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Elon Musk Has Reignited His Feud With Keir Starmer And This Time It’s Over The Budget

Posted on 02/11/2024 by Boris Clair

Elon Musk has reignited his feud with Keir Starmer by becoming an unlikely champion of Britain’s farmers.

The X owner has taken issue with changes to inheritance tax rules set out in the Budget last Wednesday by Rachel Reeves.

Under the new measures, farms worth more than £1 million will become liable for the tax for the first time when their owner dies.

Responding to a post on X criticising the new policy, Musk wrote: “We should leave the farmers alone. We farmers immense gratitude for making the food on our tables!”

In the summer, the prime minister slapped down the billionaire tech boss for claiming “civil war is inevitable” in the UK in the wake of the far-right riots which have taken place across the country in the past week.

The PM’s official spokesman said: “There’s no justification for comments like that and what we’ve seen in this country is organised illegal thuggery which has no place on our streets or online.”

But responding to a video posted on X by Starmer in which he said the government “will not tolerate attacks on mosques or on Muslim communities”, Musk replied: “Shouldn’t you be concerned about attacks on all communities?”

The Real Story Behind Dancing In The Moonlight Is Mindblowing

Posted on 02/11/2024 by Boris Clair

You know the song Dancing In The Moonlight? The one that was originally written by Sherman Kelly and later covered by Toploader?

That song is not what it seems. If you think it’s the perfect nonsense song that’s ideal for family parties and work functions, you may want to read on to find out the real history of the song.

You’ll never hear it the same way again…

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The story behind Dancing In The Moonlight

Speaking to the music journalist Mike Morsch, Sherman Kelly revealed that the song was written after he and his girlfriend had been attacked and left for dead by the notorious Fountain Gang in St. Croix.

Once they had finally crawled their way to hospital and received treatment, Sherman recalled overhearing doctors talking: “I woke up to the sound of my hospital roommate screaming in pain. Finally the screaming stopped and I heard two doctors talking about him. ‘That’s it, he’s gone,’ said one doctor about the other patient.

″‘What about him, you think he’s gonna make it?’ And the other doctor said, ‘No, I doubt it.’ I realised they were talking about me.”

Of course, Sherman did make it and quite literally lived to tell the tale.

Once he was home, he started writing the verses that would soon become Dancing In The Moonlight.

“I envisioned an alternate reality, the dream of a peaceful and joyous celebration of life. It was just me imagining a better world than the one I had just experienced in St. Croix.

“It was amazing. People liked the song right from the start. I liked it, but I wouldn’t have predicted that it would become a big hit.”

And that it did.

Since being written in 1969, the song has been covered 16 times and is a firm favourite among pop music fans.

As Morsch said: “An unspeakably traumatic experience that almost cost him his life had turned into a beautiful song.”

Here’s When Spotify Wrapped Stops Counting Your Streams, So Save Your Shame Playlist ‘Til Then

Posted on 01/11/2024 by Boris Clair

Music fans will either rejoice or dread the upcoming Spotify Wrapped season.

The music streaming service, which has released users’ Spotify Wrapped every year since 2016, creates cards that display who you’ve listened to most that year, how often, and for how long.

It also reveals other info, like the genre you tune into most. It usually comes out in early December and has become a source of pride or shame for some users.

In fact, some anticipate so much judgement that they start to change their listening habits throughout the year so as to make it fit the idealised version of themselves better than, say, 150 hours of a sleep-inducing podcast (ask me how I know).

If you’re in that camp, you might want to know when your music streams no longer “count” to your annual music taste report card ― in which case, we’ve got your back.

When does Spotify Wrapped stop tracking your music?

In 2019,

Spotify Cares Tweeted

: “We’re afraid that listening to a bunch of stuff right now won’t make any difference to this year’s or next year’s Wrapped. This is because Wrapped only covers the 1st of January until the 31st of October for any given year.”

