and late yesterday, the chancellor announced the minimum wage is to go up by more than a pound, to £11.44 per hour, from april next year. and jeremy hunt decided the rate would also apply to 21 and 22 year olds for the first time. here s our econmics corrrespondent, andy verity. ona cold, on a cold, damp day at the south london market, ask what they want the government to do something about and you will hear two big concerns that haven t gone away. energy and food. , ., , ., , food. used to get six or seven oran . es food. used to get six or seven oranges for food. used to get six or seven oranges for a food. used to get six or seven oranges for a pound, - food. used to get six or seven oranges for a pound, now - food. used to get six or seven oranges for a pound, now it i food. used to get six or seven i oranges for a pound, now it has five. lemons, ten for a pound, now 87 for a pound. it is hard for the customer, it is hard for the customer, it is hard for us as well.
labour s campaign is captured in one word and so far it is a pitch keeping sir keir starmer s party miles ahead in the opinion polls. yesterday, the labour leader pledged to change football governance rules to prevent any super league style breakaways by english clubs. today, the party is highlighting plans to create 350 new banking hubs in britain s towns a move the party claims would bring cash to high streets and help to keep pubs and other shops open. rishi sunak warned voters yesterday not to give labour a blank cheque on polling day. the prime minister knows the situation looks bleak for the tories but said he believes he can win. his tactic is to relentlessly criticise and question labour s tax plans. council tax is the latest focus and the tories say labour should rule out scrapping referenda on council tax hikes an attack labour described as hysterical and desperate. 3, 2, 1. while the two main parties slug it out, the liberal democrat leader ed davey seems to be