Category Archives: policy

UK Government To Support Tata Motors’ Owned Jaguar Land Rover With 1.5 Billion Pounds Loan Guarantee

Posted on by
Reply

**UK Government Announces £1.5 Billion Loan Guarantee to Support Jaguar Land Rover Following Cyber-Attack**

*London:* The UK government on Sunday announced its support for iconic British carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) with a loan guarantee of up to £1.5 billion. This measure aims to provide certainty to the Tata Motors-owned company’s supply chain in the aftermath of a devastating cyber-attack.

The loan will be extended by a commercial bank and backed by the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) Export Development Guarantee (EDG), provided through the export credit agency UK Export Finance. It is to be repaid over a period of five years.

The support is designed to bolster JLR’s cash reserves following the production shutdown that began earlier this month due to the cyber incident. It will also help sustain many firms in the supply chain, predominantly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which are currently struggling to stay afloat.

Peter Kyle, Business and Trade Secretary, commented, “This cyber-attack was not only an assault on an iconic British brand but also on our world-leading automotive sector and the men and women whose livelihoods depend on it. Following our decisive action, this loan guarantee will help support the supply chain and protect skilled jobs in the West Midlands, Merseyside, and throughout the UK.”

He added that the move represents a vote of confidence in the country’s automotive sector, which stands to gain in the long term from “landmark trade deals,” including the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said, “Jaguar Land Rover is an iconic British company that employs tens of thousands of people — a jewel in the crown of our economy. Today we are protecting thousands of those jobs with up to £1.5 billion in additional private finance, helping them support their supply chain and protect a vital part of the British car industry.”

This announcement follows a recent visit by Peter Kyle and Industry Minister Sarah Jones to JLR’s Gaydon headquarters in the West Midlands, as well as a tour of JLR’s sunroof manufacturer Webasto to meet with senior leaders and workers.

With manufacturing plants located in Solihull and Wolverhampton (West Midlands), and Halewood (Merseyside), JLR is one of the UK’s largest exporters and a major employer, directly employing around 34,000 people. The company also operates the largest supply chain in the UK automotive sector, much of it consisting of SMEs, employing approximately 120,000 people, according to the DBT.

The department remains in daily contact with JLR and cyber experts to address ongoing concerns and offer support aimed at getting production back online. However, full production is not expected to resume until next month.

In an update issued on Thursday, JLR stated it is working to clear the backlog of payments to suppliers by increasing its invoicing processing capacity. “As part of the controlled, phased restart of our operations, we have informed colleagues, suppliers, and retail partners that sections of our digital estate are now up and running,” the company said.

“The foundational work of our recovery programme is firmly underway. We have significantly increased IT processing capacity for invoicing and are now working to clear the backlog of payments to our suppliers as quickly as we can,” JLR added.

Britain’s largest car manufacturer also noted that its Global Parts Logistics Centre, which supplies parts to distribution centres serving retail partners in the UK and globally, is returning to “full operations.” This development will enable retail partners to continue servicing vehicles and keep customers mobile.

Additionally, JLR confirmed that the financial system used to process vehicle wholesales has been restored, allowing the company to sell and register vehicles more rapidly, thereby improving cash flow.

JLR’s teams continue to work around the clock alongside cybersecurity specialists, the UK government’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), and law enforcement agencies to ensure the restart of full operations takes place “in a safe and secure manner” following what the company described as a “difficult time for all connected with JLR.”

A hacking group calling itself Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters is believed to have claimed responsibility for the cyber-attack. This group has also been linked to other high-profile attacks on UK retailers earlier this year, including Marks & Spencer and Co-op.

Most recently, London’s luxury department store Harrods reported a cyber-attack this week, with some customer data reportedly stolen.