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Hey Stephen! We’re afraid that listening to a bunch of stuff right now won’t make any difference to this year’s or next year’s Wrapped. This is because Wrapped only covers the 1st of January until the 31st of October for any given year. Hope this clears things up /GK

— SpotifyCares (@SpotifyCares) December 10, 2019

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Hey Stephen! We’re afraid that listening to a bunch of stuff right now won’t make any difference to this year’s or next year’s Wrapped. This is because Wrapped only covers the 1st of January until the 31st of October for any given year. Hope this clears things up /GK

— SpotifyCares (@SpotifyCares) December 10, 2019

That should mean we’re finally able to listen to the As told By Ginger theme tune on loop ’til Christmas, right?

Well, maybe not. In 2023, the streaming giant said: “The only thing that we end on Halloween is eating candy corn. Stream (and snack) all through the year and we will see you in Wrapped season.”

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The only thing that we end on Halloween is eating candy corn. Stream (and snack) all through the year and we will see you in Wrapped season.

— Spotify (@Spotify) October 13, 2022

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The only thing that we end on Halloween is eating candy corn. Stream (and snack) all through the year and we will see you in Wrapped season.

— Spotify (@Spotify) October 13, 2022

They haven’t updated us on when the streaming stops since.

Still, some speculate that the tracking period ends in early or mid-November to give the app time to collate and organise your data.

Some good news, though: Spotify does not start tracking data for Spotify Wrapped again until January 2025.

That means one thing’s certain; from the December release of Spotify Wrapped to New Year’s Eve, you can bop away to your cheesiest faves to your heart’s content.

3 Of The Best Sex Toys I’ve Tried Are 50% Off Right Now – You’ll Never Call Your Ex Again

Posted on 01/11/2024 by Boris Clair

We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.

One of the best perks of my job as a sex and relationships writer is the truly endless number of sex toys I get to review. And trust me – after you’ve tried as many as I have (mum, this is where you stop reading), you learn that not every vibrator is built the same.

However, if you’re a sex toy novice, it can sometimes be quite overwhelming trying to understand what you should buy for your spicy toolkit and what is actually worth the money – bedside drawer space is valuable real estate people!

Well, if you’re looking for some silicone support for your sex life, I’ve discovered not just one, but an entire RANGE of sex toys that will hit the spot (ahem) whether you’re a beginner or seasoned sex toy pro.

SexToys.co.uk has the UK’s largest catalogue of adult toys including vibrators, dildos, and sex toys for all genders, so it’s unsurprising that it’s home to my favourite new collection – The One.

The best selling US sex toy brand is exclusively available at SexToys.co.uk and boasts a variety of toys so perfectly inclusive, there is something for everyone.

When it comes to essentials, The One Power Couple kit is an amazing starting point as it comes with both The One Rose and The One Wand – two must-haves when it comes to achieving different types of clitoral stimulation.

We’ll take both, thanks.

The One Rose is made of body-safe silicone and features innovative pressure wave technology that combines with stimulation to deliver plenty of chills. You can choose from three different speeds and seven patterns of suction and pulsation, giving you plenty of options to work your way through (although, it certainly won’t feel like work).

Meanwhile The One Wand boasts a whopping 10 different vibration speeds and patterns which means it will quickly become one of your favourite pleasure products – it also warms up quickly to body temperature for a more comfortable feel.

And don’t worry about having to stock up on an endless supply of AA batteries anytime soon – both items are rechargeable. The fun doesn’t have to stay limited to the bedroom either as the pleasure-inducing pair are both completely waterproof.

The best bit? Okay, apart from the end result of using them – so technically, the second best bit… they’re super easy to use. A single button powers The One Rose on and off, as well as cycles the product through its 3 speeds and 7 patterns of suction and pulsation.

The kit is a whopping 50% off at the moment too, taking the price down from £159 to just £79.60 – an absolute barg for two top of the range sex toys. The One Rose and The One Wand can also be bought separately – and they’re 40% off at the moment too!

