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7 months agoon
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adminThe final report into the deadly Grenfell Tower fire will be published today – more than seven years after the disaster.
The long-running inquiry will present its findings on the 2017 blaze at the west London tower block, which claimed the lives of 72 people.
Victims of the fire ranged in age from an unborn baby to an 84-year-old woman.
These are their stories.
Anthony “Tony” Disson, 65

The 65-year-old retired lorry driver had lived on the 10th floor of Grenfell Tower for eight years.
In a statement, Mr Disson’s family described him as a “real family man”.
They said: “Tony was the most generous person you could ever meet, he didn’t have much but would always be there to help people.”
Ali Yawar Jafari, 82

Ali Yawar Jafari lived on the 10th floor and tried to escape the tower with his wife and daughter when the fire broke out.
They got in a lift but Mr Jafari got out on the 10th floor after suffering breathing difficulties. He was later pulled from the building by firefighters but pronounced dead at the scene.
His family said he was “loved and will be greatly missed by his family and the wider community”.
Abdeslam Sebbar, 77
Abdeslam Sebbar’s remains were found in his flat on the 11th floor.
The 77-year-old died from the inhalation of fumes.
Denis Murphy, 56

Pic: Metropolitan Police
Denis Murphy lived on the 14th floor of Grenfell Tower, in flat 11, and called his family to say he was trapped during the blaze.
In a statement, Mr Murphy’s family said: “The pain, loss and sorrow we feel is indescribable and we have been left devastated with a gaping hole in our hearts that can never be filled.
“To us, he was an inspiration and an amazing, selfless caring person and we feel lucky and blessed that he was part of our family.”
Zainab Deen, 32, and Jeremiah Deen, two


Pic: Metropolitan Police
The 32-year-old, who lived on the 14th floor of Grenfell Tower, was on the phone with her brother until 4am on the day of the fire.
Ms Deen’s two-year-old son Jeremiah was also killed in the blaze.
Originally from Sierra Leone, Ms Deen was described as a “beautiful, loving lady”.
Zainu and Maria Deen, Jeremiah’s grandparents, said: “You spent a moment in our arms, but you will last a lifetime in our hearts.”
Mohammad Alhajali, 23

A civil engineering student who lived on the 14th floor with his older brother Omar, who managed to escape from the fire, Mr Alhajali called a friend in Syria, asking him to say goodbye to his family, who he had been unable to reach.
Mr Alhajali had fled Syria with his two brothers in 2014 to start a new life in London, studying at the University of West London. He had hoped to return one day to help the country.
His friend lost contact with him at 5am. He sent one final message saying: “The fire is here now goodbye.”
A family statement read at his funeral service said he “loved London and the people he met here”.
Mr Alhajali was described as “a loving and caring person” who was “always showing support and solidarity for friends and family stuck back in Syria”.
Steve Power, 63

The 63-year-old was said to be reluctant to leave his two dogs. It is understood that he remained in his flat on the 15th floor.
His children said: “Our dad was nothing short of a character. He left some sort of impression on everyone, like Marmite. The majority loved him.”
Hamid Kani, 61

The 61-year-old Iranian lived alone on the 15th floor of Grenfell Tower, but his body was recovered on the 23rd floor – suggesting he fled upstairs in search of safety.
In a statement, his family, who all live in Iran, said he would be remembered “for his wit, compassion and devotion to his family and friends”.
They added: “No words can express our sorrow for his loss and the way he left us. He will always be part of our lives and his memory will live on.”
Deborah “Debbie” Lamprell, 45

Pic: Metropolitan Police
Debbie Lamprell lived on the 16th floor and worked front of house at Opera Holland Park.
The 45-year-old went to the top floor of the building with a group of 12 people when the fire broke out and called the emergency services.
She was described by her mother as “a wonderful, precious daughter, always smiling and helping others”.
Marjorie Vital, 68, and Ernie Vital, 50

