Motorists can now compare petrol and diesel prices on Google Maps
Google Maps now displays near-real-time UK petrol and diesel prices using the Government’s Fuel Finder data, helping drivers compare nearby forecourts.
Charlotte Mercer · 2 min readLatest in Cost of Living
G7 agrees immediate release of 100 MILLION barrels from emergency reserves as fuel-price crisis deepens
G7 countries have agreed an immediate coordinated release of 100 million barrels of emergency petroleum reserves over four months, including a front-loaded diesel release within the first 20 days.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readUK inflation rises to 3.1% as petrol and diesel prices drive renewed increase
UK CPI inflation rose from 2.9% to 3.1% in August as higher petrol, diesel and air fares pushed up prices, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readGovernment promises State Pension-only retirees will not pay income tax as payments head above threshold
Downing Street says pensioners whose only income is the basic or new State Pension will not pay income tax on it during this Parliament, as the full new pension heads above the Personal Allowance.
Charlotte Mercer · 4 min readReform pledges £15,000 tax-free allowance in first Budget as Jenrick promises £500 saving
Reform UK has pledged to raise the income tax personal allowance from £12,570 to £15,000 within its first 100 days in government, with the party saying most taxpayers would save around £500 a year.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readGovernment closes school-uniform loopholes as ministers threaten action over branded-item cap
The Government has tightened school-uniform rules to stop schools circumventing new limits on compulsory branded clothing and PE kit, with ministers warning they can intervene where policies breach the requirements.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readBurnham Government launches taskforce examining public control of water, energy, housing and transport
The Burnham Government has launched a cross-government taskforce to examine greater public control across housing, water, energy and transport, while stressing that detailed ownership models and any nationalisation plans have not yet been decided.
Charlotte Mercer · 5 min readFree school meals expanded to more than three million children as school-cost package takes effect
More than three million children from Universal Credit families are now eligible for free school meals as the Government rolls out a wider package of breakfast clubs, childcare and school-cost support.
Daniel Whitmore · 4 min readStudent loan interest capped at 6% as new rules take effect
A government cap preventing Plan 2 and Plan 3 student-loan interest rates from exceeding 6% has taken effect for the 2026/27 academic year, with ministers citing the risk of inflationary shocks linked to conflict in the Middle East.
Charlotte Mercer · 4 min readMike Ashley launches extraordinary attack on Burnham’s high-street strategy, branding key tax proposal ‘delusional’
Mike Ashley has launched a fierce attack on Andy Burnham's high-street strategy, branding parts of the Government's business-rates approach ‘delusional’ and calling for urgent action on retail costs and shoplifting.
Daniel Whitmore · 5 min readEnergy price cap jumps 4% despite Burnham’s electricity VAT cut
Household energy bills are set to rise again from October after Ofgem increased its price cap by 4% to £1,723, despite the Government removing VAT from domestic electricity.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readBurnham unveils £9.58bn housing package as first wave tests council housebuilding pledge
The Government has allocated £9.58 billion to 33 strategic housing partners for 73,600 homes, as scrutiny turns to Andy Burnham's pledge to revive council housebuilding.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readBurnham warns of 'challenging' finances as he refuses to rule out Budget tax rises
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has refused to rule out tax rises in the October Budget as he warned that Britain's public finances are in a challenging position.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readGovernment launches review to make pub and hotel business rates 'fairer'
The Treasury has launched an independent review of business rates valuations for pubs and hotels, but any resulting changes are expected to feed into the 2029 revaluation.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readUK Economy Grows by 0.4% but Autumn Slowdown Threatens Burnham
Britain’s economy grew by 0.4% between April and June, but the Bank of England expects underlying growth to slow to around zero as renewed Middle East conflict, higher energy costs and Budget uncertainty test Andy Burnham’s new government.
Charlotte Mercer · 5 min readHouseholds Near New Pylons Offered Up to £2,500 Off Electricity Bills
Households within 500 metres of eligible new electricity transmission infrastructure could receive £250 a year off their electricity bills for ten years, with 43 expected projects named across England, Scotland and Wales.
Charlotte Mercer · 5 min readAndy Burnham Begins UK ‘Listening Tour’ Focused on Cost of Living and High Streets
Prime Minister Andy Burnham will begin a month-long tour of the UK on Monday, promising to listen to communities and announce further measures addressing living costs, consumer practices and struggling high streets.
Charlotte Mercer · 5 min readRayner Approves Brick Lane Data Centre Despite Calls for Housing-Led Truman Brewery Scheme
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has approved a data centre and wider redevelopment around Brick Lane despite demands for a housing-led future for the former Truman Brewery estate.
Charlotte Mercer · 5 min readTreasury Confirms Budget Will Take Place on 28 October 2026
Chancellor John Healey will present the Government's next Budget on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, alongside a new economic and fiscal forecast from the OBR.
Charlotte Mercer · 1 min readEducation Secretary Lucy Powell Says Student Loan Reform Is 'Top of My In-Tray'
Education Secretary Lucy Powell has said reviewing England's student loan system is "at the top of my in-tray", describing the current system as needing reform while stressing that no decisions have yet been made.
Staff member · 2 min readRayner Rules Out Rent Freeze as Part of Burnham's Cost of Living Plan
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has ruled out freezing rents as part of Andy Burnham's cost of living measures, telling BBC Breakfast the government would not be pursuing rent controls.
Staff member · 3 min readBurnham Announces 20% Business Rates Cut for Pubs, Clubs and Live Music Venues
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a 20% cut in business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues in England, with the Government saying nearly 32,000 businesses will benefit from the new relief scheme.
Staff member · 2 min read