Reeves issued black market warning over gambling tax plans
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has suggested a tax on the sector could pay for the Government to scrap the two-child benefit cap, helping to lift families out of poverty.
But Stella David, who runs the Coral and Ladbrokes owner, warned the Chancellor that such a move could drive people to unregulated operators.
David, 62, told analysts yesterday: 'Driving up tax rates has the potential of reducing the tax take because people go to the black market.'
Entain yesterday said that revenues rose 3 per cent to just under £2.6billion for the first six months of the year.
Its online business has been boosted by the Women's Euros and the Club World Cup while this year's Wimbledon saw the most ever betting for the annual tennis tournament.
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The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
Best freebies for A-level results day 2025
Students, the day you've waited for is finally here: A-level results day is on Thursday 14 August. Whether you've thought about this day with excitement or dread; whether you stepped out of your exams feeling triumphant or defeated, we hope that opening your results gives you a sense of pride and relief. If you're looking to celebrate, there are no shortage of restaurants offering freebies and deals, from Nando's chicken to 25 per cent off your bill at Wagamama. The exact conditions for getting A-level freebies varies from restaurant to restaurant, but to avoid disappointment, we suggest bringing your ID and physical results if you can (though some places will accept digital proof). You'll want to let the server know that you'd like to redeem the results day freebie or deal before you order. Don't forget to also check that it's been applied to your bill when you pay. All of the freebies and offers that we've listed below are dine-in only. Got other plans on results day? Don't worry, some of these offers can be redeemed after the big day – we've explained everything you need to know in our round up of the best A-level freebies and deals below. Where are the best deals on A-level results day: Free pizza at Frankie and Benny's On results day only, you can get a free margherita pizza (usually £11.75) when you dine in, buy a regular soft drink and show your A-level results. Gluten-free and vegan options are included. You can get juice as a soft drink for as cheap as £1.75, so you don't need to spend more than £5 to get your free meal. Looking for a completely free treat? At Las Iguanas, you can get four churros (usually £6.75) with no other purchase necessary. You'll need to be quick though – this offer is only valid on results day when you bring proof of your exam results. The whole family can benefit from this one: for tables of up to six, Bella Italia is offering a free starter and dessert for every person who buys a main, when one guest shows proof of A-level exam results. This offer is available on results day only. Bella Italia prices vary by location, but starters are usually priced from around £4.99 and desserts from around £5.29, so this is a good deal if you're looking for a three-course meal. Here's another freebie that you don't have to spend much to grab. Banana Tree is offering a free chicken or tofu pad thai (usually around £15) when you buy a soft drink on results day. For this one, you'll need to sign up for the deal at Banana Tree ahead of time and then bring your A-level results and ID along with you. You can only use one voucher per guest, so you'll need to make sure all of your classmates register if you're going as a group. Can't make it on Thursday 14 August? You can get £10 off your order between Monday and Friday year-round when you sign up to Banana Tree's newsletter. Keep in mind that you can't use this and your A-level results freebie at the same time. This isn't technically a freebie, but you can get 25 per cent off your bill when you dine-in at Wagamama between Thursday 14 August and Wednesday 20 August. You'll need to download and join its loyalty app, Soul Club, and show proof that you've done this to the server, along with your A-level results. If you fancy a Nando's after opening your results, you can get a free quarter chicken or starter when you spend £7 or more. Though not a complete freebie, we know Nando's is a student favourite. So, if you want to nab this deal, all you need to do is show your ID and proof of your results (paper or electronic) when you dine in on results day. A starter is usually priced from £3.95, and a quarter chicken is usually £5.50. At Bill's, you can get a free dessert on results day when you buy a main meal. Importantly, you'll need to bring your physical results to redeem this offer. The price of desserts at Bill's varies across locations, but you'll usually find them from around £4.50. Up until Thursday 28 August, you can get a free main (usually priced from £17) when you buy another full-priced adult main at TGI Fridays. However, you can't redeem this deal on a Friday or Saturday and it doesn't include anything on the 'Hot off the grill' section of the menu. You'll need to bring in your A-level results and say 'grads eat free' to the server to redeem this one. Free main or dessert at Côte Brasserie Côte Brasserie is also treating students to some freebies this results day. If you studied French, you can present your results to get free steak frites or a vegan burger. All other students can get a free dessert, including a rich chocolate mousse or indulgent crème caramel. To get your hand on the freebies, you'll need to dine in with someone who has paid for an adult main dish.