Marjorie Vital lived on the 16th floor of Grenfell Tower in a flat she shared with her son, Ernie.
She had lived there almost since the tower was built in the 70s and had worked in the textile industry for many years after coming to the UK from Dominica.
Her family said: “She was a beautiful, joyful, independent, intelligent, kind-hearted, sensitive individual who dedicated her life to her children.”
Her son Ernie’s family said he worked in the catering industry: “He was a creative individual who pursued a creative life. He was a proud, humble, mature and independent man. He was a loyal son and a law-abiding citizen who maintained good relationships with all those he met in society.
“He will be remembered as a kind, sensitive and caring person with a warm-hearted smile.”
Joseph Daniels, 69

Joseph Daniels lived on the 16th floor of Grenfell Tower and reportedly suffered from dementia, so was confused and could not be persuaded by his son to leave the building.
His son, who escaped the fire, said on the first day of the Grenfell inquiry: “The events of that night took his life and all trace of his existence from this world.”
Sheila Smith, 84

The 84-year-old’s body was recovered on the 16th floor of the tower, where she had lived for 34 years.
Sheila had two sons, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren and was said to be a “very active and well-respected” member of the community.
Her family said: “Sheila was cycling around London, performing yoga daily and swimming regularly in the Kensington Leisure Centre until she was 80 years old.
“As a family we are heartbroken as to this senseless tragedy that took her far too early, and will do all we can to honour her name.”
Kamru Miah, 79, Rabeya Begum, 64, Husna Begum, 22, Mohammed Hanif, 26, and Mohammed Hamid, 29

Rabeya Begum (left) and Husna Begum

Husna Begum (left) and Komru Miah

Mohammed Hanif

Mohammed Hamid
Kamru Miah lived on the 17th floor with his wife Rabeya Begum, their daughter Husna Begum and two sons, Mohammed Hanif and Mohammed Hamid.
Mr Miah had difficulty walking and his grown-up children stayed in the tower because they knew their parents were not mobile enough to escape – all five of them died.
They were said to be on the phone with relatives throughout the blaze.
Khadija Khalloufi, 52

Khadija Khalloufi died after she became separated from her husband, Sabah Abdullah, as they tried to escape from their flat on the 17th floor.
Due to the crush and panic in the stairwell, they were split up between the 16th and 15th floors. Mr Abdullah survived.
Vincent Chiejina, 60

Vincent Chiejina lived on the 17th floor and was identified by his DNA.
The 60-year-old’s provisional cause of death was given as “consistent with the effects of fire”.
Isaac Paulos, five

Pic: Metropolitan Police
The schoolboy’s body was discovered on the 13th floor – five levels below the flat where he lived with his family, who he was separated from during the fire.
In a statement, Isaac’s family said they would “miss our kind, energetic, generous little boy”.
They added: “He was such a good boy who was loved by his friends and family. We will miss him forever, but we know God is looking after him now and that he is safe in heaven.”
Birkti Haftom, 29, and Biruk Haftom, 12

Pic: Metropolitan Police

Pic: Metropolitan Police
Birkti and her 12-year-old son Biruk lived on the 18th floor of the building.
The 29-year-old’s family described her as a “generous, caring, loving mother, partner, sister, aunty and friend” who will be “missed by us all forever”.
Biruk was described as “a loving, pure-hearted boy, wise beyond his years and known for his politeness, kind heart and his love for his family and friends.”
Their family added: “Berkti and Biruk left an everlasting legacy full of lovely memories and their contagious laughter and charisma will live in our hearts forever.
“We are deeply hurt and heartbroken our angels were taken from us so cruelly, so young. We will not rest until justice is served!”
Sakina Afrasehabi, 65, and Fatemeh Afrasiabi, 59

