{"id":764444,"date":"2026-09-08T23:29:10","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T23:29:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/764444\/"},"modified":"2026-09-08T23:29:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T23:29:10","slug":"scrap-triple-lock-senior-labour-figures-demand-in-growing-revolt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/764444\/","title":{"rendered":"Scrap triple lock, senior Labour figures demand in growing revolt"},"content":{"rendered":"

Andy Burnham<\/a> has been urged by senior Labour members of the House of Lords<\/a> to \u201cmake brave decisions\u201d and scrap the state pension triple lock<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The intervention piles more pressure on the Prime Minister over the state of the public finances in the run up to the Budget<\/a> next month \u2013 and casts further doubt on the long-term future of the triple lock policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It follows reports in The i Paper on Monday that Labour MPs are also privately urging Burnham to ditch the mechanism<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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ROYAL PICTURES<\/p>\n

Prince George pictured on first day at Eton College<\/p>\n

\"ETON,Caption: ETON, ENGLAND \u2013 SEPTEMBER 8: Catherine, Princess of Wales (L) and Prince William, Prince of Wales (R) walk with their 13-year-old son, Prince George of Wales (C), as he arrives for his first day at Eton College on September 8, 2026 in Berkshire, England. (Photo by Adrian Dennis \u2013 WPA Pool\/Getty Images)
Photographer: WPA Pool
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe<\/p>\n

The future king Prince George arrived at the prestigious boarding school Eton College, where he will follow in the footsteps of his father Prince William and uncle Prince Harry, for his first day on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

\nRoyal family arrive in rain\n<\/p>\n

George\u2019s parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied him from their nearby home Forest Lodge in Windsor, braving the heavy rain to escort him to school.<\/p>\n

\"PrinceCaption: Prince George, accompanied by his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, starts his first day at Eton College in Windsor, Berkshire. Picture date: Tuesday September 8, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Adrian Dennis\/PA Wire
Photographer: Adrian Dennis
Provider: Adrian Dennis\/PA Wire
Source: PA<\/p>\n

\"PrinceCaption: Prince George begins his first day at Eton College in Windsor, Berkshire. Picture by Matt Porteous \/ Kensington Palace
Provider: Picture by Matt Porteous \/ Kensington Palace<\/p>\n

Eton fees exceed \u00a363,000 per year, with a rigorous academic selection process. It has turned out twenty prime ministers over the years, as well as educating royalty.<\/p>\n

Hopes for privacy<\/p>\n

Eton is used to catering to famous children with security requirements, including recent royals from Ethiopia and Nepal. <\/p>\n

It is expected that George will be largely free from press intrusion over the next five years, though some photos of him playing sport or acting in school plays are possible.<\/p>\n

\"ETON,Caption: ETON, ENGLAND \u2013 SEPTEMBER 8: A general view of Eton College ahead of the arrival of 13-year-old Prince George of Wales for his first day at Eton College on September 8, 2026 in Berkshire, England. (Photo by Adrian Dennis \u2013 WPA Pool\/Getty Images)
Photographer: WPA Pool
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe<\/p>\n

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6 min read<\/p>\n

\"TXCaption: TX DATE:27-03-2026,TX WEEK:12,EMBARGOED UNTIL: 00:00:00,PEOPLE:Monty Don,DESCRIPTION:,COPYRIGHT:BBC Studios,CREDIT LINE:BBC Studios
Photographer: Production team
Provider: CREDIT LINE:BBC Studios
Copyright: BBC PICTURE ARCHIVES<\/p>\n

news<\/p>\n

What next for Monty Don after Gardeners\u2019 World exit<\/p>\n

Monty Don is to step down from presenting his weekly BBC show Gardeners\u2019 World at the end of its current series later this year, following more than 20 years at the helm.<\/p>\n

Don will see out this season before stepping down<\/p>\n

Don, 71, has hosted Gardener\u2019s World since 2003, initially from Berryfields in Buckinghamshire.<\/p>\n

