FREDDIE

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Report makes for unremittingly grim reading: * Inflation could hit 6.2% at the start of 2027 * Food prices could rise by 6-7% by end of the year * Warnings of possible need for 'forceful ' rises in interest rates. One scenario has as many as **six** rises by the end of the year, taking rates to 5.25% * Living standards already falling * Economic growth forecast to be anaemic * Low-income households most exposed to energy price shock * Food and hospitality businesses most exposed and could be forced to lay people off The Bank of England has warned that inflation could rise to more than 6% at the start of 2027 if the energy price shock caused by the Iran war causes prices to 'rise sharply and remain elevated for a prolonged period' In this scenario interest rates would need to remain 'materially higher' than previously expected to bring inflation down The Bank's other scenarios have inflation at 3.5% before falling back. The Bank says there is 'significant uncertainty about how events will play out' Which is undeniably correct - the figures the Bank is using as the basis for its forecasts are already outdated. They don't factor in the events of this week and the renewed threat of escalation Food prices are forecast to rise by 4.6% by September as higher energy costs feed through, along with increases in the cost of fertiliser. The Bank thinks that food price inflation could hit 6-7% by the end of the year Economic growth will remain 'subdued', the Bank says. Which in this case is anaemic - we're talking 0.1% in 2026 Q2 Who will it affect? The Bank says that lower income households will be more exposed to increases in the cost of living, which is a statement of the obvious - a higher proportion of their income goes on essentials. Lower income households spend twice as much on food as a propertion of their expenditure compared to higher income households 'Early evidence suggests that, although firms do expect to absorb some of the rise in energy costs within their margins, most firms also expect to raise prices somewhat in response to the shock' The Bank is particularly concerned about the risk of rising levels of unemployment in the hospitality sector - particularly hotels and restaurants - which will be most exposed if people's incomes fall. The industry is said to be 'very concerned' The hospitality industry is *more exposed* than it was in the wake of the Ukraine war, with 80% of food retailers with cash reserves worth less than a month's turnover. 'This may limit these firms' ability to retain workers in the face of continued demand weakness' bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-polic…

🚨 NEW: Two Green Party candidates have been arrested on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred for allegedly posting antisemitic comments online One of them posted a placard that read "ramming a synagogue isn’t anti-Semitism, it’s revenge"

Meanwhile Diane Abbott is set to speak tonight at a Zoom event titled "Globalise the Resistance"

Fantastic street stall in Bromley! Bromley wants Reform 🇬🇧

Lucy Powell campaigns in Peckham with Miatta Fahnbulleh next week, follows both Rayner and Burnham. Is Labour worried it's going to lose Southwark? #disaster #londonlabourwipeout

In the upcoming elections, I Facundo Savala, will be voting for Reform 🗳 Both of my votes in Scotland will go to @Malcolm_Offord & his party 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 I want genuine, transformative, aspirational change across both Scotland and the UK 🇬🇧 If you will be doing the same, please RT ✅️

I felt i had a degree of respect for @ShabanaMahmood but this is straight up gaslighting. It's not "we as a society" its that the govt needs to clamp down on certain groups for whom antisemitism is an aspect of their lives and faith. As a practising Muslim Shabana knows exactly why there are different ethnic groups all sharing the same faith who are attacking jews. Hope the idiot Pally liberals take note of what they're becoming part of.

🚨NEW: Zack Polanski has reposted a post on X where they oppose the way in which police detained the terrorist

Simply stunning the canals in & around Birmingham. Please support this Birmingham chap on his 1000 mile challenge for the Lily Mae Foundation supporting the bereaved of still born babies. This week Birmingham to Stratford upon Avon. More on challenge justgiving.com/page/jonathan-…

Vote Tory get Starner👇

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🗣️ Mark Lawrenson on the BBC: “Well I’m 65 and a white male, so I was let go. Has it gone woke? It is top of the woke league. They are frightened to death, absolutely and totally frightened to death. You saw the stuff with Gary Lineker last season and obviously people at the head of the BBC, I think day by day, I think the integrity of the corporation gets chipped off. It used to be absolutely fantastic but they are woke, plus 100%.”

Why are we chasing the horses and not fixing the bloody gates! Innocent good people are being attacked and killed. Golders Green attack (like with so many) carried out by someone with a long history of violence and mental health. Free to walk amongst us. We should not be a passive and reactive state. When will the mud flinging stop and proper action and change take place. #nottinghaminquiry 💛💚

BREAKING: Keir Starmer was booed as he arrived at Golders Green a short time ago. "Starmer has been fanning the flames of anti-Semitism with one hand and reaching for the fire extinguisher with the other." @JuliaHB1 @JakeWSimons

Never. I’m sick of ambitious young Scots having to leave Scotland to make a success of themselves. I don’t want them to have to go to London to make their money, like I did, or be drawn to Dubai. I’ll not be going anywhere until Scotland works for those who work.

@RhonddaBryant In the 80s we had none of below Chris which we’ve imported So bring it on MORON

The destruction of antiquities, art, and cultural heritage across the Middle East is devastating. A deliberate effort to erase thousands of years of history that existed before Islam. No history, no civilization, no memory, no future.

Such nonsense about Irish Gov co -operation on Legacy. This is the Irish Gov which is taking the U.K. to court in Strasbourg on Legacy. Sadly @hilarybennmp has been listening too much to their voice and not to the Veterans The Troubles Bill must be radically changed despite what the Irish Government demands

Many Afghans in Germany paid to carry the flag of the Islamic Republic at political gatherings and demonstrations.

🚨Normal service has resumed in London after yesterday’s terrorist attack. Palestine Action offshoot ‘People Against Genocide’ targeted HSBC's branch in Finsbury Park.

Spain's mass amnesty of half a million illegals has caused a "functional collapse of social services across Madrid." Who could have possibly foreseen this?