Pic: Metropolitan Police

Sakina Afrasehabi lived with her younger sister Fatima in Grenfell Tower.
Sakina’s Iranian family have said she was disabled and could only move with a walking stick – but she had no choice but to live on the 18th floor of the building.
Her family said: “Sakina was a loving mother of five, who is much missed by all of us. She was completely selfless in all she did and always put other people first.”
Fatemeh’s nephew Shahrokh said he spoke on the phone to his aunt as the fire spread to the upper floors, who pleaded with him to seek help, but in the final minutes, she was quieter and then the phone disconnected.
Mohamednur Tuccu, 44, Amal Ahmedin, 35, Amaya Tuccu-Ahmedin, three, and Amna Mahmud Idris, 27

Mohamednur Tuccu

Amal Ahmedin
Mohamednur Tuccu and his wife and daughter, Amal Ahmedin, and Amaya Tuccu-Ahmedin, were breaking their Ramadan fast with Amal’s cousin Amna Mahmud Idris and their friends when the blaze broke out.
A family statement said: “This has been a very distressing time for us as a family, but we are relieved that Amal, Amaya and Amna [Mahmud Idris] have been identified following the tragic fire. They will now be laid to rest.”

Amaya Tuccu-Ahmedin

Amna Mahmud Idris
Ms Idris’s husband Ibrahim told the hearing: “She came to live with me in the UK in March 2016. After one year I lost her forever.”
Eslah Elgwahry, 64, and Mariem Elgwahry, 27

Mariem Elgwahry
Eslah Elgwahry lived with her 27-year-old daughter Mariem on the 19th floor.
Soon after the fire, a friend of her daughter shared an appeal on social media, writing: “Last someone heard from her was 2.30am, she was with her mum.”
Eslah’s remains were found on the 23rd floor, four floors higher than her flat. Mariem also died in the fire.
Mary “Sissy” Mendy, 52, and Khadija “Ya-Haddy Sisi” Saye, 24

Mary Mendy
Also known as Sissy, Gambia-born Mary Mendy was with her daughter, artist and photographer Khadija Saye, also known as Ya-Haddy Sisi Saye, on the 20th floor of the tower.
Ms Mendy’s sister said in a tribute: “Your heart was pure, your soul was one of a kind. You will be missed for a lifetime.”

Khadija Saye. Pic: PA
At the time of the blaze Ms Saye’s work was part of an exhibition at the Venice Biennale, and has since been displayed at the Tate Britain.
Her friend, the now foreign secretary David Lammy, called her “a wonderful young woman” and “a talented artist”.
Jessica Urbano Ramirez, 12

Jessica was at home on the 20th floor of the tower block when the fire broke out.
A family statement said: “Our little girl was loving, kind-hearted and caring. She brought joy to everyone who met her and her laugh was contagious.”
Omar Belkadi, 32, Farah Hamdan, 31, Leena Belkadi, six months, and Malak Belkadi, seven

Omar Belkadi

Farah Hamdan and six-month-old Leena Belkadi

Malek Belkaldi with Tazmin Belkaldi, who survived
Omar Belkadi lived on the 20th floor of Grenfell Tower with his wife Farah Hamdan and their three children.
They died in the fire along with two of their children, Leena and Malak Belkadi, but their daughter Tazmin survived.
Abdulaziz El Wahabi, 52, Faouzia El Wahabi, 41, Yasin El Wahabi, 20, Nur Huda El Wahabi, 16, and Medhi El Wahabi, 8

Mehdi El-Wahabi (centre), his father Abdulaziz (top left), mother Faouzia (bottom right), brother Yasin (top right), and sister Nur Huda ( bottom left)
Abdulaziz El Wahabi lived on the 21st floor with his wife Faouzia and their three children, Yasin, Nur Huda, and Mehdi.
Mrs El Wahabi’s niece later said: “They died in a building that should not have got to that extent to burn in that way – and that’s something we’re going to have to live with forever and it’s scary.”
Their family said: “Yasin was a lovable, bubbly and caring young man. He would lend his hand to anyone who asked for help. He was loved by so many and his contagious smile will always be etched on our minds and hearts.
“Nur Huda was a lovable, smart and kind person. She had a lot of potential and that can be recognised in her GCSE exam results. We are proud of her and will continue on remembering her and all our family and friends who have died in this tragedy.”
“Mehdi was a calm and friendly young boy who loved his family very much. He was loved by staff and pupils at his school who held a beautiful memorial and made a plaque in memory of him.”
Logan Gomes, stillborn

