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Voices

<p>The CBI survey offered no festive cheer to Rachel Reeves</p>
Voices

Can Reeves save Britain’s frozen economy from recession?

Britain’s economy is flatlining with little immediate prospect of growth, says James Moore. With activity grinding to a halt, is there anything the chancellor can do to turn up the heat?

<p>The car driven by the suspect who crashed into the crowd at the German Christmas market </p>
mark almond

Whatever the aim, the German market attack will divide the West

<p>Terrible date? Little treat. Horrendous bit of admin? Little treat</p>
Voices

I’ve found the best last-minute Christmas gift – and it’s free

<p>Rohingya refugees gather at a temporary shelter in the basement of a government building in Banda Aceh </p>
Voices

Myanmar must be held to account – or the world risks looking powerless

<p>Rosamund’s favourite Christmas tipple is champagne </p>
the wine down

There’s only one wine you really need at Christmas

<p>Creating a guide for loved ones is about future-proofing money problems </p>
the money column

Why you need a household money ‘bible’

<p>When did dressing dogs up become such a Christmastime staple? </p>
Voices

No matter how ‘cute’ you find it, dressing your dog up is barking mad

<p>A coal mine in Australia’s Hunter Valley </p>
chris wright

Australia is recklessly blowing its own climate promises

<p>‘Things came to a head recently at a family funeral when I told my grandchild off for behaving badly...’ </p>
dear vix

I’m the ‘evil’ mother-in-law and I’m dreading Christmas with my family

<p>Australia has announced a new social media ban for children under 16</p>
Voices

Social media ban won’t protect kids – it’ll put them more at risk

<p>‘Wicked’ star Ethan Slater and Dr Lilly Jay (left), and Ariana Grande (right), who is now dating Slater </p>
Voices

The hidden message in Lilly Jay’s essay about Ethan Slater

<p>A new report recommends teachers should also be able to escalate matters to police, the NHS and social services if parents don’t engage with the school </p>
charlotte cripps

The last thing we need is teachers being forced to act like the police

<p>‘In asking “What’s up?” the characters open the door to a longer friendship’ </p>
lewis buxton

25 years ago, this advert changed men’s friendships forever

<p>‘I love being single – but for some reason it feels like a curse this time of year'</p>
emma clarke

Spare a thought for ‘the single one’ this Christmas

<p>‘Labour had promised to pay the compensation suggested by the pensions ombudsman – but has now made the decision not to’ </p>
Letters

Waspi women have been shamelessly betrayed by Labour

<p>A coal mine in Australia’s Hunter Valley </p>
Voices

Australia is recklessly blowing its own climate promises

<p>Lily Allen has spoken about her struggles with eating on her podcast, <em>Miss Me? </em></p>
sharan dhaliwal

Telling women they look ‘skinny’ isn’t the compliment you think it is

As the ‘Smile’ singer reveals she’s ‘stopped eating’ and is ‘not really in a great place mentally at the moment’, Sharan Dhaliwal explains there can be a dark side to saying someone looks good

<p>The name of Gisele Pelicot will now occupy an honoured place in the history of women’s rights and feminism in France</p>
Voices

France may shrug off Gisele Pelicot’s rape ordeals as ‘provincial’

<p>There has been recent talk of an oppressive and draconian law, introducing harsher punishments for women who expose their hair, forearms or lower legs – even executions</p>
jemima shelley

Iran’s brutal oppression of women has entered a dark new phase

Explore news for you

More Voices

<p>The latest CBI survey does not come with much festive cheer for Labour </p>
The Independent View

Labour must do more to win back confidence of business

The Independent View

Labour must do more to win back confidence of business

Editorial
<p>The latest CBI survey does not come with much festive cheer for Labour </p>
<p>Keir Starmer’s first few months in government have been far from smooth </p>
Letters

