Show at Cauldeen primary school in Inverness had included a scene explaining hardship faced by Syrian refugees A primary school in Scotland has cancelled its Christmas show after receiving “racist and abusive” messages because it featured sympathy towards Syrian refugees. The decision by Cauldeen primary school in Inverness follows rising tensions at other schools in Scotland over adult English classes being targeted by far-right demonstrators, which has also led to events being cancelled. Continue reading...

Move aims to bring in extra £1.2bn of savings as government seeks to head off criticism over welfare spending * You be the chancellor: play our budget game Rachel Reeves will launch a fresh crackdown on benefit fraud at the same time as lifting the two-child limit for universal credit at a cost of £3bn, as ministers seek to head off criticism over rising welfare spending in the budget. The chancellor has made the decision to scrap the two-child limit in full, a move that will be welcomed by Labour MPs who have long highlighted its effect on increasing child poverty. Freezing income tax thresholds for an extra two years to 2030, bringing more people into higher tax bands as wages rise. Making salary sacrifice schemes less generous, including those for pension contributions. Bringing in higher tax on the most expensive properties, including a surcharge on the highest-value houses. A pay-per-mile scheme on electric cars to help fill the tax gap from petrol duty as more people opt for green vehicles. Continue reading...