Bank revenue sickly wealthy
When so many households are scuffling with payments, the obscene earnings made by the Big Four banks will stick within the craw.
Lloyds, Barclays, HSBC and NatWest raked in £44billion between them final 12 months. Nobody minds when corporations thrive because of onerous work and enterprise.
But these positive factors had been made off hovering rates of interest, which have price households a whole lot extra in mortgage and rental prices. The banks have additionally boosted their earnings by closing a whole lot of branches, regardless of inflicting large frustration to their loyal clients.
Yet once more, we’re seeing large firms placing earnings earlier than folks. They care extra in regards to the backside line than offering a service that advantages communities.
The case for a tax on bankers’ bonuses has by no means been stronger. If we would like a fairer society, we’d like a fairer distribution of wealth.
Out of Order
MPs needs to be ashamed over yesterday’s stunning scenes within the Commons.
They turned the demise and destruction of the Gaza battle right into a political plaything. The pettiness sharply contrasted with the lives of hundreds caught up within the bloodshed.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has apologised twice for the best way he dealt with the talk on a ceasefire and insists his intervention was with the very best of intentions. His apologies ought to have been accepted with good grace – however the SNP and a handful Tories are persevering with to push for his removing.
They do themselves no favours. A group which can’t settle for the decision of the referee doesn’t should be on the pitch. Since taking the Speaker’s chair, Sir Lindsay has presided over the Commons with good humour and common sense.
He needs to be allowed to proceed in his job.
For poorer…
Divorce charges have fallen to their lowest degree for 50 years as a result of cash-strapped {couples} can’t afford to separate up.
You may name it the price of loving disaster.