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English town that’s ‘one of the prettiest on the Thames’ is an hour from London – with new Wetherspoons & famous locals

AN English town is said to be one of the prettiest in the River Thames – and you might spot some famous faces.

The town of Marlow in Buckinghamshire is just over an hour from London by train.

a bridge over a body of water has a danger sign on it
Alamy
Marlow is one of Buckinghamshire’s prettiest towns[/caption]
a row of shops including vinegar & brown paper
Alamy
The high street isn’t littered with chains[/caption]
a sign on the side of a building says learn to row here
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River activities are the most popular in town[/caption]

It featured in the TV series The Marlow Murder Club earlier this year, created by the same people of Death in Paradise.

But if you didn’t catch it, the town is still worth a visit with the tourism board calling it the “loveliest locations on the Thames”.

Expect to see people on the river – you can rent both electric and row boats and you can even spot some canoers.

Time it right and visit in June for the Marlow Regatta and Festival with a dragon boat race on the river.

The town’s rowing club is one of the best in the UK – and was the home of Olympic athlete Sir Steve Regrave.

One of the town’s newest additions is a £3.5million Wetherspoons.

The Grand Assembly in Marlow is a nod to the assemblies often held by the upper class at the nearby Market House.

We went down on its opening day and met some punters queueing at 8am.

Otherwise a local-loved pub is The Ship which was built around 1412.

Or there is The Hand & Flowers – the first gastropub to ever get two Michelin stars.

But one of the most popular place is the Rebellion Brewery, with tours you can go on.

One previous drinker called it the “best brewery in the south”.

Another called it the “best tap room in the world” while others raved about the atmosphere and staff too.

You might spot some famous drinkers while there.

Tom Kerridge owns two pub in town, with Chris Evans and Ricky Gervais also having homes in Marlow.

Ex England cricket captain Andrew Strauss and actor Tom Chambers also live in Marlow.

Back in the day, Marlow was even the home to Mary Shelley, and was where she finished her novel Frankenstein.

T.S. Elliot and Jerome K. Jerome also once lived in Marlow.

The town is just over an hour from London with direct trains.

Here’s another beautiful village on the Thames – which had three Michelin star restaurants.

You could even own the UK’s tiniest island in the Thames – here’s how.

a river with houses and a church in the background
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The town is an hour from London by train[/caption]

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I’m a skincare doctor – my £2.76 go-to Starbucks order is brilliant for anti-ageing, it’s packed full of antioxidants

A SKINCARE doctor has revealed what her go-to Starbucks order is and it’s brilliant for anti-ageing. 

Dr Vanita Rattan, who is a world renowned dark skin hyperpigmentation specialist, is constantly praised for her youthful looking appearance. 

a woman holding a makeup wipe with the caption " are makeup wipes really cleaning "
Dr Vanita Rattan is a world renowned dark skin hyperpigmentation specialist
instagram/drvanitarattan
a woman standing in a coffee shop with a yellow sign that says black coffee loaded with polyphenols
There is a Starbucks drink which is her go-to for anti-ageing
tiktok/@drvanitarattan

So Dr Vanita, known as @drvanitarattan on TikTok, revealed what her secret is to looking so young.

She says: “The best anti-aging drinks in Starbucks

“Opt for antioxidant drinks, i.e. herbal teas, or black coffee loaded with polyphenols. 

“Avoid sugary drinks which damage collagen. 

“I always go for berry tea in the UK or hibiscus tea in the US.”

Dr Vanita goes on to explain that her content was “non-sponsored as always.” 

This berry tea can be bought from your local Starbucks for £2.76.

The video gained lots of attention with over 2,800 people giving it a like. 

Many beauty fans rushed to the comments section to share their thoughts. 

Some complimented the doctor on how “beautiful” she is, whilst others thanked her for the video and said how “nice” it was. 

And that’s not the only drink that beauty fans are praising when it comes to anti-ageing. 

Scientists suggest that there’s one particular drink you should be enjoying to help keep wrinkles at bay and turn back the clock on ageing.

Chinese research indicates that sipping a cup of tea daily offers more than just a moment of relaxation. 

It turns out that the magic number is three cups a day to help delay the ageing process.

Drink to this

Historically, black tea has been celebrated for its health benefits, especially for improving heart, gut, and brain health.

A comprehensive study conducted by experts at Sichuan University in Chengdu, China, involved two groups of participants.

