counter Latest News – Page 274 – Forsething

Latest News

Category Added in a WPeMatico Campaign

The 65p Tesco buy that cleaned black spots off my grubby patio & left it looking brand new – just soak and scrub

ONE keen gardener has shared his hack for cleaning up his “grubby” patio and it only costs 65p.

Taking to the Garden on a Budget Facebook page, one man described using some bleach, water and pressure washer to transform his neighbour’s patio.

Patio cleaned with Aldi product.
Gardening on a Budget Official/ Facebook
One Facebook user shared how he cleaned up this ‘grubby’ patio[/caption]
Patio being cleaned with soapy water.
Gardening on a Budget Official/ Facebook
He applied bleach and water for one hour before washing it off[/caption]

“Just to demonstrate the cheapest and most effective way of cleaning a patio I did my neighbours today so some before and afters……bleach and water left to soak and pressure washed,” wrote Facebook user Scott on the page and shared before and after photos of his efforts.

This method would only set you back 65p for the bleach from Tesco, provided you have access to a pressure washer.

He was inundated with questions about his method and asked for tips on how to get the best result.

Scott explained how he left the bleach for one hour to soak and dry before washing it off.

“What’s the ratio to bleach and water please ???” asked one person to which Scott replied, “Fill a bucket and 300 ml of bleach. The key to this is brush it in and let it soak until dry.”

Others pointed out that using bleach outside was not great for the environment and some people asked for pet friendly alternatives.

Scott said of pet friendly options: “Have done it with washing up liquid too in the past with similar results. Just to break the debris from the surface is all your doing. Bleach merely speeds up the process. Go for Fairy as long as its gets a light scrub and soaks in your good.”

When using bleach in the backyard, it is important to do it safely and to keep it away from plants, because bleach is toxic to all living things and will damage the soil.

It should never be used in garden beds as it can make your soil too alkaline to grow plants. When bleach breaks down in your soil, it leaves behind salt, which is harmful to plants.

If you have weeds between patio slabs, and choose to use bleach to kill them, it can also damage the stones.

Bleach also has strong fumes and can be bad for the environment and your health.

It’s not only the bleach which can be damaging to the backyard, but also overusing a pressure washer.

According to paving specialist and founding director of Infinite Paving, Rowan Cripps, overusing pressure washers can damage or even remove the sealant on the stone, which is there to make the patio last longer.

Patio stones cleaned with Aldi product.
Gardening on a Budget Official/ Facebook
Scott showed off the results of his budget cleaning hack[/caption]

Read More »

Sham parking firms fail to return 20 cars to Brit holidaymakers leaving them stranded at major UK airport

Bristol Airport departure lounge at dusk.
Getty
Exterior of Bristol airport departure lounge illuminated at dusk[/caption]

BRIT holidaymakers were left marooned at an airport after finding their cars missing.

They left their motors with rogue parking firms who failed to return them.

Bristol Airport arrivals terminal.
Alamy
Bristol Airport terminal[/caption]
Police seized car used as mobile office by illegal parking company.
SWNS
One of the cars seized during the operation targeting unofficial parking companies near Bristol Airport[/caption]

Homebound Brits were left stranded upon their arrival back in the UK at Bristol Airport, after 20 cars failed to be returned to their owners.

Police have launched a crackdown operation against these unofficial ‘companies’ after receiving numerous complaints.

The reports to the police detailed vehicles sustaining damage and unaccounted extra miles on the clock.

The airport’s policing team collaborated with the Immigration Enforcement Team, North Somerset Council and the Motor Insurance Bureau during an enforcement day on June 3.

The forces discovered 20 vehicles which had not been returned to their rightful owners.

Consequently, many were left marooned at Bristol Airport for hours waiting for their cars to be recovered before they could get back home.

Some of those unable to leave the airport were families with young children.

