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Cocaine seizures by Customs see sharp rise in 2023

In 2023, Dutch Customs seized almost 60,000 kg of cocaine. This is a sharp increase compared to 2022, when more than 51,000 kg of cocaine was seized. The largest seizures were in the ports of Rotterdam and Vlissingen. At airports, more than twice as much cocaine was seized

Late data from one business means UK wage growth may need to be revised, says ONS

Caveat from statistics agency is latest sign of its problems collecting reliable economic data Britain’s main measure of wage growth may need to be revised after a large employer failed to supply earnings data on time, the country’s troubled statistics agency has warned. In the latest sign of

Additional €2 billion to fight poverty

The government will make an additional €2 billion a year available on a structural basis to support vulnerable households. This measure will prevent a rise in the number of people living in poverty and reduce the number of children growing up in poverty. Most of this expenditure will

UK inflation falls to 2.8% in boost for Rachel Reeves before spring statement

Bigger-than-forecast decline in annual rate in February is positive news for chancellor in run-up to Commons address UK inflation has fallen back to 2.8%, giving Rachel Reeves some positive news before she makes her spring statement. The Office for National Statistics said annual inflation as measured by the

The Guardian view on Rachel Reeves’s spending cuts: a choice, not an economic necessity | Editorial

The spring statement casts austerity as unavoidable, but Labour is clinging to economic myths while ignoring the tools of power The chancellor’s spring statement arrives with the sombre tone of inevitability. Britain, we’re told, must tighten its belt. Welfare payments for the sick and disabled will be shrunk.

Labour’s economic strategy is outdated. I can fix that | Jagjit Chadha

The last thing we need from Wednesday’s spring statement are incremental changes to tax and spending. Let’s have a clear plan Jagjit Chadha is professor of economics at Cambridge University and a former academic adviser to HM Treasury, the Bank of England and the Treasury select committee Britain

2024 Tax Plan: essential steps for society and for the tax system

Today Marnix van Rij (State Secretary for Tax Affairs and the Tax Administration) presented the 2024 Tax Plan to the House of Representatives. The package contains essential measures for society and the tax system. These include measures to support purchasing power and fight poverty, to improve and simplify

Bank of England in no hurry on interest rates – but cuts will come

Despite the decision to hold at 4.5%, businesses and households can take a confident view of the UK’s prospects Bank of England says companies freezing hiring plans as it keeps interest rates on hold Bank of England policymakers might be on a “go-slow” as they look forward to

Netherlands earmarks €2.5 billion for support to Ukraine in 2023

In 2023 the Netherlands will make €2.5 billion available to support Ukraine. The government expects that this amount will be necessary to provide military aid, support essential repair and reconstruction activities and contribute financially to efforts to combat impunity. The Dutch Cabinet approved the proposal by ministers Liesje

Bank of England says companies freezing hiring plans as it keeps interest rates on hold

Rate-setting committee also points to mounting global uncertainty as it pauses its cycle of reductions Business live latest updates The Bank of England has said UK businesses are freezing their hiring plans in response to Rachel Reeves’s tax increases and to mounting global uncertainty as it kept interest

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