Australian small businesses are being denied insurance simply for being near tobacconists after a wave of arson attacks and organised crime. More than 200 violent fire bombings have been linked to criminal syndicates since 2023. One Melbourne retailer told the Guardian their insurer refused to renew their policy because they were “a few doors down” from a tobacconist. The kind of high street lawlessness now harming legitimate businesses across Britain…
Illegal tobacco accounted for 80% of cigarettes smoked Down Under last year. 47% of Australians favour lowering cigarette taxes, according to a Demos AU poll. A useful warning for Burnham as he promises to make high streets “the symbols of Britain’s renaissance”. Labour could learn from their Ozzie comrades…HMRC is urging the public to report shops suspected of selling illegal tobacco and vapes. At the same time, legal tobacco is about to get another tax hike: Tobacco Duty is rising by a whopping £1.21 on a packet of 20 cigarettes from 1 October. Asking smokers to dob in the shop selling them cheaper fags to crack down on crime, while hiking the price of legal ones, seems optimistic. Labour brain…
Asked by Lobby hacks about his past comments on Trump (“any UK politician who gave Trump the time of day should be ashamed right now”) Burnham was blithe:
“Politicians say things throughout their career, but now the important thing is to focus on the moment you are in.”
Were it so easy…