Unborn baby Logan Gomes was officially recorded by police as a victim of the Grenfell Tower fire.
His mother Andreia Gomes, who was seven months pregnant, lived on the 21st floor with her husband and two daughters – they all managed to escape but Logan was stillborn in hospital on 14 June. He had been due on 21 August.
Speaking on the first day of the Grenfell inquiry, his father Marcio Gomes said he and his wife had prepared for their son’s arrival by painting “twinkle twinkle little star, do you know how loved you are?” on the wall.
Logan’s sister Luana, now aged 19, told Sky News she feels guilty she survived the fire.
Raymond “Moses” Bernard, 63

Raymond Bernard, known to friends as Moses, lived on the 21st floor of the tower and often stayed with his partner, Karen McMillan, on a different floor of the block.
Dubbed a “hero”, he offered shelter to six people in his flat as the fire raged and was discovered alongside them.
His family said: “Gone but not forgotten, you are so dearly loved by us all and will sadly be missed by many. May you rest in eternal peace, with love always.”
Ligaya Moore, 78

Ligaya Moore, from the Philippines, had been a resident of Grenfell Tower for more than 40 years. She had lived alone in her flat on the 21st floor since the death of her husband some years earlier.
In a statement, her family said: “43 years ago, Aunt Ligaya, DITE, as we fondly called her, lived her dream – to live and work in London.
“She endured being away from family – not able to attend her mother’s funeral – but in exchange of all the loneliness and homesickness, she met the love of her life, Jim Moore, a British national, had a new family, acquired new friends, and built a new life in London.
“But the dream turned into a nightmare on that fateful night of June 14, when the Grenfell Tower was consumed in flames. At this time, she was already living by herself in this building, as her husband had passed away several years back.
“The jolly, bubbly person, the lady who loves to dance and who laughed her heart out, succumbed to a fire which turned her laughter into silence.”
Hashim Kedir, 44, Nura Jemal, 35, Yahya Hashim, 13, Firdaws Hashim, 12, and Yaqub Hashim, six

Hashim Kedir. Pic: Metropolitan Police

Nura Jemal. Pic: Metropolitan Police

Firdaws (left) and her brother Yahya

Yaqub Hashim. Pic: Metropolitan Police
Hashim Kedir and Nura Jemal lived on the 22nd floor with their children, Yahya, Firdaws, and Yaqub Hashim.
Mr Kedir’s sister described him as her “role model”, saying he was “giving and sharing until his last day”. She described him as “making friends so easily; age, gender, religion, ethnicity or social status didn’t matter”.
A statement on behalf of Ms Jemal’s family said: “You appreciated even the smallest things in life. And your joy was contagious. Being around you could lighten up anyone’s day in a matter of seconds.”
Yahya’s aunt described him as her “most kind, handsome, pure-hearted, sweet nephew”. She said: “Everyone that met you used to fall in love with your politeness and pure-heartedness”.
Firdaws was described as “intelligent, wise, eloquent and beautiful” with “the voice of an angel”.
And Yaqub’s extended family described him as an “energetic, sporty, funny, smart and cute boy”.
Sirria Choucair, 60, Bassem Choucair, 40, Nadia Choucair, 33, Fatima Choucair, 11, Mierna Choucair, 13, and Zainab Choucair, three

Sirria Choucair

Bassem Choucair
Sirria Choucair died along with her daughter Nadia Choucair, son-in-law Bassem and her three grandchildren, Fatima, Mierna, and Zainab.