Meanwhile if you’re looking for internal vibrators – The One Thrusting Rabbit is truly good enough to stop you in your tracks from texting your ex. With a shaft and bunny-shaped clitoral stimulator that deliver intense vibrations, this piece gets an added boost from the thrusting function that does the work for you (I am nothing if not a total pillow princess when it comes to solo enjoyment). With 10 different thrusting speeds to choose from, it’s the perfect vibrator to add to your rotation.

Oh – and it’s 51% off.

You can see SexToy.co.uk’s full The One range here.

Why GP Surgeries Could Be ‘Tipped Over The Edge’ By Labour’s New Budget

Posted on 01/11/2024 by Boris Clair

GP surgeries could be “tipped over the edge” by Labour’s new Budget, according to a union representative.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has chosen to hike up Employers’ National Insurance contributions in her efforts to raise £40bn of funds and plug the “black hole” left by the Tories in the public purse.

The NHS – which has just received a £22.6bn cash injection in the Budget – is exempt from that tax rise, along with other public sectors.

But GP surgeries, care homes and hospices are not exempt, even though they provide NHS services, because they are privately owned partnerships.

Speaking to Times Radio today, the chair of the BMA Council Phil Banfield warned: “For some GPs, this will tip them over the edge. And we’ve seen over 1,000 practices close in the last 10 years.”

He added that he believes “the government was unaware of how much this would catch out GPs” and so he is hoping for further discussions with the health department.

Banfield said for GPs – who have a contract with the government – “the only way to absorb costs is to reduce the number of staff and at a point at which you’re trying to increase the number of appointments and increase access have more GPs and nurses”.

He added: “This achieves the complete opposite. So I don’t think it will take too long for the government to realise that they need to do something urgently about this.”

Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, looks up as she holds up the traditional red ministerial box containing her budget speech, as she poses for the media outside No 11 Downing Street, before departing to the House of Commons to deliver the budget in London, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) — Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, looks up as she holds up the traditional red ministerial box containing her budget speech, as she poses for the media outside No 11 Downing Street, before departing to the House of Commons to deliver the budget in London, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Chief secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones, told Times Radio this morning: “Yes, [GPs] will have to pay national insurance contributions as employers, but how much they pay will depend on their size.

“And you know, many GP practices are small organisations, and so they will pay less than some of the bigger businesses that we’re asking to contribute more at this Budget.”

Smaller GP surgeries may be shielded from paying more tax because of the changes to thresholds for Employment Allowance.

However, there are worries that some public bodies doing more than half their work in the public sector will not eligible for that allowance, as stated by government guidance.

Health secretary Wes Streeting also pointed to the £600m extra put aside for social care and suggested more discussions about the employer tax hike for GPs were on the table.

But care groups think that will not be enough due to increased staffing costs.

Dr David Wrigley, GP and deputy chair at the British Medical Association, said the impact would be “monumental” on X, especially since so many of those institutions are already “on a financial tight rope”.

Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: “The government must scrap this GP penalty immediately.

“After years of the Conservatives disgraceful neglect, our primary care services are in crisis and this could push many to reduce the number of staff they employ or just decide to shut up shop.

“Instead of investing in our GPs and their staff, the government has put more pressure on them in a move that will make it even harder for patients to see a GP when they need to.”

This row comes as nearly 100 progressive politicians, including independent MPs like Jeremy Corbyn and MPs from the Green Party and Plaid Cymru, banded together to declare that Labour’s Budget punishes the “working people” they claim to support.

“This budget is austerity in another name,” their open letter to Starmer says.

It adds that the investment in schools and hospital buildings have been “undermined by a swathe of public sector cuts, cruel attacks on the worst-off, and a dogmatic refusal to redistribute wealth and power”.

“These are not ‘tough choices’ for government ministers, but for ordinary people who are forced to choose between heating their home and putting food on the table.”

How Worried Should We Be About The Way The Markets Are Reacting To The Budget?

Posted on 31/10/2024 by Boris Clair

The cost of government borrowing has gone up and the value of the pound has fallen as the money markets react to the Budget delivered by Rachel Reeves on Wednesday.

That has sparked some fears that the UK is heading for a Liz Truss-style economic meltdown triggered by the chancellor’s decision to massively increase taxes and government borrowing.

