Reform UK mayoral candidate apologises for Lammy ‘go home’ tweet, saying it was ‘clumsily worded’ – UK politics live

Chris Parry, who is contending for the Hampshire and Solent mayoralty, says his post was intended ‘ironically’Downing Street has defended its decision to single out pubs for special help with the problems created by rising business rate costs.At the No 10 lobby briefing this morning, the PM’s spokesperson confirmed that a package of measures to help pubs will be unveiled in the coming days. But he did not give any further details.We recognise that pubs are at the heart of our communities. We want them to thrive. We recognise that since the pandemic they’ve faced tough conditions and that isn’t about one issue.Most business properties will benefit from the £4.3bn of support over the next three years, increases are capped at 15%, and just £800 for smallest properties. And that is ahead of permanently lowering rates for retail, hospitality, leisure from April.There are always technical bugs during the early phases of new technology, especially AI, and those issues are typically addressed...