The research analysed 5,998 British individuals aged 37 to 73 and 7,931 Chinese participants aged 30 to 79. 

Participants were asked about their tea-drinking habits, including the type of tea they consumed (green, black, yellow, or oolong) and the number of cups they drank each day.

a drink in a starbucks cup with a green straw
Starbucks
She recommends the berry herbal tea at Starbucks which costs £2.76[/caption]

Researchers then examined various age markers such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and body fat percentage to determine the participants’ biological ages.

“The exposure-response relationship suggested that consuming around three cups of tea or six to eight grams of tea leaves per day may offer the most evident anti-ageing benefits,” the authors of the study wrote.

Biggest beauty mistakes

Fabulous' Beauty Editor Tara Ledden has shared the do's and don'ts when it comes to beauty.

“No matter how much time and money you spend on your beauty routine, if you’re not getting the basics right, the rest is wasted.

“There aren’t many non-negotiables, but these are the biggest beauty mistakes sabotaging your regime.”

  • Not wearing SPF: Sun-damage is the main cause of premature skin ageing, so if you want to keep your skin looking plump and glowing, sun cream is vital. 
  • Using expired products: Best case, they’re ineffective and don’t deliver the results they promise, worst case they cause irritation and infection. The shelf life of beauty products differ – for example, mascara is usually good for 3-6 months while lipstick can last for 9-18 months. Check the ‘POA’ symbol on the packaging (it looks like a jar and will have a number inside for how many months it’s safe once opened. If you can’t remember when you opened your product, throw it away and start again, marking the month and year with a permanent marker on the packaging. 
  • Not knowing your undertones: If you’re using make-up with the wrong undertones, it’ll never look natural no matter how much you blend it! An easy trick to work out whether you have cool, warm or neutral undertones is to check the veins on your wrist – if they look blue, you have cool undertones, if they’re green, you have warm and if they’re a mix you have neutral. 
  • Skipping heat protector: It might feel unnecessary, but much like sun damage on the skin, excess heat is the most common cause of hair damage. So, if you want shiny, healthy hair, or you’re trying to grow it longer, using a heat protection product is key. 
  • Not washing your face before bed: it’s as simple as this, if you’re not washing your face before you go to sleep, everything that’s been on your skin during the day is sitting there for even longer, clogging your pores and drying out the surface. Any skincare applied on top isn’t going to be effective with a layer of dirt underneath, and you’re probably going to end up with dirty pillows too – yuck!

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Major change to Brazilian GP as £22million project completed ahead of crucial Sao Paulo spectacle

BRAZIL’S Formula One race track has undergone a major change ahead of Sunday’s race.

The Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo has been a staple of the F1 calendar since 1990 – with the exception of 2020’s cancelled race due to Covid-19.

a heineken sign hangs over a race track
Getty
Brazil’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix has undergone a major change following a £22m investment[/caption]
a race track with a lot of cars on it
AFP
The entire Interlagos race track has been resurfaced[/caption]

And this weekend it will once again play host to thousands of fans from around the world who turn out for the motorsport bonanza.

However, organisers have confirmed the circuit has undergone a huge change for the grand prix weekend.

A stunning £22million (R$163.6million) investment from Sao Paulo City Hall has seen the surface of the track completely resurfaced, with a host of other changes also revealed.

Mayor Ricardo Nunes said: “This place has become a machine, a machine for generating jobs, a machine for generating income, for economic movement, and a machine for taking the name of the city of São Paulo to the world.

“We went from having a deficit facility to now having a facility that generates jobs, generates income and generates revenue for the city.”

The last change to the surface of the track came 10 years ago.

Other changes to the venue have seen work enter the final phase of a pit lane auxiliary access track to the pits as, ruled by motorsport governing body the FIA.

This adds to the renovation and maintenance of existing facilities including the pit lane, paddock area, operation control centre, press area, support building and grandstand.

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A review of safety devices including tyre barriers, metal guardrails, fences, and non-slip paint in escape areas has also happened.

Additional “comprehensive maintenance” has been carried out on permanent facilities, including electrical and hydraulic installations, floors, ceilings, frames and gas and compressed air systems.

The major investment is allowing the racetrack to add a new access and a new hospitality centre, with the old one being demolished to make way for a 12,240 square feet three-floor megastructure at the back of the paddock that can hold up to 6,000 people.

