK recorded surpluses of £1.1m and £1.5m respectively, and the Greens enjoyed a £232,457 surplus.

While most of the details were published by the Electoral Commission on Thursday, Labour’s figures were published on the party’s own website after it was late submitting its accounts to the watchdog.

It is understood that unforeseen administrative delays were responsible for the late submission, while a party spokesperson said they expected the Electoral Commission to publish the document “imminently”.

The Electoral Commission said Labour’s “failure to meet the submission deadline” would be “considered in line with our enforcement policy”.

Labour general secretary Hollie Ridley and treasurer Mike Payne said last year’s loss reflected “the need to respond at pace to shifting circumstances in the general election campaign”.

It follows a loss of £851,000 in 2023 and comes despite incomes from donations more than doubling to £39.4m.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives’ loss came as its income fell by more than £9m, including a reduction in income from donations.

Tory treasurer Catherine Latham said the party would now make “substantial investments in digital media infrastructure and staff and volunteer training” as it moved to create a “more dynamic and nimbler organisation”.

The Liberal Democrats reported £12.6m in income for 2024, while Reform UK reported £10.8m and the Greens £5.2m.

Rachel Reeves warned against cutting tax-free pension lump sum

Rachel Reeves has been warned that cutting the tax-free amount people can withdraw from their pension pots would be self-defeating and “hit responsible savers who have diligently put money aside”.

The chancellor will look at proposals by civil servants that could raise around £2bn by lowering the limit on how much people are allowed to take out of their pension without paying tax.

Currently, pensioners can take out a quarter of their pension pot tax-free, with a cap of £268,000. Lowering the level could bring in billions of pounds of additional tax revenue each year as the Treasury grapples with a black hole of as much as £50bn.

But Lisa Picardo, chief business officer at the pension platform PensionBee, said: “Such a cut would disproportionately hit responsible savers who have diligently put money aside. Savers already face shifting tax rules, so removing or altering this benefit would only add more uncertainty and make it harder for people to plan with confidence. This kind of policy shift risks punishing those who have played by the rules – it sends a signal that the goalposts can be moved after decisions have been made, further eroding trust in the pensions system,” she added.

And the former Liberal Democrat pensions minister Sir Steve Webb warned that any change to the tax-free lump sum allowance would be “hugely controversial”.

Sir Steve, a partner at pension consultants Lane Clark and Peacock, said: “For a chancellor needing money quickly, politically contentious changes which generate little short-term gain are not likely to be attractive.” He said the change would hit long-standing public servants in particular, who would be snared by any last-minute changes shortly before their retirement. If the move does go ahead, he said the chancellor must introduce a “transitional protection” for those who have built up lump sums over any new cap.

Andrew King, a retirement planning specialist at wealth manager Evelyn Partners, said the change would break a long-standing promise made to savers and could spark a move away from people making pension contributions as the benefits are eroded. This could leave them more reliant on the state when they retire, he warned.

“Let us also not forget that pension savers have been promised the ‘aspirational’ 25 per cent tax-free lump sum for many, many years, and many retirement goals would have been planned around this, such as the holiday of a lifetime, the purchase of a motorhome, new car or holiday home,” he said. “Reducing this would seem to be the breaking of a long-standing promise which would detrimentally affect people’s retirement plans.”

The Treasury did not rule out lowering the cap on the tax-free pension lump sum, but an official told The Daily Telegraph it was “unlikely”. A source told the paper that Ms Reeves might be forced to consider the move because of the huge sum she needs to find in this autumn’s Budget.

Leading economists have warned the chancellor that she must raise taxes or tear up her flagship borrowing rules to fill a £50bn black hole left by a combination of Labour U-turns, higher borrowing and sluggish economic growth.

The National Institute of Economic and Social Research, a leading economic think tank, said she could also look at spending cuts in the Budget to plug a £41.2bn shortfall in the targets set out by her own so-called fiscal rules. To restore an almost £10bn buffer in the current forecasts, the chancellor would therefore have to raise a total of £51.1bn, it warned.

Ms Reeves is also said to be considering hitting the owners of high-value properties with capital gains tax when they sell their homes as part of an attempt to make up the spending gap. She is said to be looking at ending the current exemption from capital gains tax for primary residences – a move that would be seen as a “mansion tax” – as she seeks ways to raise cash in the face of dire warnings about the state of public finances.

Speaking to the Telegraph, John Harvard, a consultant at the tax firm Blick Rothenberg, said: “Rachel Reeves has taken all her easy choices for increasing tax revenue off the table by sticking with her manifesto promises. But one option that remains open to her is targeting pension tax reliefs.”

Pensions minister Torsten Bell has previously suggested slashing the tax-free lump sum limit to £40,000.

The chancellor received a boost on Thursday when government borrowing slowed to a lower-than-expected £1.1bn in July. The Office for National Statistics said the figure, which was £2.3bn less than the same month a year earlier, is the lowest July borrowing figure for three years.

The announcement came after a rise in self-assessed income tax and national insurance payments helped increase tax receipts for the month.

Chief secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said: “Far too much taxpayer money is spent on interest payments for the longstanding national debt. That’s why we’re driving down government borrowing over the course of the parliament – so working people don’t have to foot the bill and we can invest in better schools, hospitals and services for working families.”

A Treasury spokesman said: “The best way to strengthen public finances is by growing the economy, which is our focus. Changes to tax and spend policy are not the only ways of doing this, as seen with our planning reforms, which are expected to grow the economy by £6.8bn and cut borrowing by £3.4bn. We are committed to keeping taxes for working people as low as possible, which is why at last autumn’s Budget, we protected working people’s payslips and kept our promise not to raise the basic, higher or additional rates of income tax, employee national insurance or VAT.”