The officer in the case supporting the operation, Sgt Danielle Hardaway said: “The last thing anyone wants is the worry over whether their car will be returned to them or not when they return from holiday.

“This operation was carried out as part of our commitment to keep the airport safe, maintain vehicle standards, and to promote the safety of passengers going to and from the airport, who should be able to do so with confidence in using licensed vehicles.

“We have had reports of cars being returned damaged or with excess mileage and, in some cases, have been driven by people who are uninsured as well as being involved in driving offences.”

The cars have now been returned to their owners by the police.

However many of them were found to be in undrivable or unroadworthy conditions.

Avon and Somerset police even reported that some cars had been left in hazardous or obstructive places around nearby villages – such that they required towing.

The police have issued a photo which shows one customer’s car being used to distribute keys around the local areas.

In the picture, keys are piled on the front seat and in the footwell, which poses a threat risk.

Following the operation, investigations are underway into three unlicensed ‘taxis’ and other suspected offences including no insurance, immigration, and licensing issues.

Dave Lees, Chief Executive, Bristol Airport, said: “We welcome this latest operation and will continue to work with colleagues at Avon and Somerset Police and North Somerset Council to tackle these rogue operators.

“They are a nuisance to local communities and cause distress to customers who use them – with many completely unaware of where their cars end up.

“We urge everyone to look for the Park Mark accreditation, which all of our car parks have, so they have the peace of mind knowing their vehicle is safely parked while they enjoy their trip away.

“We also ask our customers to be respectful of our neighbours and not to park or drop off outside their houses or drop litter.”

Sgt Hardaway also offered some guidance to holidaymakers to avoid this happening in future: “We are now in the summer months and therefore a busy holiday season for both travellers and Bristol Airport alike.

“We ask people to always choose reputable parking operators, and to choose them carefully, and if the price seems too good to be true, then it often is.”

“We advise people, when booking parking anywhere, to look for the British Parking Association’s police-backed Park Mark Safer Parking scheme.”

Car interior filled with keys and plastic bags.
SWNS
Photo from police showing keys piled on the front seat[/caption]

Read More »

Death row killer made chilling last hand gesture before being suffocated to death & left convulsing in 4 minute ordeal

A DEATH row killer was seen making a chilling last hand gesture before being executed by nitrogen gas.

Gregory Hunt, 65, was strapped to a chair with a blue-rimmed mask covering his entire face before he was put to death at a south Alabama prison.

Headshot of a man.
AP
Gregory Hunt was convicted of killing a woman[/caption]

Hunt, who was convicted of killing a woman in 1988, did not give any final words.

However, he appeared to give a thumbs-up sign and a peace sign with his fingers shortly before prison authorities blasted nitrogen at his face.

The method involves forcing an inmate to breathe pure nitrogen gas, depriving them of the oxygen needed to stay alive.

Hunt was left convulsing for four minutes before authorities declared him dead.

He briefly shook, gasped and raised his head off the chair. He then let out a moan and raised his feet.

The killer took a series of gasping breaths with long pauses in between before dying.

Prison authorities said the movements throughout the four-minute ordeal were expected.

Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said: “What I saw has been consistent with all the other nitrogen hypoxia executions. There is involuntary body movement.”

But critics say they show that the execution method does not provide a quick death.

Hunt killed 32-year-old Karen Lane inside her own apartment in 1988 after dating her for about a month.

Prosecutors said that after becoming enraged with jealousy, he broke into Lane’s apartment and sexually abused her and beat her to death, inflicting 60 injuries on her body.

Jurors convicted him in 1990 and recommended a death sentence by an 11-1 vote.

Lane’s family, who also witnessed the execution, said that the night was not about Hunt’s life but rather her horrific death.

They said Hunt showed her no mercy in 1988 and savagely took Lane away from them.

They added: “This is also not about closure or victory. This night represents justice and the end of a nightmare that has coursed through our family for 37 years.”

Hunt was among the longest-serving inmates on Alabama’s death row.

