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Friday, 28 August 2026
Today’s news, with the data and without the spin
Trending · Energy
15 articles across 6 outlets · news sources analysed by AI, figures counted from the coverage
Sentiment
Across all Trend monitored news outlets · 15 articles
The annual energy bill a typical household pays under the Ofgem price cap: standard tariff, Direct Debit, benchmark gas and electricity use, in Great Britain. Northern Ireland runs a separate market. Ofgem restates the run on one consistent basis, so older points differ from the figures announced at the time. When it rises, standard-tariff households pay more.
Source: Ofgem · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Coverage: Great Britain
The next most-covered stories, measured the same way. Each one sits on a board where the numbers behind it live.
Trending · Finance
Capital gains tax receipts hit £24.2 billion
5 articles across 4 outlets · edited by Trend, figures counted from the coverage
Sentiment
Across all Trend monitored news outlets · 5 articles
Trending · Finance
Capital gains tax receipts hit £24.2 billion
Capital gains tax receipts reached £24.2 billion in 2024-25, up 89% year-on-year. Conservatives argue further tax rises on high earners would reduce total government revenue.
Data
Tax Receipts
Every pound the government collects in tax: income tax, National Insurance, VAT (the tax on what you buy), corporation tax and the rest. This is the total, and the hard limit of what the state can spend without borrowing.
See this and every other finance figure Trend holds on the Finance board.
Left
Summary
The Independent reported that capital gains tax receipts totalled £24.2 billion in 2024-25, an 89% increase year-on-year, citing HMRC figures.
Sentiment
Across left-leaning outlets · 1 article
Right
Headline
‘War on wealth creation’: capital gains tax raid would lose government money, Tories argueCity AM
Summary
The Evening Standard and City AM covered the £24.2 billion capital gains tax receipt figure. City AM also detailed Conservative analysis arguing that further increases to the capital gains tax rate would reduce overall tax receipts. The Daily Mail described the rise as propping up public finances whilst raising questions about the sustainability of receipts.
Sentiment
Across right-leaning outlets · 4 articles
Trending · Justice
Prison Killer Early Jail
6 articles across 4 outlets · news sources analysed by AI, figures counted from the coverage
Sentiment
Across all Trend monitored news outlets · 6 articles
Trending · Justice
Prison Killer Early Jail
The Government will bar those convicted of killing a police officer from early release schemes, reports say.
Data
Prison Population
The number of people held in prison across England and Wales, counted every week. It includes sentenced prisoners, people on remand (held in custody before trial or sentencing) and immigration detainees, and is best read against usable operational capacity, how many a prison can safely hold.
See this and every other justice figure Trend holds on the Justice board.
Left
Headline
Violent killer escaped prison and went on the run in strop over sharing jail cellDaily Record
Summary
The Daily Mirror and Daily Record reported that PC Andrew Harper's killers will be excluded from the early release scheme, with those convicted of unlawful act manslaughter no longer eligible. The Daily Record wrote that the Government is expected to bring in rules preventing anyone convicted of killing a police officer from being released early. The Independent carried a prison governor warning that rowing back on early release risks leaving overcrowded prisons at breaking point.
Sentiment
Across left-leaning outlets · 4 articles
Right
Headline
Two of PC Andrew Harper's killers 'are set to be kept in prison and barred from early release' as Justice Secretary plans law changeDaily Mail
Summary
The Daily Mail reported that the Justice Secretary plans a law change barring those convicted of a certain type of manslaughter from early release, naming Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole among the men who would be kept in prison. It also ran a case in which a woman convicted of money laundering avoided a jail sentence because of prison overcrowding.
Sentiment
Across right-leaning outlets · 2 articles
Trending · Work & Pensions
State Pension Benefits
4 articles across 3 outlets · news sources analysed by AI, figures counted from the coverage
Sentiment
Across all Trend monitored news outlets · 4 articles
Trending · Work & Pensions
State Pension Benefits
The Treasury is excluding people who deferred their State Pension from a planned tax protection, raising concerns they could face Income Tax bills when payments rise. Meanwhile, the DWP is reviewing Pension Credit claims and could ask up to 100,000 pensioners to provide bank statements.
Data
State Pension Rate
The full new State Pension in cash per week, paid to people reaching pension age from April 2016 onwards. 5%, which tends to lift it faster than prices or pay.
See this and every other work & pensions figure Trend holds on the Work & Pensions board.
Left
Headline
State Pension tax warning for people who deferred payments to boost retirement incomeDaily Record
Summary
Daily Record and Daily Mirror covered State Pension protection gaps, eligibility for additional benefits, and HMRC outreach on missed pension top-ups. Coverage detailed how deferral could affect tax relief and listed payments available to millions receiving basic and new State Pension.
Sentiment
Across left-leaning outlets · 3 articles
Centre
Summary
The i reported on a DWP review of Pension Credit that could prompt up to 100,000 state pensioners to submit bank statements. The article covered the means-tested benefit's reach across 1.4 million households and the Treasury savings the scheme review was expected to deliver.
Sentiment
Across centre outlets · 1 article
The next most-covered stories, measured the same way. Each one sits on a board where the numbers behind it live.
Trending · Finance
Capital gains tax receipts reached £24.2 billion in 2024-25, up 89% year-on-year. Conservatives argue further tax rises on high earners would reduce total government revenue.
Sentiment
5 articles · 4 outlets
Trending · Justice
The Government will bar those convicted of killing a police officer from early release schemes, reports say.
Sentiment
6 articles · 4 outlets
Trending · Work & Pensions
The Treasury is excluding people who deferred their State Pension from a planned tax protection, raising concerns they could face Income Tax bills when payments rise. Meanwhile, the DWP is reviewing Pension Credit claims and could ask up to 100,000 pensioners to provide bank statements.
Sentiment
4 articles · 3 outlets