Latest from South Wales Argus
South Wales Argus
42 minutes ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Government borrowing jumps despite boost from national insurance hike
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said so-called compulsory social contributions, largely made up of national insurance contributions (NICs), jumped by £3.9 billion or 14.7% to a record £30.2 billion in April and May combined. It followed the move by Rachel Reeves in April to increase NICs for employers, which has seen wage costs soar for firms across the UK as they also faced a rise in the minimum wage in the same month. In spite of this, borrowing still surged to £17.7 billion last month, the second highest figure on record for May, surpassed only at the height of Covid. The ONS said May borrowing was £700 million higher than a year earlier, though it was slightly less than the £18 billion most economists had been expecting. Borrowing for the first two months of the financial year to date was £37.7 billion, £1.6 billion more than the same two-month period in 2024. Rob Doody, deputy director for public sector finances, said: 'Last month saw the public sector borrow £0.7 billion more than at the same time last year, with only 2020, affected as it was by Covid-19, seeing higher May borrowing in the time since monthly records began. 'While receipts were up, thanks partly to higher income tax revenue and national insurance contributions, spending was up more, affected by increased running costs and inflation-linked uplifts to many benefits.'
South Wales Argus
42 minutes ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Morrisons & Ultrasun sun cream warning as safety test failed
Ultrasun Family SPF30, which costs £28 for 150ml and is marketed as being 'perfect for the whole family' and 'especially suitable for children and those with sensitive skin', failed to meet minimum sun cream UVA protection levels in two separate tests by Which?. Morrisons Moisturising Sun Spray SPF30 also failed to meet minimum SPF protection levels in two tests. (Image: Which? PA Wire) Ultrasun passed the UVB SPF part of the test but failed on UVA testing, scoring 9.1 and then 9.5 in a retest. Which? required a score of 10 or more for a pass. Morrisons Moisturising Sun Spray product passed UVA tests but failed the UVB/SPF tests with scores of 25.7 and then 20.7 – short of the 30 or more needed to pass. Which? tested 15 popular sun creams this year, including Boots, Garnier and Nivea as well as supermarket own-brand products. Aldi's Lacura Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+, which costs £2.99 for 200ml, was found to protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Cien Sun Spray 30 SPF High (£3.79/200ml), from fellow discounter Lidl, also passed all SPF and UVA testing, with Which? describing it as a 'solid option for affordable and reliable sun protection'. Some 11 other products, including Boots Soltan Protect & Moisturise Suncare Spray SPF30 (£5.50 for 200ml), Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Lotion SPF30 (£7.90 for 200ml) and Sainsbury's Sun Protect Moisturising Lotion SPF30 (£5.50 for 200ml) passed SPF and UVA safety tests. Natalie Hitchins, Which? head of home products and services, said: 'It's really concerning that widely available sunscreens could be putting families at risk by failing to offer the level of sun protection claimed on the packaging. 'While shoppers should avoid buying our 'don't buys', our results prove that there's no need to splash out to keep you and your loved ones safe in the sun as we've found cheap reliable options at Aldi and Lidl.' A spokeswoman for Ultrasun said: 'Ultrasun is fully confident in our testing protocols. As an independent brand delivering very high UVB and UVA protection options for over 30 years, our detailed testing processes, independent and peer reviewed, continue to not only meet but surpass industry standards. 'Our chosen testing protocol is one of the strictest available. Further detail and clarification from Which? on their testing protocols would also be helpful, particularly on how these resulted in two different results from the same sample.' Morrisons told Which? that it was looking closely at the data and working with its supplier to carry out additional independent testing. Recommended reading: What are UVA and UVB rays, and what does SPF mean? UVA and UVB rays both cause different types of damage, and not all sun creams protect against them in the same way. UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB to cause long-term damage, including all types of skin cancer, and play a role in the ageing process, such as causing wrinkles, sun spots and leathery skin. UVB rays are mostly responsible for sunburn and skin reddening. They do not penetrate as deeply as UVA rays but they are just as damaging, and can play a large part in the development of skin cancers including melanoma. SPF stands for 'sun protection factor', and indicates the level of protection a sun cream provides against burning rays. SPFs range from 2 to 50+, with 50+ offering the most protection against UVB.
