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Labour must scythe through taxpayers’ cash Elon Musk-style and spend it where we really need

Bin this waste

EVERY penny, Labour vowed, will now be scrutinised to get value for taxpayers.

But Britain is currently so skint, they said, we must freeze your income tax thresholds yet again and hammer your employers for a jobs tax.

Keir Starmer at a meeting in Paris.
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Labour must scythe through taxpayers’ cash Elon Musk-style and spend it where we really need[/caption]

We must strip hard-up OAPs of their winter fuel payment and fleece farmers for inheritance tax, even if it jeopardises their food businesses.

And, no, we cannot set a deadline to spend 2.5 per cent of our GDP on defence, even if Keir Starmer IS pledging British boots on the ground in Ukraine.

Today, though, The Sun reveals how millions ARE available for “research” into the wokest imaginable frivolity.

A million for a university to probe “intersectional inclusion”, another million for “inclusive histories”, £200,000 to study TikTok dancing, £247,132 on some impenetrable nonsense about “queerness” in animals.

This profligacy and more by the UK Research and Innovation quango is on top of the BILLIONS in supposed “foreign aid” being blown on sickeningly spurious grounds.

No Government can plead poverty on defence with this borderline criminal squandering of taxpayers’ hard-earned cash rife in the public sector.

Why is Labour not scything through it Elon Musk-style — spending it where we really need or giving it back in tax cuts to kick-start our stagnant economy?

Jails copout

SICK of terror attacks and other atrocities, the public wants politicians to be tough on all crime.

Politicians pledge to be so and get elected. Some even fulfil those promises.

But a predictably limp report by the Government-appointed “Independent Sentencing Review” blames them and the Press for Britain’s jails overflowing.

It’s the fault of “populists”, buckling haphazardly to media pressure to do as voters demand.

The study says jail terms are too common and too long, that prison often doesn’t work and there is an “over-reliance on a tough-on-crime narrative”.

Panel chairman David Gauke, the ­liberal ex-Tory, presumably favours a “soft on crime” narrative.

But the real problem is that successive Governments, the Tories especially, failed to build more prisons as our existing ones became overcrowded hellholes.

Mass immigration has placed an extra burden on them and cells are full of foreign criminals we seem unable to deport.

And the reality is jail DOES work.

Freed prisoners may frequently reoffend . . . but at least they can’t harm innocent people when behind bars.

That may upset hand-wringing liberals whose cosseted lives are untouched by crime.

The public want to be safe. They cannot be blamed for that. Nor can Governments for doing what they ask.

Don’t pretend that prisons don’t work. Build more.

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Best and worst supermarkets revealed including for self checkouts and value for money – the winner’s not Aldi or Tesco

THE UK’s best supermarket has been revealed and it’s beaten Aldi and Tesco to the top spot.

M&S has been crowned the best in-store supermarket by consumer group Which? for the fourth year in a row.

Supermarket aisle with shelves stocked with various food items.
M&S has been crowned the best in-store supermarket by Which?
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Illustration comparing UK supermarkets' customer ratings.
Which? gave each supermarket a score based on nine criteria

It was also awarded the coveted title of Which? Recommended Provider for the first time in recent years.

A total of 3,206 shoppers took part in the annual survey which considers a range of factors including store appearance, queue time, delivery and the choice of substitutions.

M&S came out on top of the in-store ranking, with a customer score of 79%.

The supermarket is the only retailer to earn five stars for the quality of its own-label and fresh products.

One customer said: “It’s a real treat to shop there – great quality products that I don’t mind spending a bit more on.”

The supermarket has focused on revamping and expanding its foodhalls and freezing the price of shopping basket staples in a bid to target customers doing their weekly shop.

This may have helped it to achieve three stars for value for money and earning it the coveted Which? Recommended Provider title.

Tesco was close behind with a customer score of 74%, with shoppers praising the in-store experience and range of items.

The supermarket earned four stars for its in-store appearance, product range and stock availability.

But it missed out on being a Which? Recommended Provider due to its policy of not letting under-18s access lower Clubcard prices.

Which? is calling on supermarkets to widen access to their loyalty schemes, particularly when they unlock big discounts.

Many exclude shoppers due to their age, address requirements or need to have online access.

Aldi, Iceland and Waitrose came in joint third with a score of 72%.

The German discounter was recently crowned “cheapest supermarket of 2024” by Which? and shoppers praised its discount prices.

How to save on your supermarket shop

THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.

You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.

If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.

Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.

Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.

This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.

Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.

For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.

If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.

Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.

