Author: LoveWorld UK

Banks that want to close an account over reputational risks will have to make the reasoning “specifically clear” to the customer, the government said on Monday. It’s part of the planned regulatory change to make it harder for payment service providers to de-bank customers for primarily commercial reasons. The plan was first announced in July after broadcaster and former Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage found out that his account with private bank Coutts had been closed because the bank’s Wealth Reputational Risk Committee decided his publicly-stated views were at odds with the bank’s “position as an inclusive organisation.” Mr. Farage wasn’t told…

HEALTH SECRETARY PLANS TO BRING BACK ‘SEX-SPECIFIC LANGUAGE’ TO NHS Women’s rights being increasingly sidelined Transgender women will be banned from being treated in female hospital wards in England, under new proposals suggested by the health secretary. In his conference speech, Steve Barclay will reportedly announce plans to push back against what he calls “wokery” in the NHS, which he says has led to women’s rights being increasingly sidelined. Speaking to reporters, Mr Barclay said: “We need a common-sense approach to sex and equality issues in the NHS. That is why I am announcing proposals for clearer rights for patients.”…

A top federal official who oversees the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) responded to criticisms about a highly controversial COVID-19 vaccine rule that the federal government issued in late 2021 and insisted that his agency didn’t pressure private companies after the Supreme Court rejected the mandate. House Republicans during a Sept. 27 hearing criticized the agency for the emergency rule that was announced by President Joe Biden in late 2021, saying that tens of millions of private-sector workers would have been impacted. Ultimately, in early 2022, the Supreme Court blocked the administration from enforcing the mandate. The federal vaccine…

FOOD PRICES FALL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO YEARS Food inflation is at 6.2% for September Food prices have fallen for the first time in more than two years after “fierce” competition between supermarkets to bring down shopping bills, according to an industry lobby group.  The British Retail Consortium says food inflation is at 6.2% for September, down from 6.9% in August.  This is below the three-month average rate of 6.8%.  One thing to bear in mind here is that these figures come to us from an industry lobby group – an organisation that is paid for by its…

EXTREME DISRUPTION AS NHS STRIKE ENTERS THE SECOND DAY NHS England says non-emergency care to a near standstill The NHS has warned it is facing “extreme” disruption as junior doctors and consultants walk out on the second of a three-day strike that brings staffing levels to “Christmas Day levels”.  The strikers insist staffing is at a safe level to provide care, while NHS England says non-emergency care to a “near standstill”. We’re expecting to see a big rally outside the Tory party conference in Manchester today and other picket lines across the country, and we’ll bring you any updates we…

The effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions such as lockdown and social distancing was “weak,” according to an official report. Last Wednesday, the UK Health Security Agency released a report which said that the evidence base for the effectiveness of NPIs, such as lockdown, social distancing, test and isolation, masks, the “rule of 6,” travel and border restrictions and more, was “weak.” NPI, also known as “public health and social measures,” is any public health intervention not primarily based on medication. Lack of Strong Evidence The report looked at a total of 151 studies reporting on the effectiveness of NPIs implemented in the community…

HOUSE PRICES UNCHANGED IN SEPTEMBER, SAYS NATIONWIDE After interest rate pause and summer slowdown The sharp decline in house prices took a pause for breath last month, according to a closely-watched report. Nationwide said prices were unchanged in September compared to the previous month. The lender had reported a 0.8% fall in August. It meant that prices were still 5.3% lower than a year earlier, equalling the biggest annual drop since 2009. Nationwide’s monthly index reflected the conclusion of the typical summer holiday slump in housing market activity and was the first reading of conditions since the Bank of England’s…

NATIONAL LIVING WAGE SET TO INCREASE – Wage to rise  to at least £11 an hour The national living wage is set to increase to at least £11 an hour from next April, the chancellor is to confirm. In a speech to the Conservative Party conference, Jeremy Hunt is expected to say the move will benefit two million of the lowest-paid workers. He will also say he intends to toughen sanctions for people on benefits who do not take steps to find work. It comes as the government is under pressure from some Tories to cut taxes. The national living…

Liverpool have released a scathing statement calling for a wide‑ranging review into how an error by the video assistant referee prevented them from scoring in their 2-1 defeat at Tottenham on Saturday. The Anfield club also warned they would “explore the range of options available” following the VAR controversy and made it clear that “sporting integrity” had been undermined. The referees’ body, Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) admitted VAR officials Darren England and Dan Cook failed to act after Luis Díaz’s 34th-minute strike at Tottenham was wrongly ruled out for offside. Still images of the incident showed Cristian Romero playing Díaz onside.…

The Supreme Court may spend much of its upcoming term, which begins next week, scaling back the power of the government, panelists said at a think tank chat on Sept. 28. Along the way, the nation’s highest court may get pulled into the various criminal prosecutions of former President Donald Trump and may also have to rule on whether he is eligible to seek a new term of office despite the controversial allegation that he participated in an insurrection against the government. The panel discussion was hosted by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), a conservative think tank, and the C.…