South Wales Argus
42 minutes ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
UK retail sales slump in May after ‘dismal' month for supermarkets
Food shops faced the biggest drop in monthly spending in four years. The Office for National Statistics said the total volume of retail sales fell by 2.7% in May. This compared with a 1.3% rise in April, which was revised up from a previous estimate of 1.2% for the month. May's overall retail sales came in considerably below the 0.7% decline that most economists had been expecting for the month. It was also the biggest monthly fall since December 2023. The ONS said it was a 'dismal' month for supermarkets with food sales falling sharply after a jump in April. ONS senior statistician Hannah Finselbach said: 'Retail sales fell sharply in May with their largest monthly fall since the end of 2023. 'This was mainly due to a dismal month for food retailers, especially supermarkets, following strong sales in April. Retail sales fell across all sectors in May 2025. This was the largest monthly fall since December 2023. Retail sales volumes have fallen 2.7% in May 2025, following a rise of 1.3% in April 2025 (revised up from 1.2%). Read more ➡️ — Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) June 20, 2025 'Feedback suggested reduced purchases for alcohol and tobacco with customers choosing to make cutbacks.' The volume of sales in food stores dropped by 5% in May – the largest monthly fall since May 2021. This was mainly because of people buying less in supermarkets, with retailers citing inflation and customers making cutbacks, the ONS said. It comes amid rising food inflation across the UK, with the price of items such as chocolate, coffee, cheese and meat spiking last month. The monthly decline for household goods was 2.5%, and for clothing and footwear shops it was 1.8%. Ms Finselbach added that clothing and homeware stores were reporting reduced footfall in May. A drop in demand for DIY items last month came after sunny weather in April boosted home improvement projects. Some electricals sold well in May, which experts linked to strong pre-sales before the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. Despite May's decline, retail sales volumes rose by 0.8% across the three months to May, compared with the three months to February. Nicholas Found, head of commercial content at research consultancy Retail Economics, said: 'May's retail performance underlines a shift in consumer behaviour, with households putting value at the centre of spending decisions and pulling back on non-essential purchases. 'The cost of living remains the dominant concern for households. 'Households are deferring spending on full-price fashion, big ticket home items and other discretionary goods, instead prioritising travel and experiences into the summer.'
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Aaron Collins drops to League Two after MK Dons splash cash
The striker has dropped down to the fourth tier from League One to play for a Dons side who will be expected to earn promotion as they splash the cash. Boss Paul Warne set his sights on the rapid 28-year-old from Newport - who was also reported to be on the radar of League One Cardiff City - to increase their firepower. Collins has been huge hit at Bolton since they paid Bristol Rovers the same amount as MK are shelling out in the January 2024 transfer window. The striker has scored 28 goals since he arrived and he was the Whites' top scorer with 19 last season. That is after he helped fire the Gas to promotion from League Two in 2022, eventually ending with 35 league goals in 118 appearances in Bristol. Collins will expect to be back in League One in 2026 such is the level of spending from the Buckinghamshire club, which shows what County are up against in the fourth tier. SWITCH: Aaron Collins has signed for MK Dons (Image: PA) 'I'm really looking forward to playing for MK Dons,' said the striker. 'It's an unbelievable project with loads of potential. "I can't wait to work with Paul Warne, we get on really well and I'm sure he'll get the best out of me as a striker. 'He's a top manager at this level and shows the ambition of the owners. The club is definitely heading in the right direction, and I'm excited to be part of it. "I feel refreshed and ready to go ahead of the new season. I'm really looking forward to meeting the lads, getting out on the grass, and pushing for the promotion the club deserves." Collins came through the ranks at County, making his EFL debut in 2015, before earning a move to Wolves. FLASHBACK: Aaron Collins came through at County He returned to Rodney Parade for a spell on loan in 2018 and played for Forest Green Rovers before heading for Bristol. MK boss Warne has also added Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Gethin Jones and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy to a squad that underperformed massively last season and believes Collins is a good fit. "Aaron is a naturally gifted footballer with bags of ability, especially in front of goal. He's a very versatile player and will add a massive goal threat for us across the front line,' he said. "He's the kind of person I love working with. When we met, we got on really well, his enthusiasm is infectious. 'He just wants to enjoy his football and play with a smile on his face, those are the types of players I want to be working with on a daily basis.'
