Reeves ‘plots tax raid on landlords’ to help plug Budget black hole

Rachel Reeves is reportedly plotting a tax raid on landlords in an attempt to plug the up to £40billion blackhole in the nation’s finances.

The chancellor is considering raising taxes for landlords in her next budget by applying national insurance (NI) to rental income, arguing the move would target “unearned income”, according to reports.

The plans aim to make the Treasury £2 billion, as it attempts to avoid breaking the chancellor’s “red lines” outlined before the general election, which included not increasing VAT, income tax or national insurance.

Currently, NI contributions do not have to be paid on most earnings from property, pensions and savings, while employees with other forms of income are hit with the 8 per cent levy.

But sources have told The Times that NI contributions could now be levied on rental income in what would be “a significant potential extra source of funds” at a time when Ms Reeves is under a multitude of financial pressures, including rising borrowing costs.

According to analysis by the newspaper, an extra 8 per cent levy on net property income would have generated £2.18 billion in 2022-23.

Ms Reeves’ allies argue the policy would not involve breaking any red lines because the rate of national insurance would not be hiked, merely the earnings to which it is applied.

However, critics warn that landlords might sell up if the chancellor goes ahead with the plans, which, in turn, could restrict the lettings market and push up rents.

But supporters say more renters would be able to get on to the property ladder if landlords were to sell up and release stock into the market. They add that the government’s proposed Renters’ Rights Bill would provide further protections to tenants.

Adam Corlett, principal economist at the Resolution Foundation, which proposed the policy in the run-up to Ms Reeves’ first budget, said: “With tax rises clearly coming this autumn, the chancellor should use this as an opportunity to make the tax system fairer and more efficient.

“One way to achieve this is to ensure different forms of income are taxed at the same rate, for example, by levying national insurance on income from rental properties. After all, there’s no good reason why landlords should face lower tax rates than their tenants.”

A Treasury spokesperson did not comment directly on The Times’ reports.

However, they did tell the newspaper: “As set out in the Plan for Change, 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 £6.8 billion and cut borrowing by £3.4 billion.

“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.”

The Independent has approached the Treasury for further comment.

Trump briefed on post-war Gaza by Tony Blair and Jared Kushner

President Donald Trump was being briefed Wednesday on ideas for a post-war Gaza by his son-in-law and former Middle East envoy, Jared Kushner, and Tony Blair, the former British prime minister, according to reports.

Kushner and Blair met with the president to discuss what to do with the devastated enclave, which is currently facing a famine after three years of war started by the October 7, 2023 terror attacks by Hamas, Axios reported.

Trump, Blair and Kushner were discussing all aspects of the Gaza issue, including escalating food aid deliveries, the hostage crisis, post-war plans and more, White House officials told Reuters.

Trump has previously suggested an American takeover of the strip using U.S. troops as a way to bring an end to the war and satisfy Israeli demands that neither Hamas nor the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority have any say in Gaza governance.

Trump in February also posted an AI-generated video depicting a post-war Gaza as a lavish tourist destination.

During a February press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said Palestinians could be relocated to one large or multiple smaller sites that would be constructed and funded by “neighboring countries of great wealth” and located in “other countries of interest with humanitarian hearts.”

“It’s been very unlucky,” he continued. “It’s been an unlucky place for a long time. Being in its presence just has not been good, and it should not go through a process of rebuilding and occupation by the same people that have really stood there and fought for it and lived there and died there and lived a miserable existence there.”

Pressed on what authority would permit the United States to take over Gaza — which is considered occupied territory under international law — Trump replied that he saw the United States taking “a long-term ownership position” that would bring “great stability to the Middle East” region. He also said the US could send troops to Gaza to accomplish this.

“Everybody I’ve spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land, developing and creating thousands of jobs with something that will be magnificent — in a really magnificent area,” he said.

The comments drew widespread criticism around the world, with Saudi Arabia saying it “unequivocally rejected” the forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, and Hamas branding the idea “ridiculous and absurd”.

Trump later appeared to back down from his plan to take over Gaza, but on Tuesday his roving special envoy, Steve Witkoff, told Fox News that the administration was formulating a “very comprehensive plan” on “the next day” in Gaza.

“Many people are going to see how robust it is and how well meaning it is and it reflects President Trump’s humanitarian motives here,” he said.

Axios has also reported Witkoff as having met with Blair last month when Netanyahu visited with Trump at the White House.

The former Labour prime minister later met with Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas to discuss what he’d talked about with Witkoff, while Kushner separately briefed Netanyahu.

