
Reeves acknowledges voter disappointment amid fresh call for wealth tax
She said she is also 'impatient for change' but stressed that ministers cannot implement everything at once, highlighting her responsibility for financial prudence.
These remarks coincide with growing public concern over Sir Keir Starmer 's government, whose approval rating recently reached an all-time low.
Ms Reeves defended the government's tax policy, saying it has found the right balance despite the challenge of addressing public finance deficits.
The discussion follows former Labour shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds' call for a wealth tax, as recent polling indicates a significant perception of chaos within Sir Keir's administration.
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Daily Record
18 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Tighter reforms on who can own firearms keep us all safe
Labour today confirmed new laws that people will need two referees to apply to own a shotgun rather than one. In Scotland, we know only too well the catastrophic consequences of firearms falling into the hands of violent and unstable individuals. Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the Dunblane massacre, a shattering event which remains imprinted on the national psyche. It was in response to the tragedy that three mums got together to launch the Snowdrop campaign, which eventually led to the banning of all privately owned handguns in the UK in 1997. Many people assume those reforms were passed with cross-party support. They were not. The Tories at the time branded the ban on handguns as an attack on civil liberties. The reforms to gun licensing announced by Labour today are welcome. Gun ownership in the UK is not a right. It's in all our interests that those who own guns for legitimate purposes are fit and proper individuals. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Under the new laws, people will need two referees to apply to own a shotgun rather than one. Police will also be ordered to speak to partners and household members to identify signs of domestic abuse or any other factors which could indicate that the applicant isn't suitable to have a firearms licence. Campaigner Emma Ambler has been pushing for the change since her twin sister, Kelly Fitzgibbons, and her two nieces were murdered in 2020 by Kelly's partner with a legally-owned weapon, despite him being a domestic abuser. Guns are a fact of life in some professions. But those who use them must be scrutinised. And they must never, ever again fall in to the hands of evil killers like Thomas Hamilton. Reverse cop cuts The SNP swept to power in 2007 on a promise to protect police numbers. But now frontline cops claim staffing numbers are too low and the public are starting to feel the effects. Figures published today reveal that the overtime costs for officers have increased in the last year. With cops being drafted in to help with policing US President Trump's trip to Scotland, insiders believe the figure will rise again. In practice, this means our over-stretched police force is having to work longer hours to keep Scots safe. It means a tired workforce is being run ragged – to the detriment of everyone. SNP ministers must ensure that Police Scotland has the resources needed to do its job. Top of the list is reversing the cut to police officer numbers, which is coinciding with a rise in overtime. Police Scotland is another service that is at breaking point.


Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Cross-Channel migrants to be detained as France treaty comes into force
Sir Keir Starmer's 'one in, one out' deal to return Channel migrants to France will come into force on Tuesday, with detentions set to begin by the end of the week. The deal, which has now been approved by the European Commission, means the UK will be able to send people crossing the Channel in small boats back to France in exchange for asylum seekers with ties to Britain. It also means that anyone arriving in a small boat can be detained immediately, and space has been set aside at immigration removal centres in the expectation that detentions will begin within days. The Prime Minister said the ratification of the treaty will 'send a clear message – if you come here illegally on a small boat you will face being sent back to France'. But opposition parties have criticised the deal amid reports that the pilot scheme will see only 50 people a week returned to France while this year has seen a weekly average of more than 800 people make the crossing. The deal has also been criticised by refugee charities, which have urged the Government to provide more safe, legal routes for asylum seekers instead. Ministers have so far declined to say how many people could be returned under the deal, and insist that if the pilot is successful the figure will increase. Under the terms of the agreement, announced during French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit last month, adults arriving on small boats will face being returned to France if their asylum claim is inadmissible. In exchange, the same number of people will be able to come to the UK on a new legal route, provided they have not attempted a crossing before and subject to documentation and security checks. The Home Office said it had also learned from the 'lengthy legal challenges' over the previous government's Rwanda scheme and would 'robustly defend' any attempts to block removal through the courts. It is the first such deal with France, with the pilot scheme set to run until June 2026, pending a longer-term agreement. Sir Keir said the deal was 'The product of months of grown-up diplomacy delivering real results for British people'. He added: 'The days of gimmicks and broken promises are over – we will restore order to our borders with the seriousness and competence the British people deserve.' Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said it was 'an important step towards undermining the business model of the organised crime gangs that are behind these crossings – undermining their claims that those who travel to the UK illegally can't be returned to France'. Ratification of the deal comes as both Britain and France battle to bring the small boats problem under control, with 2025 on course to be a record year for crossings. Some 25,436 people have already made the journey this year, according to PA news agency analysis of Home Office figures – 49% higher than at the same point in 2024. The issue has also sparked concern that a series of protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers could lead to public disorder similar to last year's riots. On Monday, the Home Office announced it was providing another £100 million to tackle people smuggling and would introduce new powers to seize devices from people suspected of facilitating crossings. Ministers have also launched a crackdown on illegal working in an effort to reduce the 'pull factors' said to be encouraging people to make the journey, while French authorities have changed their guidance to allow police officers to intercept boats while they are in shallow waters. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp attacked the plans, saying they would return 'just 6% of illegal arrivals' and 'make no difference whatsoever'. He added: 'The Rwanda removals deterrent, under which 100% of illegal arrivals would be removed, was ready to go last summer but Labour cancelled it just days before it was due to start with no proper replacement plan. As a result, this year so far has been the worst ever for illegal immigrants crossing the Channel. 'Only removing all illegal immigrants upon arrival will provide the necessary deterrent to stop the crossings. This is the Conservative plan, but Labour is too weak to implement it and as a result they have lost control of our borders.' While the Conservatives' Rwanda plan was in theory uncapped, it was expected to take only around 1,000 asylum seekers in its first five years of operation thanks to limited capacity in the East African nation. The plan, which Sir Keir had previously dismissed as a 'gimmick', was scrapped as one of the first acts of the incoming Labour Government last year.


