Hard-pressed Brits face MORE misery at the pumps as fears mount Rachel Reeves will hike fuel duty
Top Tory Dame Priti Patel said a hike would mean a 'betrayal of working people'.
The AA says motorists are already being squeezed, with Vehicle Excise Duty rising by £30 since 2022, plus millions more paid in parking charges, tolls and congestion fees.
AA boss Edmund King also warned any rise at the pumps 'could be catastrophic' for the UK economy.
He added: 'The added danger is increased duty simply fuels higher inflation. The strong message to the Chancellor is 'keep it down'.'
READ MORE ON FUEL DUTY
The AA says motorists are already being squeezed from all sides, with Vehicle Excise Duty jumping from £165 to £195 since 2022, and millions more paid in parking charges, tolls and congestion fees.
Drivers of older cars, including popular models like the Ford Fiesta and VW Golf, also face a £160 tax hike when they are eventually forced to upgrade to newer vehicles.
The Sun's Keep It Down campaign has helped freeze fuel duty since 2011 - saving drivers thousands but ministers are under pressure to find cash after billions were pledged to reverse planned welfare cuts.
A Treasury spokesperson said: 'We extended the fuel duty cut this year, saving drivers £3billion, and we're investing £1.6billion to end the pothole plague by fixing up to seven million extra potholes.'
Most read in Motors
Pressed on whether she would raise taxes, Reeves said: 'Of course there is a cost to the welfare changes that parliament voted through this week and that will be reflected in the budget.
'But I'm also very, very clear that [the] stability that we've been able to return to the economy, which has enabled the Bank of England to cut interests rates four times, is only possible because of the fiscal discipline which is underpinned by the fiscal rules.
Never Mind The Ballots Fuel Duty Debate
"And we'll be sticking to those because they're absolutely vital for the living standards of working people and also the costs that businesses face.'
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Hard-pressed Brits could face a fuel duty hike after Labour's welfare U-turn
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The Irish Sun
18 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Our corner of UK used to be thriving hotspot – now it's a rat-ridden unrecognisable dump that's on brink of exploding
A PROUD East End suburb that used to be a thriving hot spot, is now a rat-ridden dump, locals have told The Sun. Residents in Bethnal Green have described the streets as "unrecognisable", claiming the tight-knit community has disappeared from their doorsteps in recent years - but there's much debate if a Advertisement 18 Locals are clear on one thing - the famous soul of the area has gone Credit: Chris Eades 18 Serif Farmer, who runs Solis Launderette, explained that money was the only thing stopping her from leaving Credit: Chris Eades 18 Locals have described the once-thriving suburb as 'unrecognisable' Credit: Chris Eades Business owners are disgusted to see piles of rubbish lining Bethnal Green Road - the heartbeat of the east London suburb - and areas behind their shops. Serif Farmer, who runs Solis Launderette, explained that money was the only thing stopping her from leaving. She said: "I've worked here for 32 years and it's gone downhill. 100%. 'If I had money I would move out tomorrow, preferably abroad. Bethnal Green is just not a beautiful place anymore. Advertisement Read more News If I had money I would move out tomorrow. Bethnal Green is not a beautiful place anymore Serif Farmer, launderette manager "It used to be so clean and spotless but now it's just a dump. "If you go out the back [of the shop] it's just terrible out there. "It's just all cardboard boxes on the floor and it is just rat-ridden out there. "I'm surprised shop owners haven't been done for it. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive Exclusive "I'm not saying the people are horrible, but the place has gone downhill. It's just changed so much." According to a 2021 report, Tower Hamlets Council has been forced to slash more than £200 million since 2010. ISIS bride Shamima Begum LOSES battle for British citizenship and must stay in Syria for now It blamed the huge cuts on Government austerity and "increasing demand" in the area, with the council pointing to the ongoing impact of Covid. The report also referenced the Tower Hamlets Poverty Review , which found that, in a typical classroom of 30 children, 17 were living below the poverty line. Advertisement It added that 44% of elderly people were living in low-income households. Serif, 63, went on to say that community spirit in Bethnal Green had "died out". She added: 'My mum came from Cyprus, she taught herself how to speak and read English when she moved here. 