But shoppers complained about the long queues at checkouts and said they feel rushed by cashiers.

Meanwhile, others said their local supermarket was messy and poorly stocked.

Customers said the same was true at Lidl, which came in seventh with a score of 69%.

Asda and Morrisons both scored 66%, which put them at the bottom of the in-store table.

The major supermarkets were the only two that failed to score more than three stars in any category.

Several Morrisons customers said the stores are cramped and the checkouts are poorly-manned.

One said: “Morrisons has gone downhill.”

Meanwhile, Asda scored two stars for everything from value for money, customer service, stock availability and store appearance.

But its returning CEO, Allan Leighton, has pledged to “restore Asda’s DNA”, which will include cutting prices.

The company has recently caught up to rivals in the Which? cheapest supermarket of the month league tables.

Reena Sewraz, Which? retail editor, said: “Our supermarket survey shows that a good shopping experience and quality products really matter to consumers – and M&S beating its rivals to the top spot shows some shoppers are prepared to pay a bit more for that.

“Aldi, Lidl or Iceland may be the preferred choice for those who prioritise affordability above all else. 

“For people lucky enough to have a choice of supermarkets, mixing and matching to get the right mix of quality and bargain prices might be the right approach.”

When it came to online shopping Ocado and Tesco tied at the top of the table with a joint score of 79%.

But Tesco missed out on being named a Which? Recommended Provider due to the consumer group’s concerns over its Clubcard accessibility.

Supermarket loyalty schemes - which has one?

MOST UK supermarkets have loyalty schemes so customers can build up points and save money while they shop.

Here we round up what saving programmes you’ll find at the big brands.

  • Iceland: Unlike other stores, you don’t collect points with the Iceland Bonus Card. Instead, you load it up with money and Iceland will give you £1 for every £20 you save.
  • Lidl Plus: Lidl customers don’t collect points when they shop, and are instead rewarded with personalised vouchers that gives them money off at the till.
  • Morrisons: The My Morrisons: Make Good Things Happen replaces the More Card and rewards customers with personalised money off vouchers via the app.
  • Sainsbury’s: While Sainsbury’s doesn’t have a personal scheme, it does own the Nectar card which can also be used in Argos, eBay and other shops. You need 200 Nectar points to save up £1 to spend on your card. You need to spend at least £1 to get one Nectar point.
  • Tesco: Tesco Clubcard has over 17million members in the UK alone. You use it each time you shop and build up points that can be turned into vouchers – 150 points gets you a £1.50 voucher. Here you need to spend £1 in Tesco to get one point.
  • Waitrose: myWaitrose also doesn’t allow you to collect points but instead you’ll get access to free hot drinks, and discounts off certain brands in store.

Reena Sewraz added: “For supermarkets that have loyalty schemes, this includes ensuring as many customers as possible are able to  access the lower prices they offer without being excluded by age, address or digital access requirements.”

Meanwhile, Ocado recently expanded its own-label range and is the only retailer that sells M&S-branded products.

A loyal customer told Which?: “Ocado gives the best all-round experience of all the online retailers.”

Waitrose was awarded a score of 78% and received several four-star ratings but many customers complained about its expensive prices.

Sainsbury’s came third online with a score of 76%.

It was named a Which? Recommended Provider as shoppers felt that it offered better value than Waitrose.

Meanwhile, a customer said its delivery drivers are “always really friendly and helpful”.

At the bottom of the table were Amazon Fresh and Asda, which scored 68% and 66% respectively.

Amazon Fresh received a two-star rating for value for money, product ranges and communication.

Although some customers praised its same-day and next-day delivery service.

Meanwhile, Asda scored just two stars in seven out of ten categories.

None of the supermarkets included in the survey were awarded five stars for value for money.

Which? suggests this is likely because many households are still feeling the pinch when it comes to the price of groceries.

Although food inflation fell for much of last year, prices are still higher than before the cost of living crisis.

Meanwhile, factors at home could mean that food inflation rises.

Supermarkets have warned that the upcoming minimum wage increase, higher National Insurance contributions and a new packaging tax will cause prices to rise for shoppers.

The British Retail Consortium has also warned that food prices could climb by 4.2% on average in the second half of this year.

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1 in 4 Brits at risk of spontaneous bleeding and horror rash due to lacking essential vitamin

ONE in four people across the UK aren’t getting their recommended intake of a vital vitamin, according to new research – and they could be at risking a potentially life-threatening condition.

A new study has revealed nearly a quarter of older teens and adults, alongside more than one in ten children, aren’t consuming enough vitamin C.

