England Test tour schedule for Pakistan finally confirmed 17 days before start

September202024

The schedule for England’s Test series in Pakistan has finally been confirmed, just 17 days before play gets under way, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) deciding to move only the second game, which, like the first, will now be played in Multan.The original schedule was announced precisely 11 weeks ago in July, with the first Test in Multan, the second in Karachi and the third in Rawalpindi.But after it became clear that major renovation work on the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, being undertaken with February’s Champions Trophy in mind, would not be completed in time, various options were considered.These included playing the second game in Rawalpindi, keeping it in Karachi but playing it behind closed doors, and even playing one of the Tests in Abu Dhabi.The eventual solution allowed the PCB to present the change as “minor adjustments” and means that any international flights booked in July will not need to be changed.

Relatively few travelling fans are expected in Pakistan, particularly given that the tour is immediately followed in England’s schedule by a white-ball trip to the West Indies, and then by a Test series in New Zealand.Others are sitting out all of this winter’s tours with next year’s Ashes in mind.The Barmy Army, one of several operators offering packages, are expecting to take about 20 people.But those intending to travel will welcome an end to the uncertainty surrounding the trip.“It’s really not been ideal at all.

It’s very difficult to plan when you don’t know what cities you’re going to,” said Sophie Henderson, the Barmy Army’s office manager.“In the end it’s not impacted us too much.We’re quite pleased with the decision they’ve made.”England’s hectic schedule between now and Christmas has forced them into something of a holding pattern, with trips so tightly packed that Brendon McCullum will not start his role as all-format head coach until the new year.Among those itching for the New Zealander’s full takeover is Ben Duckett, who having established himself as England’s Test opener had his first ODI outing there in Thursday’s defeat by Australia and is expecting January to bring “a breath of fresh air”.

“I’ve been fortunate to work under [McCullum] for the last couple of years and he’s taken my game to the next level,” said Duckett, before the second ODI at Headingley on Saturday.“He finds ways to get the best out of everyone and I think he’s going to come and do that with quite a young England one-day team.It’s not technical in the slightest.It’s more [removing] that fear factor and giving you the belief that you can do it against the best attacks in the world.”Sign up to The SpinSubscribe to our cricket newsletter for our writers' thoughts on the biggest stories and a review of the week’s actionafter newsletter promotionThe quick turnaround for the second instalment of this Autumnal ODI series means England may choose to rest Jofra Archer, given the careful management of his return from injury.

The tourists are waiting to discover whether Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc are well again after missing the series opener with a virus, not least with left-arm seamer Ben Dwarshuis expected to be ruled out of the remaining games with the pectoral strain he picked up on debut,

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UK consumer confidence tumbles as households fear ‘painful’ budget; UK debt hits 100% of GDP – as it happened

Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.Fears of a ‘painful budget’ next month have knocked morale among UK consumers – a bad sign for the economy.The latest poll of UK consumer confidence has fallen sharply this month, with optimism over people’s personal finances, their purchase intentions, and the state of the economy all sharply lower than in August.The index, published by data provider GfK, has dropped to -20 this month, down from -13 in August.That is the lowest reading since March, when the index was -21,Consumer confidence had been improving as the economy grew robustly in the first half of this year and inflation dropped

September202024

UK debt hits 100% of GDP, the highest level since 1960s

The scale of the challenge facing Rachel Reeves ahead of the autumn budget has been laid bare by a rise in Britain’s national debt to the highest levels since the 1960s and a collapse in consumer confidence.Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the government’s outstanding debt pile reached 100% of gross domestic product in August, the highest level since 1961, as monthly borrowing rose by more than expected.Labour has warned repeatedly that the economic inheritance from the Conservatives will require “painful” decisions ahead of the 30 October budget, including tax rises and cuts to welfare benefits and other spending.Figures released by data provider GfK on Friday revealed a sharp fall in consumer confidence in September to the lowest level since March, blaming households’ concern about Reeves’s cuts to winter fuel payments and the prospect of further spending restraint at the budget.“Consumers’ reaction to the government’s warnings shows that Reeves will need to be careful to not overdo the fiscal tightening next month,” said Elliott Jordan-Doak, a senior economist at the consultancy Pantheon Macroeconomics

September202024

Packaging tax will raise price of many everyday items, say UK firms

A new packaging tax to fund recycling will push up the price of many products including soft drinks, beer, kitchenware and small appliances such as kettles and toasters, companies have warned.Pev Manners, the managing director of the cordial maker Belvoir Farm, said the preliminary cost for glass in the extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging was “nuts”. The brand would have to pass on the levy as the fees would wipe out its annual profits, he said.The EPR, which comes into effect next year, shifts the cost of household recycling from councils back on to the companies using the packaging.In August, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published its “first estimate” of the rates to be charged for each tonne of material, giving companies a price range from the lowest to the highest

September202024

Mars brings Marathon name back in UK as nostalgia rises for retro sweets

Depending on your age and resistance to change, potentially it never went away, but 34 years after the shock Snickers rebrand the Marathon bar is making a comeback in the UK.The decision to drop the British name for the treat caused uproar back in 1990 and some diehard fans have been complaining about it ever since. So, with this nostalgic audience in mind, Mars has announced it is making a “special Marathon retro edition”.The confectionery company said the revival was to mark a milestone for its UK business.“We’re excited to bring back the Marathon bar branding for a limited period,” said the senior brand manager Steve Waters

September202024

Thames Water warns its cash may run out as soon as December

The UK’s biggest water supplier is scrambling to shore up its finances, admitting it faces a shortage of cash as soon as December.The warning from Thames Water comes as some of its biggest lenders are considering easing repayment terms as it fights for survival, with lenders concerned their loans risk being wiped out if the company is temporarily nationalised.Talks with creditors would only allow for enough funds to last until spring next year. Any agreement would therefore mark just a step on the road to a potential restructuring – staving off the immediate risk of insolvency.The company announced on Friday morning it was seeking fresh repayment terms, confirming it had only about £1

September202024

UK consumer confidence falls sharply amid fears of ‘painful’ budget

Consumer confidence in the UK has fallen sharply amid growing concerns over government plans for a “painful” budget, risking a hit to the economic recovery from the cost of living crisis.The latest barometer of sentiment from the data company GfK found consumer confidence fell to the lowest level since March, wiping out progress made this year to rebuild household morale.Neil Bellamy, the consumer insights director at GfK, said the “major correction” in the outlook for personal finances had come despite a return to stable inflation earlier this year, lower borrowing costs and resilient wage growth.“Following the withdrawal of the winter fuel payments, and clear warnings of further difficult decisions to come on tax, spending and welfare, consumers are nervously awaiting the budget decisions on 30 October,” he said.Keir Starmer said last month that the new government would need to take “painful” decisions in the autumn budget after finding what Labour calls a “£22bn black hole” in the public finances

September202024

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