He began welcoming audiences to his own garden, Longmeadow, in Herefordshire, in 2011.<\/p>\n

Viewers enjoy glimpses of his dogs alongside gardening tips and tricks.<\/p>\n

He plans to continune writing and work on other BBC programmes.<\/p>\n

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Interview<\/p>\n

7 min read<\/p>\n

\u2018A deeply rewarding experience\u2019<\/p>\n

That connection with millions, not just in Britain but across the world, who share a love of gardens, plants and the natural world is something I have always treasured and which I increasingly believe to be at the heart of a life well lived.<\/p>\n

Monty don, gardeners\u2019 world presenter<\/p>\n

\"GardeningMonty together with his dog, Ned (Photo: Toby Melville\/REUTERS)<\/p>\n

BBC pays tribute<\/p>\n

Monty is utterly unique, a wonderfully engaging broadcaster with a soothing, calm presence who has inspired so many with his passion for gardening. We will miss him on the show hugely.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kate Phillips, BBC\u2019s chief content officer<\/p>\n

\"TXAdam is best known for his work on \u2018Gardeners\u2019 World\u2019 (Photo: BBC Studios)<\/p>\n

UK politics<\/p>\n

Greens vying for Starmer\u2019s old seat in October by-election<\/p>\n

\"GreenCaption: Green Party leader Zack Polanski speaking at Niamos in Hulme as the party?s Greater Manchester mayoral candidate Geraldine Coggins launches her manifesto for the election. Picture date: Thursday July 9, 2026.
Photographer: Rich McCarthy
Provider: PA
Source: PA Wire<\/p>\n

With the by-election to replace former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer just a month away, a local Green Party politician is challenging Zack Polanski for the nomination.<\/p>\n

\nIn-fighting for the Greens\n<\/p>\n

The by-election to replace Starmer\u00a0as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras will take place on 8 October but the Green Party, Labour\u2019s main opposition for the seat, is still yet to select its candidate.<\/p>\n

\"GreenCaption: Green Party leader Zack Polanski speaking during a press conference at Church House in central London. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady\/PA Wire
Photographer: Jonathan Brady
Provider: Jonathan Brady\/PA Wire
Source: PA
Copyright: PA Wire<\/p>\n

\"CouncillorCaption:
Councillor Hamza Chowdhury<\/p>\n

Image: https:\/\/camden.moderngov.co.uk\/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=7139<\/p>\n

Polanski (right) announced his intention to run last week, but local Camden Green councillor Hamza Chowdury (left) said he wants to stand and has the support of six of the ten Green Camden councillors.<\/p>\n

\u2018Choose someone here\u2019<\/p>\n

We don\u2019t need another MP who arrives during an election campaign, puts out a few leaflets, makes a few promises and disappears once the votes are counted\u2026 I\u2019m asking you\u00a0to\u00a0choose someone who is already here.<\/p>\n

local councillor Hamza Chowdhury<\/p>\n

\"ACaption: A sign supporting the Green Party political party is displayed in a residential street on the eve of local and mayoral elections in England and devolved parliamentary elections in Wales and Scotland on May 7, in London, Britain, May 6, 2026. REUTERS\/Toby Melville
Photographer: Toby Melville
Provider: REUTERS
Source: REUTERS<\/p>\n

How are the Greens\u2019 chances?<\/p>\n

At the 2024 general election, Starmer held the seat with 49 per cent of the vote, ahead of independent candidate Andrew Feinstein \u2013 who is not expected to run in the upcoming by-election \u2013 in second place on 19 per cent. The Greens came third on 10 per cent.<\/p>\n

In May\u2019s local elections, the Greens made gains to become Labour\u2019s main opposition.<\/p>\n