The US Supreme Court denied Hunt’s request for a stay about three hours before the execution began.

Hunt argued that prosecutors misled jurors about the evidence of sexual abuse, a claim the Alabama attorney general’s office called meritless.

On the day of his execution, he had a lunch tray that included bologna, black-eyed peas, carrots and fruit punch, prison officials said.

Hunt declined to have a dinner meal.

Last year, Alabama became the first state to carry out an execution with nitrogen gas.

The method has now been used in six executions, five in Alabama and one in Louisiana.

Hunt selected nitrogen over the other options, lethal injection or the electric chair, before Alabama developed procedures for the method.

Hunt’s was one of two executions carried out Tuesday in the country.

In Florida, Anthony Wainwright, 54, died by lethal injection for the April 1994 killing of 23-year-old Carmen Gayheart, a nursing student and mother of two young children, in Lake City.

US death penalty laws

THE death penalty in the United States is governed by both federal and state laws.

Its legality and application can vary depending on the jurisdiction.

The federal government allows the death penalty for certain crimes such as terrorism, espionage, treason, large-scale drug trafficking, and murder of a federal official or law enforcement officer.

The Federal Death Penalty Act (1994) provides the legal framework for death penalty procedures in federal cases, outlining offenses that are eligible for capital punishment and procedural protections for defendants.

As of now, 24 states permit the death penalty, while 23 have abolished it or have moratoriums.

Each state has its own laws regarding which crimes are punishable by death, usually limited to first-degree murder with aggravating circumstances (e.g., multiple murders, killing a police officer, or murder during a violent crime like robbery).

Lethal injection is the most common method of execution across the U.S., but some states have alternative methods, such as the electric chair, gas chamber, hanging, or firing squad, as secondary options or by choice of the condemned.

Some states have imposed moratoriums (temporary halts) on executions, such as California, Oregon, and Pennsylvania, even though the death penalty remains legal in those states.

There has been a growing trend toward abolition, as public opinion has shifted, concerns about wrongful convictions have arisen, and the costs of death penalty cases have increased.

Death penalty cases involve a complex and lengthy appeals process, which includes automatic appeals to higher courts.

This process is designed to ensure that convictions are accurate and that no constitutional rights were violated during the trial.

Defendants in capital cases are afforded specific protections, such as the right to effective legal counsel and mental health evaluations.

Read More »

Shock update in Beckham family feud as Brooklyn ‘goes no contact’ with David and Victoria for heartbreaking reason

BROOKLYN Beckham has cut all contact with his family amid their bitter feud, according to reports.

The 26-year-old, who lives in LA with wife Nicola Peltz, 30, has no desire to speak to his parents or siblings following his no-show at dad David’s 50th birthday celebrations, an insider has told Page Six.

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz in swimwear by a pool.
Instagram
Brooklyn Beckham reportedly has no desire to see his family[/caption]
David and Victoria Beckham at a soccer match.
AFP
David and Victoria are said to be gutted by the family feud[/caption]

The sourced said: “Brooklyn told his family he wants no contact and he’s not responding to those that try to connect.”

However, another source close to Brooklyn is said to have denied the claim, simply saying: “Everyone’s focus should be David Beckham’s great honor.”

The Sun has contacted representatives for Brooklyn and the Beckhams for comment.

England legend David will be knighted as part of King Charles’ birthday honours.

It’s a title he has coveted for some time and it means Victoria will be come Lady Beckham.

Brooklyn reportedly only found out about the news through the media.

David was first put forward for a knighthood in 2011 after helping to secure the London 2012 Olympics.

But he was blocked from getting the title by the Honours Committee after becoming caught up in a tax avoidance scheme, along with many other stars.

His finances were cleared by the taxman at least four years ago – paving the way for him to finally get the coveted honour.

Just weeks ago we revealed how David and Victoria feel there might be no way to reconcile with their eldest child.