'She integrated with everybody, with the locals, and my dad did too. Advertisement 'It was such a great area and everybody mixed, all different nationalities. We all got on and the atmosphere was brilliant. 'When me and my brother first came here, the whole community was close and we all spoke with each other. 18 Serif, 63, went on to say that community spirit in Bethnal Green had 'died out' Credit: Chris Eades 18 Yakup Ozkurt is looking to sell his 51-year-old kebab shop Credit: Chris Eades Advertisement 18 Barmaid Enora Birec claimed the town was more 'closed off' Credit: Steve Bell "We used to have celebrations with everyone sitting out on the streets, but now everyone is depressed. 'It's not safe like it used to be where they used to get the police round and you recognised faces on the high street. 'There's more crime, more phone snatching, things like that." Advertisement 'It's not a community like it was years ago." "People drive around with flags in their cars and are very vocal in their support. 'You never used to be worried walking down an East End street. 'It's always been rough and ready around here - it's famous for it - but there was a community here. Advertisement 'Locals are scared and the East End is gone. It's only going from bad to worse.' The regulars also fumed that "bread and butter" locals had disappeared from Bethnal Green. They added: "It's supposed to be the East End of London. 'In general, before you used to be able to walk down the street and say hello to everyone, we all knew each other. Advertisement 'But nowadays the community just isn't there. In terms of your locals, your bread and butter of the community, they're gone. "It's gone. It's not how it used to be." Shamima Begum Further down the high street, punters at The Marquis of Cornwallis pub told how former resident ISIS had caused more scepticism in the area. Begum - who fled the country in February 2015 - continues to divide opinion across the London borough where she once resided. Advertisement But locals are clear on one thing - the famous soul of the area has gone. They claim that the way of life in Bethnal Green has changed "to the extreme" since Begum left the UK at the age of 15. She was joined by two pals - Amira Abase and Kadiza Sultana - as they flew from Gatwick Airport to Turkey after lying to their parents. Begum, who was born in the UK to parents of Bangladeshi heritage, married an Islamic State fighter soon after arriving. Advertisement Her British citizenship was stripped on national security grounds in 2019 and she now lives in the armed-guard controlled Al-Roj refugee camp in Northern Syria. 18 ISIS bride Shamima Begum left the UK in 2015 Credit: BBC 18 Begum with pals Amira Abase and Kadiza Sultana as they passed through Gatwick airport Credit: PA 18 The former Bethnal Green schoolgirl is now in a refugee camp in northern Syria Credit: Times Media Ltd Advertisement One pub punter told The Sun: 'In terms of 'In general, I think people started looking at their neighbours - especially when she first left - and thinking twice about them. 'It's just human nature to be suspicious like that. The community is now very divided. It's a huge shame really. 'What has made things worse recently as well is the Israel and Palestine war. That has the potential to explode in this area." Advertisement People started looking at their neighbours, especially when Shamima first left, and thinking twice about them Punter at The Marquis of Cornwallis pub Enora Birec, 26, barmaid at The Kings Arms added: 'I go up and down this high street twice a day. It is a very diverse place. 'I do think in general it is slightly more closed off than it was. 'I have a Bangladeshi friend who told me that the community was being pushed away from the area. "She (Begum) was in a building that was being knocked down in the Bethnal Green area. Advertisement 'But the Bangladeshi community is quite strong here, I think they are very settled.' According to a Government report released in 2014, the largest ethnic groups in the Bethnal Green area were White British (37%) and Bangladeshi (32%). More than a third of the residents in the east London town were Muslim, with 25.8% Christian and 21.9% not belonging to any religion . Local businesses are suffering Yakup Ozkurt, who owns the 51-year-old White Horse Kebab House, admitted that he had taken the tough decision to sell the business. Advertisement Pointing to Bethnal Green's "unrecognisable" community, the 56-year-old said: "It was a good area. But for me, it is finished. 