Italians as Well Off as Brits Expose UK's Era of Stagnation
The findings will ring alarm bells in Keir Starmer's government, which is looking at how much the economy generates for each resident rather than aggregate output as a gauge of the living standards it has pledged to improve. GDP per capita was stagnant last year when Labour took office and fell in 2023.
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Cooper defends Palestine Action ban again as 60 more face charges
The home secretary has again defended the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist group, saying it is more than "a regular protest group known for occasional stunts". Writing in the Observer, Yvette Cooper said the group had claimed responsibility for incidents that saw those allegedly involved subsequently charged with a range of crimes, including violent disorder and aggravated burglary. She added that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had assessed these charges have a "terrorism connection". Her comments come after the Metropolitan Police said on Friday that a further 60 people would be prosecuted for showing support for Palestine Action. After mass arrests, what happens next with Palestine Action ban? More than 700 people have been arrested since the group was banned by the government on 5 July - including more than 500 at a demonstration in central London last week. On Saturday, Norfolk Police arrested 13 people accused of supporting the group, after a protest in Norwich city centre. The Met added that more prosecutions were expected in the coming weeks and that arrangements had been put in place "that will enable us to investigate and prosecute significant numbers each week if necessary". Palestine Action has engaged in activities that have predominantly targeted arms companies since the start of the current war in Gaza. Cooper moved to ban the group after activists from the group caused an estimated £7m of damage to jets at RAF Brize Norton in June. The home secretary said while many were aware of that incident, fewer would be aware of other incidents for which the group had claimed responsibility. Cooper also referenced a so-called "Underground Manual" from the group, which she said "encourages the creation of cells, provides practical guidance on how to identify targets to attack and how to evade law enforcement". "These are not the actions of a legitimate protest group," Cooper said. She also reiterated a comment made to the BBC earlier this week that some people who were supporting Palestine Action out of concern for the humanitarian situation in Gaza were not aware of the true nature of the group. Some don't know 'full nature' of Palestine Action, says Cooper "No-one should allow desperate calls for peace in the Middle East to be derailed into a campaign to support one narrow group involved in violence here in the UK," Cooper said. The government's banning of Palestine Action means membership of or support for the group became a criminal offence, carrying a sentence of up to 14 years. Last month, the group won permission to challenge the ban and its case will be heard in the High Court in November. It argues that the ban breaches the right to free speech and has acted as a gag on legitimate protest. Palestine Action can challenge UK ban, court rules Rights groups have also been critical both of the proscribing of Palestine Action as a terrorist group and of the subsequent arrest of hundreds of people. Amnesty International's chief executive, Sacha Deshmukh, earlier this week suggested the response to last weekend's protest was disproportionate. "We have long criticised UK terrorism law for being excessively broad and vaguely worded and a threat to freedom of expression. These arrests demonstrate that our concerns were justified," he said. The UK is not one of Israel's main suppliers of arms but does provide some parts for the F-35 jet - state-of-the-art multi-role fighter that has been used extensively by Israel to strike Gaza. The Royal Air Force (RAF) has also flown hundreds of surveillance flights over Gaza since December 2023, reportedly using Shadow R1 spy planes based at an RAF base in Akrotiri in nearby Cyprus. But the foreign secretary has insisted that the flights have not led to the sharing of any military intelligence with the Israeli military. Gaza war: Is the UK selling arms to Israel? Lib Dems call for law review after Palestine Action arrests Palestine Action protest arrests rise to more than 500
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Council urged to halt planned sale of green belt land amid plans for huge development
CAMPAIGNERS and councillors have submitted a petition urging Bradford Council to stop the proposed sale of green belt land - amid plans for a huge new development at the site. Hallam Land is proposing to build a £155 million community on the green belt land off Westgate Hill Street, Tong, on just over 124 acres of land. The plans include the development of up to 1,000 "new quality homes of a range of types, sizes and styles, including affordable homes". They also include 95,000 square feet of employment, a primary school, as well as space for a neighbourhood centre which could be used for shops, pubs, bars, hot food takeaways or other commercial buildings. Bradford Council said the sale of the land is yet to be agreed. More than 1,000 people have now signed and submitted a petition to the Council demanding that the proposed sale be stopped immediately, the Council keeps ownership of the green belt land, and decisions like this are made in the open, with input from councillors and the public. The petition was set up by Julia McGoldrick-Hayden, chair of the Tong and Fulneck Valley Association, and supported by Green Party councillors. Councillor Matt Edwards, leader of the Green Party on Bradford Council, said: "The site is greenbelt for a reason. "The Tong and Fulneck Valley is one of the last areas of green space between Leeds and Bradford - and these proposals will see vast areas of this green space lost forever. "This is not the right place for new houses and we need to stop incentivising developers to build on our countryside - and get them to build where homes are actually needed. "Our community desperately needs new homes and there are vast swathes of land in nearby Holme Wood which are crying out for development. "Once green belt is lost, it's lost forever. "We need to keep it." He added: "Bradford Council should be protecting our green spaces - not helping developers build over them, while ignoring the places where we really need new homes." Councillors and campaigners have also raised concerns about the Council's ability to look at the planning application objectively - as if the sale process goes