On Thursday afternoon, bond yields – effectively the interest rate the government pays on its debt – hit 4.568%, the highest it has been since August last year.

That is significant because the more money the government has to pay servicing debt, the less there is available to spend on public services.

Sky News economics editor Ed Conway said voters should be “certainly a bit worried” by what is happening on the money markets.

Posting on X, he said: “There has been a marked rise in UK bond yields following the Budget which is greater than what we’re seeing in other markets.”

But he added: “Perhaps the most important thing to say is: this is NOTHING like the reaction we saw following the Truss mini Budget.

“Even so, there has definitely been SOME reaction. The pound weakened a bit and gilt yields rose. This despite the fact that most of this Budget was pre-briefed long in advance. Investors are actively re-pricing UK debt. And that matters.

“The issue at present isn’t the one Liz Truss had to grapple with – a near financial crisis – but something else. The cost of debt servicing is going up. And if debt interest costs goes up it has a direct bearing on the government’s fiscal plans.”

🫢In the time it took me to put together this thread, UK bond yields lurched quite a bit higher.
Just touched past 4.5% for the first time in a year.
Other European bonds up too – so UK not alone.
But UK does seem to be moving faster than most of the others… pic.twitter.com/KjVwD8stWs

— Ed Conway (@EdConwaySky) October 31, 2024

At the same time, the value of the pound against the dollar has also fallen – further evoking memories of the financial crisis which followed Truss’ disastrous mini-Budget two years ago.

Now the pound is falling.
Over the past three days sterling (in trade weighted terms) is down by 1.2%.
That’s the biggest fall in more than 18 months. pic.twitter.com/sTqE3Mcpzt

— Ed Conway (@EdConwaySky) October 31, 2024

Kathleen Brooks, an analyst at trading firm XTB, said the the Budget “has not been well received” by the markets.

Kyle Chapman, an analyst at trading firm Ballinger Group, said the fall in the pound and rise in gilt yields indicated that the market had decided Labour had “overextended” with its borrowing and spending plans.

However, other analysts insisted the current situation was completely different to when Kwasi Kwarteng, Truss’ chancellor, announced £45bn of unfunded tax cuts.

“Investors feared a new Liz Truss moment, but in the end the announcements do not suggest an uncontrolled surge in debt,” Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management portfolio manager, Nabil Milali, said.

Laith Khalaf, head of investment analysis at AJ Bell, said: “Of course, markets are especially sensitive to the effect chancellors can have on interest rates ever since Kwasi Kwarteng took to the despatch box, and with the ten-year gilt yield now climbing to levels seen in the wake of mini-Budget, it’s fair to ask whether Rachel Reeves’ maiden Budget could cause similar problems.

“The answer is probably, and hopefully, not.”

5 Things Adults Shouldn’t Discuss In Front Of Kids (And 5 Surprising Things They Should)

Posted on 31/10/2024 by Boris Clair

Children tend to pick up on a lot more than adults realize. They absorb not only what we say to them directly but also what we say around them — even when we think they’re not paying attention.

That got us wondering: Are there certain topics that just shouldn’t be discussed with or in front of kids? And on the flip side, are there certain conversations adults assume are not appropriate for young minds but are actually OK — or even beneficial — to address?

We reached out to parenting experts to get their take. As clinical psychologist Laura Markham, author of the “Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids” series, said, it’s generally less about the subject itself and more about how you approach it.

“For instance, you would not have a discussion about your financial worries that would make your child worry. But you could certainly discuss the fact that a new car or a pricey vacation is not in your budget this year,” she told HuffPost.

Below, Markham and other therapists share their thoughts on the do’s and don’ts of communicating when young or school-age kids are present.

5 Things Adults Shouldn’t Talk About In Front Of Kids

1. People’s bodies

When adults speak poorly about their own bodies or other people’s bodies, children notice and may internalise those negative messages, said marriage and family therapist Brianne Billups Hughes.

