Latest news with #YourVoice
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
People on £10,000 to £96,000 tell us what they want from the Spending Review
This week the government will set out how much it is going to spend over the next four years on the public services that millions of people use every day. That includes the NHS, schools and public transport as well as welfare benefits, armed forces, energy projects and a whole range of other government spending. We asked a handful of readers, who had contacted the BBC via Your Voice, Your BBC News, what they would like to see in Wednesday's announcement. Lewis Eager, 26, works two shifts a week in the on-demand delivery service for a supermarket in Southend-on-Sea, earning £850 a month. He lives with his parents who he pays £120 a month. He would like the Spending Review to include a plan to help young people like him find well-paid, full-time jobs. Lewis completed a business administration apprenticeship and an Open University degree, but says he cannot find full-time work. He estimates he has applied for more than 4,000 jobs without success. "Getting knocked down all the time is horrible." Even entry-level jobs seem to require experience, he says. He sees a "looming crisis" among young people unable to get on the jobs ladder, and would like to see more money go into adult education. "I live with my parents which I have nothing against, but I thought I would have achieved more by now," he says. Resheka Senior, 39, is a nursery nurse and her husband Marcus, 49, a school caretaker. Between them they take home more than £50,000 a year. But the couple say they are still struggling, particularly while Resheka is on maternity leave. When she goes back to work, Resheka says she won't be much better off because she will have to pay for childcare before and after school for her five-year-old and all day for the younger children, aged two and nine-months. They have debts that they are shuffling between credit cards and no prospect of moving out of their two-bedroom council flat in Woolwich, London. "I don't want to stay at home. I've been working since I was 15 years old," says Resheka. But she would like to see more support for couples who are "making an honest living". She wants the government to pay for free breakfast and afterschool clubs or more free childcare on top of the 30 hours a week currently provided. "It's not as if I'm saying I want benefits," she says. "We're putting back into the economy. We just need some help." Ollie Vass works for a nutritional supplement company, where he earns £31,000. His girlfriend Grace Sangster also 19 is on an apprenticeship scheme earning £40,000. They each started saving from the age of 13, earning money mowing lawns and working in restaurants. In April, with the help of a small inheritance and their Lifetime ISAs, the couple completed on a £360,000 two-bedroomed terraced house near Slough. Ollie and Grace would like to see more support for young people starting out, especially first-time buyers, and more apprenticeships. They also think the tax-free allowance, which has been frozen since 2021 should rise so that people on low wages can keep more of their earnings. Ollie also wants to see cheaper rail fares: "At the moment it's too expensive to use." Leah Daniel, 23, and her partner are entitled to £800 a month in Universal Credit and the council pays £900 a month rent for the flat in Birmingham they share with their two-year old daughter. But currently around £100 a month is being deducted from their Universal Credit to pay for advances they took while homeless for a short time. Leah says they run out of money every month and have to borrow from friends and family, sometimes having to skip meals to make sure their daughter is fed. If the government decides to cut the welfare budget in the Spending Review, that would be "absolutely heartless", she says. "It's one thing to make sure the country's growing and we aren't wasting money and people aren't taking advantage of the system. "It's another thing if you aren't giving more support to help people out of poverty and help them look for work," she says. Above all she and her partner want stable jobs so they can "build up their lives". "So many times we haven't eaten and we're worried about tomorrow," she says. "I just want this situation to change." As a GP and practice partner earning £96,000 a year, Dr Kirsty Rogerson says she is aware she is well-off. She and her husband, a hospital consultant, own their own house, and are putting some money aside to support their sons through university. But she sees plenty of people in her surgery in Sheffield who aren't so fortunate