It followed Brooklyn sharing a video of him and Nicola riding on his motorbike and writing: “My whole world. I will love you forever. I always choose you baby.”

Those close to the Beckhams said the message seemed “very pointed”.

A source added: “It shows how much this situation with his family has escalated.

“It’s very sad for everyone involved, especially David and Victoria who love him very much. This isn’t the Brooklyn his family knows and loves.

“This post was like a dagger to their hearts but they will always be there for Brooklyn.”

Brooklyn added of his wife Nicola: “You’re the most amazing person I know. Me and you forever baby.” She responded: “I’ve always got you baby.”

Hours later, Brooklyn’s brother Cruz, 20, declared his love for his parents in another Instagram post.

Sharing a picture of David and Victoria with all four of their children, Cruz wrote: “I love my family, I love you guys more than anything.

“Mum and dad, you gave us life and cared for us no matter what.

“I cannot tell you how blessed we all are to have you in our lives x.”

Brooklyn’s post was criticised by some followers, with one writing: “What a dig at his mum and dad!

Another added: “Actually quite sad that you are adding fuel to the fire to further hurt your parents.”

However those close to Brooklyn and Nicola – who married in April 2022 – insisted it was not a dig.

A source said: “They are unbelievably smitten, and for him, social media is another way of showing his love.

“Brooklyn would be happy to meet his parents behind closed doors and hopes for a reconciliation.”

The Beckham family and Cruz Beckham at a fashion show.
Getty
The Beckham clan in happier times[/caption]
Brooklyn Beckham with his fiancée, Nicola Peltz, and his parents, David and Victoria Beckham.
Instagram
Brooklyn and Nicola pictured with Victoria and David before the rift[/caption]
Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz at the Academy Museum Gala.
Getty
Brooklyn recently told wife Nicola ‘I choose you always’[/caption]

Brooklyn recently flew to London to film an ad near the Chelsea Flower Show, where David was meeting the King.

But a contact close to his parents claims Brooklyn did not tell his family he was coming.

They said: “It shows how fractured the relationship has become, that not even texts or calls are made between them.”

Tensions became public when Brooklyn did not publicly acknowledge fashion designer Victoria, 51, on Mother’s Day. He then failed to show at any of David’s 50th birthday parties.

His mum and dad have continued to acknowledge him on social media, but pals of Brooklyn and Nicola suggested that was for show.

The Sun revealed that the couple recently had dinner in California with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who were “very empathetic”.

Read More »

Chelsea make huge decision on Raheem Sterling’s future as big-name signing is stripped of squad number

CHELSEA have confirmed that both Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix will not travel to the Club World Cup this week.

Both players were loaned out this season after falling out of favour at Stamford Bridge.

Joao Felix and Raheem Sterling of Chelsea celebrating a goal.
Getty
Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix will not feature at the Club World Cup[/caption]

And now it appears that neither will have a way back into the Chelsea squad.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..

The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.

Read More »

Rachel Reeves vows to END costly asylum seeker hotels & unleashes £11BILLION defence spending to boost Britain’s borders

RACHEL Reeves has vowed to end the use of costly asylum seeker hotels – in a move that could save taxpayers £1bn a year.

Setting out her spending review today, the Chancellor also promised a £11billion boost for the UK’s defence.

Rachel Reeves smiling at a horticulture hub.
PA
Rachel Reeves has vowed to end the use of costly asylum seeker hotels[/caption]
Migrants in a small boat at sea.
Labour is under pressure over the record rate of Channel crossings
AFP

Ms Reeves pledged to cut the asylum backlog, hear more appeal cases and return people who have no right to be in the country.

Speaking in Parliament today, she said: “So I can confirm today… that led by the work of RHF the Home Secretary… we will be ending the costly use of hotels to house asylum seekers, in this Parliament.

