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Citizens Advice helped more than 8,000 people with homelessness issues in October, the highest monthly figure ever recorded.

A rising number of Section 21 no-fault evictions for private rental tenants, often led by rising mortgage interest payments for landlords, was listed as a significant contributor.

Suella Braverman was sacked as Home Secretary on Monday, having said earlier in the month that homelessness was a “lifestyle choice”.

Citizens Advice (CA, formerly Citizens Advice Bureau) is a charitable organisation that provides confidential information and advice to assist people with problems including those related to debt and housing.

They record data on people that come to them for help so they are able to be aware of changing trends and issues affecting certain groups more than others.

In addition to those facing homelessness in October, almost 20,000 people were given a food bank referral, the third highest month on record, and more than 45,000 received debt help, the most since 2014.

More than half of people CA helped with homelessness were private tenants, a reversal of pre-pandemic trends when social tenants were most exposed.

Sky News analysis earlier in the year showed that renters could be more vulnerable to higher housing costs caused by interest rates than mortgage-holders, despite not being directly exposed themselves.

More than 2,000 private renters were helped by CA last month after being served with Section 21 no-fault eviction notice.

That figure is also a new record high. It’s the fourth time the record has been broken this year.

The number of people seeking help with no-fault evictions were at or close to record highs in all English regions, but have been falling in Wales over the past 12 months.

The Welsh government changed the rules around renting on 1 December 2022, to protect tenants if landlords failed to make necessary repairs, and give more notice ahead of no-fault evictions.

CA analysis shows that single parents, black people and women were more likely to have been affected by no-fault evictions than others.

Dame Clare Moriarty, Citizens Advice Chief Executive, said: “We’ve kind of gone beyond a crisis into something which is concretised. A mismatch between income and expenditure for many, many people on low incomes.

“Next week is the autumn statement, which is one of the key moments when governments can – if they choose – shift the dial.

“I think a very strong message that we would give based on this data is that it needs to be pulling levers to alleviate the problems that people are coming to us or to other charities with.”

Citizens Advice recommended policy changes in three areas:

1. Increase benefits with inflation so that they are back in line with where they were a few years ago

2. More energy price support this winter – Dame Moriarty said “although energy prices will come down compared to last year, in the absence of the sorts of support that was in place last year, people are going to be paying around the same and we know that there are many, many people who can’t afford to pay that”.

3. To increase Local Housing Allowance so that it keeps up with rent increases

Housing allowance provision falls behind rental price increases

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates are used to calculate the maximum housing benefit that can be received by tenants renting from private landlords.

They had previously been linked to the cost of 30th percentile rents (those at the cheaper end of the rental market, 20% lower than the average rent in the area).

However, this benefit has been frozen since 2020, meaning it has not risen at all in the last few years of rapid rent inflation.

Official data from the Valuation Office Agency shows that by 2022, a significant gap had emerged between housing allowances and actual rent costs across every area in England.

The biggest shortfall is in central London, at 30.6% on average across all property sizes. The average 30th percentile rent for a one-bedroom property was £394, with housing benefit capped at £295.50.

Outside of London, the biggest gaps between housing benefit and rent were around Manchester, with a 17.4% deficit in Tameside and Glossop, and a 16.5% deficit in Central Greater Manchester.

The average 30th percentile rent for a two bedroom property in Central Greater Manchester was £180.66, with a £31.07 (17.2%) shortfall from the £149.59 allowance.

The latest detailed breakdown of rental market data from the Valuation Office Agency is only available to September 2022, but since then rents have continued to rise and, with housing benefit frozen, these shortfalls continue to grow.

Private rental data inflation for September 2023 showed a 5.6% average increase in rents across England, the highest on record going back to 2006.

The latest CA cost of living survey found that “the vast majority of housing benefit and universal credit claimants renting privately now report a shortfall between benefit income and rent of more than £100 per month”.

Citizens Advice has called for the unfreezing of Housing Benefit as a matter of urgency: “Looking ahead to the Autumn Statement, relinking LHA to the 30th percentile of rent costs in each Broad Rental Market Area is the most immediate priority.

“The situation for housing benefit and universal credit housing element claimants today is at least as serious as 2020, when the link was last restored after a period of being frozen.”