and face what she thinks are impossible choices. If she could choose one thing for the government to take action on it would be to subsidise fresh fruit and vegetables and make processed food more expensive. "What [the government] shouldn't be doing is just tackling it at the other end with weight loss drugs," she says. "That's going to bankrupt the NHS." She would also like to see more money spent on public services. "As a mother, I'd rather pay more tax and know my children were being well educated and there's a good healthcare system," says Dr Kirsty Rogerson. The same goes for the police. "I'd rather go to bed each night knowing those things were there," she says. Sylvia Cook, 72, used to sell accounting software, then published books about Greece, before she retired. Living on a pension of £20,000 means being careful with her outgoings, so she welcomes the government's u-turn on winter fuel payments as "a good decision, if a little late". The extra £200 "obviously eases things", she says. But in general she thinks that rather than increasing spending, the government should look at where it can save money. "You can spend a lot of money and achieve nothing," she says. Instead she suggests changes to the tax system, efficiency savings across government and cutting perks for MPs and civil servants. "There are so many inefficient things they haven't got the common sense to sort out." The health service is a case in point she says. "Throwing more money at the NHS doesn't necessarily help if they don't sort that out," she says.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
No money left at the end of the month and smaller food shops: How inflation rise affects you
The UK rate of inflation rose by 3.5% in the year to April, a much bigger increase than expected. The jump was mostly fuelled by rises in household bills such as gas, electricity and, in particular, water. The minimum wage and some benefits were increased last month, but for many it does not cover their day-to-day costs. People have contacted the BBC through Your Voice, Your BBC News or spoken to us about the rising cost of living and how they are dealing with it. Tracy McGuigan-Haigh, 47, told the BBC that the cost of everyday items has simply "gone too far". Tracy has a job in retail which she fits around looking after her 11-year-old daughter. She earns £1,200 a month and receives around £400 a month in Universal Credit payments - but this isn't stretching far enough. "Even on a budget, the supermarket shop is getting more and more expensive," she said. "Before, I'd have needed a trolley for £40 worth of food. Now, it doesn't even fill a basket, you can carry that much in your arms." Dealing with rising prices is a constant struggle. "I've juggled so much that I've dropped balls," said Tracy. "Somebody's going 'it'll get better' but even if it does improve now, what's the support for the people who are down there, who are on the floor?" Ieuan Hood, a single father of three, is meticulous when it comes to his finances - he knows where every penny is going. The 30-year-old, who works full-time at a call centre near Huddersfield, said that he receives universal credit on top of his wage. His benefit payments rose by 1.7% last month but that has been wiped out by higher bills. "It is almost as if it hasn't happened," he told the BBC. Ieuan said that his monthly wage is roughly £1,600. Universal credit bumps that up to £2,500 and he gets a further £240 for child benefit. "Saying it out loud it sounds like a lot of money," he said. "But the first bill that I pay every month is my childcare bill which is £1,700. "Rent is then £500, food shopping will be around £700, transport is £150. I also have water bills, energy bills, TV, phone and council tax. He said: "By the time it's finished there are some months when I'm looking at it and I have nothing left." Peter Murphy, aged 80 from Stockport, has a small teachers' pension, a state pension and his main BT pension, giving him a combined income of about £25,000 a year. The rising cost of living means he and his wife have cut back on foreign holidays. Peter told Your Voice, Your BBC News that inflation "leaves me poorer every year" because his pension isn't rising as fast as his bills. "There's only so much I can spend," he says. "My teacher's pension and BT pension rose by 1.8% in April. My BT broadband contract went up by 3% plus inflation at a higher rate, as did my mobile contract and all my other contracted services. Plus the level of service, like roaming was cut. "Rates and some foods I can understand." He says regulators like Ofcom "have the power to stop these recent practices, but don't".