Nadia Choucair

Fatima (left), Mierna (middle) and Zaynab (right)
Bassem’s sister-in-law, Sawsan, spoke to him on the phone when the fire started.
She said: “It was just two seconds, he said ‘yeah’ and there was lots of screaming in the background.”
Marco Gottardi, 27, and Gloria Trevisan, 26

The Italian architectural assistant lived on the 23rd floor with his girlfriend, architect Gloria Trevisan. The pair had moved from Venice to London around four months before the fire to look for jobs after graduating from the University of Padua.
Mr Gottardi’s cousin posted a message on Facebook the day after the fire, writing: “I don’t have no news from them since last night and their mobile phones are off. I’m praying to God they make it out safely.”
Ms Trevisan spent her final moments on the phone to her mother, telling her: “I had my whole life ahead of me. It’s not fair. I don’t want to die.”
Hesham Rahman, 57

Hesham Rahman lived by himself in a flat on the 23rd floor and was last in contact with his family at 3am on the night of the fire. He had diabetes which made it difficult for him to walk downstairs.
He told his family he could smell smoke, adding: “Don’t worry, as soon as I’m out I’ll let you know. The police are coming to get me, I’ve spoken to them. It’s going to be okay.”
Mohamed Neda, 57

Mohamed Neda’s wife and son escaped to safety and were taken to hospital after the fire broke out. They said he had been on the top floor of the building trying to help people.
His body was found outside the tower block, and he died as a result of multiple injuries consistent with a fall.
Speaking on the first day of the Grenfell inquiry, his brother said that losing his “best friend and role model” had brought his world crashing down.
Mr Neda’s absence “is a void that cannot be filled”, he said, adding: “The only thing I know is that my brother was a hero. He puts others first – that is the memory I will hold in my heart for as long as I live.”
Gary Maunders, 57

Gary Maunders was found among the victims on the 23rd floor.
The 57-year-old is believed to have been with his friend Deborah Lamprell, who lived on the 19th floor and was also among the victims.
Abufars Mohamed Ibrahim, 39, Isra Ibrahim, 33, and Fathia Ali Ahmed Elsanosi, 73

Fathia Ali Ahmed Elsanosi
Abufars Mohamed Ibrahim lived on the 23rd floor with his sister Isra and his mother Fathia Ali Ahmed Elsanosi. They were all killed in the blaze.
Ms Ahmed, a 73-year-old pensioner, came to the UK as a refugee from Sudan.
Rania Ibrahim, 30, Fethia Hassan, four, and Hania Hassan, three

Mother of two Rania Ibrahim, died along with her daughters Fethia and Hania Hassan.
She was seen running into a smoke-filled corridor to seek help, then looking out of the window to the street below.

Hania Hassan (left) and Fethia Hassan
Her husband was not in Grenfell Tower at the time of the blaze as he was away in Egypt.
Victoria “Vicky” King, 71, and Alexandra Atala, 40

Pic: Metropolitan Police

Pic: Metropolitan Police
Victoria King lived in Grenfell Tower with her 40-year-old daughter Alexandra Atala – they were the final two victims of the blaze to be identified.
Penny Pearce, Ms King’s sister and Ms Atala’s aunt, said: “Eventually, thanks to the Salvation Army family tracing, I was able to get in touch with her and my niece, Alexandra, living in Grenfell Tower.
“If this had not been the case, no family member would have known they had perished as no-one knew they were still living there.”
In a statement, their family said: “We were devastated to hear of our sister, Vicky’s, fate, and that of her daughter, Alexandra, in the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
“Some comfort can come from the knowledge that she and Alexandra were devoted to one another and spent so many mutually supportive years together.
“They died at each other’s side and now they can rest together in peace. We will remember them always.”
Maria Del Pilar Burton, 74

Pic: PA
Maria was rescued from the 19th floor but died in hospital in January 2018 from medical complications. She spent seven months in hospital following the fire.