The Data and Forensics team is a multi-skilled unit dedicated to providing transparent journalism from Sky News. We gather, analyse and visualise data to tell data-driven stories. We combine traditional reporting skills with advanced analysis of satellite images, social media and other open source information. Through multimedia storytelling we aim to better explain the world while also showing how our journalism is done.

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Food inflation highest in almost a year – more to come, industry warns

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Food inflation highest in almost a year - more to come, industry warns

Food inflation has hit its highest level in almost a year and could continue to go up, according to an industry body.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) reported a 2.6% annual lift in food costs during April – the highest level since May last year and up from a 2.4% rate the previous month.

The body said there was a clear risk of further increases ahead due to rising costs, with the sector facing £7bn of tax increases this year due to the budget last October.

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It warned that shoppers risked paying a higher price – but separate industry figures suggested any immediate blows were being cushioned by the effects of a continuing supermarket price war.

Kantar Worldpanel, which tracks trends and prices, said spending on promotions reached its highest level this year at almost 30% of total sales over the four weeks to 20 April.

It said that price cuts, mainly through loyalty cards, helped people to make the most of the Easter holiday with almost 20% of items sold at respective market leaders Tesco and Sainsbury’s on a price match.

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Its measure of wider grocery inflation rose to 3.8%, however.

Wider BRC data showed overall shop price inflation at -0.1% over the 12 months to April, with discounting largely responsible for weaker non-food goods.

But its chief executive, Helen Dickinson, said retailers were “unable to absorb” the surge in costs they were facing.

“The days of shop price deflation look numbered,” she said, as food inflation rose to its highest in 11 months, and non-food deflation eased significantly.

“Everyday essentials including bread, meat, and fish, all increased prices on the month. This comes in the same month retailers face a mountain of new employment costs in the form of higher employer National Insurance Contributions and increased NLW [national living wage],” she added.

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Five hacks to beat rising bills

While retail sales growth has proved somewhat resilient this year, it is believed big rises to household bills in April – from things like inflation-busting water, energy and council tax bills – will bite and continue to keep a lid on major purchases.

Also pressing on both consumer and business sentiment is Donald Trump’s trade war – threatening further costs and hits to economic growth ahead.

Read more from Sky News:
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A further BRC survey, also published on Tuesday, showed more than half of human resources directors expect to reduce hiring due to the government’s planned Employment Rights Bill.

The bill, which proposes protections for millions of workers including guaranteed minimum hours, greater hurdles for sacking new staff and increased sick pay, is currently being debated in parliament.

The BRC said one of the biggest concerns was that guaranteed minimum hours rules would hit part-time roles.

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Inside the Vietnamese factory preparing for the worst since Trump’s tariff threat

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Inside the Vietnamese factory preparing for the worst since Trump's tariff threat

On the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, factory workers at Dony Garment have been working overtime for weeks.

Ever since Donald Trump announced a whopping 46% trade tariff on Vietnam, they’ve been preparing for the worst.

They’re rushing through orders to clients in three separate states in America.

Sewing machines buzz with the sound of frantic efforts to do whatever they can before Mr Trump’s big decision day. He may have put his “Liberation Day” tariffs on pause for 90 days, but no one in this factory is taking anything for granted.

Staff have been working overtime
Image:
Staff have been working overtime

Workers like Do Thi Anh are feeling the pressure.

“I have two children to raise. If the tariffs are too high, the US will buy fewer things. I’ll earn less money and I won’t be able to support my children either. Luckily here our boss has a good vision,” she tells me.

Do Thi Anh
Image:
Do Thi Anh

That vision was crafted back in 2021. When COVID struck, they started to look at diversifying their market.

Previously they used to export 40% of their garments to America. Now it’s closer to 20%.

The cheery-looking owner of the firm, Pham Quang Anh, tells me with a resilient smile: “We see it as dangerous to depend on one or two markets. So, we had to lose profit and spend on marketing for other markets.”

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You asked, we listened, the Trump 100 podcast is continuing every weekday at 6am

That foresight could pay off in the months to come. But others are in a far more vulnerable state.