'I've been living here for 27 years. The first time I came to Bethnal Green, it was predominantly English people. "In the last ten years in this area, lots of that core population has left. 'People would say hello, good morning to you. Lots of people were close and got on. Advertisement "But now, people are never smiling. The community is not very close, no one talks to anyone. This shop is 51 years old, but I'm selling up now because this area is finished Yakup Ozkurt, local kebab shop owner 'Before they had loads of pubs but they're all closed or closing. 'This shop is 51 years old, but I'm selling it now because this area is finished." Resident Mohamed Miah suggested the borough had become "unrecognisable" in recent years. Advertisement The 40-year-old, who runs the local taxi office, said: 'Bethnal Green, I was born and raised here. It's not like the old East End anymore. 'From when I was growing up to now, it's not recognisable anymore. 'This is the oldest cab office in Bethnal Green - our customers have moved out from here. 'There's a lot of drunken behaviour and people doing balloons, driving up and down in their cars all night. Advertisement 'There's more CCTV on the road, so in that sense they are doing well. 'But everything has changed here man, it's not like the old school.' 18 Mohamed Miah said the area had become 'unrecognisable' Credit: Chris Eades 18 Some shops have been forced to shut along the high street Credit: Chris Eades Advertisement 18 Market stall trader Aissa Derouiche told how tourists were rarely seen in the area Credit: Steve Bell Staff members at Trotters Jewellers, which has been on the high street for 35 years, added that the face of the high street had changed "to the extreme". They explained: "It's changed to the extreme, it's not like the old East End anymore. 'We're one of the most established businesses, but also one of the lasting few. Advertisement "Of course, it's changed totally. It's not thriving at all and everything is stacked against you. It's changed to the extreme. It's not like the old East End anymore. Staff at Trotters Jewellers "Having a business here is a lot harder than it was 10 years ago for sure. 'We have shops in Liverpool Street and Hatton Garden, but we've noticed such a change, especially here. Not for the good.' Market stall trader Aissa Derouiche, told how tourists were no longer flocking to Bethnal Green, despite it being located just minutes from the popular Brick Lane area. Advertisement The 55-year-old, who has worked on the street for 17 years, fumed: 'Everything has changed. "Some people left and businesses have suffered. Shops have closed and the place has changed for the worse. 'The community is close, but it has grown apart in recent years because people have left. 'Tourists have stopped coming to Bethnal Green in the last ten years which has had a huge impact on my business." Advertisement Shamima Begum's fight to regain UK citizenship She married an Islamic State fighter soon after arriving in 2015 and went on to have three children. Her UK citizenship was stripped on national security grounds in 2019. In February 2020, a tribunal ruled that removing Ms Begum's citizenship was lawful because she was "a citizen of Bangladesh by descent". In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that Ms Begum could not return to the UK to appeal the decision to remove her citizenship. Her lawyers challenged the removal of her citizenship at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission two years later. The commission agreed that there was a credible suspicion that Begum was a victim of trafficking and sexual exploitation, but it ruled this did not stand in the way of stripping her of British citizenship. That decision was upheld at the Court of Appeal in February 2024. Earlier this year, she lost an initial bid to take the case to the Supreme Court. Begum remains in a camp controlled by armed guards in northern Syria. Society has moved on since Shamima However, some locals claimed that Begum's name was no longer commonly heard around the area. Mohammed Ahmed, who works at his father's shop Continental Grocers, slammed the government's decision to strip her of her British citizenship. He said: "She is not a big deal around here anymore. 'Look, she fled to Syria. She was very young at the time. Advertisement 'I think the decision to strip her of her citizenship was wrong. It's worse now because she has kids I wouldn't say I miss her. I am only missing out on a customer because she's not here Shop worker Mohammed Ahmed 'It's not the case that it's embarrassing for the community, but it doesn't ever get brought up. 