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3 min read<\/p>\n

politics<\/p>\n

UK sanctions on Israeli West Bank settlements spark backlash<\/p>\n

\"NewCaption: New Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband leaving number 10 Downing Street, London. New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has entered number 10 Downing Street and among his first tasks is the selection of his new Cabinet. Picture date: Monday July 20, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok\/PA Wire
Photographer: Yui Mok
Provider: Yui Mok\/PA Wire
Source: PA
Copyright: PA Wire<\/p>\n

The UK Government faces backlash after announcing sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank as part of what Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has called a \u201creset\u201d of Britain\u2019s relations with Israel.<\/p>\n

\nSanctions on Israeli settlements\n<\/p>\n

Land seizures and displacement of Palestinian populations in the West Bank have sharply escalated over the past three years. Other countries including Spain, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands have already implemented sanctions.<\/p>\n

\"TheCaption: The Israeli settlement of Har Homa, backdropped by the Israeli-occupied Palestinian West Bank city of Bethlehem (R), is seen in the Israel-annexed East Jerusalem on August 14, 2026. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI \/ AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: AHMAD GHARABLI
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors<\/p>\n

\"AnCaption: An Israeli soldier stands guard against the backdrop of newly established Israeli settlement outpost in Beit Sahur, south of Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank on August 14, 2026. Violence against Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the West Bank has increased dramatically since the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas from the Gaza Strip. More than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law, among some three million Palestinians in the territory. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI \/ AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: AHMAD GHARABLI
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors<\/p>\n

Israel\u2019s leading human rights group, B\u2019Tselem, said settlers had taken 100,000 hectares of land from Palestinians during that time \u2013 about 18 per cent of the West Bank \u2013 and 64 communities of around 4,000 residents have been displaced.<\/p>\n

\nNew position\n<\/p>\n

The UK\u2019s new stance under Prime Minister Andy Burnham will see a ban on imports from illegal settlements in the West Bank and sanctions on individuals and firms providing services to settlers.<\/p>\n

\"InCaption: In this video grab taken from footage broadcast by the UK Parliamentary Recording Unit (PRU) via the Parliament TV website in the House of Commons on September 8, 2026, Britain\u2019s Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband delivers a speech on an import ban of goods from illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. (Photo by PRU \/ AFP via Getty Images) \/ RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE \u2013 NO USE FOR ENTERTAINMENT, SATIRICAL, ADVERTISING PURPOSES \u2013 MANDATORY CREDIT \u201d AFP PHOTO \/ PRU \u201c
Photographer: \u2013
Provider: PRU\/AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP<\/p>\n

\"LONDON,Caption: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM \u2013 SEPTEMBER 08, 2026: Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Ed Miliband arrives in Downing Street to attend weekly Cabinet meeting in London, United Kingdom on September 08, 2026. (Photo credit should read Wiktor Szymanowicz\/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Photographer: Wiktor Szymanowicz
Provider: Wiktor Szymanowicz\/Future Publis
Source: Future Publishing
Copyright: ? 2026 Wiktor Szymanowicz<\/p>\n

Miliband said the British Government believed the occupation as a whole was unlawful, going beyond the previous position that only described the settlements themselves as illegal. He also said there was increasing evidence that Israel had committed war crimes in Gaza.<\/p>\n

What are the sanctions?<\/p>\n

\"FileNew research has found that eating an avocado a week can cut the risk of heart disease by a fifth<\/p>\n

Israel\u2019s free trade agreement with the UK means only goods from the West Bank will be affected.<\/p>\n

These include Medjool dates, mangoes, grapes and avocados.<\/p>\n

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5 min read<\/p>\n

\u2018Ethnic cleansing\u2019<\/p>\n

The British Government agrees that there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank, perpetrated by settler terrorists. And all too often, the Israeli government has turned a blind eye to this.<\/p>\n

ed miliband, foreign secretary in the house of commons today<\/p>\n

\"ScreenCaption: Screen grab of Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband making a statement on Israel-Palestine in the House of Commons, central London. Picture date: Tuesday September 8, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: House of Commons\/UK Parliament\/PA Wire
Photographer: House of Commons\/UK Parliament
Provider: House of Commons\/UK Parliament\/PA Wire
Source: PA<\/p>\n

