Hair and beauty salon owners across the UK are calling for a reduction in VAT, citing acute staffing shortages and increasing operational costs. The industry faces significant challenges, with many struggling to recruit skilled professionals and manage rising expenses.
The UK government has granted approval for Shell's Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea. This decision underscores the intricate balance Westminster attempts to strike between domestic energy security and its stated climate commitments, a tension particularly evident with other contentious projects like Rosebank.
The Northern Ireland Secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris, has reiterated that the contentious Troubles Legacy Bill does not grant an amnesty for soldiers, as amendments are currently under debate in the House of Commons. The long-awaited legislation, which seeks to address legacy issues from the Northern Ireland conflict, faces scrutiny from MPs and human rights organisations over its implications for justice and accountability.