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Man charged with murder of 16-year-old boy in Huddersfield
Published
2 hours agoon
April 5, 2025By
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A man has been charged with the murder of a 16-year-old boy in Huddersfield.
Alfie Franco, 20, will appear before Leeds Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, West Yorkshire Police said.
The suspect, from Kirkburton in West Yorkshire, is also charged with possessing a knife in a public place.
Police were called to a stabbing in Ramsden Street, Huddersfield, at about 2.45pm on Thursday.
The victim suffered a single knife wound to the neck and died later in hospital.
Police said “multiple” enquiries into the stabbing are still ongoing.
A male and a female were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and have been released on bail.
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‘We will see closures’: The industries hit hardest by national insurance hike
Published
5 hours agoon
April 5, 2025By
admin
The cost of having staff is going up this Sunday as the increase in employers’ national insurance kicks in.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in the October budget employers will have to pay a 15% rate of national insurance contributions (NIC) on their employees from 6 April – up from 13.8%.
She also lowered the threshold at which employers pay NIC from £9,100 a year to £5,000 a year, meaning they start paying at an earlier point on staff salaries.
This is on top of the national minimum wage rising, the business relief rate for hospitality, retail and leisure reducing from 75% to 40% and the rising cost of ingredients and services.
Sky News spoke to people working in some of the industries that will be hardest hit by the rise in NIC: Nurseries, hospitality, retail, small businesses and care.
NURSERIES
Nearly all (96% of 728) nurseries surveyed by the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) said they will have no choice but to put up fees because of the NIC rise, leaving parents to pick up the shortfall.
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The NDNA has warned nurseries could close due to the rise, with 14% saying their business is at risk, 69% reducing spending on resources and 39% considering offering fewer places with government-funded hours as 92% said they do not cover their costs.
Sarah has two children, with her youngest starting later this month, but they were just informed fees will now be £92 a day – compared with £59 at the same nursery when her eldest started five years ago.
“I’m not sure how we will afford this. Our salaries haven’t increased by 50% during this time,” she said.
“We’re stuck as there aren’t enough nursery spaces in our area, so we will have to struggle.”
Karen Richards, director of the Wolds Childcare group in Nottinghamshire, has started a petition to get the government to exempt private nurseries – the majority of providers – from the NIC changes as she said it is unfair nurseries in schools do not have to pay the NIC.
She told Sky News she will have to find about £183,000 next year to cover the increase across her five nurseries and reducing staff numbers is “not off the table” but it is more likely they will reduce the number of children they have.

Joeli Brearley, founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, said parents are yet again having to pay the price for the government’s actions. Pic: Pregnant Then Screwed
Joeli Brearley, founder of the Pregnant Then Screwed campaign group, told Sky News: “Parents are already drowning in childcare costs, and now, thanks to the national insurance hike, nurseries are passing even more fees on to families who simply can’t afford it.
“It’s the same story every time – parents pay the price while the government looks the other way. How exactly are we meant to ‘boost the economy’ when we can’t even afford to go to work?”
Purnima Tanuku, executive chair of the NDNA, said staffing costs make up about 75% of nurseries’ costs and they will have to find £2,600 more per employee to pay for the NIC rise – £47,000 for an average nursery.
“The government says it wants to offer ‘cheaper childcare’ for parents on the one hand but then with the other expects nurseries to absorb the costs of National Insurance Contributions themselves,” she told Sky News.
“High-quality early education and care gives children the best start in life and enables parents to work. The government must invest in this vital infrastructure to make sure nurseries can continue to deliver this social and economic good.”
HOSPITALITY
The hospitality industry has warned of closures, price rises, lack of growth and shorter opening hours.
Dan Brod, co-owner of The Beckford Group, a small southwest England restaurant and country pub/hotel group, said the economic situation now is “much worse” than during COVID.
The group has put plans for two more projects on hold and Mr Brod said the only option is to put up prices, but with the rising supplier costs, wages, business rates and NIC hike they will “stay still” financially.
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Dan Brod, co-owner of The Beckford Group, said the government does not value hospitality as an industry. Pic: The Beckford Group
He told Sky News: “What we’re nervous about is we’re still in the cost of living crisis and even though our places are in very wealthy areas of the country, Wiltshire, Somerset and Bath, people are feeling the situation in their pockets, people are going out less.”
Mr Brod said they are not getting rid of any staff as their business strongly depends on the quality of their hospitality so they are having to make savings elsewhere.
“I’m still optimistic, I still feel that humans need hospitality but we’re not valued as an industry and the social benefit is never taken into account by government.”