Watch: Miliband\u2019s announcement<\/p>\n

@theipaper<\/a> <\/p>\n

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has announced that the UK will introduce an import ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The Government will also introduce a new \u201ccomprehensive sanctions regime\u201d targeting the settlements.<\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 The i Paper \u2013 The i Paper<\/a> <\/p>\n

Was Trump told?<\/p>\n

Burnham discussed the Middle East with US President Donald Trump in a phone call on Monday.<\/p>\n

It is unclear to what extent Trump was briefed on the sanctions in advance, or what his reaction was.<\/p>\n

However, several Israeli and US officials have already criticised the UK\u2019s stance.<\/p>\n

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Analysis<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

US hints at \u2018retaliation\u2019<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know what all of the national sanctions or repercussions or retaliations will be from the US, hasn\u2019t been announced yet.<\/p>\n

Mike Huckabee, the American ambassador to Israel, has called the sanctions \u201cJew hate\u201d and hinted that the US could retaliate against the UK, including by some states barring deals with British businesses.<\/p>\n

\"FILECaption: FILE PHOTO: U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee gestures during a press conference after he met residents of Turmus Ayya, a Palestinian town near Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank that is home to many American citizens, September 5, 2026. REUTERS\/Ammar Awad\/File Photo
Photographer: Ammar Awad
Provider: REUTERS
Source: REUTERS<\/p>\n

What about Israel\u2019s response?<\/p>\n

Israeli President Isaac Herzog labelled the trade ban a \u201cgross interference\u201d in the country\u2019s upcoming elections and said it placed Britain \u201con the wrong side of history\u201d. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the country\u2019s foreign minister, Gideon Sa\u2019ar, said Israel will introduce several countermeasures in response to the UK\u2019s \u201chostile\u201d actions. Israel is to close Britain\u2019s consulate in East Jerusalem and has kicked it out of the US-led mission for Gaza.<\/p>\n

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Domestic reaction<\/p>\n

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp is among those voicing domestic criticism of the move by Burnham\u2019s government. <\/p>\n

He called the sanctions \u201cperformative posturing\u201d which will be \u201cpractically very difficult to implement\u201d\u00a0and said that the Conservative Party does not support them as they \u201crisk damaging an important security relationship\u201d with Israel.<\/p>\n

\"ShadowCaption: Shadow home secretary Chris Philp during a briefing with Surrey Police ahead of a raid for Class-A drugs at a property in Cranleigh, Surrey. Picture date: Tuesday August 4, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jordan Pettitt\/PA Wire
Photographer: Jordan Pettitt
Provider: Jordan Pettitt\/PA Wire
Source: PA<\/p>\n

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3 min read<\/p>\n

France artwork heist \u2013 multiple pieces stolen from Renoir Museum<\/p>\n

Two thieves tried to steal four artworks from a museum dedicated to the impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir in southern France on Tuesday, dropping two paintings as they fled the scene.<\/p>\n

\"ACaption: A police officer stands in front of the entrance of the Musee Renoir after four paintings, valued at nine million euros, were stolen from the museum in an early-morning break-in, with two suspects still at large, in Cagnes-sur-Mer on September 8, 2026. (Photo by Valery HACHE \/ AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: VALERY HACHE
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors<\/p>\n

What we know<\/p>\n

Two thieves carried out the raid at the museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer, near Nice, on Tuesday morning, officials have said.<\/p>\n

Wire fencing was cut for access, and museum alarms went off at 5:48am local time, according to the local mayor.<\/p>\n

Startled by the alarms and police sirens minutes later, the thieves dropped two paintings in the museum\u2019s garden.<\/p>\n