Woman sitting on a yellow couch, holding her head in her hands, looking sad.
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New research has found a vast majority of the nation isn’t getting enough vitamin C[/caption]
Overhead view of a colorful assortment of fresh, homegrown fruits and vegetables.
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Vitamin C is found in fruits and vegetables[/caption]

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient and antioxidant which protects body cells and is required for optimal immune function, protecting us against colds and flu.

But the research conducted by Ulster University indicated worryingly low intakes of vitamin C across the nation.

Vitamin C intakes were below recommended levels for 11 per cent of children aged one to 10- years, 17 per cent for those aged 11 to 14 years, and 23 per cent of those aged 15 years and older.

It’s the first time vitamin C intakes have been reported for more than a decade.

The UK-wide shortfall of vitamin C intake can be attributed to increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, including ready meals, frozen desserts and fizzy drinks.

Data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey, which the new study analysed, has shown that over 65 per cent of daily calorie intakes in adults and teenagers are made up of ultra-processed foods – which are likely to be low in nutrients, particularly vitamin C which is easily destroyed during food processing and storage.

Dietary analysis revealed that 100 per cent fruit juice and smoothies are the primary sources of vitamin C, contributing to around 30 per cent of total intake.

Fruits account for 20 per cent and raw vegetables 17 per cent, while sugar-sweetened beverages, including fizzy drinks and cordials, provide 13 per cent.

Notably, cooked fruits and vegetables did not feature as key contributors, as vitamin C is diminished during prolonged cooking.

Study author, Dr Emily Royle, said: “The findings are a cause for concern, highlighting a gap in the consumption of vitamin C-rich foods.

“Despite the wide availability of these, there’s a clear deficit of vitamin C among UK residents, worsening with age.

“Only one in ten teenagers and a third of adults are eating the recommended five-a-day of fruit and vegetables. Instead, they rely on alternative sources for their vitamin C such as fortified foods.

“A small glass of 100 per cent orange juice fulfils the daily recommendation for children and adults and never contains added sugar, yet only a third of adults and half of children drink fruit juice regularly.”

Other surprising sources of vitamin C include broccoli, with one serving at 80 grams containing over 100 per cent of adults recommended daily intake [RDI].

An 80g portion of spinach contains 47.5 per cent of an adults RDI.

One lemon contains up to 75 per cent of an adults RDI.

Close-up of a young boy with a bleeding mouth, a loose tooth.
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If a person lacks vitamin C they’re at risk of developing scurvy, which can cause spontaneous bleeding, especially in the gums[/caption]

Dr Royale added: “Given vitamin C’s role in supporting immune health, it’s important that people boost their intakes of vitamin C-rich foods and beverages during winter and spring when colds and flu are rife.”

Vitamin C cannot be stored in the body, which is why you need it in your diet every day.

Adults aged 19 to 64 need 40mg of vitamin C a day.

If you don’t get enough vitamin C, you can develop scurvy – a condition traditionally associated with sickened sailors who had no access to fresh food supplies while at sea.

The condition can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms, including spontaneous bleeding from the gums or under the skin and a nasty rash.

Find out the full list of signs and symptoms below…

Signs of scurvy

SCURVY occurs when a person has severe vitamin C deficiency from not eating enough fruit and vegetables over a long period of time.

Symptoms may include:

  • feeling very tired and weak all the time
  • feeling irritable and sad all the time
  • joint, muscle or leg pain
  • swollen, bleeding gums (sometimes teeth can fall out)
  • developing red or blue spots on the skin, usually on the legs and feet, although this may be less noticeable on brown or black skin
  • skin that bruises easily

You should see a GP if you or your child are at risk of scurvy and:

  • feel very tired and weak all the time
  • feel irritable and sad all the time
  • have joint, muscle or leg pain
  • have wounds that reopen or are not healing well

Source: NHS

It’s important that scurvy is treated quickly, as without treatment, scurvy can cause serious problems and may even be life-threatening.

The NHS advises: “Mild cases of scurvy are often easily treated by adding some vitamin C to your diet, such as from fresh fruit and vegetables.

“A GP may also recommend taking vitamin C supplements (also called ascorbic acid) until you feel better.

“Most people treated for scurvy feel better within days and go on to make a full recovery.”

If your case of scurvy is more severe, your GP may refer you to a specialist for treatment, support or advice.

This may also depend on what’s causing your scurvy.

Smoking can reduce vitamin C levels, eating disorders can lead to inadequate intake, and malabsorption conditions like celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and cystic fibrosis can make it hard to absorb vitamin C.

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