One part of the project still in the works is a 360-metre-long underground access track set to be completed by April 2025 to facilitate the transit of large structures, trucks and public inside the circuit without the need to cross the circuit.

The 2023 race is estimated to have generated around £220million (R$1.64 billion) for the economy, with 77 per cent of visitors coming from outside of the capital and 12.2 per cent coming from tourism.

Another stunning plan for the weekend’s race is a touching tribute to be paid by to three-time world champion Ayrton Senna, 30 years on from his death at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994.

According to BAND, Lewis Hamilton will be given the honour of driving the Brazilian’s 1990 McLaren MP4/5B car, with which Senna won his second F1 title.

🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁

The seven-time world champion will take the Honda-powered car around the circuit at around 8pm UK time on Saturday, following the conclusion of official F1 activities on track for the day.

Organisers have also opened a “Senna forever” event for the weekend, where Samba F1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi is set to take part alongside Hamilton.

The Brit, who idolises Senna, was given honorary Brazilian citizenship in 2022 and has won three times around the Interlagos track.

Senna’s death came just one day after Ronald Ratzenberger, who hit an exposed concrete wall in an impact of 500g force.

The biggest crash ever survived was by IndyCar driver Kenny Brack in 2003, when his car came to a dramatic halt from 220mph with a 214g impact force.

This season’s F1 driver championship may go down to the wire after Lando Norris closed the gap to reigning champion Max Verstappen to 47 points after the Red Bull driver received a 20-second penalty in Mexico.

There are four feature races to go plus two sprint events, including one taking place this weekend in Brazil.

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Getty Images - Getty
Organisers are also hosting a tribute for Ayrton Senna, 30 years on from his death[/caption]
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Getty Images - Getty
Lewis Hamilton will reportedly drive his 1990 McLaren car after official F1 events are concluded on Saturday[/caption]

F1 reporter Isabelle Barker's prediction

I EXPECT Max Verstappen to go all guns blazing over the next six-rounds. I also think his experience and aggression could give him the edge.

It seems too little too late for Norris showing consistency, despite that dominant win in Singapore last time out.

You can’t help think what could have been had he sorted out his first-lap issues sooner.

Norris needs to prove he has the mental fortitude, because we all know he’s got the speed, the team and the fastest car.

Verstappen has endured an eight-race winless streak, but he has still managed to score points, with three second-places during that time.

So I think the Dutchman will lift his fourth world-title this season, by the skin of his teeth. 

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Liam Payne posthumous single postponed as producers delays plans to release unheard track after tragic death

LIAM Payne’s posthumous single has been postponed as producers delay plans to release unheard track after the star’s tragic death.

The 31-year-old was in Buenos Aires, Argentina, when he plunged from the third floor of his hotel balcony on October 16.

a man with a tattoo on his arm singing into a microphone
Getty
Liam Payne’s posthumous single has been postponed as producers delay plans to release unheard track after the star’s tragic death.[/caption]
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Instagram / @iamsampounds
Liam working with Pounds on the song[/caption]

Musician Sam Pounds had announced plans to release a duet with Liam called Do No Wrong on Friday, November 1.

The pair had been working together on new music – with Sam recording the track with Liam weeks before he died.

But in a statement, Sam has said now is not the time.

He said he is “deciding to hold Do No Wrong and leave those liberties up to all family members”.

He added: “I want all proceeds go to a charity of their choosing (or however they desire).

“Even though we all love the song it’s not the time yet. We are all still mourning the passing of Liam and I want the family to mourn in peace and in prayer.

“We will all wait.”

Liam’s fans have thanked the song producer for the delay, with one person writing: “There will be a right time for it in the future but for now we mourn.”

This week, Sam took to Instagram to share a clip of the pair listening to the song in the studio with his one million followers.

He captioned the post: “Yea I see the reports but I knew your heart.

“Filmed by @roo0990. @liampayne originally wanted us & @chrisbrownofficial on this.

“A musical moment & tribute to @liampayne.”

Fans rushed to the comments section to share the love.

One said: “Goosebumps. Thoughts and prayers out to you and his family.”

Tributes to Liam Payne

SHOCKED fans, former co-workers, loved ones and friends flooded social media with sad tributes to Liam Payne after news of his death emerged.

Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction’s camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing ‘Just a boy…’ alongside a broken heart emoji.

Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: “Such an awful tragedy.

“Sending love to his family and all those who loved him.”

X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was “devastated” and “lost for words”.

He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x”.

Liam Gallagher said he was “very sad” and told his followers on X: “Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy.”

Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning.

He said: “I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.

“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”

BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the “devastating news” on her show and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.

JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: “I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..

“We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..

“Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP.”

Niall Horan’s brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a “top young man”.

He added: “You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.

“My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.

“10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x”

German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.

The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…”

American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.

Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.

“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…

“I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry…”

Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”

In another tweet, they added: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne.”

American media personality Paris Hilton shared: “So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”

ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam’s tragic death on Instagram, adding: “Can’t believe this! RIP Liam.”

Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: “I’m so taken aback, rest in peace.”

James Cordon also paid his own tribute, describing the star as a “loving and kind soul”.

The Gavin and Stacey actor wrote on Instagram: “Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heart-breaking.

“I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him. My thoughts are with his family today x.”

Payne previously appeared on Cordon’s The Late Late Show in America.

Former Little Mix star Jade Thirwall – who won X Factor with her bandmates one year after One Direction took part – described him as “the first friend I made in this industry”.

She said: “We fell out of touch as the years went by, but back in 2008 he was the first friend I made in this industry.

“Both of us so young, so ambitious, both hoping we’d ‘make it’. I hope you are at peace now”.

Camila Cabello described his death as a “tragedy” and said he “made an impression” on her when she was a young girl.

Another added: “Thank you for sharing this Sam.
It is a healing for our heart.”

A third chimed in: “This is a banger. I can’t believe Liam is gone … he loved making music so much. You can see how proud he is. He’ll be so missed.”

“My heart breaks over and over again, I wished the album would come out, he was the best and always will be,” a fourth said.

Another commented: “Everything feels unreal 💔💔💔 i miss him.”

Liam’s song Teardrops – which revealed the heartbreaking challenges in his love life – re-entered the charts at number 7 after his death.

The star shot to fame in 2010 on The X Factor as part of One Direction.

Liam, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles placed third on the show.

a man wearing a hoodie that says trapstar on it
Liam’s song Teardrops re-entered the charts at number 7 after his death
Getty Images - Getty

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Budget 2024 winners and losers revealed – will you be better off?

CARERS and workers were among the winners in the Budget today – while smokers and drinkers were among the worst hit.

In her first Budget since becoming Chancellor, Rachel Reeves set out the government’s financial plan for the year including payments, tax changes and policy updates.

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Rachel Reeves unveiled the Budget in the House of Commons today

She also confirmed how much benefits and the state pension will rise this year.

Among the announcements was an unfreeze of income tax thresholds and increase in the number of carers who can claim a vital benefit.

Here we round up who the winners and losers are from the Budget.

Winners

Workers

The Chancellor announced today that she will not extend the freeze on income tax thresholds.

Tax thresholds usually rise each year in line with inflation but they were frozen by the previous Conservative government until 2028.

The freeze meant that as worker’s wages rose in line with inflation they were dragged into higher tax bands.

This phenomenon is called fiscal drag.

Freezing tax thresholds increases people’s taxable income without putting up tax rates.

It gives the government additional revenue.

The amount of income you do not have to pay tax on will remain at £12,570 until 2028.

Meanwhile, the basic rate of income tax will stay at 20% on between £12,571 to £50,270.

The higher rate will continue at 40% between £50,271 to £125,150 and the additional rate will remain at 45% on over £125,140.

From April 2028 these personal tax thresholds will be increased in line with inflation.

Rachel Reeves said: “I am keeping every single promise on tax that I made in our manifesto.

“So there will be no extension of the freeze in income tax and National Insurance thresholds beyond the decisions of the previous government.”

More than 3 million workers will also receive a pay boost after the Chancellor confirmed that the National Living wage will increase from £11.44 to £12.21 from next April.

The 6.7% increase is worth £1,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker.

The National Minimum Wage for 12 to 20-year-olds will also rise from £8.60 to £10 an hour – the largest increase in the rate on record.

For a full-time young worker the boost will increase their pay by £2,500 next year.

The government said this marks the first step towards aligning the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage to create a single adult wage.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “This Government promised a genuine living wage for working people. This pay boost for millions of workers is a significant step towards delivering on that promise.”  