Chef/owner Aktar Islam, who runs Opheem in Birmingham, said the rise will cost him up to £120,000 more this year. Pic: Opheem
Aktar Islam, owner/chef at two Michelin-starred Opheem in Birmingham, said the NIC rise will cost him up to £120,000 more in staff costs a year and to maintain the financial position he is in now they would have to make “another million pounds”.
He got emails from eight suppliers on Thursday saying they were raising their costs, and said he will have to raise prices but is concerned about the impact on diners.
The restaurateur hires four commis chefs to train each year but will not be able to this year, or the next few.
“It’s very short-sighted of the government, you’re not going to grow the economy by taxing hospitality out of existence, these sort of businesses are the lifeblood of our economy,” he said.
“They think if a hospitality business closes another will open but people know it’s tough, why would they want to do that? It’s not going to happen.”
The chef sent hundreds of his “at home” kits to fellow chefs this week for their staff as an acknowledgement of how much of a “s*** show” the situation is – “a little hug from us”.
RETAIL
Some of the UK’s biggest retailers, including Tesco, Boots, Marks & Spencer and Next, wrote to Rachel Reeves after the budget to say the NIC hike would lead to higher consumer prices, smaller pay rises, job cuts and store closures.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC), representing more than 200 major retailers and brands, said the costs are so significant neither small or large retailers will be able to absorb them.
Andrew Bailey, the governor of the Bank of England, told the Treasury committee in November that job losses due to the NIC changes were likely to be higher than the 50,000 forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

Big retailers have warned the NIC rise will lead to higher prices, job cuts and store closures. File pic: PA
Nick Stowe, chief executive of Monsoon and Accessorize, said retailers had the choice of protecting staff numbers or cancelling investment plans.
He said they were trying to protect staff numbers and would be increasing prices but they would likely have to halt plans to increase store numbers.
Helen Dickinson, head of the BRC, told Sky News the national living wage rise and NIC increase will cost businesses £5bn, adding more than 10% to the cost of hiring someone in an entry-level role.
A further tax on packaging coming in October means retailers will face £7bn in extra costs this year, she said.
“This huge cost burden will undoubtedly reduce investment in stores and jobs and is likely to lead to higher prices,” she added.
SMALL BUSINESSES
A massive 85% of 1,400 small business owners surveyed by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in March reported rising costs compared with the same time last year, with 47% citing tax as the main barrier to growth – the highest level in more than a decade.
Just 8% of those businesses saw an increase in staff numbers over the last quarter, while 21% had to reduce their workforce.
Kate Rumsey, whose family has run Rumsey’s Chocolates in Wendover, Buckinghamshire and Thame, Oxfordshire, for 21 years, said the NIC rise, minimum wage increase and business relief rate reduction will push her staff costs up by 15 to 17% – £70,000 to £80,000 annually.
To offset those costs, she has had to reduce opening hours, including closing on Sundays and bank holidays in one shop for the first time ever, make one person redundant, not replace short-term staff and introduce a hiring freeze.
The soaring price of cocoa has added to her woes and she has had to increase prices by about 10% and will raise them further.

