Cash-strapped London councils are considering the largest council tax increases ever seen, potentially forcing residents to pay several hundred pounds more a year in order to balance budgets.
Conservative-held Wandsworth Council is thought to be discussing whether to raise charges by up to 160 per cent in April next year.
It would mean an extra £800 a year for residents in average, Band D properties in the south London borough.
The potential hike “beggars belief”, said Labour councillors in Wandsworth. But the Tories blamed the Labour Government – arguing that unfair changes had slashed Whitehall funding in areas which have kept their council tax low.
What has happened so far in Meta’s trial over ‘harm to children’
The first hearing day of the lawsuit against Meta over alleged child harm ended yesterday.
A coalition of 29 US states initially brought the action against Meta Platforms in 2023 in California, accusing the company of deliberately designing its platforms to be addictive to young people.
The opening arguments
California’s deputy attorney general Megan O’Neill alleged that Meta hid the truth about the risks its platforms posed to children, chose profit over safety and actively intervened in its own mental health research.
Meta’s lawyer Paul Schmidt argued the company always took safety into account, has a track record of sharing information about social media harms and that enforcing content and age limit policies is complicated.
A whistleblower’s testimony
Meta whistleblower Arturo Béjar said in his testimony that Meta knew its platforms were harming young people, and underplayed the amount of harm among users in its public reports.
During the trial, protestors gathered outside the courthouse.
What happens next?
California’s attorney general, Rob Bonta, said the hearing will resume with the continuation of Béjar’s testimony. The trial is expected to last 5-7 weeks.
Whether CEO of Meta Mark Zuckerberg will testify is still “TBD”, according to Bonta.
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How Ulez is improving children’s health in London
A study has revealed that children’s lungs grew bigger and stronger after the introduction of the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez), which restricted the most polluting vehicles from entering London.
The researchers described it as a vindication of the policy, which has been criticised as a burden on motorists.
What you need to know
Previous research showed that by the age of eight or nine, children living in London’s most polluted areas had lung capacity that was 5–10 per cent lower than that of children living elsewhere.
This increased their risk of developing respiratory diseases such as asthma, cardiovascular and metabolic disease, and premature death later in life.
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The study
- Researchers from Queen Mary University of London recruited 1,664 children aged six to nine in London and 1,750 in Luton.
- They then measured the children’s lung health and size annually to assess how air quality changes after the introduction of Ulez affected their lung development.
- The children in London initially had much smaller lungs than those in Luton, but after Ulez, their lungs’ health improved until they were comparable with those in Luton.
For years, politicians and pundits opposed to the Ulez have cynically sought to turn questions of public health into a crude culture war. Today, though, it’s clear that we’re winning the battle against toxic air in the capital – and it’s London’s children who are reaping the rewards.
Sadiq khan, mayor of london
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The organ in your chest that could be key to living longer
If you ever muse about which parts of your body are most impacted by getting older, your heart, brain or perhaps your muscles may come to mind. One that you probably wouldn’t think of is the thymus.
Erin Patterson challenges convictions over mushroom murders
Erin Patterson was jailed for life last September for murdering three relatives and trying to kill another after giving them a poisonous mushroom meal.
But now, Patterson is returning to court in an attempt to overturn her conviction.
Patterson’s lawyers say there are pieces of evidence the jurors saw which were not relevant and prejudicial, causing a substantial miscarriage of justice.
They include mobile tracking data indicating that she had been to places where death cap mushrooms had recently been seen, and online messages to Facebook friends in which she ranted about her in-laws and estranged husband.
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A closer look at the detail
Patterson’s lawyers also claimed that other evidence had been wrongly excluded.
They pointed to photos relating to her hobby as a long-time mushroom forager that would have supported their argument that the deaths were a tragic accident.
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Issues with prosecution
- Her lawyers argued that the prosecution had been inconsistent over the motive, initially telling the court they would not put forward a specific motive, but later suggesting that one did exist.
- They criticised the five days Patterson was cross-examined by barrister Nanette Rogers.
- Patterson said it was “unfair and oppressive”.
- Because of the global scrutiny on the case, steps were taken to ensure the jury were insulated from outside influences.
- However, Patterson’s lawyers argued a “fundamental irregularity” occurred which “fatally undermined” the integrity of the verdicts.
- This is because the jury shared a hotel with members of the prosecution among others.
- The judge at the time said there was no evidence the jury interacted with anyone linked to the case.
What happens next?
The result of the appeal will not be announced immediately after these hearings, as reaching a decision could take months.
If the three judges overturn her convictions, there are two options – a retrial or acquittal.
If the prosecution’s appeal is successful, Patterson may see her parole period extended, or could face life without parole.
Nick Kyrgios banned from tennis after positive cocaine test
Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for cocaine.