'I wouldn't say I miss her. I didn't know her. 'I am only missing out on a customer because she's not here." Advertisement Bangladeshi nationals Sharif Sarker and Chunki Akter hailed the east London town as a "home from home". The couple, who moved to Bethnal Green two years ago, explained that living there had made following their traditions easier. 18 Some locals claim that Begum's name is no longer commonly heard in the area Credit: PA 18 Sharif Sarker and girlfriend Chunki Akter hailed Bethnal Green as a 'home from home' Credit: Steve Bell Advertisement 18 Cab driver Reg Singh was four years old when he moved to Bethnal Green from India Credit: Chris Eades Chunki said: "To be honest, we are not a very strong part of the community. "We have only been here for two years and don't really know who the community leaders are. 'We moved from Bangladesh in 2023. We came here because there is a strong Bangladeshi group here. Advertisement 'But Bethnal Green is mostly Bengali and it really helps us as we try to follow our traditions, especially with food. 'I used to live in Barking but it was a pain to go shopping. 'Everything I used to eat in Bangladesh, I can get it here. It's easy. 'We feel at home here, we can speak our language and buy our food here.' Advertisement Cab driver Reg Singh was four years old when he moved to Bethnal Green from India. The 71-year-old added: "It was a different scene then. 'It was a neighbourhood, people knew one another and it was a community we had here. It was wonderful. The East End way of life has changed because whatever community comes in, they bring their own way of life Black cab driver Reg Singh 'Over the past few years there have been big changes. Advertisement 'It's changed because there's a different community in the area. "There's a more predominantly Bangladeshi and Muslim community. 'The East End way of life has changed because whatever community comes in, they bring their own way of life. 'I'm not saying it's a bad thing, I think it's good. That's just how it is.' Advertisement 18 Residents have fumed at 'huge changes' in the area since Begum left Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 18 Local businesses are under threat and face closing up for good Credit: Chris Eades 18 Trotters Jewellers told how the high street had changed 'to the extreme' Credit: Chris Eades
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Kneecap chants ‘f*** Keir Starmer' in another foul rant just days after sparking police probe at Glastonbury
RAPPERS Kneecap called out Keir Starmer for saying the group should be banned from Glastonbury Festival. The hip-hop group, from Belfast, Northern Ireland, spoke at London's Finsbury Park today - a week after performing at Glastonbury Festival. Advertisement 6 Kneecap chanted 'f*** Starmer' on stage in London's Finsbury Park on Saturday Credit: Getty 6 'They tried to stop us playing Glastonbury, and they f*****g couldn't,' Kneecap said Credit: Getty 6 A big crowd attended the gig Credit: PA 6 PM Keir Starmer said the Irish trio should be banned from performing at Glastonbury Credit: Reuters It came after the PM told The Sun on Sunday last month that the Irish trio should be banned from the music festival after a band member was charged with a terror offence. Rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh told the crowd yesterday: 'Keir Starmer gave an interview with The Sun saying we shouldn't be playing Glastonbury - so f**k Keir Starmer.' 'F**k Keir Starmer - you're just a s**t Jeremy Corbyn.' Bandmate Naoise O Caireallain added: 'We appreciate all of this f*****g mad energy that we are getting in Finsbury Park. Advertisement Read more UK news 'Look, they tried to stop us playing Glastonbury, and they f*****g couldn't. 'They tried to stop us playing in Cornwall, and they f*****g couldn't stop that either." Og O hAnnaidh, 27, who goes by the stage name Mo Chara, appeared in court last month, accused of displaying a flag in support of banned terror group Hezbollah at a gig. Advertisement Most read in The Sun He was bailed until later in the summer — leaving him free to play at Glastonbury. Asked by The Sun on Sunday if he thought Kneecap should play at Glastonbury, the PM said: 'No I don't. Prime Minister Keir Starmer calls for Glastonbury to axe Kneecap from the line-up 'I think we need to come down really clearly on this. I won't say too much, because there's a court case on, but I don't think that's appropriate.' During Kneecap's performance at Glastonbury, the group