However, the pair escaped with the other two pieces and remain at large.<\/p>\n

\u2018Well equipped\u2019 thieves<\/p>\n

Cagnes-sur-Mer\u2019s mayor, Bryan Masson, described the perpetrators as\u201dwell equipped\u201d and \u201cwell informed\u201d when speaking to the media on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

In comments translated from French, he said the thieves \u201cwere wearing helmets, gloves, and combat gear\u201d and carried \u201can electric knife and hacksaw\u201d to cut the fence and gain access to the garden.<\/p>\n

Video footage then showed the group cutting through structures holding the paintings\u2019 frames in place before they began their escape, Masson said.<\/p>\n

\"RassemblementCaption: Rassemblement National (RN) Mayor of Cagnes-sur-Mer Bryan Masson makes a statement outside the Musee Renoir after four paintings, together valued at nine million euros, were stolen in an early-morning break-in, with one recovered nearby and two suspects still at large, in Cagnes-sur-Mer on September 8, 2026. (Photo by Valery HACHE \/ AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: VALERY HACHE
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors<\/p>\n

\nThe stolen works\n<\/p>\n

The four works initially targeted in the heist \u2013 Portrait of Madame Pichon (1895), Portrait of Madame Colonna Romano (1910), Coco Lisant (1905) and Jeune fille au puits (1886) \u2013 were valued together at over \u00a37.7m, according to reports from France.<\/p>\n

\"ACaption: A camera of the forensic police is seen during an investigation near a hole in the outer fence of the Renoir Museum after four paintings were stolen by thieves in an early-morning break-in, with two recovered nearby, in Cagnes-sur-Mer, on the French Riviera, France, September 8, 2026. REUTERS\/Manon Cruz
Photographer: Manon Cruz
Provider: REUTERS
Source: REUTERS<\/p>\n

\"PaintingCaption: Painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir<\/p>\n

Portrait of Madame Colonna Romano<\/p>\n

Image: Renoir museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer.
https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Renoir_-_Portrait_de_Madame_Colonna_Romano,_non_dat%C3%A9.jpg<\/p>\n

According to an update from the local mayor\u2019s office later on Tuesday morning, the two pieces the thieves made it out with were: Madame Colonna Romano (left above) and Jeune femme au puits (next slide).<\/p>\n

\nAlso missing: Jeune fille au puits\n<\/p>\n

\"PaintingCaption: Painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir<\/p>\n

Jeune femme au puits<\/p>\n

Image: Renoir museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer.
https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Renoir_-_Jeune_femme_au_puits,_non_dat%C3%A9.jpg<\/p>\n

Latest French museum heist<\/p>\n

Prior to the robbery, the Renoir Museum was home to 12 paintings by the artist, who died in 1919.<\/p>\n

The museum was opened in 1960, in Renoir\u2019s last home before his death.<\/p>\n

This heist comes less than a year after eight items valued at about \u00a376m were stolen in a daylight robbery from the Louvre in Paris. <\/p>\n

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2 min read<\/p>\n

Watch more from The i Paper<\/p>\n

@theipaper<\/a> <\/p>\n

France is loaning the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum for the first time since it was made almost 1,000 years ago \u2013 so how can you get tickets? The 70 metre long artwork tells the story of the Norman conquest of England and the Battle of Hastings in 1066. A whopping 80,000 people waited in the online queue for tickets, leaving many disappointed. But for those who missed out, the museum will soon be releasing another batch.<\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 The i Paper<\/a> <\/p>\n

politics<\/p>\n

The hefty cost of Burnham\u2019s slick social media campaign<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Eleanor Langford<\/p>\n

Political Reporter<\/p>\n

Andy Burnham\u00a0is spending up to \u00a31m a year on expanding No 10\u2019s\u00a0social media\u00a0operation,\u00a0The i Paper\u00a0can reveal, as the Prime Minister tries to connect with audiences on TikTok and Instagram. <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s where that money is going.<\/p>\n