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Friday's briefing: Lionel Messi free-kick lights up Atlanta and PSG shocked
Champions League winners Paris St Germain were stunned by South American champions Botafogo in Group B, while Atletico Madrid proved too strong for the Seattle Sounders. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca faced questions over Mykhailo Mudryk, while Real Madrid revealed star man Kylian Mbappe had been discharged from hospital. Closer to home, Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson scaled new heights to announce her Euro 2025 squad. Lionel Messi magic for Miami Messi doing Messi things – unreal free-kick! ⚽️ Enjoy it from every angle 👏👀 Watch the @fifacwc | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #MIAFCP — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 19, 2025 Lionel Messi scored a trademark free-kick as Inter Miami beat Porto 2-1 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium to move a step closer to the last 16 of the Club World Cup. Porto took the lead in the eighth minute from the penalty spot but Miami equalised just after half-time through a thumping finish from Telasco Segovia. Messi then gave the Atlanta crowd what they came for when he clipped home a fine 20-yard free-kick in the 54th minute. Igor Jesus scored the only goal of the game as Botafogo stunned Paris St Germain in Pasadena, with Atletico Madrid beating the Seattle Sounders 3-1 in Group B's other game. Elsewhere in Group A, Palmeiras beat Egyptian side Al Ahly 2-0 at the MetLife Stadium – with the match interrupted during the second half because of the threat of lightning in East Rutherford. Enzo Maresca – I'll talk to 'Misha' soon Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has revealed he has not yet spoken to winger Mykhailo Mudryk since the Ukrainian was charged with violating anti-doping rules. The 24-year-old has not played since being suspended last December after testing positive for a prohibited substance, and is facing a lengthy ban after being charged by the Football Association. Blues boss Maresca fronted questions on Mudryk as he prepared the team for their second Group D match against Flamengo in Philadelphia on Friday. 'The last time I spoke with Misha, he was quite good. I didn't see him worried, or at least I didn't see him not good. It was OK,' Maresca said. 'I don't know how he is now, but for sure in the next days, weeks, we're going to have a talk.' Rhian Wilkinson has high hopes for Wales Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson is ready for her side to climb their own Everest at Euro 2025 (Nick Potts/PA) Rhian Wilkinson hiked up Wales' highest peak at Yr Wyddfa before delivering the names of 23 players determined to scale their own summit at Euro 2025. 'It (qualifying) was always going to be an uphill battle with little setbacks,' said former Canada international Wilkinson. 'As we have moved towards the Euros we have talked about the summit, the Everest part of it. That something is impossible until it isn't. 'Outside Wales people can think whatever they want. Our goal is to show up and deliver to the best of our ability. I am sure people will be looking up Wales on a map very soon.' Kylian Mbappe in and then out of hospital Mbappé medical update. — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 19, 2025 Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has been discharged from hospital after being admitted with 'acute gastroenteritis'. The 26-year-old France international missed Wednesday night's 1-1 Club World Cup draw with Al Hilal through illness, with head coach Xabi Alonso revealing he had a fever. Real Madrid subsequently confirmed Mbappe was suffering from 'an acute case of gastroenteritis' and had been admitted to hospital for further tests and treatment, before later being cleared to return to the team's base. 'Our player Kylian Mbappe was discharged from the hospital this afternoon and has returned to the Real Madrid training camp,' a club statement read. 'Mbappe will continue receiving specific medical treatment and will gradually return to team activity.' What's on today? MD2 vs the Brazilian giants. 🇧🇷🔜 — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 19, 2025 The Club World Cup continues with Chelsea facing Flamengo in Philadelphia. The Blues will be looking to build on their opening Group D win over LAFC, who play ES Tunis in Nashville.