took to the stage and led a "free Palestine" chant before leading five chants against the Advertisement Meanwhile, Bobby Vylan - frontman of English punk-rap duo Bob Vylan - The BBC were Avon and Somerset Police confirmed on Monday that Posting on X, the force said: "Video footage and audio from Bob Vylan and Kneecap's performances at Glastonbury Festival has been reviewed. Advertisement "Following the completion of that assessment process we have decided further enquiries are required and a criminal investigation is now being undertaken. "A senior detective has been appointed to lead this investigation. "This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our enquiries are at an early stage." The force confirmed that it had received a "large amount" of contact from across the world about the controversial performances. Advertisement The Sun has contacted Avon and Somerset Police. 6 Fans during Kneecap's gig in London Credit: AP 6 Kneecap performing at Glastonbury Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
I ditched UK for sunshine state and now earn triple my salary – it's that good I even left my wife & son back in Britain
STUCK feeling like his money was going nowhere in the UK with a rising cost of living and dreary prospects - Previn Diwakar made a decision that would shock those close to him. He decided he would leave his wife Lisa, 51, and son Oscar, 15, at their home in Shrewsbury - and head abroad for a better life where he could triple his salary and live the high life. 16 Dr Previn Diwakar left the UK behind to move over to Saudi Arabia Credit: SUPPLIED 16 Dr Diwakar left his wife Lisa back in the UK - but he still gets to go home & she gets to come visit Credit: SUPPLIED 16 Dr Diwakar said he is enjoying his life in Saudi more than back home - pictured the 'City of Earth' Diriyah Credit: SUPPLIED 16 Dr Diwakar pictures one of his top brunch spots Credit: SUPPLIED Dr Diwakar, originally from Glasgow, choose Saudi Arabia, the trillionaire state fast attracting professionals despite being accused of living in the dark ages by the West. The British radiologist - who has worked in Canterbury, Liverpool, Manchester and Cardiff - moved to Riyadh last year after 25 years in the NHS, choosing it over its more 'relaxed' ruled neighbour the UAE. He now says he earns triple his salary with no income tax, lives in an stylish 3-bedroom apartment, which is mostly paid for by his work. He has a free gym, pool and steam room in the block - and he also drives at Tesla Model 3, with free charging ports avaliable and the car also being half paid for by his hospital. The lure of the salary boost was so great for the family - he moved while leaving his wife Lisa & son Oscar decided to stay back in the UK. Dr Diwakar explained he was tired of constantly working harder in Britain but feeling no benefits as cost of living continues to climb. And said even with the lack of alcohol - he still gets to enjoy events such as football and live music. He also defended his decision to swap to Saudi - which while opening up to the West, still continues to have a It is estimated up to 300,000 Brits visit Saudi Arabia yearly - and there are around 30,000 UK expats living in the kingdom. And Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been the driving force behind a massive campaign to open up the country and attract Westerners. Meet the 'Neom' WAGS – the Brit TikTok housewives of Saudi living it up in desert luxury while husbands build $1tn mega city From luring in Mega projects planned including ambitions of the world's tallest skyscraper, an enormous new high tech city, and Dr Diwakar told The Sun: 'There was a very real sense that over the previous 10 years or so I was working harder and harder but seeing no improvement in my salary or quality of living. 'With the rise in living costs in the UK and punitive tax rules I couldn't see my quality of life for me or my family improving by staying put. 