“Funding that I have provided today… including from the Transformation Fund… will cut the asylum backlog; hear more appeal cases; and return people who have no right to be here… saving the taxpayer £1bn per year.

“With a £11bn increase in defence spending… and a £600m uplift for our security and intelligence agencies.

“That investment will deliver not only security, but also renewal… in Aldermaston and Lincoln; Portsmouth and Filton; On the Clyde and in Rosyth.

“Investment in Scotland. Jobs in Scotland. Defence for the United Kingdom. …opposed by the Scottish National Party… delivered by Labour.

“That is my choice, Mr Speaker. That is Labour’s choice. And that is the choice of the British people.”

It came as she unleashed a £100million spending spree to tackle illegal migration – including deploying more border cops and drones.

The Chancellor set out her spending plans for the coming years with big increases for the NHS, defence and schools.

And she threw more than half a billion pounds at fixing Britain’s broken borders.

The cash boost comes on top of the £4million being spent every day on accommodation for those crossing the Channel in small boats.

The Chancellor and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper last night put on a united front after days of fraught negotiations over today’s Spending Review – insisting border security is a priority.

The new funding is part of a £113billion spending spurge by the Chancellor as she seeks to get back on the front foot after a painful 48 hours.

She is reeling from a humiliating u-turn on winter fuel payments and dire jobs figures showing rising unemployment.

Yesterday she was forced to admit that Brits were not feeling any better 11 months on from the election.

But Ms Reeves last night refused calls to apologise for her handling of the finances.

Weeks of haggling have seen Ms Reeves lock horns with Cabinet colleagues over how much of the pie they will get.

The Sun understands that Home Secretary Ms Cooper – who was the last to fold in tense negotiations – has secured an immediate £100million to combat illegal migration this year.

She will also get £580million across the next three years for Border Security Command to invest in new specialist cops and surveillance to thwart Channel crossings.

Burying the hatchet in a joint piece for The Sun, Ms Reeves and Ms Cooper write: “Our Spending Review is about investing in Britain’s renewal.

“It’s about protecting our security and strengthening our borders.”

Labour is under pressure over the record rate of Channel crossings that is around 15,000 already for the year.

We also revealed this week that the £4.7billion annual cost of migrant hotels is being funded by the equivalent of 582,000 taxpayers.

WE'LL HIT HARD

By RACHEL REEVES and YVETTE COOPER

WE inherited a broken immigration system.

Under the Conservatives, smuggling gangs were left to take hold along the French coast, undermining Britain’s border security and putting lives at risk.

The Labour Government has already increased enforcement activity to smash these vile criminal networks.

Eighty different investigations into organised smuggler gang networks are currently underway.

Since we came to power, 600 boat engines have been seized, almost 20,000 social media accounts promoting small boat crossings have been removed, illegal working raids are up over 40 per cent and 30,000 people with no right to be in the UK have been removed, and we are bringing in new counter terror powers to go after the gangs.

But we need to go much further and faster to get one step ahead of the tactics used by small boat gangs.

That is why we will boost investment to secure our borders, with up to £280million per year in the Border Security Command by 2028/29.

With this funding we will invest in new specialist investigators, new technology and cutting-edge surveillance equipment to disrupt and destroy this criminality.

Our Spending Review is about investing in Britain’s renewal.

It’s about protecting our security and strengthening our borders.

That is what we promised and that is what we are doing.

Read More »

Chancellor Rachel Reeves reveals £39bn plan to build affordable homes across the UK in spending review

A HUGE boost for building more home was announced in today’s spending review by Rachel Reeves.

The Chancellor today unveiled a £39billion 10-year plan to build more social and affordable housing across the UK, alongside a new rent policy for social housing starting in 2026.

Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, leaving 11 Downing Street.
Alamy
Rachel Reeves has announced £39billion in funding[/caption]

The multi-billion pound investment will be distributed among local authorities, private developers, and housing associations to help deliver 1.5million new homes and address the housing crisis.