Carers

An extra 60,000 carers will also benefit from the Budget after the Chancellor made a key change to Carer’s Allowance this week.

Rachel Reeves raised the limit people can earn before they are no longer eligible for carers allowance from £151 to the equivalent of 16 hours at the National Living Wage.

The increase is the largest uplift in the threshold since the benefit was introduced in 1976.

Carer’s Allowance is a weekly payment which is paid to people who look after a severely disabled child or adult.

It is worth £81.90 a week, or £327.60 a month.

What is the Budget?

THE Budget is when the government outlines its plans for tax hikes, cuts and things like changes to the minimum wage.

It’s different to the Spending Review, which sets out how much public cash will go towards funding certain departments, devolved government’s and services, such as the NHS.

The Budget is read out in the House of Commons by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. It will be Rishi Sunak’s second Budget as Chancellor.

Mr Sunak’s first one in March last year has been dubbed the “coronavirus Budget” after it focused on supporting Brits financially through the crisis, rather than the government’s “levelling up” agenda as promised in the 2019 general election.

Normally, the Budget is held once a year but the unprecedented circumstances of the pandemic in 2020 saw Mr Sunak give a “mini-budget” in the Commons on July 8.

Rachel Reeves confirmed that it will rise by 4.1% next year, which will mean that carers receive £85.18 a week, £3.28 more than they currently do.

The move has been welcomed by several charities.

Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said earlier this week: “We’re delighted that this is being addressed. 

“It’s been heartbreaking and frustrating to hear carers having to choose between paid work and Carer’s Allowance simply because of a rise in the National Living Wage – something that is supposed to benefit low paid workers, not put them out of work.”

WATCH RACHEL REEVES ON NEVER MIND THE BALLOTS

By Ryan Sabey, Deputy Political Editor

RACHEL Reeves will be grilled in a special Budget edition of The Sun’s Never Mind The Ballots show today.

Our Political Editor Harry Cole will put the Chancellor on the spot shortly after she’s finished delivering her crucial address in the House of Commons.

It will be available to watch on thesun.co.uk, YouTube and Sun social channels at 5.30pm.

Topics will include her decision on whether to spare motorists a fuel duty rise, and the expected eye-watering tax rises she will impose.

Since its launch earlier this year, NMTB has cemented its place at the heart of British politics.

During the General Election campaign The Sun was the only print publisher to host back-to-back grillings of Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer.

Footage from The Election Showdown has been viewed over 15 million times.

NMTB has also featured interviews with ex-PMs Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, as well as senior politicians Nigel FarageJames CleverlyWes StreetingSteve Reed and Bridget Phillipson

Home buyers

Home buyers were also rewarded in the Budget as the Government confirmed that it will deliver more affordable housing.

It announced on Saturday that it will build up to 5,000 new affordable social homes.

There will be a £500million boost for the Affordable Homes Programme, which will push up the total amount of funding to more than £5billion.

The Chancellor also confirmed a new five-year social housing rent settlement which will allow it to invest in tens of thousands of new homes.

But the Government confirmed it will not extend the current stamp duty thresholds in a blow to first-time buyers.

Stamp duty land tax is due if you buy a property or piece of land which is worth more than a certain price in England and Northern Ireland.

In 2022 the rate at which first-time buyers need to pay it was increased from £300,000 to £450,000.

A discounted rate on purchases of up to £625,000 was also brought in.

Meanwhile, it was increased from £125,000 to £250,000 for those taking a second step on the ladder.

But these thresholds will expire on March 31, 2025, at which point they’ll return to the previous levels.

A return to previous stamp duty thresholds will result in an additional 20% of first-time buyers being liable to pay stamp duty according to online property portal Zoopla.

A further 14% will be forced to pay a partial amount.

The impact will be felt across London and the South East in markets with average house prices over £425,000.

This will increase costs for buyers by an average of £5,600 in London and £1,390 in the South East.

In parts of London where homes are worth more than £600,000, first-time buyers could pay an additional £15,000 in stamp duty.

Pensioners

Labour followed through with its pledge not to increase income tax, National Insurance and VAT rates.

Rachel Reeves confirmed that the full new state pension will rise from £221.20 a week to £230.25 – providing an additional £470.60 a year.

Meanwhile, the full basic state pension will increase from £169.50 to £176.45 per week – equivalent to an extra £361.40 annually.