Where do the figures come from?<\/p>\n

The Cabinet Office advertised 13 roles in July<\/p>\n

Lowest salary \u2013 \u00a337,922 <\/p>\n

Social videographer.<\/p>\n

Highest salary \u2013 \u00a380,342<\/p>\n

Head of social and creative production.<\/p>\n

Total cost \u2013 \u00a31.04m<\/p>\n

if everyone is paid the highest band offered, including pensions and national insurance.<\/p>\n

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7 min read<\/p>\n

Where is the money going?<\/p>\n

@theipaper<\/a> <\/p>\n

EXCLUSIVE | Andy Burnham is spending up to \u00a31m a year on expanding No 10\u2019s social media operation, The i Paper can reveal, as the Prime Minister tries to connect with audiences on TikTok and Instagram. The Cabinet Office advertised 13 roles in July focused on social video and online content, ranging from a social videographer on \u00a337,922 to a head of social creative and production on \u00a380,342. Combined, the salaries for these roles range from \u00a3617,246 to \u00a3731,933 a year, depending on where in each pay band successful candidates are appointed.<\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 The i Paper \u2013 The i Paper<\/a> <\/p>\n

What do colleagues think?<\/p>\n

Burnham\u2019s dedication to promoting the Government\u2019s work on social media has been celebrated by Labour colleagues, after his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer,\u00a0was criticised for a lack of communication skills while prime minister. <\/p>\n

One such Labour MP told The i Paper: \u201cBurnham\u2019s just got that touch when it comes to communication. \u2026 We\u2019re getting way more cut-through already.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"LONDON,Caption: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM \u2013 SEPTEMBER 02, 2026: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham departs 10 Downing Street for the House of Commons to attend the Prime Minister\u2019s Questions (PMQs) in London, United Kingdom on September 02, 2026. (Photo credit should read Wiktor Szymanowicz\/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Photographer: Wiktor Szymanowicz
Provider: Wiktor Szymanowicz\/Future Publis
Source: Future Publishing
Copyright: ? 2026 Wiktor Szymanowicz<\/p>\n

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Exclusive<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

Burnham vs Starmer<\/p>\n

\"BritishSir Keir Starmer is to stand down as an MP months after quitting as Prime Minister (Photo: Isabel Infantes\/Reuters)<\/p>\n

In his first 90 days on TikTok, Starmer received 59.3 million views to Burnham\u2019s\u00a078.1 million.<\/p>\n

Burnham has hit 752,000 Instagram followers since taking office, with his predecessor peaking at 852,000 after two years.<\/p>\n

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3 min read<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

How to be more grateful for daily life in five easy steps<\/p>\n

Gratitude<\/p>\n

The world feels like a difficult place at the moment, and it can feel very hard sometimes to find things to be thankful for; when we are overwhelmed, we have less capacity to notice and reflect on the good things. Yet, ironically, proactively cultivating gratitude is one of the things that can actually help us feel\u00a0less stressed.<\/p>\n

NHS GP dR RADHA<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\nThe science\n<\/p>\n

Research has shown that feeling or expressing thanks can actually alter our brain.<\/p>\n

The balance of neurotransmitters change; more serotonin and dopamine (feel good chemicals) are produced.<\/p>\n

This can be long lasting if we make gratitude a\u00a0regular habit.<\/p>\n

We also get a decrease in our cortisol (stress hormone) levels which helps\u00a0lower anxiety.<\/p>\n

Being grateful can strengthen the nerve pathways which triggers positive emotion.<\/p>\n

\nHow can we build gratitude?\n<\/p>\n

\"TwoCaption: Two adult brothers enjoy a warm embrace in a sunny park. They stand beside a decorative fence surrounded by lush greenery, showcasing a strong bond and happiness in the moment.
Photographer: Beatriz Herrera
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto
Copyright: beatrizherreragonzalez@gmail.com<\/p>\n

