DAILY MAIL COMMENT: The Treasury profits from a growing crisis

Treasury profits from growing crisis

When Keir Starmer appointed his ‘cost of living champion’ two months ago he was probably hoping for a series of catchy initiatives to chastise and punish big business.

Retail boss Richard Walker has been tasked with examining areas where ‘consumers have reached a difficult agreement’ and reporting directly to the Prime Minister on ‘cost of living interventions’.

Now, in one of his first public comments since taking office, Lord Walker has turned his sights not on business but on the Government.

Rather embarrassingly for Labour, he observed that fuel tax cuts should be ‘extended or widened’.

He even hinted that Chancellor Rachel Reeves, whose support for the ongoing 5p per liter cut in fuel duty is tepid at best, should give drivers a much bigger discount.

He noted that the Australian government had already implemented a 14p cut and that Ms Reeves’ meager offer would end in September.

If the government fails to address the glut of unfair taxes on petrol and diesel, it can now look forward to being scolded by its own cost-of-living tsar.

As millions of families travel to visit loved ones this Easter weekend, they will learn that drivers are already suffering from significant price increases.

Lord Walker is working across government to improve business partnerships and focus on reducing household costs following his appointment as a Labor MP

Of these, rural motorists are enduring the worst, with prices rising 10 per cent more on rural forecourts, according to new research by the RAC Foundation.

In addition, in line with the request of the Green Party, a speed limit of 55 mph will be introduced on highways.

If Labor wants Britain to prosper, it must treat drivers fairly, not penalize them.

criminal negligence

Gangs of masked youths are rioting on the streets of the capital.

But Labour’s Sadiq Khan insists ‘London is a safe city’ and condemns any claims to the contrary as ‘lies’.

The Mayor’s misleading remarks prompted Marks & Spencer retail manager Thinus Keeve to dress him down: ‘I keep hearing that crime is down, especially in London; This is something none of us believe in.’

Mr Keeve reported ‘quite the opposite’, with crime becoming ‘more brazen, more organized and more aggressive’.

The problem will get worse under Labor.

He introduced laws that ended most sentences of less than 12 months (meaning nearly all shoplifters would no longer face prison time), reduced penalties, and allowed delinquents to get out of prison sooner than ever before.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan insists ‘London is a safe city’ and calls any claims to the contrary a ‘lie’

From the implausible statements of its politicians to the sheer lunacy of its policies, Labor cannot be trusted with law and order.

Action against Hormuz

Keir Starmer has wavered on action in the Middle East, and now the UN Security Council has been accused of a similar lack of urgency.

He was ready to vote on allowing the use of defense force to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

However, the vote was postponed because it was planned to be held on Good Friday.

This newspaper supports protecting the sanctity of Easter, but don’t they know there’s a war going on?

If we are to avoid a catastrophic global recession, diplomats around the world need to do everything they can to get the oil flowing again.