Labour must stop harming the people it pledged to protect

<p>The Christmas grocery list has dropped slightly in price </p>
Voices

The truth about the cost of this year’s Christmas dinner

<p>The King will be at the forefront of efforts to charm Donald Trump </p>
The Independent View

In the court of Trump, our royal family could be key

<p>Reform UK’s new treasurer Nick Candy, Elon Musk, centre, and Nigel Farage met at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago (Stuart Mitchell/Reform UK)</p>
Letters

Maybe the UK needs someone like Elon Musk to tighten spending

<p>Reform UK’s new treasurer Nick Candy, Elon Musk, centre, and Nigel Farage met at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago (Stuart Mitchell/Reform UK)</p>
Letters

Maybe the UK needs someone like Elon Musk to tighten spending

<p>Nigel Farage will do more damage to the Conservatives than to Labour </p>
Voices

Labour fears Nigel Farage – but he’s Keir Starmer’s secret weapon

<p>Lord Mandelson – who has been deputy prime minister and EU trade commissioner – is much more a rule-maker than a rule-taker</p>
Voices

Mandelson is a gamble as US ambassador – but exactly what Trump needs

Most commented

UK economy heading for ‘worst of all worlds’, CBI warns after Labour Budget

237 comments

Starmer could introduce new law to block Musk from donating to Reform, minister says

231 comments

UK economy failed to grow in third quarter in fresh blow for Labour

149 comments

Whatever the aim, the German Christmas market attack will make the West more divided

223 comments
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More Voices

<p>‘It’s just part of being a woman; you’ll get used to it,’ my female GP told me</p>
Voices

I was told passing out due to period pain is normal for women

<p>Mark Wild wants was a ‘fundamental reset’ of HS2</p>
Voices

HS2 is a symbol of national incompetence. Spend its billions elsewhere

<p>‘Peter Mandelson will feel at home under the chandeliers at the UK ambassador’s residence in Massachusetts Avenue’ </p>
Voices

Can Peter Mandelson keep his mouth shut and wow Washington?

<p>A central ‘known unknown’ is how bringing the richest person on the planet into the Trump administration will pan out</p>
The Independent View

Chaos in Congress is a reminder we should brace for ‘unknown unknowns’

<p>Grim times ahead for UK plc in 2025? </p>
Voices

How long will the Budget shadow hang over Britain’s gloomy economy?

<p>So I skirted the group and separated the youngest / As if cutting a steer from the herd in the hope of an introduction</p>
Voices

What happened at a dinner party where seating was decided by a raffle

<p>A central ‘known unknown’ is how bringing the richest person on the planet into the Trump administration will pan out</p>
The Independent View

Chaos in Congress is a reminder we should brace for ‘unknown unknowns’

<p>Grim times ahead for UK plc in 2025? </p>
Voices

How long will the Budget shadow hang over Britain’s gloomy economy?

<p>So I skirted the group and separated the youngest / As if cutting a steer from the herd in the hope of an introduction</p>
Voices

What happened at a dinner party where seating was decided by a raffle

<p>The Inbetweeners’ infamous ‘bus w***er’ scene</p>
Voices

It’s time to punish young male drivers… but not young women

Voices

It’s time to punish young male drivers… but not young women

Sean O'Grady
<p>The Inbetweeners’ infamous ‘bus w***er’ scene</p>
<p>Trump has frequently insulted, attacked or threatened the press in assorted public addresses </p>
Voices

Trump’s war on the press is straight out the Putin playbook

<p>A new poll shows a majority in the UK feel they can trust European trading partners more than the Americans</p>
UK Politics

Readers want UK to prioritise EU relations – not US relationship

<p>Now 79 and in frail health in a miserable prison cell, Aung San Suu Kyi is an increasingly forgotten and even despised figure</p>
Voices

Free Aung San Suu Kyi – and let her finish what she started

<p>‘Elon Musk may have been talked into donating to a political party that has no future without its figurehead, Nigel Farage’ </p>
Letters

Does Elon Musk want to donate to Reform UK… or buy it?