This funding is a major increase compared to the previous affordable housing programme, which allocated £11.5billion over five years (2021–2026), or £2.3billion annually.

By the end of this Parliament, the government plans to almost double yearly spending on affordable housing to £4 billion by 2029/30.

The £113billion increase in capital spending announced today will be funded through extra borrowing, made possible by changes to fiscal rules earlier this year.

Reeves told MPs: “I am proud to announce the biggest cash injection into social and affordable housing in 50 years.

“A new Affordable Homes Programme – in which I am investing £39bn over the next decade.

“Direct government funding that will support housebuilding… …especially for social rent.”

A government source added: “We’re turning the tide against the unacceptable housing crisis in this country with the biggest boost to social and affordable housing investment in a generation, delivering on our commitment to get Britain building.”

What’s happening to social rents?

The government is also introducing a ten-year plan for social housing rents starting in 2026.

This policy will allow housing providers to raise rents by inflation plus 1% (CPI+1%) each year, helping them secure funding to invest in building new homes and maintaining existing ones.

At the same time, a consultation will soon be launched to explore how to make rent levels fairer across social housing.

This plan aims to balance investment in housing with protecting social housing tenants from excessive rent increases.

The previous Conservative governments made similar promises of long-term rent hike formulas in the early 2010s but often failed to follow through.

For example, David Cameron‘s coalition set a 10-year rent settlement in 2012 based on the retail price index plus 0.5%.

However, then-Chancellor George Osborne later imposed four years of below-inflation increases to reduce housing benefit costs.

More recently, Johnson’s government announced a five-year settlement of CPI plus 1% in 2020 but had to cap rent increases at 7% due to a surge in inflation.

Most social housing tenants receive full housing benefits from the government, meaning taxpayers often fund any social rent increases.

However, around 30% of social tenants pay full rent and will be hit by future increases in full because they’re not eligible for support.

There are around four million households currently living in rented social housing.

That means 1.2million households will face future bill hikes with the new 10-year formula.

However, the exact amount your rent will increase will depend on where you live and how big your property is.

Help available for social renters

IF you rent from the council or a housing association, you can get help if you’re having problems affording your rent.

If you miss a rent payment, you’ll fall into ‘arrears’ and owe your council or housing associations.

Fail to pay back what you owe and you could be evicted.

If you can’t afford your next rent payment, you should talk to your landlord as soon as possible.

Call them and explain why you’re struggling.

Your landlord may be able to grant a temporary payment holiday or signpost you to other forms of help.

It’s worth asking if you can get a discretionary housing payment.

This provides extra money from your local council to help pay your rent – you don’t need to pay it back. 

It’s always worth checking if you’re getting any benefit payments you’re entitled to.

You can use several free calculators, such as Gov.uk, Citizen’s Advice, MoneySavingExpert, StepChange, and Turn2Us, to help you get an estimate.

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

Read More »

Raymond van Barneveld granted exemption to play in darts tournament as five-time world champion accepts wildcard invite

DARTS legend Raymond van Barneveld has been granted permission to join the World Seniors Tour.

The 58-year-old has been named as the final wildcard for the 2025 Champion of Champions.

Raymond van Barneveld celebrating during a darts match.
Rex
Raymond van Barneveld is a wildcard for the WST’s 2025 Champion of Champions[/caption]
Raymond van Barneveld and Luke Littler shaking hands before a darts match.
Alamy
The 58-year-old still competes on the PDC tour[/caption]

Barney will take on 11 other legends of the sport at the tournament in Portsmouth on June 29.

The Dutch icon currently holds a PDC Tour Card.

He was given special permission by the PDC to appear in the event later this month.

Van Barneveld began his darts pro career way back in 1987.

He started in the BDO, winning four world titles before joining the PDC in 2006.

Barney added the PDC crown a year later, cementing his place as a legend of the sport.

The Dutchman still plays on the Tour, but his last major televised final came in the 2018 Masters.