Self-employed

Rachel Reeves confirmed speculation that she will increase national insurance on employers’ pension contributions but self-employed people will be spared the change.

Employers currently pay national insurance for most workers earning more than £9,100 a year but this will fall to £5,000 from next April.

The amount they pay is equivalent to 13.8% of the employees earnings above this threshold but it will be increased to 15%.

Although this will not affect employees directly, businesses and bosses have warned that it could mean that they reduce or stop hiring staff, or that pay rises are pared back.

This will have a knock on effect on working people.

But self-employed people will be spared the change as they have a different national insurance system.

Self-employed workers pay Class 4 contributions, which are 6% on profits of £12,570 up to £50,270.

Above this threshold they pay 2%.

Their different system will mean that they are better off than company employees in the Budget.

Losers

Renters

Rachel Reeves took an axe to the “Right to Buy” discount, which was given to those who want to buy their council house.

The Government said it will mean thousands more homes will remain available to rent as it will protect council housing “existing stock”.

Currently the maximum discount you can get through the Right to Buy scheme is £102,400 across England.

In London boroughs this climbs to £136,400.

The thresholds increase every April in line with inflation.

The size of the discount you get depends on:

  • How long you’ve been a tenant with a public sector landlord
  • The type of property you are buying 
  • The value of your home

You get a 35% discount at the moment if you’ve been a public sector tenant for between three and five years.

After five years the discount climbs by 1% for every extra year you’ve been a public sector tenant, up to a maximum of 70%.

Bus users

The Government has also confirmed that the £2 bus fare cap for single journeys will rise to £3 until the end of 2025.

The current cap was introduced by the previous Conservative government to help with the cost of living.

It was set to expire on December 31, 2024.

The change will mean that someone using the bus every weekday will be forced to spend an extra £4 a month on transport.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

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Former EastEnders star speaks about health condition while on BBC soap – admitting it was the ‘worst thing in the world’

A FORMER EastEnders star has opened up on their health battle that was the ‘worst thing in the world’ while filming.

The long-running BBC One soap has been a platform for some of the biggest stars to kick start their careers.

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A former EastEnders star has opened up on their health battle whilst filming the soap
BBC
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Getty - Contributor
Himesh Patel played Tamwar Masood in the BBC soap from 2007 until his departure in 2016[/caption]
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BBC
The now 34-year-old has opened up on how suffering with acne as a teen whilst being beamed into TVs across the country was difficult[/caption]

In 2007 Himesh Patel joined Albert Square with the Masood family, playing Tamwar.

He was the son of Zainab and Masood – a role he held until quitting for good in 2016.

Himesh was just 16 when he first appeared in EastEnders and catapulted in the limelight.

Now 34 and a movie star, he’s opened up on how suffering from acne while on TV was the ‘worst thing in the world’ at the time.

Speaking candidly, he said: “When you’re a teenager and you have acne, it’s the worst thing in the world.

“But then when you’ve got acne in front of millions of people every week in EastEnders, it’s a whole other thing.”

Eventually Himesh’s acne did clear up, but he continued to tell just how stressful it was to worry about the skin condition while working on set.

He added to GQ: “It was rough. You just kind of feel defective because you’re surrounded by actors.

“Everyone gets spots, but I just felt the pressure. So I try and do better now.”

Since leaving EastEnders Himesh has starred in smash-hit movie Yesterday, which sees his character black out and only remember The Beatles when he comes around.

In 2019 he also starred in The Aeronauts alongside big names like Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones.

He also appeared in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, Himesh played a pivotal character alongside John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki and Michael Caine.

EastEnders facts and figures

THE beloved British soap has been captivating audiences for decades.

EastEnders follows the lives of the residents of Walford as they navigate love, loss, family drama, and community struggles.

Here’s the latest on:

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First case of new killer mpox strain detected in UK – as officials isolate patient and race to trace contacts

THE UK has reported its first case of a new potentially more contagious strain of mpox.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said a single case of the mpox virus variant clade 1b was detected in London.

a close up of purple cells on a yellow background
Reuters

The unnamed patient, who tested positive for the mutant virus yesterday (October 29), caught the bug in an African country affected by the outbreak.

The patient has since been transferred to the Royal Free Hospital High Consequence Infectious Diseases unit.

Health officials are now racing to find close contacts of the person, who landed back in the UK on October 21.

The UK Health Security Agency said the risk to the wider population “remains low”.