The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
Labour councillor ‘horrified' by ‘cutting throats' comment at rally, jury told
A Labour councillor who called for far-right activists' throats to be cut at an anti-racism rally has told a jury he felt 'horrified' after realising what he had said. Ricky Jones, 58, described far-right activists as 'disgusting Nazi fascists', his trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court heard. The comments were made in the wake of rioting after the Southport murders last summer. He told jurors on Wednesday that his comment did not refer to far-right protesters involved in the riots at the time, but to those who had reportedly left National Front stickers on a train with razor blades hidden behind them. A video showing Jones addressing the crowd in Walthamstow, east London, on August 7 last year, went viral on social media after the protest. Wearing a black polo top and surrounded by cheering supporters, the councillor said: 'You've got women and children using these trains during the summer holidays. 'They don't give a shit about who they hurt. 'They are disgusting Nazi fascists. We need to cut all their throats and get rid of them all.' He also drew his finger across his throat as he spoke to the crowd. Jones, who at the time worked as an official for the Transport Salaried Staff's Association (TSSA) union, later sent an edited version of his speech video to union members, the court heard. Asked by his defence barrister, Hossein Zahir KC, why he edited the video, Jones replied: 'When I had time to view the footage after the demonstration, I was shocked at what I had actually said. 'I was horrified. 'Under no circumstances did I want to portray that to anybody, so I edited that last bit out.' The unedited video was eventually posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, where it attracted millions of views, the trial heard. Jones told jurors he felt 'very emotional and very upset' after receiving pictures, the day before the rally, of National Front stickers that had been left on a train, which had razor blades hidden behind them – supposedly so that people who tried to remove the stickers would injure themselves. He had also received reports from union members that more razor blades had been found stuck between seats, Jones added. 'I was very concerned about what had happened on the train. 'I was thinking, this (the speech) is a good opportunity to raise what happened.' The father-of-four and grandfather described the mood in the crowd at the time as 'happy and joyful', adding: 'There clearly wasn't any upset or anger from any people in that scene, because they clearly knew it was about what happened on the train.' Prosecutor Ben Holt, cross-examining, told the defendant: 'Your words about slitting people's throats were not cheerful or happy.' Jones replied: 'I totally agree, I'm ashamed.' The defendant however denied intending to encourage violence towards far-right protesters. 'What violence could have anyone caused to those people in the train?' Jones said. 'It was nonsensical – I didn't believe there was a risk.' Jones, who has been a borough councillor in Dartford, Kent, since 2019, was suspended by the Labour Party the day after the alleged incident. He was arrested on August 8 last year and interviewed at Brixton Police Station that night. The demonstration had been organised in response to plans for a far-right march outside Waltham Forest Immigration Bureau. It followed the disorder in parts of the UK last summer after the Southport murders. Jones, of Dartford, denies one count of encouraging violent disorder. The trial continues.
The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
Richard Masters: Frustration over wait for Man City case decision ‘irrelevant'
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters says any frustration he might feel over the time it is taking to reach a decision in the Manchester City case is 'irrelevant' and says he and everyone else will 'have to be patient'. The Premier League issued more than 100 charges against City in February 2023 related to alleged breaches of its financial rules and with allegedly failing to co-operate with the subsequent investigation, and referred the matter to an independent commission. City have always strenuously denied any wrongdoing. The case was heard by a commission between September and December last year but no decision has been published. The issue continues to hang over the league as the 2025-26 season gets under way this weekend, with Masters reiterating his organisation has no control or say over the timings. Asked by Sky Sports News why the league could not hurry the process along, Masters said: 'I can't answer that specific question. What I can tell you about is the system and how it works. 'I mean, it's an independent judiciary, essentially. So once the allegations, the charge has been put forward, they go before an independent panel, which is independently selected, and they are then in charge of the process and its timings. 'They hear the case, they decide the outcome, and we have no influence over that, over it or its timing. 'And that's right, if you think from an independence point of view, that there is independent people making those decisions, and we just have to be waiting. 'My frustration is irrelevant, really. I mean, I just have to wait, and legal processes rarely take less time than you anticipated, but we have to be patient.'