<p>‘Elon Musk may have been talked into donating to a political party that has no future without its figurehead, Nigel Farage’ </p>
Letters

Does Elon Musk want to donate to Reform UK… or buy it?

<p>The Bank of England has held interest rates at 4.75%</p>
Voices

As interest rates remain high, should Britain fear ‘stagflation’?

<p>‘As Brooklyn said, wine <em>is </em>very special, it does bring people together and I love that he loves sharing it’</p>
Voices

Why I’ll be raising a glass to ‘vinfluencer’ Brooklyn Beckham

<p>Thames Water is Britain’s biggest water firm (Rui Vieira/PA)</p>
Voices

Households shouldn’t pay the price to rescue the water companies

19 December 2024
The Independent View

Starmer’s U-turns will come back to haunt him

<p>‘Presents aren’t trivial, silly, or the preserve of spoiled children. They are a way of communication, of showing love, humour and appreciation’ </p>
Voices

How to give a ‘mindful’ gift this Christmas (and show real love)

<p>A new report has revealed that an alarming amount of children’s toys are unsafe </p>
Voices

Beware of dangerous Christmas toys found online

<p>Caroline Darian bravely took to the stand to face her father last week</p>
Voices

The unimaginable horror Gisèle Pelicot’s daughter is dealing with

<p>Sara Sharif was murdered by her father and stepmother </p>
Letters

Everyone who failed Sara Sharif must now answer for their inactions

<p>I’ve learnt the hard way that you can’t trust a politician’s promises</p>
Voices

As a ‘cuspy Waspi’ woman I’ve another reason to be furious with Labour

<p>Gisele Pelicot leaves the court in Avignon, France</p>
Voices

Where are all the men horrified by Gisele Pelicot’s rape trial?

<p>Avanti West Coast workers are to strike over New Year after the latest deal was rejected</p>
Voices

The latest train strikes aren’t just disruptive – they’re dangerous

Voices

The latest train strikes aren’t just disruptive – they’re dangerous

Emma Clarke
<p>Avanti West Coast workers are to strike over New Year after the latest deal was rejected</p>
<p>Reform leader and the party treasurer visited the tech billionaire at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate </p>
Voices

Musk and Farage have handed Starmer a golden opportunity...

<p>The price of alcoholic drinks surged, but price rises are accelerating across multiple categories </p>
Voices

Inflation is up again – and this time, it’s fired by ‘greedflation’

<p>Before the election, Keir Starmer described the Waspi women’s case as ‘a real injustice – we need to do something about it’ </p>
Voices

Labour’s betrayal of Waspi women shows its problems go far beyond OAPs

<p>Gisele Pelicot outside the Avignon court house on Thursday where judges are considering allegations she was drugged and raped over a period of years </p>
Voices

Gisele Pelicot’s ‘descent into hell’ shows why women are so furious

<p>Gisele Pelicot outside the Avignon court house on Thursday where judges are considering allegations she was drugged and raped over a period of years </p>
Voices

Gisele Pelicot’s ‘descent into hell’ shows why women are so furious

<p>The services sector is the biggest in the UK economy</p>
Voices

The economy has shrunk again – but it’s too soon to utter the ‘R’ word

<p>‘People started screengrabbing Mangione’s Twitter banner picture, which includes an image of Pokemon character Breloom, an X-ray of his spine and a topless snap – since dubbed a thirst trap’ </p>
Voices

Luigi Mangione and the dark truth behind our reaction to his arrest

<p>There has been a significant decrease in the number of job vacancies </p>
Voices

A weakened job market is a sign of things to come – it isn’t pretty

<p>Volodomyr Zelensky, during a visit to Estonia, admitted: ‘Next year could be the year this war ends’ </p>
The Independent View