Kate Rumsey, who runs Rumsey’s Chocolates in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, said they are being forced to take a short-term view to survive. Pic: Rumsey’s Chocolates
She told Sky News: “We’re very much taking more of a short-term view at the moment, it’s so seasonal in this business so I said to the team we’ll just get through Q1 then re-evaluate.
“I feel this is a bit about the survival of the fittest and many businesses won’t survive.”
Tina McKenzie, policy chair of the FSB, said the NIC rise “holds back growth” and has seen small business confidence drop to its lowest point since the first year of the pandemic.
With the “highest tax burden for 70 years”, she called on the chancellor to introduce a “raft of pro-small business measures” in the autumn budget so it can deliver on its pledge for growth.
She reminded employers they can claim the Employment Allowance, which has doubled after an FSB campaign to take the first £10,500 off an employer’s annual bill.
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National Insurance rise impacts carers
CARE
The care sector has been warning the government since the October that budget care homes will be forced to close due to the financial pressures the employers’ national insurance rise will place on them.
Care homes receive funding from councils as well as from private fees, but as local authorities feel the squeeze more and more their contributions are not keeping up with rising costs.
The industry has argued without it the NHS would be crippled.
Raj Sehgal, founding director of ArmsCare, a family-run group of six care homes in Norfolk, said the NIC increase means a £360,000 annual impact on the group’s £3.6m payroll.
In an attempt to offset those costs, the group is scrapping staff bonuses and freezing management salaries.
It is also considering reducing day hours, where there are more staff on, so the fewer numbers of night staff work longer hours and with no paid break.

Raj Sehgal said his family-owned group of care homes will need £360,000 extra this year for the NIC hike
Mr Sehgal said: “But what that does do unfortunately, is impact the quality you’re going to be able to provide, at a time when we need to be improving quality, but something has to give.
“The government just doesn’t seem to understand that the funding needs to be there. You cannot keep enforcing higher costs on businesses and not be able to fund those without actually finding the money from somewhere.”
He said the issue is exacerbated by the fact local authority funding, despite increasing to 5%, will not cover the 10% rise.
“It’s going to be a really, really tough ride. And we are going to see a number of providers close their doors,” he warned.
Nadra Ahmed, executive co-chair of the National Care Association, said those who receive, or are waiting to access, care as well as staff will feel the impact the hardest.
“As providers see further shortfalls in the commissioning of care services, they will start to limit what they can do to ensure their viability or, as a last resort exit the market,” she said.
“This is very short-sighted, with serious consequences, which alludes to the understanding of this government.”
Government decided to ‘wipe the slate clean’
A Treasury spokesperson told Sky News the government is “pro-business” but has “taken the difficult but necessary decisions to wipe the slate clean and properly fund our public services after years of declines”.
“Our budget choices have already delivered an NHS with falling waiting lists, a £3.7bn rescue package for social care, and vital protection for Britain’s small businesses,” they said.
“We’re making tough choices today to secure a better tomorrow through our Plan for Change. By investing in economic growth and early years education while capping corporation tax, we’re putting more money in working people’s pockets and giving every child the best start in life.”
UK
Russell Brand charged with rape and sexual assault
Published
5 hours agoon
April 5, 2025By
admin
Russell Brand has been charged with rape and two counts of sexual assault between 1999 and 2005.
The Metropolitan Police say the 50-year-old comedian, actor and author has also been charged with one count of oral rape and one count of indecent assault.
The charges relate to four women.
He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday 2 May.
Police have said Brand is accused of raping a woman in the Bournemouth area in 1999 and indecently assaulting a woman in the Westminster area of London in 2001.
He is also accused of orally raping and sexually assaulting a woman in Westminster in 2004.
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1:59
Ashna Hurynag discusses Russell Brand’s charges
The fourth charge alleges that a woman was sexually assaulted in Westminster between 2004 and 2005.
Police began investigating Brand, from Oxfordshire, in September 2023 after receiving a number of allegations.
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The comedian has denied the accusations and said he has “never engaged in non-consensual activity”.
He added in a video on X: “Of course, I am now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.”
Metropolitan Police Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who is leading the investigation, said: “The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers.
“The Met’s investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward and speak with police.”
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