ahead, the authority could have a financial stake in the proposals being approved. A Bradford Council spokesperson said: "The Council's land is part of a proposed housing allocation in the draft Local Plan and this would be the case irrespective of who owned it. "The land forms part of a major residential-led mixed-use development proposal being promoted by strategic land promoter, Hallam Land Management, to which they have submitted a planning application. "The sale of the land has yet to be agreed. "Local councillors were consulted and are fully aware of the details and how the Council's and taxpayers' interests are being protected through this process. "The land owned by the Council is less than four per cent of the total scheme, which will go through the usual transparent planning process where local residents will be able to make comments on the application. "It is important to note that the role of the Council as local planning authority is a statutory function that sits independently from other Council services as is the case in other authorities across the country. "All our planning applications are decided objectively, fairly and in accordance with established procedures to ensure transparency and accountability." The Telegraph & Argus asked Hallam Land for a comment for this article, but no response was received. However, a spokesperson from Hallam Land, part of Henry Boot, previously told the T&A: "Land off Westgate Hill is allocated for development in the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council's draft Local Plan. "Following consultation with the local community, we are proposing new housing with community facilities, shops, land for a new primary school, and workspace for new and growing businesses. "Expansive green spaces including parks, sports, recreation and play space, walking and cycling routes, and woodland plantation with significant wildlife benefits will be provided to ensure an attractive and green setting for the development. "The development will also provide financial contributions towards highway improvements, health, education and affordable homes."
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Economist Mark Zandi says US is on 'precipice of recession.' How to weather the fallout if — or when — it hits
Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, raised concerns about the U.S. economy following the Bureau of Labor Statistics' latest report on August 1st. In a post on X, he warned, 'the economy is on the precipice of recession. That's the clear takeaway from last week's economic data dump. Consumer spending has flatlined, construction and manufacturing are contracting, and employment is set to fall. And with inflation on the rise, it is tough for the Fed to come to the rescue.' Just days earlier, Zandi had observed that employment was the 'remaining firewall between the weakening economy and recession.' Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it That firewall appears to be weakening: revisions to May and June job gains cut a combined 258,000 positions, bringing the three-month average increase to just 35,000 — more typical of an early recession than a healthy expansion. The slowdown extends beyond hiring. Consumer spending growth in Q1, housing investment has declined for several months, and manufacturing output is down year-over-year. While Q2 GDP rose 3%, much of that growth came from a drop in imports rather than strong domestic demand. Rising tariff uncertainty is also discouraging hiring and investment. How a downturn ripples through the economy For individuals, a recession often brings job market anxiety. Layoffs and reduced hours typically hit first in sectors sensitive to economic shifts, such as construction, manufacturing, transportation, and retail. However, any future downturn may not be limited to these industries. Advances in AI appear to be reducing demand for some white collar jobs, particularly entry-level positions. Meanwhile, government layoffs in the first half of the year could also weigh on the economy, as affected workers cut back on spending to focus on essentials. Small businesses often feel the pinch just as acutely — and sometimes earlier. When consumers pull back on discretionary spending, revenues decline for restaurants, shops, and service providers. Slower payments from clients and operating costs can quickly create cash flow problems. Businesses without strong reserves or adaptable operating models may be forced to cut staff, delay investments, or shut down altogether. Read more: Nervous about the stock market? Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund — even if you're not a millionaire. Steps you can take now The good news is that there's still time to prepare. Strengthening your financial position starts with improving your ability to handle unexpected financial shocks. Building an emergency fund with at least three months' worth of living expenses can act as a buffer against sudden income loss. If you already have savings, focus on protecting and growing them by avoiding unnecessary withdrawals and keeping funds in low-risk, easily accessible accounts. Debt is another key pressure point to address. Paying down high-interest balances not only frees up more of your income but also limits your exposure to rising borrowing costs if credit tightens. Reviewing your monthly spending and cutting back on non-essential expenses can create extra breathing room in your budget. The earlier you make these adjustments, the less disruptive they will be if your income falls. You might also consider diversifying your income. That could include freelance or contract work, building new skills to improve your marketability, or reconnecting with professional contacts who might open doors to new opportunities. If you run a small business, now may be a good time to bolster your cash reserves and renegotiate supplier terms. The bottom line The U.S. economy hasn't tipped into a formal recession yet, but the warning signs are there. Whether the current slowdown turns into a full-blown downturn will depend on how key trends unfold in the coming months. While you can't control the broader economy, you can control how you respond. Building savings, reducing debt, trimming unnecessary expenses, and strengthening your income are all smart moves. If a recession does materialize, you'll be better prepared to weather the storm. And if it doesn't, you'll still have a stronger, more resilient financial foundation. What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 simple ways to grow rich with real estate if you don't want to play landlord. And you can even start with as little as $10 Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Sign in to access your portfolio
