Plan to make smoking less accessible for teenagers
Rishi Sunak has unveiled a plan to increase the legal smoking age by one year every year, describing it as the ‘most significant public health intervention in a generation’. This initiative has the potential to substantially reduce smoking among young people by as early as 2040. Sunak emphasised the critical importance of addressing smoking, stating that it is the leading preventable cause of death, disability, and illness in society. He argued that there is ‘no safe level of smoking’ and defended the move against concerns about individual choice. The Government anticipates that these measures could result in up to 1.7 million fewer people smoking by 2075. Sunak stressed the need to prevent teenagers from taking up smoking, as the majority of smokers start before the age of 20. In addition to cracking down on smoking, the Government also plans to examine and regulate the availability and marketing of vaping products, especially to children. The goal is to reduce the attractiveness of vaping to young people while providing an alternative to smoking for current smokers.
Hottest September on record
The UK has experienced its joint-warmest September since record-keeping began nearly 150 years ago. The record-breaking month was characterised by an exceptionally warm first half, featuring the year's hottest day and seven consecutive days with temperatures above 30°C in parts of the UK, an unprecedented occurrence for September. Scientists attribute this heatwave primarily to climate change, though natural factors like El Niño and ocean circulation changes have also played a role. The rise in greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from burning fossil fuels, is a major contributor to this record-breaking heat. As we confront these alarming climate trends, the need for urgent ambitious climate action becomes even more critical. With global climate talks (COP28) scheduled for December, the necessity of addressing climate change's devastating effects is paramount. This record-breaking heat serves as a stark reminder that climate change is a global crisis that demands immediate attention and action.
Homes and house building in England
According to a damning report by the Home Builders Federation (HBF), homes in England and Wales are the lowest quality yet among the most expensive, in the developed world. The UK’s housing market is ‘reaching a state of crisis’ as the country falls even further behind other developed nations in terms of condition, affordability, and age of its housing stock. England’s homes are of poorer quality than those in eastern European nations such as Lithuania, with fewer new homes than Bulgaria. UK residents spend “exceptionally high proportions” of their post-tax income on housing. Alongside this, In September, the UK witnessed a significant decline in new home construction, leading to the largest drop in construction activity since May 2020. Overall, the construction sector is experiencing difficulties, but there are signs of resilience and potential for improvement in the near future. For further information, see
Metro Bank seeks to raise capital
When Metro Bank was launched in 2010,it was the first new high street bank in 150 years. Now, there are concerns about its future. The bank, which has around 2.7 million customers, is reportedly in discussions with investors about securing £250 million in equity funding and refinancing £350 million in debt to strengthen its balance sheet. The issue is that it is operating at the edges of its capital requirements, meaning the amount of assets held by the bank that can be sold off at short notice if it faces unexpected losses. This move has rattled investors, causing the bank's share prices to plummet by over 25%. Despite these challenges, the bank stated that customer deposits are secure, and there is no indication of imminent collapse. In any case, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) ensures that customers' funds would be returned within seven working days in the event of the bank's dissolution. While the bank has faced difficulties in the past, it hopes to secure the necessary funding to navigate its current financial situation and continue serving its customers.