*Disclaimer: This story is from the syndicated feed. No changes have been made except the headline.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/uk-government-to-support-tata-motors-owned-jaguar-land-rover-with-15-billion-pounds-loan-guarantee-stabilizing-supply-chain-post-cyber-attack

‘Congress Considered Impossible To Implement GST During Their Time,’ Says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Posted on by
Reply

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hit out at the Congress party, stating that while the Congress once considered the Goods and Services Tax (GST) impossible to implement, the Modi government not only rolled it out successfully but is now advancing it with second-phase reforms to ease the burden on common people.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Sitharaman said, “Is the Congress Party demanding five per cent tax on tobacco and gutkha? Congress Party wants us to give it at 5%. Congress Party considered it impossible to implement GST during their time. We have implemented it and are also undertaking second-generation reforms under the leadership of Modi ji so that people get relief on their day-to-day items.”

Sitharaman highlighted that the ongoing GST reforms are benefiting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and labour-intensive industries by simplifying compliance. She urged the Congress to clarify its stance on measures that benefit the people.

“MSMEs and labour-intensive units also get relief, due to which there will be easy compliance. Congress should decide whether it wants to oppose or support issues that are in the interest of the people. People will expose you,” she added.

In a significant announcement, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman revealed a sweeping reduction in GST rates on a wide range of essential items, automobiles, agricultural inputs, and electronic appliances.

The 56th GST Council meeting decided to rationalise GST rates into two slabs: 5 per cent and 18 per cent by merging the previous 12 per cent and 28 per cent rates.

On the essential items front, products of daily household use will now cost less. Items such as hair oil, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet soap bars, toothbrushes, and shaving cream, which previously attracted an 18 per cent GST, will now fall under the 5 per cent bracket.

Furthermore, Sitharaman announced a complete removal of GST on individual health and life insurance.

The reforms also bring significant benefits to farmers and the agricultural sector. Tractor tyres and parts, which were earlier taxed at 18 per cent GST, will now be taxed at just 5 per cent. Tractors themselves will see their rate reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent.

(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/congress-considered-impossible-to-implement-gst-during-their-time-says-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman

In big push to fisheries sector, India eyes global certification for seafood

Posted on by
Reply

**India Eyes Global Certification for Seafood to Counter US Tariffs**

**NEW DELHI:** In an effort to counter the impact of unilateral tariffs imposed by the United States, India is planning to seek global certification for its seafood products. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, an internationally recognized sustainability standard, could help Indian seafood command premium prices—up to 30% higher than before.

The US, previously India’s largest seafood market valued at $7.38 billion (35% of exports), implemented a steep 59.73% tariff on Indian seafood. This move severely affected the seafood industry, leading to significant market challenges for exporters.

In response, the Union government intends to allocate special funds through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) 2.0 scheme to support MSC certification for 10 key Indian fisheries. National institutes, such as the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), are providing technical assistance to drive this initiative.

The 10 priority fisheries include a variety of deep-sea and coastal species such as shrimps, squid, cuttlefish, Karikadi shrimp, threadfin breams, blue swimming crab, and octopus. These categories are currently in the final stages of addressing technical gaps before certification. India is expected to achieve full MSC certification for these fisheries by 2026.

“It has been a tedious five-year process, and now we are preparing to apply for MSC certification in 2026,” said Dr. Sunil Mohammad, a former principal scientist at CMFRI.

The certification process involves a cost of around Rs 20 lakh per category, with the government committing to bear half of the total expenses to support the seafood sector.

Currently, India has only one fishery—the Ashtamudi short-neck clam fishery from Kerala—certified under the MSC. With this new push for certification, India aims to regain its market share, particularly in Europe, and strengthen its position in the global seafood market.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2025/Sep/28/in-big-push-to-fisheries-sector-india-eyes-global-certification-for-seafood

High US tariffs pose risk to India’s growth: Crisil

Posted on by
Reply

**High US Tariffs Pose Risk to India’s Growth: Crisil**

*By Akash Pandey | Sep 27, 2025, 05:01 PM*

A recent report by Crisil Intelligence has highlighted significant risks to India’s economic growth due to the high tariffs imposed by the US on Indian goods. These tariffs are expected to impact both Indian exports and investments adversely. However, the report also notes that domestic consumption is likely to remain a key driver of growth, supported by low inflation and prospective rate cuts.