The one battle President Zelensky looks set to win

<p>‘The Church of England lacks credibility – but the flock can believe without belonging’</p>
Letters

The Church of England’s moral authority is now gone

<p>OnlyFans model Victoria Thomas Bowen was given a suspended sentence for throwing milkshake at Nigel Farage in Clacton, during the election campaign</p>
Voices

That ‘lenient’ milkshake sentence is a propaganda gift to Nigel Farage

<p>Lieutenant general Igor Kirillov was assassinated by Ukrainian special forces in a residential neighbourhood of Moscow</p>
Voices

Ukraine’s scooter bomb killing could alter the course of the war

<p>Sara Sharif, 10, was murdered by her father and stepmother</p>
Voices

Children like Sara Sharif deserve to be seen, heard and believed

<p>The task of patriots like Yang is not to steal secrets. It is to influence their targets, to absorb their worries, to soften their impressions of a hostile regime and to create the conditions for appeasement and hesitation in a crisis</p>
Voices

Yang Tengbo isn’t just a Chinese ‘spy’ – he’s far more interesting

<p>Elon Musk helped to get Donald Trump re-elected </p>
Business Comment

Why Elon Musk should get every cent of his $56 billion pay package

<p>European Council President Antonio Costa (L) and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer (R) meet at 10 Downing Street </p>
UK Politics

Who should the UK prioritise relations with – the US or the EU?

UK Politics

Who should the UK prioritise relations with – the US or the EU?

<p>European Council President Antonio Costa (L) and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer (R) meet at 10 Downing Street </p>
<p>Aaron Taylor-Johnson is currently promoting two new movies </p>
Voices

There’s just one problem with Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s press tour

<p>Prince Andrew and Yang Tengbo, during a ‘Pitch@Palace’ event</p>
The Independent View

Prince Andrew’s spy scandal shows we don’t know what to do about China

<p>The salinity of the water extracted in Gaza makes it undrinkable </p>
Voices

Israel has weaponised water – and the damage is terrifying

<p>Royal Mail was spun out from the Post Office and privatised just over a decade ago </p>
Voices

This ‘Czech Sphinx’ may have what it takes to turn Royal Mail around

<p>Royal Mail was spun out from the Post Office and privatised just over a decade ago </p>
Voices

This ‘Czech Sphinx’ may have what it takes to turn Royal Mail around

<p>Abu Mohammad al-Julani, the current Syrian leader, was once named by the US government as a ‘specially designated global terrorist’</p>
Letters

Is the Syrian leader someone Britain should be doing business with?

<p>Archbishop of York Stephen Geoffrey Cottrell and the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby</p>
Voices

Only a woman can fill the void at the top of the Church of England

<p>Gary Lineker will still front the BBC’s coverage of the World Cup in 2026 </p>
Voices

Dumping Gary Lineker is a self-destructive move the BBC will regret

<p>Home secretary Yvette Cooper met with her Italian counterpart this week to discuss immigration </p>
The Independent View

The Tories failed on immigration – Labour must not follow suit

<p>Have you perfected the art of the OOO message? </p>
Voices

This Christmas, spare a thought for the recipient of your OOO email

<p>‘Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch forgets we know what her party did’</p>
Letters

The previous government would do well to show some contrition

<p>Prince Andrew is said to have ‘ceased all contact’ with the alleged Chinese spy </p>
Voices

A Chinese ‘spy’ befriending Prince Andrew is part of a dangerous game

<p>It’s easy to get carried away at Christmas, especially when it comes to gift-giving</p>
Voices

How to talk to your children about money management this Christmas

<p>‘My child is now aware of who Father Christmas is’ </p>
Voices

My toddler now knows about Father Christmas – and that’s a problem

<p>Port is usually considered a festive drink, but it’s great to enjoy all year round </p>
Voices

Port isn’t just for Christmas – but it’s a jolly good time to try it

<p>The ‘tractor tax’ will come into effect in April next year </p>
The Independent View