“Kids are like sponges, absorbing everything they hear. If they witness adults being critical of themselves, it can lead to issues with self-esteem and body image as they grow,” she told HuffPost.

And it’s not just the negative comments that can be damaging over time. When adults make frequent remarks about body shape or weight — even if they’re complimentary in nature — it can make kids “overly concerned about their own appearance,” Markham noted.

2. Critical remarks about a parent or caregiver

It’s best for adults to avoid bad-mouthing the child’s other parent or caregivers in their life. It doesn’t matter if you’re speaking to the kid directly or having the conversation when they’re in earshot.

Hearing negative comments about a parent can make a child feel as if they have to choose sides or that they’re responsible for fixing the situation, which can be damaging to their sense of security, Markham said.

It can also “strain the relationship with the criticised parent since they now see them as ‘not good enough,’” she added, while also making the child feel guilty for thinking of their parent in a negative light.

3. Comments that compare the child to their sibling

Markham advises parents to avoid comments that compare one sibling with another. Such comparisons can breed competition between siblings and lead to increased conflict, she said.

“That intuitively makes sense to us because we can see how it fosters resentment, jealousy and insecurity. But this is just as true for positive messages, which also set up competition,” Markham said.

For example, you might say to your child something like, “You’re my good boy. You never give me a tough time like your brother does.”

Now your child not only feels pressure to hold on to his place as the “good” one but is also “motivated to keep his sibling in the role of ‘bad’ kid,” Markham said. “How else will he maintain his special place in your eyes?”

4. Adult money issues

As paediatric psychologist and parent coach Ann-Louise Lockhart of A New Day Paediatric Psychology explained, “Kids don’t yet have the cognitive tools to fully understand adult finances.”

So when they overhear conversations about money-related stressors in adults’ lives, they draw their own conclusions, “often assuming the worst,” she told HuffPost.

“Children may think, for example, that the family will lose their home or that they won’t be able to buy food, even if the situation is not that extreme,” Lockhart said. “This fear can lead to increased anxiety and, for some children, a sense of guilt that they’re a ‘burden’ if they need things like new shoes or supplies.”

That’s not to say you have to completely keep them in the dark if your financial situation has changed. Just keep explanations clear and concise and your tone calm. If money is tight, Lockhart suggested saying something like, “We’re sticking to a budget so we can make good choices,” which she said is “often more reassuring.”

“You can help them understand that adults have systems to manage expenses and that their needs will be met,” she added.

5. Comments that glorify alcohol or drug use

Hughes warned that conversations “normalising or glorifying” drinking alcohol and using drugs when kids are around can lead to “unhealthy attitudes toward these substances” down the line.

“Kids are impressionable, and hearing adults speak positively about drinking or using drugs, even jokingly, can set the foundation for curiosity or risky behaviours later in life,” she explained. “It’s important to model responsible behaviour and avoid making these substances seem glamorous or harmless.”

**5 Things Adults Actually Can Discuss In Front Of Kids**

It's important for kids to know that, although their parents may not always agree, they always love each other, Markham said. — It’s important for kids to know that, although their parents may not always agree, they always love each other, Markham said.

On the other hand, there are topics that adults have a tendency to shy away from because they assume talking about them would be harmful to kids. But our experts say these conversations can be good ones to have with or in the presence of children, as long as they are approached in a thoughtful, age-appropriate way.

1. Healthy disagreements

Parents might be under the impression they need to resolve any and all conflict behind closed doors. But that’s not necessarily true. In fact, it can be beneficial for kids to observe their parents modelling how to respectfully work through a disagreement, Markham said.

“It’s important for them to know that we don’t always agree, but we always love each other. Kids need to see us ask for what we need without attacking the other person,” she added.

“And it’s critical for them to see us make up with affection and forgiveness.”

That being said, heated arguments that include yelling, name-calling or other forms of disrespect should not happen in front of kids, Markham said, as research has shown it does affect them negatively.

And when it comes to certain topics, it’s better for adults to hash out those matters privately. “Discussions about sex or other tender issues are more respectfully conducted without an audience,” developmental psychologist Diana Divecha wrote for Greater Good Magazine.