Some of Mr Pham’s colleagues in the industry export all their garments to America. If the 46% tariff is enforced, it could destroy their businesses.

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Doubts US will start making what Vietnam delivers

Down by the Saigon River, young couples watch on as sunset falls between the glimmering skyscrapers that stand as a testament to Vietnam’s miracle growth.

Cuong works in finance
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Cuong works in finance

Cuong, an affluent-looking man who works in finance, questions the logic and likelihood that America will start making what Vietnam has spent years developing the labour, skills and supply chains to reliably deliver.

“The United States’ GDP is so high. It’s the largest in the world right now. What’s the point in trying to get jobs from developing countries like Vietnam and other Asian nations? It’s unnecessary,” he tells me.

But the Trump administration claims China is using Vietnam to illegally circumvent tariffs, putting “Made in Vietnam” labels on Chinese products.

There’s no easy way to assess that claim. But market watchers believe Vietnam does need to signal its willingness to crack down on so-called “trans-shipments” if it wants to cut a deal with Washington.

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Vietnam can’t afford to alienate China

The US may also demand a major cutback in Chinese manufacturing in Vietnam.

That will be a much harder deal to strike. Vietnam can’t afford to alienate its big brother.

Luke Treloar, head of strategy at KPMG in Vietnam
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Luke Treloar, head of strategy at KPMG in Vietnam

Luke Treloar, head of strategy at KPMG in Vietnam, is however cautiously optimistic.

“If Vietnam goes into these trade talks saying we will be a reliable manufacturer of the core products you need and the core products America wants to sell, the outcome could be good,” he says.

But the key question is just how much influence China will have on Vietnamese negotiators.

Anything above 10-20% tariffs would be intensively challenging

This moment is a huge test of Vietnam’s resilience.

Anything like 46% tariffs would be ruinous. Analysts say 10-20% would be survivable. Anything above, intensely challenging.

But this looming threat is also an opportunity for Vietnam to negotiate and grow. Not, though, without some very testing concessions.

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UK-US trade talks ‘moving in a very positive way’, says White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt

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UK-US trade talks 'moving in a very positive way', says White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt

Trade talks between the UK and the United States are “moving in a very positive way”, according to the White House.

President Donald Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt spoke about the likelihood of the long-discussed agreement during a press briefing.

In Westminster, there are hopes such a deal could soften the impact of the Trump tariffs announced last month.

Leavitt told reporters: “As for the trade talks, I understand they are moving in a very positive way with the UK.

“I don’t want to get ahead of the president or our trade team in how those negotiations are going, but I have heard they have been very positive and productive with the UK.”

She said Mr Trump always “speaks incredibly highly” of the UK.

“He has a good relationship with your prime minister, though they disagree on domestic policy issues,” she added.

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“I have witnessed the camaraderie between them first hand in the Oval Office, and there is a deep mutual respect between our two countries that certainly the president upholds.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House April 28, 2025. (Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images)
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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said she was positive about a deal. Pic: AP

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden gave the UK’s position on the talks when speaking to Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips.

He said there was “a serious level of engagement going on at high levels” to secure a UK-US trade deal.

Mr McFadden is one of the most powerful members of Sir Keir Starmer’s government and a key ally of the prime minister.

Read more:
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He was careful to not get ahead of developments, however, saying: “I think an agreement is possible – I don’t think it’s certain, and I don’t want to say it’s certain, but I think it’s possible.”

He went on to say the government wanted an “agreement in the UK’s interests” and not a “hasty deal”, amid fears from critics that Number 10 could acquiesce a deal that lowers food standards, for example, or changes certain taxes in a bid to persuade Donald Trump to lower some of the tariffs that have been placed on British goods.

Mr McFadden’s tone was more cautious than Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ last week.

She had been in the US and, speaking to Sky News business and economics correspondent Gurpreet Narwan, the chancellor said she was “confident” a deal could be done.

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‘We’re confident’, says Reeves

But she sought to play down fears that UK standards could be watered down, both on food and online safety.

“On food standards, we’ve always been really clear that we’re not going to be watering down standards in the UK and similarly, we’ve just passed the Online Safety Act and the safety, particularly of our children, is non-negotiable for the British government,” Ms Reeves said.

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