The ‘tractor tax’ needs to be rethought to protect family farms

The Independent View

The ‘tractor tax’ needs to be rethought to protect family farms

Editorial
<p>The ‘tractor tax’ will come into effect in April next year </p>
<p>Covid-19 vaccinations are currently offered to those at higher risk – including the elderly and frontline health workers</p>
Letters

The criteria for regular Covid jabs should be extended

<p>The ‘tractor tax’ will add a tremendous strain on family farms </p>
Voices

Ed Davey: Now is not the time to turn our backs on family farms

<p>The president-elect will likely come after Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act </p>
Voices

This is the best way to counter Trump-era climate denial

<p>‘Last year, my friends and I predicted a hung parliament’</p>
Voices

Keir Starmer proved the crystal ball wrong this year – so what next?

<p>‘Last year, my friends and I predicted a hung parliament’</p>
Voices

Keir Starmer proved the crystal ball wrong this year – so what next?

<p>A trip to Selfridges took a sinister turn, yet no one seemed to care </p>
Voices

A man walked into my changing room – what happened next was shocking

<p>‘I look up to cooks like Mary Berry, the patient aunt of the domestic oven’ </p>
Voices

Why we can’t let TikTok food trends kill off the cookbook

<p>Keir Starmer heading to Rio de Janeiro for the G20 summit in November </p>
Voices

The prime minister must resist becoming ‘Air Miles Starmer’

The Independent View

The government can no longer afford to say one thing and do another

<p>Margaret Thatcher’s Right to Buy scheme sold off council housing at a considerable discount – without providing any replacement stock </p>
Letters

It’s time we gave up on Thatcher’s home-owning dream

<p>‘In the manner of Tsar Nicholas II, abdication might be the way Vladimir Putin decides to go’</p>
Voices

Does Assad’s exile in Moscow mean Putin’s days are numbered?

<p>Paul Webster, former editor of The Observer, with members of the National Union of Journalists </p>
Voices

The Observer strike raises questions we should all be worried about

<p>And now the year is over and my deadline for updates / Is the day I send out the cards</p>
Voices

Do you send Christmas cards? Here’s why you should

<p>‘In the manner of Tsar Nicholas II, abdication might be the way Vladimir Putin decides to go’</p>
Voices

Does Assad’s exile in Moscow mean Putin’s days are numbered?

<p>Paul Webster, former editor of The Observer, with members of the National Union of Journalists </p>
Voices

The Observer strike raises questions we should all be worried about

<p>And now the year is over and my deadline for updates / Is the day I send out the cards</p>
Voices

Do you send Christmas cards? Here’s why you should

<p>Cush Jumbo and David Tennant during the curtain call at the West End opening night of Macbeth</p>
Voices

David Tennant’s play was stopped? As an actor, I’ve seen even worse

The Independent View

Labour is right to push hard to ease the housing crisis

<p>Frank Ocean attended the 2019 Met Gala in a formal Prada suit with a quarter-zipper </p>
Letters

Got something to say about men’s clothes? Just zip it

<p>Back to the office with you, the Met has said to civilian support staff </p>
Voices

The Met have shown how little they value women and disabled people

<p>‘When I saw Starmer laughing about the need to conserve bats, I felt cheated’ </p>
Voices

Labour’s housing targets aren’t just shortsighted – they’re suicidal

<p>Keir Starmer and his deputy, Angela Rayner, who is responsible for housebuilding targets </p>
Voices

Is Angela Rayner going to lose Keir Starmer the next election?

<p>Health Secretary Wes Streeting to ban puberty blockers for young transgender people (Jordan Pettitt/PA)</p>
Voices

Wes Streeting’s puberty blockers ban will send trans kids to France

<p>The country’s successful bid to host the competition is part of a broader ‘sportswashing’ strategy </p>
Voices

We should all be worried about Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 World Cup

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