The Australian submitted a sample during the Mallorca Open on 22 June that was later found to contain benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.
What you need to know
- Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended since 4 August.
- The International Tennis Integrity Agency said Kyrgios could appeal against the provisional suspension “but has not done so to date”.
- In a post on Instagram, Kyrgios said he made “a huge mistake” and takes “full responsibility” for it.
What the suspension means
Kyrgios cannot play, coach at or attend Grand Slams or any events sanctioned by the men’s and women’s tennis tours.
The 31-year-old has played just four singles matches this season, having struggled with injuries. He last played in the men’s doubles at Wimbledon, where he lost in the first round.
Years of injuries take toll
My body hasn’t been able to do what my mind expects it to do. Coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined. None of that excuses what I did.”
said in a written statement
How worried should you be about UK salmonella outbreak
One person has died and more than 200 have fallen ill amid a UK-wide salmonella outbreak, with health officials linking the cases to the consumption of imported eggs.
Source being investigated
The patients affected appear to have eaten the contaminated eggs in restaurants and cafes, not at home. Those affected include babies and people as old as 90.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has ruled out UK-produced eggs or poultry as the source and said the evidence suggests imported eggs are responsible.
Where have the cases been?
Most cases have been in England, including 47 in London and 38 in Yorkshire and the Humber. There have been six cases in Scotland, one in Wales and another in Northern Ireland.
Officials have found that all of the cases are linked to a single strain of salmonella.
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How worried should you be?
- More than a third of those affected have needed hospital care – however, most people get better without treatment.
- Salmonella generally causes a mild illness, though vulnerable people may experience severe illness.
- There are simple steps to prevent the spread of salmonella, including washing your hands after using the bathroom and before handling food.
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What are the symptoms?
- Hannah Charles, the UKHSA’s lead epidemiologist for gastrointestinal infections said: “Symptoms of a salmonella infection include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and sometimes vomiting and fever.
- “Anyone who is concerned about symptoms should contact their GP or out-of-hours service in the first instance.”
- To prevent the spread, she advised: “Wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and before preparing and handling food, cook food thoroughly.
- “If you have any symptoms, avoid handling food for others where possible.”.
The mispronounced words Britons struggle with the most
The most commonly mangled words in the UK have been revealed in a new survey, as well as our attitudes surrounding pronunciation.
Here is everything you need to know.
What you need to know
OnePoll has conducted a survey on the most commonly mispronounced words in the UK.
The research was commissioned by Czech car manufacturer Skoda to highlight the fact that many Britons pronounce the brand’s name wrong – “S-co-der” instead of the correct “Sh-co-da”.
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Mispronounced words – and the correct pronunciations
- 1Acai: Ah-sigh-ee
- 2Segue: Segway
- 3Charcuterie: Shar-koo-tuh-ree
- 4Quinoa: Keen-wa
Mispronounced words – and the correct pronunciations
- 5 Gnocchi: Nyock-kee
- 6 Worcestershire: Wus-ter-sher
- 7 Chipotle: Chi-poht-lay
A closer look at the survey
The survey also revealed how Britons feel about mispronounced words.
- 85 per cent of respondents had someone correct them after a mispronunciation, with 25 per cent feeling embarrassed afterwards.
- 27 per cent admitted they continued using the wrong pronunciation anyway.
- 52 per cent thought it shows respect for language, while 38 per cent thought it made them appear more knowledgeable.
- 34 per cent thought it made them seem more professional.
- 38 per cent said that the way someone pronounces words could affect the impression they have of them.
Ikea is set to launch its own second-hand selling site later this year, which will allow shoppers signed up to its membership to buy and sell pre-owned Ikea items locally.
Already trialled in other countries
The scheme follows trials of online second-hand marketplaces in Spain and Norway.
It also comes five years after the world’s biggest furniture retailer began buying and selling used Ikea items in some of its UK stores.
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Perks for users
- On the Spanish version, selling is made easier with price suggestions given by Ikea and pre-filled product descriptions.
- Ikea also offers sellers 15 per cent extra on the price of the item if they agree to be paid with an Ikea gift card.
- A similar system to Vinted of paying a 5 per cent “protection fee” is being implemented in Spain from January next year to fund various costs related to the sale.
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Westminster Council chiefs, with also some of the lowest rates in the country, have raised the prospect of a mammoth council tax rise of up to 100 per cent, which would hike average bills by more than £500 a year.
Residents in several other parts of London and the south east are also facing significant council tax rises as local authorities struggle with financial black holes and face up to a £7bn gap in funding over the next three years.
Wandsworth Council planning huge hike
Wandsworth Council is discussing whether to raise council tax by as much as 160 per cent in April, first reported.
The flagship Tory local authority – once described by Margaret Thatcher as her favourite council – has traditionally kept its council tax rates extremely low.