Cision Canada
21-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
CFIB calls on Parliament to deal with unfinished business as sitting resumes Français
TORONTO, May 21, 2025 /CNW/ - As Parliament gets set to reconvene on May 26, nearly two-thirds (62%) of small business owners are not confident that Canada's new federal government is committed to supporting small business, finds new data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). "Parliament needs to act quickly to address some unfinished business that can provide some much-needed certainty and cost relief to small business owners. It's deeply worrisome and disappointing that the government is not planning to introduce a budget in this sitting as we need a budget to get some important tax policies across the finish line," said Corinne Pohlmann, Executive Vice-President of Advocacy at CFIB. Some of those key small business priorities that are urgently needed include: Tariffs: Ensuring that the money collected through Canadian counter tariffs is returned quickly to affected Canadian small businesses. Carbon tax: Passing legislation to formally eliminate the carbon tax and returning the remaining $600 million in 2024-25 carbon tax rebates to small businesses Tax-free rebates: Ensuring the small business carbon tax rebates are delivered tax free as promised. Other employer rebates, such as Workers' Compensation Boards (WCB) rebates, must also be delivered tax free to boost the economy. Capital gains: Delivering on the promised increase to the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption to $1.25 million and implementing the promised Canadian Entrepreneurs' Incentive which would lower capital gains taxes on up to $2 million following a business sale. Small business tax rate: Lowering the federal small business tax rate from 9% to 0% for the foreseeable future. Internal trade: Working with provinces to capitalize on the current momentum towards the elimination of internal trade barriers by adopting mutual recognition. "Ottawa needs to move as quickly as possible on economic and tax reduction policies. The cost of doing business is already high, and tariff-fueled uncertainty could cause irreversible damage if it's not addressed quickly. This government has a long list of outstanding promises to small business owners that it needs to address quickly. It has to provide a clear roadmap for the months ahead," said Jasmin Guenette, CFIB's vice-president of national affairs. Small business owners can sign CFIB's petition calling on the federal government to lower the costs of doing business. Methodology Your Voice – May 2025 survey – Launched May 6, 2025 (ongoing). Results as of May 13, based on 1,420 CFIB member responses. For comparison purposes, a probability sample with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of ±2.6%, 19 times out of 20. About CFIB The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What does the UK-EU deal mean for holidays and jobs? Your questions answered
Many of you have been submitting questions to Your Voice, Your BBC News about the deal signed this week between the UK and European Union. Your questions have touched on a range of issues, including jobs, food and travel. Our experts have been digging into the detail to figure out what the deal means for you and your family. Anna Maria, a dental student studying in Bulgaria, asked about mutual recognition of professional qualifications, which was a Labour Party manifesto pledge. Our political reporter Becky Morton has looked into the details of the deal. In its manifesto last year, Labour said it would seek to "secure a mutual recognition agreement for professional qualifications, external to help open up markets for UK service exporters". That would mean professionals such as doctors, lawyers and accountants who qualified in one country could practice in another with minimal extra bureaucracy - a system already in place across the EU. Monday's deal promises to set up "dedicated dialogues" on the recognition of professional qualifications, but a full agreement could take much longer to negotiate. Such an agreement would make it easier for British companies to move staff between the UK and EU and undertake short-term work in Europe. However, there may be less incentive for the EU to agree a deal, given the current situation makes it harder for UK firms to compete for business in Europe. Malcolm in Bristol wanted more clarity on what the agreement will mean for passport queues for UK citizens visiting the EU. Our transport correspondent Simon Browning explains. While some EU ports and airports already allow UK citizens to use modern e-gates, many do not and queues have become familiar to holidaymakers. The new agreement provides more clarity on e-gates and sets out that in the future, UK citizens will be able to use them - but the EU Commission says that will not come into force in time for this summer. However, the UK government has indicated it is hopeful there could be changes in time for the summer, so the timeline still appears to be up for debate. The EU says there will be no change before a new EU border security scheme comes into force in October, which will see biometric data including fingerprints collected from passengers coming from non-EU countries such as the UK. It will mean manned desks where people will have to queue in order to enter some EU countries could still be a feature of travel beyond this year, even if e-gate usage becomes more widely available. In short, that will mean long queues at some destinations could continue during this holiday season and perhaps beyond. Any decision about UK citizens using e-gates will not be a blanket one across the bloc. Instead, it will be up to individual countries to decide how they manage queues at their borders. We have received a lot of