The key facts – at a glance

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said that his Autumn Statement budget plan, in which he announced tens of billions in tax rises and spending cuts, provided a “balanced path to stability” He also made it clear that his priorities were stability, growth and public services. Here are the key facts of the

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Charter aims to reduce violence against women and girls

A rallying call has gone out to businesses to sign up to a charter which will help prevent and reduce violence against women and girls across the Staffordshire.  A recent survey found that 67 per cent of females have experienced harassment, intimidation or violence in a public place. The survey also showed

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Nearly half of SMEs facing energy bills April cliff-edge

A new British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) survey has found almost half of SMEs say they will find it difficult to pay their energy bills once the Government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme ends on 31 March 2023. A further 4% say they will not be able to pay their energy bills at all, while 37% predict they will

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Questions raised over ways to tackle £50bn budget deficit

A group of economists has questioned UK assertions that a “black hole” in the public finances will need to be filled with austerity measures and tax rises. The Progressive Economy Forum, which campaigns to end austerity, claims that the £50bn “hole” disappears entirely if the debts are calculated differently. The

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