2. Honest emotions

Many adults try to avoid showing or talking about their emotions around kids, but “it’s actually important for kids to see adults process their feelings in healthy ways,” Hughes said.

It’s OK to share that you’re feeling upset, worried or frustrated in an age-appropriate way. Doing so helps normalise a wider range of emotions and can help children learn to express and regulate their own emotions, Hughes said.

This also helps them develop their emotional intelligence, Lockhart added.

“If they see you saying something like, ‘I’m feeling sad because a friend moved away, and that’s normal,’ they learn that all emotions are OK and temporary, helping them feel safe to express their own,” she explained.

3. Mistakes they’ve made

Adults shouldn’t feel pressure to uphold a facade of perfection in front of kids. It’s OK to admit to them when you’ve messed up in some way, Lockhart said.

“Talking about your own mistakes and how you handled them helps kids learn resilience and accountability,” she said. “When they hear something like, ‘I made a mistake at work, but I took responsibility, and I’m working on a solution,’ they see that mistakes are natural and that they can handle them positively.”

4. Money in general

Though you wouldn’t want your child to be privy to the full scope of financial stress you may be facing, money doesn’t have to be a taboo subject.

“Discussing financial concepts in an age-appropriate manner can be a valuable learning opportunity,” Hughes said. “Kids who grow up with an understanding of budgeting, saving, investing, loans and responsible spending are more likely to develop good financial habits as they grow older.”

“The key is to avoid overwhelming them with adult-level stress about money,” she added.

5. Sex, consent and bodily changes

As a parent, you may find yourself avoiding conversations around these topics with your kids entirely because they seem too uncomfortable or mature to discuss. But introducing these subjects in developmentally appropriate ways is actually quite important, Hughes said.

“Teaching children about consent, body autonomy and the basic facts of anatomy, reproduction or puberty helps them develop a healthy understanding of their bodies and relationships,” she explained.

“These discussions empower children to ask questions, set boundaries and feel comfortable about their own physical development. It also helps prevent misinformation from other sources.”

“The goal isn’t to shelter children completely but to be mindful of the language and tone used.”

– Brianne Billups Hughes, marriage and family therapist

No matter the topic, how we communicate with and around children can have a lasting effect on them, Hughes said. That’s why it’s so critical to approach conversations with mindfulness.

“Modelling healthy conflict resolution, self-acceptance and emotional intelligence can provide kids with essential life skills,” she said. ”The goal isn’t to shelter children completely but to be mindful of the language and tone used, creating a balanced environment where they can learn and feel secure.”

9 Dating Experts On How To End A Bad First Date Like A Pro

Posted on 31/10/2024 by Boris Clair

You’ve gotten past the dreaded talking stage, made plans and now finally, it’s here! The first date with someone new! And it’s going well! They’re exciting, they’re amazing, they’re… actually really, really boring and oh my fucking god I need to get out of here.

Yup, we’ve all been there when a date isn’t actually all we hoped it’d crack up to be – but cutting a first date short when things aren’t clicking isn’t always easy. You’ll often consider your date’s feelings above our own and no one wants to come out with some lame excuse about your dog needing a bath.

In an era of all or nothing dating, research from Tinder revealed that singles know within 30 mins whether the spark is there or not – so how do we get out when there’s not even a flicker?

Do we just grin and bear it? Well, as Paul Brunson, Tinder’s global relationship insights expert points out: “While it can feel uncomfortable to cut a date short, prolonging it when you’re not feeling it, might actually be less considerate in the long run.”

So what’s the right way to get out? We asked dating experts for their advice and they’ve come up with a plan so perfect, you’ll never find yourself having to get a friend to phone with an ‘emergency’ again.

It’s all in the preparation

When we sent out our questions (see: call for help) to dating experts, the same idea came back time and time again – organise a first date that won’t go on too long, so that you don’t find yourself in an awkward position where you might need to cut it short.

