Rory Poulter

Sainsbury's committed £8 million to expand support for children facing food insecurity during school holidays, aiming to create more than 500,000 additional holiday club places through its partnership with Comic Relief. The retailer urged the government to extend and broaden eligibility for the Holiday Activities and Food programme as concerns rise over food‑insecure households. The initiative builds on contributions equivalent to 60 million meals already donated, with a target of £30 million by 2030. Fundraising efforts will include staff-led events and matched customer donations until July 31, emphasised by Sainsbury's sustainability director Ruth Cranston, who called for systemic action to close the holiday hunger gap.

Warnings from the Office for Budget Responsibility indicate that raising income tax thresholds in line with prices could push most UK workers into higher-rate tax bands over coming decades, potentially reducing labour supply by two million people by 2075. The analysis follows comments from Andy Burnham suggesting there may be scope to increase taxes under a future Labour government. OBR officials highlight long-term pressures on public spending and the risks such tax changes may pose to work incentives, migration decisions and savings behaviour. Burnham maintains that any tax adjustments would remain within Labour’s manifesto commitments while pointing to his experience managing Greater Manchester’s finances.