questions about pet passports. Our political correspondent Jack Fenwick has looked into when the scheme will be up and running. In short, we just do not know yet whether there will be any change in time for this summer. The agreement between the UK and EU commits to introducing a new passport system which would make it easier for people to travel with their pets and end the need to acquire repeat vet certificates. Many British holidaymakers will be keen for these rules to be introduced in time for their trip this year. However, so-called pet passports come under a part of the deal known as the sanitary and phytosanitary agreement - and while the UK and EU have agreed to work together in this area, the full scope of it has not been fully fleshed out yet. Chris in Bristol asked whether UK farmers would have to accept EU regulations on food standards. Our business correspondent Simon Jack has assessed the impact. The new agreement removes the need for time consuming and costly veterinary checks and forms - but in return, the UK will have to align with EU food standards. As those regulations change, the UK will have to change too. The government insists it will have a say in how those rules develop and it may be able to negotiate exceptions - but they will not have a vote. The National Farmers Union has broadly welcomed the new deal because it provides easier and quicker access to a big market for perishable products, in which the speed that goods can be moved is important. Andy in Eastbourne asked whether this deal would allow for the free and unrestricted movement of musicians and bands on tour in Europe. Our political reporter Becky Morton answered. Since Brexit, British musicians have faced extra costs and red tape when touring Europe. The industry has been urging the government to find a solution and Labour's general election manifesto pledged to "help our touring artists" as part of negotiations with the EU. But the deal agreed on Monday only recognises the "value" of touring artists and promises to continue efforts "to support travel and cultural exchange". The UK says it will explore "how best to improve arrangements for touring across the European continent". Tom Kiehl, chief executive of UK Music, which represents the industry, welcomed this as "an important first step" but said the sector was seeking "more concrete commitments". Brian in Nottingham asked about any knock-on effect the agreement may have on the UK's ability to negotiate trade deals with other nations. Political correspondent Jack Fenwick looked into it for him. If the UK was to re-join the customs union or single market, there would be knock-on effects for other trade agreements, like the Trans-Pacific Partnership - but this relatively limited agreement does not go nearly that far. However, the UK will now effectively be a rule-taker when it comes to EU standards on food and farming exports - but the government is fairly comfortable with that for two reasons. Firstly, ministers do not want to lower food standards anyway, which we saw during recent trade negotiations with the US. Secondly, the level of trade the UK has with the EU massively outstrips other agreements signed in recent years. This UK-EU deal is expected to eventually boost the economy by around £9bn a year, largely from food, farming and energy trading. Compare that with the much broader agreement signed with India this year, which will bring economic benefits of around £5bn a year. Neil Heard asked whether people who owned properties in the EU before Brexit would be able to spend more time there? Political analyst Peter Barnes checked it out. There was nothing in the new agreement that would change the rules in this respect. If a UK citizen travels to the Schengen area, which covers most of the EU and some other European countries, you do not need a visa but you can only stay for 90 days in any 180 day period. The rule applies even if the 90 days is made up of multiple trips, and also if you stay in more than one Schengen area country. It is the total number of days that counts. Ireland and Cyprus are not in the Schengen area and UK citizens have the right to live and work in Ireland - but for people with holiday homes in France and other EU countries, the rules are not changing. The Schengen agreement abolished many of Europe's internal borders, allowing freedom of movement between the countries which are signed up to it. A reader in Scotland asked about the impact on the local fishing industry. Scotland editor James Cook spelled out what it means for the whole of the UK. To understand what has gone on, we need to go back to when the UK was a member of the EU. Back then, fishing quotas were governed by the EU's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) under which EU boats could catch fish in UK waters and vice versa. This was very unpopular with many UK fishermen who complained, accurately, that under the CFP they caught far fewer fish in EU waters than EU fishermen caught in UK waters. After Brexit, the UK and the EU agreed that EU vessels could still fish in UK waters until 30 June 2026, but that 25% of the EU's quota in UK waters (by value of fish landings) would gradually be transferred to the UK. From 1 July 2026, EU-UK deals for fishing access were going to be negotiated annually. But this new deal maintains the current position in terms of EU access to UK waters for 12 years, a move criticised by the Scottish Fishermen's Federation as a "total capitulation" by the UK government. Downing Street stressed that the EU quota in UK waters has not increased, and says the deal provides certainty - as well as streamlining the process for selling UK fish and shellfish in the EU. Five unanswered questions in UK-EU deal The new UK-EU deal at a glance Who are the winners and losers from the UK-EU agreement?