'It was like I was running to stand still. While initially drawn to the UAE , having visited there many times over the years, I became drawn to Saudi after seeing the opportunities here and that it offered me the authentic cultural and social experiences I was seeking which the UAE simply doesn't.' Now he says he earns roughly three and half times more than he did in the UK, with Saudi imposing no income tax on his earnings. His wife, Lisa Diwakar, and son, Oscar , remain in the UK but he manages to see them often thanks to generous annual leave. Western perception is that people don't feel comfortable talking about this country or politics and I don't think that's true Dr Previn Diwakar And his wife Lisa says while she misses him, when the meet up it makes all the time together that much more special. She said the family have had to adapt to a new way of living and working. Lisa said: "Being a working mum in the UK and wife to a husband working in Saudi requires careful planning to ensure we get to get to spend quality time together as a family. "We communicate daily and the physical distance has taught us to plan ahead and look forward to quality times we spend together. "This has been an important life lesson for me, I'm more organised and I always have something to look forward to, my husband coming home, me going to visit him or our family meeting somewhere to spend a holiday together. "We don't feel the geographical distance, we simply feel the lack of presence, that never leaves you but it does mean that when we are together it's so special." A keen football fan, he regularly goes to football games including Cristiano Ronaldo's He passes time with other expats drinking coffee, visiting art galleries, malls, restaurants and watching his club at a supporters club run by locals. Previn was a season ticket holder and went to as many games as possible when he lived in England and still attends matches when he's visiting. Last month he went to WWE Smackdown, costing him only £14, with fans decked out in wrestling outfits. 16 Dr Diwakar has spent 25 years working for the NHS Credit: supplied by freelancer David Rivers for exclusive use 16 Pictured with his son Oscar at an Al Nassr game Credit: supplied by freelancer David Rivers for exclusive use 16 Ronaldo just signed a new mega contract with the club until 2027 Credit: Reuters 16 Saudi Arabia has been working to modernise and open up Credit: Getty 16 The coastline of the city of Jeddah Credit: Getty He added: 'Football was a massive eye-opener for me. I have very in-depth knowledge of what the English and European games are like, but I had no idea what the Saudi Pro League was like. 'So when I was out here I asked various colleagues and they said football's huge out here. 'I thought, well, in England it's quite difficult to get tickets, isn't it? But it's not difficult to get tickets out here. The tickets aren't expensive either. 'You're probably spending maybe £10 to £15 pounds maximum for a decent seat. I was pretty near the pitch side and I went with my family, with my wife and son." The doctor said the stadium's atmosphere was even comparable to major European games he's been to. He said: 'The stadium was pretty crowded. It wasn't as huge as the European stadiums but there was a really good atmosphere and certainly like European games there's one end of the stadium that had the so-called Ultras there, the banging the drums and creating a lot of atmosphere. 'There certainly was an atmosphere when I went to see an Al-Nassr game with 'The team they were playing against was Al Riyadh, which is a comparatively less well-known team outside Saudi. 'So you would think with Ronaldo and Mane playing, this is just going to be a walkover, it's going to be one-sided. It wasn't. It was quite a competitive game, they won but only just.' Saudi is a dry country and remains adamant it will be But Diwakar says he doesn't miss it and has noticed no impact at events. He added: 'The atmosphere at WWE is incredible. There's all the chanting, there's the dancing, people wearing T-shirts and dressing up, it is as mental as anything in the UK or in Europe . Since I've been out here I haven't missed [alcohol] at all Dr Diwakar 'I don't think the lack of alcohol makes any impact on the atmosphere in these events whether it's a concert, WWE or live sport. 'There were lots of people wearing WWE outfits to mimic their favourite wrestlers. They had imitation belts because John Cena was there. "They were dressed up like Cena with the crazy hats, big foam fingers they were pointing at him. 'I was shocked actually because when I go to Anfield, when you hear all the singing and everything like that, that's what it is. But you don't expect it out here. 'How you feel about living in a dry country may depend a lot upon the stage of your life you're at. 'In the UK I may go and see friends at the pub, or at football I might have a drink, but at this stage in my life I'm not a heavy drinker. 'Particularly with my job, I never drank during the week, maybe a glass of wine with my meal at the weekend but that was it. 'Since I've been out here I haven't missed it at all." Some expats are keen to share their lives in Saudi - including a raft of Brits who are A dozen now-influencers - most with young children - made the move months or even years ago as their husbands landed various jobs working for Saudi projects. 