Change your words<\/p>\n

Instead of seeing something as a problem, try to see the opportunities within it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Journal<\/p>\n

Our brains are very receptive and what we read or write can alter our emotional system.<\/p>\n

\"CaucasianCaucasian mid adult patient writing a diary while recovering in the hospital ward \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"\"\u2018One question is how to achieve such a longevity hack when most of us have relationships that unsettle us,\u2019 says Dr Amir Levine (Photo: Oliver Rossi\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Express it<\/p>\n

This will not only make you feel good, but you will also get a positive response from others.<\/p>\n

\nHow can we build gratitude?\n<\/p>\n

Notice more<\/p>\n

Throughout\u00a0your day, try to notice all the things that are going well; has someone opened a door for you, or smiled?<\/p>\n

\"HappyExercise with people you love (Photographer: Morsa Images\/Getty\/Digital Vision\/Abel Mitj? Varela)<\/p>\n

\"GroupCaption: Group of Happy Asian senior women friends shopping and having lunch at restaurant on summer holiday vacation. Healthy elderly woman enjoy outdoor lifestyle meeting and eating food together.
Photographer: CandyRetriever
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto<\/p>\n

The basics<\/p>\n

By being thankful for the small things every day, we are far more likely to be and stay healthy\u00a0so that we can enjoy them.<\/p>\n

\nWhat to do\n<\/p>\n

Gratitude can lead to\u00a0feelings of optimism, lower our blood pressure, and improve sleep quality.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Write down what potential good aspects there are to the things you don\u2019t feel like doing, or even what could be worse about it.<\/p>\n

Spend a few minutes writing down three things that you are looking forward to that day, or the good things that have happened to you that day.<\/p>\n

Say thank you to yourself for the things you have achieved, or managed to get through and changed that day.<\/p>\n

Sales of battery
electric vehicles hit a record high last year.<\/p>\n

Leon Poultney, a writer who specialises in cars, gives his EV recommendations, and the ones that should be avoided.<\/p>\n

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Renault 5 E-Tech<\/p>\n

Starts at \u00a322,995 for the smaller battery <\/p>\n

Available with either\u00a0a 40kWh battery or a larger 52kWh pack, that offers almost 255 miles, the latest, retro-inspired Renault 5 is both a joy to behold and a hoot to drive.<\/p>\n

The interior has been lavished with a\u00a0level of detail that\u2019s typically reserved for more expensive cars.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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4 min read<\/p>\n

\nMercedes-Benz CLA\n<\/p>\n

A champion of EV efficiency<\/p>\n

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It offers a remarkable 491 mile range on a single charge from the 85kWh battery.<\/p>\n

It is a technological masterclass inside with the ability to option screens that span the entire width of the dashboard, including an optional display for the front passenger. <\/p>\n

Priced from \u00a337,400<\/p>\n

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2 min read<\/p>\n

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Porsche Macan GTS<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a lot of money to part with, but this is arguably all the car you will ever need.<\/p>\n

The \u00a389,000 Macan is a premium SUV that somehow manages to blend Porsche\u2019s reputation for dynamics and sporty driving with everyday practicality.<\/p>\n

The 95kWh batteries can go from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 21 minutes from the fastest public charging outlets.<\/p>\n

\nKia EV 9\n<\/p>\n

With the business class-style six seat configuration costing a staggering \u00a376,995, it is by far the most expensive Kia ever made, but it backs up its financial demands with a suite of genuinely useful and impressive onboard technology.<\/p>\n

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MG IM6<\/p>\n

It\u2019s fast, goes a long way between stops and charges relatively quickly\u00a0but the interior is bland, the onboard technology is infuriating and the experience is devoid of emotion.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nBYD Dolphin Surf\n<\/p>\n

All of its gadgetry can\u2019t disguise the fact that performance is weak, even for a typically zippy EV, the\u00a0ride is fussy at slower speeds and it\u2019s not in the least bit enjoyable to drive on a country road.<\/p>\n

