Author: Sumon Admin

    Universal Credit, the so-called new welfare state, has been plagued by back-to-back problems since launching in the UK led mostly by its controversial five week wait for first payments. However, 2.7million people are already enrolled onto it - and more in counting as the roll-out continues. But what other help can you claim once you're on the new six-in-one benefit and how can you access the extra perks? Those on Universal Credit can claim back up to 85% of their childcare costs, as well as access free work clothes to get to and from interviews. Half price train and bus travel is also available as well as a savings scheme that gives you a 50p bonus for every £1 you manage to lock away. "Universal Credit can help you pay essential bills, such as housing and childca...

    Side-by-side maps of UK constituencies at the start and end of the 2010s show a clear picture of how Labour’s support has eroded over the decade. Labour faces a major rebuilding job in the 2020s, starting with the election of a new leader in the New Year. The two maps available under Creative Commons - show how the Conservatives have made gains in northern England and Wales, while Labour has also lost a huge amount of ground to the SNP in Scotland. They are a stark representation of Labour’s failure in the last four elections, having only gained seats once, in 2017. Labour leadership candidates and MPs expected to run have been making suggestions on how the party can make up these losses and win a future election. Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, s...

    The Santa rally well and truly ran out of steam for the FTSE 100 on the last day of 2019. Investors had been enjoying an 11-day rise on the blue-chip index, including nine days of gains following Boris Johnson’s decisive Tory victory in the election. But the FTSE 100 dipped 0.6 per cent, or 44.61 points, to 7542.44, during a half-day of trading curtailed for New Year’s Eve. It was the second consecutive day of losses, drawing a line under its longest climb for three years, as a stronger pound dragged down internationally exposed companies. Sterling rose 1.2 per cent against the dollar over the course of the day to around $1.328, its highest level in two weeks. A rise in sterling generally has the opposite effect on the FTSE 100, since a more valuable domestic curr...

    The London fireworks are an iconic British symbol of celebrating New Year's Eve, and millions will watch them light up the sky tonight. Broadcast around the world, the display lasts around 15 minutes and comprises of 12,000 fireworks 2,000 of which will be set off from the London Eye. It's the largest annual fireworks display in Europe, and an impressive spectacle whether you are watching it in person, or on TV. Ahead of what is sure to be another dazzling display this evening, here's everything you need to know about how much the fireworks cost, and how they are financed: How much do the London fireworks cost? The budget for the annual London New Year's Eve fireworks is decided by the mayor, Sadiq Khan . Last year, £2.3 million was allocated for the display, ...

    The medieval city of York has announced plans to ban private cars from the city centre within three years in a bid to cut carbon emissions. Councillors spelled out the unashamedly ambitious goal that would follow the lead of Bristol, which is due to become the first UK city to ban diesel cars by 2021. The historic Yorkshire city, which attracts nearly 7 million visitors a year, is one of several UK cities with illegally high levels of air pollution. The ban would stop all non-essential private car journeys inside York’s city walls by 2023, with an exemption for people who rely on cars such as disabled residents. Jonny Crawshaw, a Labour councillor in the city, said: People’s first response might be to be a bit anxious about what we’re proposing. But that doesn’t m...