Critics of Netanyahu accuse him of prolonging the war for political reasons. Netanyahu blames Hamas, which still holds around 20 living hostages, and says criticism of Israel’s wartime conduct is only making the militant group more intransigent.

Trump says he wants the war to end and the hostages to come home. But Witkoff walked away from ceasefire talks last month, blaming Hamas, and the president has exerted no public pressure on Israel to change course since it ended a ceasefire in March that he helped broker.

Meanwhile, a United Nations official told the Associated Press Wednesday that if Israel’s military goes ahead with a planned offensive in Gaza City, then “all hope is gone that we’re ever going to see the end to this.”

But Israel says the evacuation of Gaza’s most populated city is “inevitable,” adding to international alarm for hundreds of thousands of people there as famine — documented and declared — threatens to spread after 22 months of war.

“You’ve got a population that’s living in abject fear, in abject cruelty, abject humiliation, that has no control whatsoever over their day-to-day, their minute-to minute lives,” said Sam Rose, the acting director of Gaza operations for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. “Just think for a minute about what that means for any human being, but what it means for parents, what it means for children who’ve grown up knowing nothing but this.”

— with Associated Press

CEO used charity as a ‘front’ for offering illegal immigration advice

A disability charity allowed its CEO to continue in her role despite her criminal convictions, which included offering illegal immigration advice.

An official report from the Charity Commission found that four trustees at the Organisation of Blind Africans and Caribbeans (OBAC) were responsible for serious failings after allowing Ibukun Olashore to continue in her role.

She was initially charged in March 2021 and was convicted in 2022 for conspiracy to do an act to facilitate to commission of breach of UK immigration law by a non-UK national, and of conspiracy to possess identity documents with intent.

During her sentencing, the judge concluded that the charity had been used “as a front”, and that the evidence showed she was “using OBAC as a way of disguising her dishonest activities and potentially finding people with whom she could take money”.

As a result, she was automatically disqualified from being a charity trustee or holding a senior management position within a charitable organisation.

Despite this, an inquiry has found that the trustees failed to take any steps to address the matter, such as suspend Olashore or carry out an internal investigation.

The charity, which also provided education and training advice, was found to have been exposed to the risk of a criminal conviction by continuing to offer immigration services, despite the Immigration Advice Authority rejecting their application in July 2022.

They were found to have “insufficient oversight” of the charity, allowing it to be used as a vehicle for criminal activity, and had no knowledge of the lease terms after their offices were sublet.

Several serious incidents were also not reported, which included the CEO’s conviction, a break-in, and threats made to staff by a beneficiary. In attempting to secure information and cooperation from the trustees, the Commission said it has “repeatedly met with difficulties”.

This amounted to serious misconduct, with the four most recently serving trustees all disqualified. Ruth Bishop, Diib Jama, and Rasheed Bello have been disqualified for five years, while Dwight Watson has been disqualified for three years.

Olashore has been disqualified indefinitely, while the charity has now been removed from the public register and has been struck off by Companies House.

Amy Spiller, Head of Investigations at the Charity Commission, said: “We expect anyone running a charity to do so honestly, and with integrity. To use a charity as a cover for criminal activity is wholly unacceptable and an abuse of trust. By allowing this to continue, the charity’s trustees have also abused the trust placed in them and failed to uphold their legal duties.

“The Commission will always take robust action if a charity is misused. We do this to prevent further harm and ensure that trust in the wider sector is protected. It was proportionate in this case to disqualify four trustees, all of whom failed to meaningfully engage with our inquiry.”

Tommy Robinson won’t be charged over alleged St Pancras assault

Tommy Robinson will not be charged over an alleged assault at St Pancras railway station last month.

The British Transport Police said the Crown Prosecution Service concluded “there was not a realistic prospect of conviction.”

Police said that following an investigation, the alleged victim “did not wish to provide a statement to the investigation.”

Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was arrested at Luton airport on Monday 4 August, after leaving for Tenerife during the early hours following the incident on 28 July.

Video footage on social media showed the far-right activist walking back and forth near a motionless man lying on floor, near the escalator down to the Thameslink line.

The footage does not show how the man came to be hurt. However, Robinson appears to say: “He f***ing came at me, bruv,” before walking away down a set of stairs.

The activist said in a lengthy video on social media that he acted in self-defence after a man physically confronted him.

He urged the police to share the CCTV footage of what happened.

A statement from the force said: “Following a report of an assault at St Pancras station on 28 July, detectives from BTP quickly launched a full and thorough investigation, which involved a 42-year-old man being arrested on suspicion of GBH at Luton Airport on 4 August,” British Transport Police said.