The average Band D resident in Wandsworth currently pays only £1,020 a year, the lowest in England, in contrast, residents in Pendle, Lancashire, pay approximately £2,500.
Roughly half of that is the council element, while the other half is the charge set by Greater London Authority (GLA).
A rise of 160 per cent in the council element would add an extra £814 to a typical Band D bill – pushing it up to £1,834 a year.
Although nothing has been agreed by Wandsworth councillors, The i Paper understands the council is discussing a potential three-figure percentage increase of 100 per cent or more.
If the council element of the annual council tax bill was increased by 100 per cent, it would increase bills by just over £500 a year for Band D properties.
Wandsworth is one of six councils – along with Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, City of London and Windsor and Maidenhead – given special permission to hike council tax beyond the usual 5 per cent limit.
These local authorities are facing significant budget shortfalls after Housing Secretary Angela Rayner changed the formula that divided up how much Whitehall funding goes to each council.
The fair funding review has aimed to get more cash to areas with higher needs. It gives more weight to deprivation levels as well as councils’ ability to raise money themselves.
Tory councillor Peter Graham, deputy leader of Wandsworth, said the council was facing a budget shortfall of £137m.
Graham blamed the Government’s funding cuts, and the “budget hole” left by the local Labour administration that ran the council for four years up until May’s local elections. “We are striving to keep any tax increase as low as we can feasibly make it,” added Graham.
Wandsworth’s Labour leader Simon Hogg said the new Tory administration “don’t have a plan for how to run the council”. He added: “It beggars belief that Wandsworth Conservatives are planning Britain’s biggest ever council tax increase.”
Westminster Council also facing mammoth rise
The Conservative-run Westminster Council has said it faces losing £100m over four years because of the Labour Government’s fair funding changes.
Tory councillor Paul Fisher, Cabinet member for finance, has said that the Labour Government’s own figures assume Westminster would have to put up council tax “by 75 to 100 per cent”.
Westminster residents currently pay the second-lowest rates in the country, with Band D properties paying £1,047 a year.
If the council element of the annual bill was raised by 100 per cent, it would add an extra £537 a year – taking Band D bills to £1,584.
The local authority faces “stark and very tough choices ahead,” said Cllr Fisher.
The Tories claim that fair funding changes mean “well-run” councils with low council tax rates are being penalised. Money is being moved to poorly-run Labour councils with higher charges, they argue.
“Conservatives will fight this blatant attempt to prop up inefficient Labour-run councils by taking money from well-run Conservative councils,” said Shadow Housing Secretary James Cleverly.
But Labour councillor Ellie Ormsby, leader of the party’s Westminster Council group, rejected the criticism. She said successive Conservative Governments “delayed” the necessary fairer funding review “meaning we now face a cliff edge”.
Four other councils facing cap-busting hikes
Hammersmith and Fulham, City of London, Kensington and Chelsea, and Windsor and Maidenhead are also facing major funding cuts.
“I expect they are all looking at increases over 70 per cent, and perhaps more,” one local government source told The i Paper.
All these councils’ rates are currently well below England’s national average of £2,392 a year for a Band D property.
City of London raised its council tax by 5 per cent earlier this year, which means current Band D properties pay £1,329 annually.
Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea both raised council tax by 5 per cent in April – pushing Band D properties to £1,519 and £1,569 a year respectively.
Windsor and Maidenhead rose council tax by 7.5 per cent in April, taking average non-parish areas to £1,936 a year.
Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, urged ministers to “rethink” cuts of more than £100m to its funding. She said “significant savings” would have to be made, but no decision have been made yet on council tax.
Kate Ogden, senior research economist at IFS, said no new limit that has been set out by the Government that would limit the possible bill increases in these areas.
“Some of these areas – particularly Wandsworth and Westminster – currently set very low council tax bills,” said the IFS expert.
“Funding figures published by the Government assume that these councils might significantly increase their council tax bills, moving them closer to the national average,” said Ogden.
Andy Pike, professor of regional development studies at Newcastle University, is sceptical about council tax bill rises of anything like 70 to 100 per cent.
Such mammoth increases may prove “politically unfeasible,” he said. “I can’t see how Government would allow it, or councillors would vote for those sorts of huge increases.”
More councils across England could still ask for special permission to go over the 5 per cent cap in April next year.
Seven councils were granted special dispensation to go above that limit before the council tax rises for 2026-27. But all those increases came in under 10 per cent.
Reform-run Worcestershire County Council raised council tax 9 per cent in April. Liberal Democrat-controlled Shropshire and North Somerset also hiked bills by 9 per cent.
A Government spokesperson said fair funding reforms aim to provide money “where it is needed most”.
They said they had provided a “time-limited council tax flexibility” to six local authorities. “While decisions on whether to increase council tax are ultimately for local authorities to make, we expect them to put taxpayers first.”