He will go up against stars including Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton and Mervyn King in Portsmouth.

BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK

Van Barneveld said: “I am looking forward to playing in this event.

“The sport has always loved big characters, and World Seniors Darts have brought them back, with most still playing to a high standard.

“They have a loyal crowd, and the popularity for the Seniors seems to grow and grow.

“I’m looking forward to catching up with the old faces of the sport, especially from my BDO era.

“I’m not coming over to Portsmouth thinking this will be easy.

“I will be giving my full respect to all of the players involved, and I will be preparing hard for this tournament”.

“To have the likes of Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton and Mervyn King, who have not long come off the Professional Tour, and then Seniors World Champions like John [Henderson], Robert [Thornton], and Ross [Montgomery] also playing, it’s going to be a real battle out there to take the title”.

Read More »

Price of a pint rises 15p major pub boss reveals due to Chancellor’s tax hike

THE boss of a major pub chain has revealed it hiked the price of pints by 15p following a Government tax raid.

The chief executive of Fuller’s said the group upped the price of a pint of beer after being hit with £8million in extra costs.

Portrait of Simon Emeny, Fuller's chief executive.
PA
Simon Emeny has said it upped the price of a pint by 15p in March[/caption]

Simon Emeny, boss at Fuller, Smith and Turner, said the firm bumped up prices at the end of March ahead of an increase in employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) and the national minimum wage in April.

Mr Emeny told the PA news agency that Fuller’s had looked to be “sensitive” with price increases and would keep them “under review” for the rest of the year.

It comes after he exclusively told The Sun prices would likely rise by 10p to offset its added costs.

The pub chain is one of a number who warned of price rises to tackle higher NICs and wage costs.

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) recently said the average price of a pint of beer would surge past £5 for the first time because of cost hikes hitting the sector.

The BBPA said the average cost of a pint in the UK is expected to rise by about 21p as a result.

Emeny said the pub group could not offset the cost impact of the NIC and minimum wage hikes with just price increases.

The group, which has about 5,500 staff, is doubling down on investment in its bars and staff training, to drive sales higher, which it hopes will counter the extra costs.

“Six months down the line and I don’t think price increases are the only answer. It has to come through higher sales,” he said.

But he said the consumer spending outlook would be sensitive to the interest rate outlook, and whether the Government moved to increase personal taxes.

The comments came as Fuller’s posted a 32% jump in underlying pre-tax profits to £27 million for the year to March 29.

Like-for-like sales rose 5.2%, and the group said growth had continued into the first 10 weeks of the new financial year, albeit at a more muted rate of 4.2%.

It also announced that its chairman of 18 years, Michael Turner, a member of one of the three founding families, will retire at the group’s annual general meeting in July, after a 47-year career with the group.

He will be replaced by Mr Emeny, who will become executive chairman, the first person to take the role who is not a member of the founding families.

Fred Turner will be promoted from retail director to chief operating officer.

A number of other founding family members remain on the board, including non-executive directors Sir James Fuller and Richard Fuller.

On his final set of full-year figures for the group, the outgoing chairman said it had been an “excellent” past year.

Mr Turner added: “This strong performance has been achieved despite the business operating in a challenging and, at times volatile, economic environment.

“The geopolitical situation has caused uncertainty in global markets and the decisions made by the Chancellor in her October budget hit the sector hard and reduced confidence in hospitality stocks.”

An outspoken critic of the move to raise National Insurance contributions (NICs) from April, Mr Turner said: “The changes to national insurance contributions took everyone by surprise and I fear it could be terminal for a number of smaller operators in our market.”

What are employer National Insurance contributions (NICs)?

CONSUMER reporter Sam Walker tells you everything you need to know.

Employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) are effectively a tax on businesses used to cover social security benefits like Universal Credit and the state pension.

NICs are also paid by workers and the self-employed.

