Author: INDEPENDENT

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsJohn Swinney must work “tirelessly” with businesses to make growing the economy the “defining priority” of his Government, the industry has warned.CBI Scotland said the First Minister is now in a “race against time” to deliver economic growth amid a near £5 billion budget black hole facing the country by the end of the decade.The business group said the SNP leader must work with other parties and with…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsAn average of four dogs were stolen every day across the UK last year, latest police figures suggest.The figure brings the total number of reported dog thefts to around 25,000 over the past 11 years, with breeds such as French bulldogs, Staffordshire bull terriers and dachshunds most at risk, analysis of police data by Direct Line found.However, improved awareness and the introduction of the Pet Abduction Act in…

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture emailGet the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Jinkx Monsoon is Judy Garland,” screams the advertising for Soho Theatre Walthamstow’s new staging of End of the Rainbow. On the surface, it’s punchy and unconventional casting: Garland, legend of Old Hollywood, played by a trans woman of reality TV fame. That’s not to sell Monsoon short – her two victorious runs on RuPaul’s Drag Race (in 2013 and as part of the all-winners series in 2022)…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsThe Government “must focus on how it will reduce the public policy costs which are pushing up food prices”, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has said after reports the Treasury asked supermarkets to limit food prices in return for the lifting of some regulations.The proposals would see shops voluntarily cap the prices of essential groceries such as eggs, bread and milk, according to the Financial Times.The Treasury has…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsFan spending for Harry Styles’s 12-night run at Wembley Stadium is set to reach £1.1 billion despite ongoing cost-of-living pressures, figures suggest.Ticket-holders are expected to spend a total of £981 on average attending the Together, Together tour – which is limited to London in the UK – including travelling to the venue, staying overnight, buying merchandise and other costs, according to a survey for Barclays bank.The figure exceeds…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsThe UK has the highest commercial property tax burden of any major economy, according to a report.The findings from global tax firm Ryan’s annual business rates review comes as thousands of UK companies prepare for a jump in their rate payments for the next year.The report, published on Monday, found that the UK ranks first globally for the property taxes as a share of gross domestic product (GDP).Experts…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsThe FTSE 100 slumped on Friday as talks between the US and China failed to deliver hoped for progress on the Middle East, adding to jitters caused by domestic political uncertainty.“There’s a downbeat feel around at the end of the week as big problems crowd in, without resolutions in sight,” said Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club.The FTSE 100 closed down 177.56 points, 1.7%, at 10,195.37.The…

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture emailGet the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Nearly a dozen people were sent to the hospital Wednesday evening after an escalator at New York City’s Gershwin Theatre malfunctioned.Eleven people were injured when the escalator jolted without warning and threw riders forward shortly after 5 p.m. Ten children and one adult were taken to nearby hospitals, the Department of Buildings confirmed to The Independent. Updates on their conditions weren’t immediately available Thursday morning.“Inspectors were informed…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsThe FTSE 100 closed higher on Thursday as ongoing political uncertainty was offset by encouraging UK GDP data, a cooling oil price and easing gilt yields.The FTSE 100 closed up 47.58 points, 0.5%, at 10,372.93.The FTSE 250 ended up 299.70 points, 1.3%, at 22,828.07, and the AIM All-Share fell just 0.09 of a point at 817.12.In the UK, Health Secretary Wes Streeting quit his post, paving the way…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsTrust in water companies across England and Wales has plunged to a new low as households grapple with soaring bills, an annual survey has found.Some 13 water companies saw their customer trust ratings fall during the year and the overall score for England and Wales drop from 6.28 to 6.07 out of 10, according to the 15th Water Matters report by the Consumer Council for Water (CCW).The most…