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Local ections 2025: 'Who are we voting for?'
In the run-up to the local election the BBC is looking at the issues that matter the most to you, as part of Your Voice, Your councils and other authorities hold elections on 1 Nelson from Staffordshire lives in the Lichfield Rural North division, and told the BBC he had barely seen any canvassing from his local sentiment was shared by Stephen Bell and Sheila Joynes from Worcestershire - they live in the St Peter division and said they had "no idea" about those standing. Ms Joynes said they had only recieved a couple of political leaflets this weekend, and they were only aware of who their Green party candidate was."We don't know even the names of the other candidates," said Mr Bell. When are the elections and who can voteWill this be the 'anyone but the big parties election'?Are there elections where you live?Catch up on the local election stories"Locally, we would just like to be kept informed more of what is going on," Ms Joynes said."I tried to find out [online] what's going on and who's standing… trying to find out on Google and it's just drawn a blank." Mr Nelson said he had recieved a couple of leaflets but had not spoken to any candidates face-to-face."We do not get any physical contact with the candidates," he said."It seems that their attitude is: 'Well if you want to vote for us, you can, if you don't, we don't really care'." What do parties in Lichfield say? The BBC approached all candidates for Lichfield Rural Labour candidate, Ben Watkins, said in the last year, he and his supporters had spoken to 565 people on their doorstep in Richard's said he agreed with Richard about photo opportunities, and had been campaigning for local issues after conversations with added that his party held regular "meet the councillor" sessions on the last Saturday of every Aston, on behalf of Liberal Democrat candidate, Morag Maclean, said it was not possible for candidates to personally make themselves known to all voters in the division, but said they had knocked on more than 300 doors, and delivered leaflets to more than 19,000 added that the party had a reputation for keeping in contact with residents all year Conservative Party candidate, Richard Holland, said he was sorry to hear Mr Nelson's view, and that he had been working hard to engage directly with local people via door-knocking, delivering leaflets and letters and speaking to said the area was large with lots of houses to visit, and said face-to-face conversations were important to him rather than photo added that he strongly believed in being visible and accessible, and if elected, he would continue to be an approachable Pitchfork, interim chair of Reform UK Lichfield, said the candidate John Madden had spent a lot of time out in his said Madden was well-known locally, but there had been limited time and added that the party was keen that its councillors would provide substance instead of a superficial presence, and that they were accessible to residents. What do parties in St Peter say? The BBC approached all candidates for St Peter in Stephen, candidate for the Green Party, said the party was proud to work hard all year, not just at election said since the last local elections, they had knocked on thousands of doors and delivered their community newsletter roughly every two months, and had been communicating like this for added that residents had contacted him directly about local issues including the bus Wild, candidate for the Liberal Democrats, said the Liberal Democrats "failed frequently" to communicate with constituents because of a lack of resources, and said it was a major issue for all parties, particularly those not supported by major said the party could not afford to spend "vast sums" on the delivery of leaflets like he believed the Conservatives and Reform had added that as the new chair of the city party, he wanted to increase the party's presence in the city. The Worcester Conservatives, on behalf of their candidate Tom Wisniewski, said he had collaborated with the former councillor and started proactive work including talking to residents, litter picks, and had delivered more than 1,000 resident party said Wisniewski had prioritised getting to know residents rather than "shoving paper through a letter box".It added that he had a large social media presence where residents were kept Kimberley, campaigns coordinator for the Labour Party, said the party had created a roadmap for change, which was built around six said the themes reflected a mix of what the county council could do, as well as addressing widespread local concerns that candidates picked up during door-knocking sessions which had taken place across the length and breadth of the themes included a better local bus service, more school places and fixing the UK has not responded to the BBC but since the general election it has said it was fielding nearly a "full list of candidates across the entire country". Leader Nigel Farage was recently out and about in Worcester. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