According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), NICs are the UK’s second-biggest tax, expected to bring in around £170billion this financial year.

Employers only pay NICs on workers’ salaries from a certain threshold. This is currently £9,100 but will drop to £5,000 from April 6.

Those of state pension age or older do not have to pay NICs, but employers with workers aged 66 or older have to pay NICs on their earnings.

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

Read More »

Love Island hosts slam Ben after ‘horror story’ comment to Shakira as fans call for him to be AXED

THE hosts of the Love Island podcast have slammed Ben after his ‘horror story’ comment to Shakira.

In last night’s episode, which marked the second instalment of the all-new summer series, Ben Holbrough, 23, was seen chatting to American bombshell Toni about Shakira Khan, 22.

Ben from Love Island.
Ben’s comments about Shakira needing to be ‘humbled’ sparked concern
Eroteme
Maya Jama on Love Island.
Ben and Shakira were coupled up before Toni entered the villa
Eroteme
Indiyah Polack at the MOBO Awards.
Rex
Love Island podcast host and former Islander Indiyah spoke about Ben’s comments in today’s podcast[/caption]
Amy Hart at the opening night of Gary Barlow's "A Different Stage".
Getty
Co-host and fellow former Islander Amy also commented on Ben[/caption]

Speaking to 24-year-old Antonia Laites, Ben said he “humbled” Shakira in a previous conversation.

He added that she “needed that”, leaving Toni replying with “I don’t want to talk about her” before changing the subject.

This comes after Toni stole Ben, who was previously coupled up with Shakira, who was then left single and vulnerable.

And now, amid calls for his axe, podcast hosts of Love Island: The Morning After, have slammed Ben’s behaviour.

Indiyah Polak, Sam Thompson, and Amy Hart all host the podcast.

Indiyah spoke about the moment Ben said he had “humbled” Shakira when she said: “You always hear these horror stories of guys wishing these things on women like ‘oh yeah she needs to be humbled’.

“But you never see it in real life,” she added.

Indiyah went on to add: “I don’t know what it is [about] Shakira [that] Ben feels threatened by.

“But he seems to not like Shakira’s confidence… it rattles him.”

Amy then weighed in and said: “The only thing that Shakira did to Ben was throw herself into the relationship and try to make it work.”

Fans watching Love Island last night were also quick to weigh in on Ben’s problematic comment about humbling Shakira.

Taking to X, one person said: “Shakira needed to be humbled????? on day one?!! get ben OUT OF THIS VILLA!”

A second penned: “Nah Shakira and any other girl needs to run from Ben if he’s cocky enough to say a woman he just met needs to be ‘humbled.’ Scary tbh.”

While a third wrote: “Ben saying Shakira needed to be humbled and he’s known her for three hours, he’s a weirdo he needs to leave already.”

Love Island 2025 - current couples

LOVE Island's 2025 cast have already undergone a shake-up, here are the latest couples:

A fourth then said: “humble my queen shakira??? smh kick off this ben guy.”

Then, sharing the video of Ben bragging about “humbling” Shakira, someone else wrote: “Ben wanted to gossip about Shakira but Toni said miss me with that bs, very annoying lad.

“Shakira didn’t even do anything to him.”

Although Shakira was vulnerable because of Toni’s arrival into the villa, it was not her who left on Tuesday night.

As a result of Toni’s arrival in the villa, Sophie Lee was savagely dumped from Love Island.

Just 24 hours after she had arrived, 29-year-old Sophie was made to repack her bags and leave the villa.

Shakira was given one day to find a connection with another guy after being left single by Ben, otherwise she would have been dumped from the island.

Unfortunately for Sophie, the brunette managed to turn Harry Cooksley‘s head and picked him to recouple with.

Her decision left Sophie single and she was sent home.

Maya Jama arrives at the Love Island villa with news.
Eroteme
The first dumping took place on Tuesday night[/caption]

Read More »