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions.

The new clade 1b variant started spreading rapidly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DCR) last year.

Since then, it has spread internationally, reaching as far afield as Germany, Sweden, Thailand and India,

Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said: “The risk to the UK population remains low, and we are working rapidly to trace close contacts and reduce the risk of any potential spread.

“In accordance with established protocols, investigations are underway to learn how the individual acquired the infection and to assess whether there are any further associated cases.”

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The Red Queen smiled then dropped £40BN tax BOMB on Brits – businesses clobbered, fag price up & even your HOLIDAYS hit

Rachel Reeves may have campaigned as the ‘iron chancellor’ and heir to Margaret Thatcher. 

But be in no doubt – she is governing as Labour’s Red Queen.

a woman wearing a poppy pin sits next to a man wearing glasses
AFP
Rachel Reeves dropped a £40bilion tax bomb on Britain in her first Budget[/caption]

Rising to her feet to deliver her first ever Budget, Rachel allowed herself a brief smile – before dropping a £40 billion tax bomb on Britain.

Each line of her Budget plunged a knife into the Tories and the economic consensus of the past generation. 

Dressed in a sharp navy suit, purple pussy bow shirt and matching newly painted nails, she may have looked demure – but her Tory trash talk would make make a champion fighter blush.

They had left a “£22 billion blackhole” and “covered it up” she thundered.

The finances are a mess. Public services run down. Brits betrayed.

This sparked pandemonium on the Tory benches.

An outraged Rishi Sunak threw up his arms and cried out in despair. Wide-eyed Jeremy Hunt blinked slowly and shook his head.

Burly shadow Home Secretary James Cleverly jabbed his finger and furiously argued with a Labour MP sitting opposite him.

a woman in a blue suit is holding a red briefcase
Getty
Rachel Reeves became the first woman in history to deliver a Budget in Britain[/caption]

Was he suggesting they take this row outside? Surely it’s too soon for another Mike Amesbury style dust-up.

Ignoring the squabbling boys Rachel carried on reading her Budget – and raising taxes.

Booze and fag taxes up.

Capital gains and inheritance tax up.

Taxes on getting planes on holiday up.

But the biggest hike of all was saved for businesses, who were clobbered with an eye-popping £25bn hike in employer National Insurance Contributions. 

Sir Keir Starmer looked uncomfortable at this one. The PM played with his fingers and stared intently at his shoes. His shirt collar suddenly felt a little tight. Was it getting hot in here?

But Labour’s Red Queen was warming to her theme.

Class war was order of the day, and Rachel sounded like she was really enjoying herself when she confirmed private schools would be whacked by 20 per cent VAT rates.

That got them going on Labour’s backbenches. They roared with delight and waved their order papers in the air.

The Tories looked ashen faced. A few gulped deeply as they did the mental maths in their heads. Does that mean I’ll have to take my youngest out of their school, some wondered.

Plenty of privately educated Labour MPs stayed schtum. Now was not the time to reminisce about how much they enjoyed their Latin lessons.

But Rachel had saved two big Budget bunny rabbits.

Fuel duty will be frozen – thanks to The Sun’s Keep It Down campaign. 

And Brits will not have to pay more in income tax (well beyond the massive amounts we already pay) as she did not extend the threshold freeze beyond 2028.

Jaws dropped at that one. 

Ending with a flurry, Rachel declared she had “protected working people” before grinning and taking to her seat.

Keir smiled and whispered well done. Labour MPs dutifully cheered. Was that a red flag being unfurled on the backbenches?

But a furious Rishi leapt to his feet and accused Labour of “breaking promises” and “breaching the bond of trust” voters had placed in them.

Fiscal rules have been fiddled. Taxes hiked. Poor pensioners left to freeze, he fumed.

Jabbing his finger with the white hot fury of a former Chancellor who had been accused of getting his long division sums wrong, he accused Labour of damaging UK plc and talking Britain down. 

Shouting now, his throat is getting horse. Rishi knocks back bottled water like he is downing whisky shots in a bar brawl.

A deafening din erupts behind him as Tory MPs row in behind their leader.

Could it be that Rishi had finally won over his warring MPs?

Too late now. This Budget is Rishi’s swan song his last turn on the frontbench. He hands over to a new party leader in three days time.

And the Red Queen is feeling pretty safe on her throne. 

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