“For first dates where you don’t know the person well, it can be helpful to mention a time constraint as a backup, such as, ‘Thursday sounds great! I do have a deadline on Friday, so don’t keep me out too late!’,” clinical psychologist Dr Sarah Bishop tells us.

Rather than organise a dinner followed by drinks for your first encounter with someone new, opt instead for something low-key.

“Simple dates like meeting for a coffee or drinks are great options,” Sylvia Linzalone, FindingTheOne.com’s relationship guru says.

“And if it’s really going terribly, you won’t have to sit around forever – just drink up and say your goodbyes.”

Time frames are also a fail-safe way to make sure you don’t end up sitting wishing you’d never said yes in the first place – our favourite came from Jamie Johnston, founder of the neurodiverse friendly dating app Mattr, who suggested: “I have an hour free before meeting a friend if you would like to catch up.”

“You have given a clear time frame and also a commitment after which means they won’t try and lengthen the time,” he points out.

And if you’re actually quite enjoying the date? Well, as Dr Melissa Cook at FunWithFeet and Sofia Gray says: “If you do enjoy their company you can always say that you can stay longer.”

OK but I failed to prepare – GET ME OUT

OK, OK, don’t panic. It sounds cliché as hell, but it’s true – honesty is in fact the best policy.

We know it’s scary, but you owe it to yourself – AND the other person.

As dating Expert at Pure, Drew Wyllie puts it: “Now, cutting a first date short requires nerves of steel and (if you don’t want to go out with a bang) a good amount of tact and empathy. The thing is, as humans we are often scared of letting people down – especially when it comes to dating and meeting new people.

“In the past within my dating life, I have stayed on the fence about not making my intentions clear and telling people that I’m not sure, and in the end this just makes the situation worse as you can lead the other person on and make them think romance is on the cards when in reality – it’s not.”

When it comes to saying ‘okay that’s enough now’, the main thing is HOW you deliver that honesty.

“If the conversation has dried up, you feel a lack of chemistry or the date simply isn’t going anywhere, it’s okay to acknowledge that. Think about how you’re feeling in the moment and don’t be afraid to share it with your date,” Dr. Lalitaa Suglani, a relationship expert for eharmony advises.

“Being polite doesn’t mean hiding your feelings. If you think it’s time to end a date, don’t make excuses or be overly apologetic. Instead, try a gentle yet straightforward approach. Say something like: ‘I’ve enjoyed getting to know you, but I don’t see this going any further romantically’. This sets a clear boundary without being hurtful, your date will appreciate the honesty and it avoids leaving things in limbo.”

And while we’re on the topic of being polite, letting the other person know that you appreciate their time is also a must according to Dr. Tara (yes, from Celebs Go Dating!).

She also shared the PERFECT framework for a post-date follow-up text for if you’re not in the market for a second date:

“Whether it’s in person or via text, we need to always use empathetic communication – you can do this in three different ways.

1. You can say thank you for your time, but I don’t feel a romantic connection.

2. You can say it has been lovely to meet you but I don’t think we have any chemistry.

3. if you want to remain friends because you like them as a person, but not romantically, then you can say I had so much fun today. I did not feel any chemistry, but if you would like it would be nice if we can remain friends.”

And finally, you don’t need to be polite if the person you’re on a date with is rude as hell – we’re allowed to put our feelings first.

“The situation is a bit different if the date is going poorly because the other person is being inconsiderate—like checking their phone constantly or not being present,” intimacy expert Magda Kay reminds us.

“In that case, I believe you owe it to yourself to speak up. It’s perfectly okay to be direct and say something like, ‘I don’t feel like you’re fully present, and I don’t think either of us is enjoying this. It’s probably best to end it now.’

“Being honest in situations where the other person isn’t showing respect is important, both for giving them feedback and for standing up for yourself. It’s about learning to speak up when you’re not being treated well.”

Consider us told!

Budget Analysis: Voters Could End Up Paying The Price For Rachel Reeves’ Big Gamble

Posted on 30/10/2024 by Boris Clair

Rachel Reeves is not, by nature, much of a gambler.

