Rachel Reeves' 'mansion tax' plan
Reports suggest Chancellor Rachel Reeves may extend capital gains tax (CGT) to primary residences above a set threshold, sparking debate over a potential 'mansion tax’. Currently, homeowners pay no CGT when selling their main residence, but proposals would remove this exemption for higher-value properties. The Times estimates a £1.5m threshold could affect around 120,000 households, with bills reaching hundreds of thousands for long-term owners. Critics say it punishes older homeowners downsizing, discourages market mobility, and risks pushing wealth abroad. Many argue it unfairly double-taxes families already burdened by stamp duty. Property experts warn it could freeze the housing market, reducing sales and Treasury income. Supporters say it could help fill the £51bn fiscal shortfall while targeting wealthier households. Reeves has already cut CGT allowances in recent budgets and raised rates on shares and property. An announcement could come in the autumn Budget. Opponents argue re-banding council tax would be more effective and less disruptive.
UK signs deal with Iraq to speed up migrant returns
The Government has signed a new agreement with Iraq to accelerate the return of migrants who have no legal right to remain. Home office minister Dan Jarvis finalised the deal with Iraq’s deputy foreign minister, expanding cooperation on security, migration, and tackling smuggling networks - many run by Iraqi Kurds. While small-boat crossings overall remain at record highs, Iraqi arrivals have declined to 1,900 in the year to March 2025, down from 2,600 the previous year. The government argues this drop demonstrates the effectiveness of earlier cooperation. However, critics, including Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp, dismissed the new deal as 'measly’, pointing out that most small-boat arrivals are now from other nations. Not all Iraqis will be returned; about 26% have successfully claimed asylum on grounds of persecution. The agreement follows similar deals with Albania and Vietnam and a recent UK-France accord. Ministers insist such measures strengthen border security, while critics argue that crossings remain unacceptably high.
Former CofE priest found guilty of 17 indecent assaults
Chris Brain, a former CofE priest and founder of the Nine O’Clock Service (NOS), has been convicted of 17 counts of indecent assault against nine women. The NOS, active between 1986 and 1995, blended rave culture with worship but was later exposed as a manipulative, closed environment in which Brain exploited his authority. Prosecutors told the court that some victims, recruited to a 'homebase team' to care for Brain and his family, were pressured into sexual favours and treated as servants. The group referred to some of these women as 'Lycra lovelies' or 'Lycra nuns’. Several assaults occurred during massages, which Brain admitted but insisted were consensual, describing them as 'no big deal’. The court heard, however, that Brain abused his influence, creating a controlling culture that enabled systematic exploitation. Now 68, he was removed from ministry in 1995. Jurors continue to deliberate on four further indecent assault charges and one rape charge. Brain denies wrongdoing on all counts.
Ukraine: Trump stirs more controversy, hopes for trilateral meeting
Donald Trump has stirred controversy by suggesting Ukraine is to blame for confronting a nation ‘ten times’ its size, despite Russia being the aggressor in the ongoing war. He downplayed Russia’s responsibility for the invasion, instead criticising former presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama for their handling of the conflict. He argued that Biden ‘started’ the war and accused Obama of ‘giving away’ Crimea in 2014. He also asserted that Ukraine had only been able to resist due to American weapons and aid. His comments followed the White House meeting on 18 August with Volodymyr Zelensky, European leaders, and NATO officials, at which he pledged US support for Ukraine’s future security. Trump also touted his ‘good relationship’ with Vladimir Putin, saying that he had spoken to him about arranging a trilateral meeting with Zelensky. While he presented this as an early step toward peace, the question now is how Putin will respond.