“Officers worked at pace to gather evidence, including CCTV footage and witness statements, however the victim did not wish to provide a statement to the investigation.

“We presented the prosecution file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) – who are responsible for considering the evidence available and deciding whether it meets the legal threshold to charge someone with an offence.

“Following a review of the available evidence, the CPS concluded that there was not a realistic prospect of conviction and therefore there would be no criminal charges in this case.”

Fertility rate plummets to record low – this is how we compare with the rest of the world

The fertility rate for England and Wales has plummeted to a record low after falling for three consecutive years, data from the Office for National Statistics reveals, with births barely outpacing deaths.

The total fertility rate – defined as the average number of children women would expect to have across their childbearing life – stood at 1.41 in 2024, down from 1.42 in 2023 and the lowest since records began in 1938.

Natural population growth has been in decline for years, with deaths expected to overtake births from 2030. But migration into England and Wales has offset an otherwise-decreasing population, which means that the population grew by around 706,000 in the year to mid-2024. The number of births last year actually increased slightly, from 591,072 to 594,677. But overall population growth meant that fertility rates still fell.

The data revealed significant variation in fertility rates across different parts of England and Wales — Luton having the highest (2.0) and City of London the lowest (0.32). But all areas have a below-stable fertility rate, when 2.1 is the level needed for the population to remain naturally stable over time.

Separate data also showed Scotland’s fertility dropped to a new low of 1.25 last year.

Though UK-wide fertility rates for last year have not yet been published, figures from the previous year reveal that they are dropping more than in any other G7 nation.

In 2023, the UK’s fertility rate was 1.44 children per woman, a 25 per cent fall since 2010. Other G7 countries, including Italy and Japan, have lower rates, but their decline has been more gradual than the UK’s.

Women in the UK are also having their first children at an older age. In 2000, the average first-time mother in England and Wales was a little over 26 years old on average. This has increased by three years, with the average woman now being over 29 when she has her first child.

In London, the average first-time mother is 31. The average age for those having a second child in the capital is 33.

Higher fertility areas are concentrated around Manchester, Birmingham and areas spread across southeast England. Central London authorities have some of the lowest fertility rates, hovering around one child per woman. Towards the outskirts, including Barking and Dagenham in the east, the average rate rises (1.99).

Many areas of the UK experienced a drop in fertility rates last year, with over half (185 out of 317) of local authorities facing a decline, and just one third seeing an increase.

Fertility rates in Maldon, Essex, fell from 1.59 to 1.37 in just one year. Birmingham, on the other hand, had one of the biggest rises, from 1.61 to 1.75 children per woman.

Earlier this year, an Ipsos poll for The Independent found that four in ten couples are putting off having children, with financial pressures being a top concern.

Rates have fallen behind the European Union, which might be of concern to Reform leader Nigel Farage, whose plan, announced this week, to slash migration and fast-track deportation could exacerbate dwindling fertility rates.

In February, Mr Farage pledged he would abolish the two-child benefit cap if his party came into power, as part of a “180-degree shift” to reverse low birth rates.

There were around 568,000 deaths in England and Wales last year, meaning that the population would have scarcely grown had it not been for net migration, which added 431,000 people in the same period.

A Reform spokesperson recently admitted to Politico that drastic cuts to immigration would require boosting birth rates to avoid a “population crisis”.

“To fix that population crisis, we’re trying to encourage British people already here to have kids,” a spokesperson told the online news site last week.

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

Davey to boycott King’s banquet for Trump over ‘horrifying’ Gaza war

Sir Ed Davey is set to boycott Donald Trump’s state banquet next month over accusations the US president has not used his power to end the “horrifying” war in Gaza.

The Liberal Democrat leader suggested the US president and Sir Keir Starmer were hoping to merely “close their eyes and wish this away” rather than act on the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaze Strip.

In an announcement that led the Tories to accuse him of “deep disrespect” to the King, Sir Ed confirmed on Wednesday that he would decline an invitation to the dinner, set to take place during Mr Trump’s state visit in mid-September.

Sir Ed said he and his wife Emily had “spent all summer thinking about this” and had “prayed about it”, before deciding it was “the one way” to send a message to both Mr Trump and Sir Keir.

He said: “There is no honour like an invitation from the King, and not to accept his invitation goes against all of our instincts.

“But I fear we could have a situation where Donald Trump comes to our country, is honoured with a lavish dinner at one of our finest palaces, yet no one reminds him that he has the power to stop the horrifying starvation and death in Gaza and get the hostages released.