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Teeth whitening solution so 'effective' shoppers of all ages love it is 30% off
MySweetSmile, one of the UK's top teeth whitening brands - are offering deals and discounts on their products for a limited time only Keeping your oral health in check is pretty crucial for maintaining a sparkling smile with healthy gums and fresh breath. However, like anything else, looking for top quality dental products can quickly become costly and with a plethora of options available, consumers can find it challenging to determine which products are truly worth their cost. MySweetSmile is one of the few brands that comes highly recommended - bagging awards and touted as the UK's top teeth whitening brand. Now, they're marking five years of business by offering a host of deals to say thanks to their customers - both new and existing. To kick things off, they're offering 30% off all products, including a complimentary mystery flavour toothpaste - either mint, strawberry or mango for customers. Alongside the toothpaste, shoppers can also take note of the brand's buy two get one free deal on all products and free two-day delivery on orders over £20 for UK-based shoppers. Lisa Snowdon loves this hair serum that's 'must have for hair loss' and hails 'crazy' results 'I lost 4 stone in a year but still eat takeaways by changing just two things' No codes are required as all offers are automatically applied at checkout and the offers are available site-wide from July 31 to August 7th. Customers can select from options such as the Teeth Whitening Powder, now priced at £20.99, down from £29.99. This product is touted as being clinically proven and dentist-approved, capable of lifting deep-set stains and preventing new ones from forming without resorting to harsh peroxides, causing sensitivity or damaging enamel. To celebrate their fifth year, MySweetSmile have a range of deals £29.99 £20.99 MySweetSmile Buy here Product Description The Teeth Whitening Strips are also available for £20.99, reduced from £29.99, offering easy-to-use, non-slip strips that deliver quick results without harming enamel, reports the Manchester Evening News. The Precision Teeth Whitening Pen has also been reduced by the brand's 30% discount. Its fine brush tip allows customers to apply the formula precisely where needed. Plus, it doesn't use any peroxide, meaning there should be no sensitivity caused to teeth. For customers with damaged or sensitive enamel, the Enamel Care Serum could be an ideal choice. It targets the root cause of sensitivity by repairing and strengthening the enamel. For optimal results, customers simply follow their regular night-time brushing routine before applying the serum, dispense two to three pumps onto their toothbrush, brush for two minutes and spit out any excess. Sensitive gums are a widespread concern, but now there's a solution with the Gum Serum from MySweetSmile, infused with hyaluronic acid for hydration, soothing inflammation and fortifying gum tissue. It's recommended to use after your usual toothbrushing routine, by applying two pumps onto the tongue and then spreading it across the gums before allowing it to work its magic for two minutes. Not all products suit everyone, and if this isn't the right fit, there are other options available. Take the Rapid White - Blue Light Tooth Whitening System, retailing at £23.33 from Boots, which promises to lighten teeth up to five shades in just two weeks and is designed with sensitive teeth in mind, being peroxide-free. Alternatively, the Spotlight Whitening Teeth Whitening Pen, priced at £14.95 from Lookfantastic, offers an easy-to-use pen that provides professional-level whitening at home and helps reduce stains for a more radiant smile. Feedback on the MySweetSmile website has been overwhelmingly positive, with one satisfied customer, Margaret, aged 63, exclaiming about the Teeth Whitening Powder: "I always thought my yellow teeth were just part of ageing, but after just a few uses of MySweetSmile, I can't stop smiling at the mirror. My teeth feel so much cleaner and brighter-it's like I've turned back the clock on my smile!". Another user called Emily, aged 39, revealed: "I was sceptical at first, but this really works. My teeth looked dull and yellow no matter how much I brushed, but now they're sparkling clean and bright. The compliments haven't stopped, and I feel so much more confident!". Tom, 34, commented on the Teeth Whitening Strips: "I'm always running around with work and barely have time for self-care. These strips fit perfectly into my busy routine, and the results are incredible! My teeth are whiter, and I feel so much more confident." However, on Amazon, some customers held different opinions, with one buyer noting: "I have only just started using this, so I have not seen much difference yet but the powder leaves your mouth smelling fresh." A separate reviewer mentioned: "I bought this as it was recommended online. I'm not a smoker and I haven't been drinking much, I do drink coffee regularly but I equally regularly clean my teeth. There's an initial improvement but I'm not sure it's what I expected. I used it every day in the first week and only noticed the difference post brushing. Shortly after that - little difference."