Latest news with #Laud
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Investors can't trust Labour, warns UK bond giant
Investors can no longer trust Labour after its multiple about-turns, bond giant Legal & General (L&G) has warned. Sonja Laud, the chief investment officer at L&G, said the decision to abandon key benefit reforms and reverse course on winter fuel payments had destroyed faith in the Government's economic plans. L&G is one of Britain's biggest investors, managing £1.1 trillion of assets. It is one of the biggest buyers of UK government debt. Ms Laud said: '[Markets] can't trust that what's been put forward will be put in place. You will see the adverse reaction. It was quite a big one yesterday.' It follows a dramatic day in which Rachel Reeves's tears in the House of Commons triggered a fall in the pound and a jump in borrowing costs. Investors were concerned that the Chancellor could be on the brink of leaving Downing Street, sparking fears that her fiscal rules could be abandoned. However, borrowing costs had been rising even before the Chancellor wept after Sir Keir Starmer gutted his welfare reforms on Tuesday night to avoid an embarrassing defeat on the legislation. The about-turn has blown a £5bn hole in Ms Reeves's budget. Ms Laud said: 'The changes we have seen ever since the first announcements from the Labour Party - and the intended changes they wanted to put forward - have subsequently been either watered down or changed. 'That's what the bond market does not like. The reaction in the gilt market yesterday [shows] that there clearly is an unwillingness to accept that lack of clarity.' She added that traders were still nervous after Liz Truss's mini-Budget. She said: 'There's heightened sensitivity in the UK because of what happened in 2022, where you had unfunded fiscal promises.' Ms Laud's comments come as Sir Keir and Ms Reeves scramble to repair the damage done this week. The Chancellor made a surprise appearance alongside the Prime Minister at an event on Thursday, at which she insisted she remained committed to her fiscal rules. The Prime Minister also said Ms Reeves would remain Chancellor 'for many years to come'. Borrowing costs dipped in response but remain higher than where they were just days ago. David Roberts, at Nedgroup Investments, said the bond market turmoil was a 'flashback to the days of Liz Truss'. 'Having been elected on a mandate to sort out public finances, to rein in benefit spending, it appears many in the [Labour] party have decided to return to their traditional tax and spend ideology,' he said. 'Failure to push through welfare reform whilst adhering to fiscal rules seems to leave the Government with little option other than to raise taxes.' Morgan Stanley warned that the struggling Chancellor could be as much as £30bn in the red against her fiscal rules ahead of the autumn Budget. With limited room to borrow or cut spending, 'tax hikes look most likely,' the bank said. Sir Keir's failure to grasp the nettle of welfare reform means Britain will spend £1.5bn a week on health and disability benefits for working-age adults by the end of the decade. The bill is on course to balloon to £75.7bn by 2029-30, up by one quarter from £60.4bn this year. It puts the cost of this portion of the welfare state on a par with the defence budget. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Daily Mirror
19-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'Cooling' mattress and pillows leaves shoppers 'sleeping like a dream'
The right bedding can make the world of difference when it's super hot While the hot weather can be lovely while sunbathing, it's less comfortable when it's time to go to bed. Tossing and turning in sweaty bedsheets is a cruel reality of summer nights, but the right bedding can make the world of difference for a comfortable night's sleep. Until Monday, shoppers can save up to 20% on Emma's range of cooling mattresses, pillows and more, making it easier to get a good night's sleep in the heat. There are loads of products in the sale from duvets to pillows, mattresses to sheets, and plenty are designed to help buyers keep cool in the summer. For example, the Emma Hybrid Thermosync Mattress is now £655.20 down from £819 for a double size. It's designed with ThermoSync technology which helps to regulate body temperature, and it also absorbs motion on the mattress so fidgeting partners won't interrupt precious sleep. The mattress is also available in UK single for £415.20 down from £519, small double for £580.80 down from £726, king size for £734.40 down from £918, or super king for £840 down from £1,050. Shoppers can also save on the Emma Premium Foam Pillows, available either individually for £65.60 down from £82 or as a bundle of two for £123 down from £164. These pillows are temperature regulating with adjustable layers so users can change the height, with support for all sleeping positions. If Emma's range isn't quite right for shoppers, they could take a look at the TEMPUR ONE SmartCool™ Mattress which is currently £999 at Dreams. This one's available in firm or medium, is made from memory foam, and has a SmartCool™ cover that reduces heat throughout the night. Alternatively, there's the Luff Mayfair Cooling Gel Bamboo Pillow for £69.99 at Laud, which has a cooling pad, is naturally antibacterial, and is nice and firm. However, Emma shoppers have shared how pleased they are with their purchases. One said: "Excellent mattress well worth every penny. Never have I slept as well." Another said: "This mattress is very comfortable with the perfect level of support." A third said of an Emma pillow: "Comfortable, not too big or too small, decent size sideways, very airy and comfortable, love it." However, another mattress buyer said: "OK but not as firm as I thought it would be for the money." A separate reviewer added: "So so happy with my new mattress and pillows. Sleeping like a dream So happy." However, for big savings on a range that promotes a cool sleeping experience, the Emma sale is worth a look.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
'Sadistic' man convicted of child rape
A "perverted and sadistic" man who sexually abused a child has been convicted of rape. Humberside Police said Connor Laud subjected an "innocent and helpless child to what can only be described as sickening abuse to fulfil his sexual desires". The 27-year-old, of Tenterden Close, Hull, denied four charges but was found guilty on 15 May of all four offences following a trial at Grimsby Crown Court. He has been remanded into custody until 19 June, when he is due to appear at the same court for sentencing. Police launched their inquiries after receiving a report of the abuse, which had been disclosed by the child. Following his arrest, Laud claimed the child "must have become confused" and he denied having a sexual interest in children, detectives said. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Det Con Gayle Allwood described the offender as "a perverted and sadistic man". She added: "I'd like to praise the child and their family for their sheer bravery. "I cannot begin to comprehend how they have felt throughout the entirety of this investigation and court proceedings." She urged other victims of sexual crimes to report them to police. "We take reports of sexual offences extremely seriously and we will continue to seek justice for those who have suffered at the hands of predators," she added. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. HM Courts & Tribunals Service
TimesLIVE
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Amapiano star Laud releases his album 'Melokuhle'
Amapiano star Laud has released his album Melokuhle. Laud, whose real name is Tumisang Kekana, hosted a listening session on May 8 at Tempo restaurant in Sunninghill, Sandton. The 13-track album was released on Friday on all digital platforms under Gallo Music and features artists such as Cassie Ntuli, Neo Soul, TMan Xpress and Josiah Disciple. Speaking to TshisaLIVE, the Vanderbijlpark-born artist said the album is about fatherhood, resilience and a tribute to his best friend. 'It's an album close to my heart. I've invited everyone to come and listen to a piece of art that I'm about to render. Melokuhle is a special child — she's my friend's daughter, so she's the first baby in our squad and he doesn't have a relationship with her because the mother isn't allowing him to spend time with her or access her.' According to Laud, the album is a mixture of sounds but grounded in amapiano. 'With this album I'm expecting to boom because I put my blood and tears towards this project. I went to hell and back with this album. I think it should make something big out of it. This album took me five months to complete, people will definitely enjoy it.'