“If Donald Trump tells Benjamin Netanyahu to stop this, it ends tomorrow. If Donald Trump uses his influence over Qatar and the other Gulf states that Hamas relies on, all the hostages could come home tomorrow.”

Mr Trump has offered mixed signals on Israel’s war in Gaza, calling for an end to the conflict and the “real starvation” in the territory while rejecting calls to recognise a Palestinian state and proposing to remove Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and redevelop it into the “Riviera of the Middle East”.

Meanwhile, the conflict continues, with the world’s leading authority on food security last week confirming Gaza City was suffering from a famine and Israel accused of killing five journalists and 15 others in a strike on a hospital in Gaza on Monday.

Sir Ed added: “Boycotting the banquet is the one way I can send a message to Donald Trump and Keir Starmer that they can’t close their eyes and wish this away.

“We have to speak up. They have to act. Donald Trump must act to end this humanitarian crisis.”

Mr Trump’s state visit, scheduled to take place between 17 and 19 September, is his second, making him one of the few world leaders to be invited for two state visits.

The honour is usually reserved for monarchs, with Queen Margrethe II of Denmark the last person to make a second state visit in 2000, although French president Raymond Poincare made two state visits in the early 20th century.

Details of Mr Trump’s visit are still to be announced, but it will not include an address to parliament as the Lords and Commons are not sitting while he is in the country.

The state visit follows a more low-key trip to Scotland in July, during which he hosted Sir Keir at his Turnberry golf course.

In response to Sir Ed’s announcement on Wednesday, shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said: “[This] is an act of deep disrespect to His Majesty the King.

“It shows appalling judgment. America is our closest ally and security partner, and the world’s biggest economy.

“Ed Davey has once again proved he is not a serious leader and more interested in pathetic gesture politics.”

Police slammed as more than 285,000 crimes were not recorded last year

More than 285,000 crimes went unrecorded by police last year, new research has found.

Watchdog His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) found 94.8 per cent of crimes were recorded by forces in England and Wales in the year to March 31,

While this is up from up from 80.5 per cent in 2014, the number of anti-social behaviour offences being officially documented were “unacceptably low”, HMICFRS said.

While it praised the increase, this still meant that more than 285,000 offences were not recorded.

The inspectorate said that forces should improve recording of crimes such as harassment, stalking and controlling or coercive behaviour, that disproportionately affect women and girls, and make up 37.9 per cent of unrecorded violent crime.

It said they must also improve the recording of offences linked to domestic abuse, crimes classed as anti-social behaviour, and crimes affecting vulnerable people.

The watchdog found that only 78 per cent of crimes on average are recorded within 24 hours, and stressed that officers should record offences at the earliest opportunity.

Sample cases audited between 2021 to 2025 showed that five forces recorded less than 40 per cent of crimes within 24 hours, while one only achieved 2.6 per cent and took more than a week to record most offences.

His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Roy Wilsher said: “For the public to have trust and confidence in policing, they need to know that when they report a crime, the police will record it accurately and without delay.

“Correctly recording these crimes means forces can quickly allocate cases and begin investigations promptly.

“Importantly, it also helps to make sure victims receive a better service, and access the support they may desperately need.

“We have seen marked improvements in the way forces record crimes, and a greater awareness and understanding of its importance.

“I am particularly pleased with the way forces have taken action to implement our recommendations from previous inspections.

“However, there is still more to do. There remains much difference between forces in how well they record crime.

“For example, violent crimes still aren’t being recorded well enough and the level of crime reporting related to antisocial behaviour remains unacceptably low.”

Data from an audit period between 2021 and 2025 suggested that only 51.9 per cent of crimes classed as anti-social behaviour targeting a specific individual or group were recorded.

The report said: “This level of crime recording is unacceptably low, and it means victims remain at risk of harm.”

For violent crime, 93.6 per cent of offences were recorded, ranging between a top rate of 98 per cent for one force and less than 90 per cent for two forces.

Inspectors said that officers should make sure they properly record unconfirmed reports of rape. Of the samples reviewed between 2021 to 2025, the correct procedure was used in less than 70 per cent of cases.

Overall, between 2023 and 2025, police recorded 95.9 per cent of sexual offences – the highest rate was two forces that recorded 100% of such crimes in 2024, while the lowest was one that recorded 87% in 2023.

Over-recording was also an issue, with 2.3 per cent of offences unnecessarily documented, with some forces mistakenly taking a “just in case” approach, the report found.