Budget goes pop – POLITICO

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is providing compensation payments to around 57,000 benefit claimants who lost 'severe disability premiums' when transitioning from legacy benefits to universal credit. Following High Court rulings in 2018 and 2019, the DWP is hoping to complete the scheme by August 2025, with payments potentially reaching up to £5,000 per person. Eligibility for compensation requires receiving Universal Credit with an SDP element, and detailed information on the scheme has...

The EU is taking Spain to court over a discriminatory tax for non-residents related to capital gains, which violates the principle of free movement of capital. Despite the impending end of a current drought in Spain, scientists warn of more severe and frequent droughts in the future due to global warming, leading to economic impacts on agriculture and tourism. Additionally, Spain has faced criticism for its special tax regime, known as the Beckham Law, with...

A coalition of leading charities is urging Labour to introduce new rental laws to prevent poorer tenants from being discriminated against by unfair guarantor rules. Research from Shelter shows that one in three renters struggle to provide a guarantor, affecting around 600,000 renters. The coalition is asking the housing secretary to amend the Renters' Rights Bill to limit guarantor liability and prevent landlords from abusing their power to request guarantors unnecessarily. Full Article

ESMA has issued a statement regarding the treatment of settlement fails under the CSDR penalty mechanism in light of the recent incident involving TARGET Services. The statement provides clarification on how to handle settlement fails, emphasizing the importance of adhering to guidelines to prevent future disruptions in the European financial markets. ESMA's guidance aims to ensure a more stable and resilient financial infrastructure in the EU. Full Article

Sir Keir Starmer has warned Vladimir Putin to take peace talks in Ukraine seriously and urged Western leaders to increase economic pressure to bring him to the negotiating table. A virtual summit of around 25 countries, including Britain, France, Australia, and Canada, will discuss how to support Kyiv in deterring Russian aggression. While there is hope for a ceasefire, Putin's resistance and delay tactics have raised concerns about his commitment to peace. Full Article

Rail engineers renovating Salisbury Station uncovered a hidden tunnel network beneath the station, including a tunnel leading underneath platform 4 used to store goods like beer, cider, and eggs. The tunnels also contained old signal equipment and a room for storing Christmas trees. A mysterious room leading to a ladder descending further underground remains unexplored, adding to the intrigue of the discovery. Full Article