She has managed to become the UK’s first ever female chancellor through a combination of political ability, sound economic judgement and caution.

But in the Budget, she decided to bet everything on the government being able to grow the economy – and the “working people” Labour have sought to protect could end up paying the price.

Reeves stunned the Commons by announcing that she was hiking taxes by £40 billion – an astronomical sum even bigger than what had been predicted and which will take the tax burden to the highest level on record.

Capital gains tax, inheritance tax and – most significantly – employers’ National Insurance are all going up as the chancellor seeks to clear up the financial mess she says the last Tory government left behind.

Tens of billions of pounds will also be borrowed as the government turns on the spending taps.

Much of the cash will be spent on improving the NHS and schools, moves which are likely to be popular with most voters.

But look at the small print and it’s clear to see why economic experts – and plenty of Labour MPs – are nervous.

Economic growth – the government’s number one mission, don’t forget – over the next five years is set to be lower than previously forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Inflation and interest rates are also set to rise, according to the OBR, further damaging household incomes.

Treasury sources acknowledge this is a sub-optimal situation, but are pleading for patience from voters.

One said: “Do we want those growth forecasts to be higher? Yes. But we’re not going to be able to turn around 14 years in one Budget. This is our first Budget in our first term.

“What the chancellor has set out is an honest Budget in response to the scale of the challenge we face.

“We’ve had to take difficult decisions on tax in order to bring back stability to the economy.

“We’re not immune to the consequences of our decisions, but the consequences of not acting would have been to lose control of economic stability.”

But there was an ominous warning from the highly-respected Institute for Fiscal Studies, whose director Paul Johnson said: “Somebody will pay for the higher taxes – largely working people.”

With the Labour government’s popularity already cratering barely three months after the election, a major financial hit to those who helped put them in office is the last thing Reeves and Keir Starmer need.

The chancellor desperately needs her big Budget gamble to pay off.

Labour’s Tax Rises Will ‘Largely’ Fall On Working People, Leading Economists Say

Posted on 30/10/2024 by Boris Clair

Working people will end up paying for Rachel Reeves’ huge tax hike, according to a leading think tank.

The chancellor unveiled a plan to raise a record-breaking £40bn in her Budget today, but maintained that she had stuck to her promise not to bring back austerity.

Labour also claims to have honoured their manifesto pledge not to increase taxes for “working people”.

Although that exact definition is still not clear, the government said they would not put up the income tax, VAT or National Insurance that they pay.

However, Reeves did raise the NI rate paid by for employers to 15% from April next year.

According to the Office for Budget Responsibility, three-quarters of the impact of that will be felt by employees through lower wage rises.

Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) director Paul Johnson said: “Somebody will pay for the higher taxes – largely working people.”

Johnson also issued a warning about the way the chancellor had “front-loaded” the government’s spending plans over the next five years.

“A government splashing the cash in the short term and promising to be more austere in future? Stop me if you think you’ve heard this one before,” he said.

He added: “The challenge will be to make sure the money is spent well enough to make those costs worth bearing.”

Accountancy outsourcing specialists Advancetrack said the increase to employers’ NICs is a “big blow to UK businesses of all sizes who are already grappling with a range of escalating costs”.

Meanwhile, accountancy firm Menzies LLP warned that this Budget was focused on “quick fixes rather than meaningful reform”.

European Movement UK CEO and former Lib Dem minister, Sir Nick Harvey, suggested there was something missing from the Budget: Brexit.

“The chancellor can tinker around the edges, but addressing the economic damage done by Brexit must become a priority,” he said.

Social mobility charity Sutton Trust thought it was educational support that was lacking from the Budget, saying: “The government has clearly identified the need to increase the national minimum wage due to cost of living pressures, so why does student maintenance remain inadequate?”

Meanwhile, Generation Rent’s chief executive Ben Twomey said: “The lack of clear support for the half of renters who don’t have savings and are really struggling is a big concern.”

Resolution Foundation’s interim chief executive Mike Brewer said the Budget engages with the country’s economic challenges – but it’s only the “first step of what will be needed”.

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