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While good value (prices start at \u00a317,935) for the 200-mile max range, there are more interesting\u00a0options from Hyundai, Citroen and Renault for similar money.<\/p>\n

Leapmotor T03<\/p>\n

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It attempts to wow with tech, much of which hinders, rather than helps.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no tangible benefit over mounting your phone to the dash.<\/p>\n

Simply an average driving experience, adequate range and slow charging speeds.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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2 min read<\/p>\n

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The triple lock policy sees state pensions rise by the higher of 2.5 per cent, wage growth or inflation each year. But high inflation and wage growth has seen its cost soar. The state pension bill is now at \u00a3146.1bn \u2013 nearly half the total welfare bill of \u00a3333.7bn.<\/p>\n

Labour has committed to keep the lock for the duration of this Parliament, which could last until 2029. But the growing criticism from economists and politicians means it could be left out of the next party manifesto.<\/p>\n

The latest round of criticism came during a Lords\u2019 debate in which several members, including Lord Reid, a former cabinet minister, criticised the policy.<\/p>\n

Reid, the former home, defence and health secretary, said the policy must be challenged as part of the Government\u2019s response to Britain\u2019s ageing population, and that he was \u201cdisappointed\u201d that a Lords\u2019 report on the issue had not \u201cmore forthrightly considered and challenged\u201d the triple lock mechanism.<\/p>\n

He also backed the argument of economist Lord O\u2019Neill, a key economic adviser to the Prime Minister, who has warned that the triple lock is increasingly difficult to justify as the population ages.<\/p>\n

O\u2019Neill claims that the policy protects pensioners from falls in living standards while placing a growing burden on younger generations through higher taxes and housing costs, and has called for it to be scaled back or replaced.<\/p>\n

Reid told peers: \u201cI agree entirely with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The mounting criticism leaves the Prime Minister facing an increasingly difficult political choice: maintain a manifesto commitment to pensioners or find savings at a time when his Government is under pressure to fund defence, tackle youth unemployment and restore confidence in the public finances.<\/p>\n

Lord Walker, the Iceland Foods executive chairman and the government\u2019s former cost of living champion, also called for change, telling peers that \u201cnow is the time to make brave decisions on welfare and, dare I say it, the triple lock\u201d.<\/p>\n

Lord Hunt, a health minister under Tony Blair, acknowledged the political pressure building around the policy, saying: \u201cWe all know we have to face up to this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lord Davies, a pensions specialist, said that simply retaining the triple lock was not enough to create a stable financial system.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is going to follow the triple lock?\u201d he asked. \u201cJust saying \u2018keep the triple lock\u2019 does not satisfy the need to get a stable financial system.\u201d<\/p>\n

The policy also came under attack from former senior Treasury officials sitting as crossbenchers. Former cabinet secretary Lord Turnbull called it \u201cfrankly, idiotic\u201d, while former Treasury permanent secretary Lord Macpherson said \u201cthe triple lock will have to go\u201d.<\/p>\n

Lord Burns, another former Treasury permanent secretary, said the mechanism produced arbitrary and random increases in pension values.<\/p>\n

The argument has also exposed divisions on the Conservative benches.<\/p>\n

Lord Tugendhat called for the triple lock to be scrapped, saying it had been necessary when introduced but had \u201clong since served its purpose\u201d, while former pensions minister Baroness Coffey said she would prefer \u201csome kind of double lock\u201d.<\/p>\n

But Lord Redwood defended the existing system, saying abolishing it would be \u201ca great pity\u201d and arguing that the state pension should be treated as an earned entitlement rather than a benefit.<\/p>\n

The issue has already come under pressure beyond the Lords. The British Chambers of Commerce has called for the pension guarantee to be replaced with inflation-only increases.<\/p>\n

Burnham had told The i Paper in June that he would keep the triple lock if he became Prime Minister, saying Labour had to honour its manifesto commitment.<\/p>\n

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