16 Women who live in Saudi have also taken to TikTok to share what life is like there Credit: TikTok/follow_eisha 16 A dozen now-influencers - most with young children - made the move months or even years ago Credit: instagram/@aidamcphrsn 16 Brit mum Samara films day-in-the-life videos in Neom Credit: TikTok/@ Another Brit expat, who asked not to be named, swapped the UK for Saudi at the age of 23 and now works as an account executive in Riyadh. There he shares an apartment with another British expat, passing time with padel , art galleries and football with other expats. He's a fan of MDLBEAST, a series of festivals held in Riyadh and has attracted artists including A$AP Rocky, Calvin Harris and Guns N' Roses. There, he says you'll see things you 'wouldn't expect to see'. The expat told The Sun: 'There were things you would not expect to see at a Saudi music festival. 'They sold non-alcoholic beer for example. It was predominantly young lads, I didn't really see many women. 'They obviously weren't gangsters, but a lot of the men were wearing balaclavas, emulating Reading festival or something. 'There was a lot of music you might think men wouldn't be interested in here. So Jason Derulo was packed, they knew his lyrics." A$AP Rocky's set was full of expletives with the crowd singing along to all the lyrics. Diwakar compared its significance to the UK's Glastonbury , although he hasn't managed to go yet. He wants to attend at some point, and has set his sights on the Jeddah GP next year. Saudi Arabia has gone on an aggressive spending spree in recent years and it seeks to modernise the nation, particularly in sport. In addition to names like Ronaldo heading to Saudi PL, the world's best golfers including John Rahm play in LIV Golf for eye-popping sums. Some have accused the nation, a dictatorship, of doing so to wash its image. And alongside these projects, there is also a raft of Saudi influencers who share their lifestyles in the kingdom. The Saudi government are keen to clean up the kingdom's image. 16 Nada Baeshen is one of the top Saudi influencers with 700,000 followers Credit: Instagram 16 She shows off her lifestyle and her travels - and also works on Saudi TV Credit: Instagram 16 Nojoud Alrumaihi is another top influencer from Saudi Credit: Instagram 16 She also shows off her lavish lifestyle Credit: Instagram But Diwakar says the nation is fast evolving and change is embraced by locals. He said: 'It's very important to remember where this country has come from in an incredibly short period of time. 'It's 2025 now and eight years ago was at the start of these reforms. 'If you think of where we are now, I'm sitting in a lovely little cafe bakery here, crowded with men and women together. 'That wouldn't have been possible 10 years ago. So the social change and the infrastructure has changed a lot. 'As each year goes by, particularly as we accelerate through to 2030, some things will start changing and adapting.' He added: 'Western perception is that people don't feel comfortable talking about this country or politics and I don't think that's true. 'Everybody I've spoken to has been pretty good, they've been pretty open, no less so than in the UK. 'Of course you don't get demonstrations on the street. But I think when you speak to people, universally people have welcomed the changes that they have made. 'Like the fact that you can come to a coffee shop and you see groups of girls together, or going for non-alcoholic drinks." Saudi's most draconian laws By James Moules THE most infamous case of Saudi Arabia's draconian laws is that of Raif Badawi - a blogger who was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for "insulting Islam". The Arab Kingdom still enforces the death penalty - in 2022, 196 people were executed. And on March 12 that year, 81 people were executed in one single day. Women and girls still face discrimination in regard to the law. The male guardianship act was enshrined into law in 2022, and means that women must have a "male legal guardian". The Arab Kingdom consistently cracks down on the press, controlling domestic media and jailing journalists for a variety of "crimes". Journalist Jamal Khashoggi was assassinated at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018 by agents of the Saudi government. LGBT rights are not legally recognised in the country. They are labelled as "extremist ideas", with public displays of affection between couples outlawed. Protests and demonstrations are also illegal. Those who defy this ban face arrest, prosecution and imprisonment.