**GDP Growth and Inflation Projections**

India’s GDP growth reached a five-quarter high of 7.8% in the first quarter of FY25-26, up from 7.4% during the same period last year. Despite this positive momentum, nominal GDP growth slowed to 8.8% compared to 10.8% in the previous year, according to Crisil Intelligence.

On the inflation front, the report forecasts that the consumer price index (CPI) inflation will ease to 3.5% in the current fiscal year, down from 4.6% last year. This moderation in inflation is expected to provide further support to economic stability.

**Factors Influencing Inflation Control**

Robust agricultural growth is anticipated to keep food inflation under control, although the full impact of recent excess rainfall is yet to be assessed. Additionally, lower crude oil prices and stable global commodity prices are expected to help contain non-food inflation. These factors combined are likely to play a crucial role in managing India’s inflation rates over the coming months.

**Policy Outlook: RBI Rate Cut Expected**

On the monetary policy front, Crisil Intelligence predicts that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will implement one more rate cut during this fiscal year, followed by a pause to assess the effects. Between February and June 2025, the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee had already cut the repo rate by 100 basis points. The central bank is currently awaiting the full transmission of these previous cuts before making further adjustments to interest rates.

—

*In summary, while high US tariffs present challenges for India’s growth through their impact on trade and investment, domestic factors such as controlled inflation and accommodative monetary policy are expected to sustain economic momentum in the near term.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/us-tariffs-could-impact-india-s-growth-crisil/story

High US tariffs pose risk to India’s growth: Crisil

Posted on by
Reply

**High US Tariffs Pose Risk to India’s Growth: Crisil**

*By Akash Pandey | Sep 27, 2025, 05:01 PM*

A recent report by Crisil Intelligence has highlighted that the high tariffs imposed by the United States on Indian goods could pose a significant risk to India’s economic growth. The September 2025 report emphasizes that these tariffs are likely to affect both Indian exports and investments negatively.

However, despite these challenges, domestic consumption is expected to remain the key driver of growth, supported by low inflation levels and anticipated rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

**Economic Indicators: GDP Growth and Inflation Projections**

India’s GDP growth reached a five-quarter high of 7.8% in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025-26, up from 7.4% in the same quarter last year. Meanwhile, nominal GDP growth slowed to 8.8% compared to 10.8% during the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year, according to Crisil Intelligence.

On the inflation front, the report projects consumer price index (CPI) inflation to ease to 3.5% this fiscal year, down from 4.6% last year.

**Inflation Control: Factors Influencing Rates**

Robust agricultural growth is expected to help keep food inflation under control. However, the full impact of recent excess rainfall on agricultural output remains to be seen. Additionally, declining crude oil prices and stable global commodity prices are anticipated to contain non-food inflation, further aiding in the moderation of overall inflation rates in the coming months.

**Policy Outlook: RBI Likely to Implement One More Rate Cut**

On the monetary policy front, Crisil Intelligence forecasts that the RBI will introduce one more rate cut during the current fiscal year, followed by a pause. The central bank’s monetary policy committee had already reduced the repo rate by 100 basis points between February and June 2025. The RBI is now expected to await the complete transmission of these cuts before deciding on any further interest rate adjustments.

—

*In summary, while high US tariffs present challenges to India’s export and investment sectors, strong domestic consumption, controlled inflation, and accommodative monetary policy are likely to support the country’s economic growth in the near term.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/us-tariffs-could-impact-india-s-growth-crisil/story

High US tariffs pose risk to India’s growth: Crisil

Posted on by
Reply

**High US Tariffs Pose Risk to India’s Growth: Crisil**

*By Akash Pandey | Sep 27, 2025, 05:01 PM*

A recent report by Crisil Intelligence highlights that the high tariffs imposed by the United States on Indian goods could pose a significant risk to India’s economic growth. The September report cautions that these tariffs may adversely affect both Indian exports and investments.

However, the report also offers a positive outlook, noting that domestic consumption is expected to drive growth going forward. This optimism is supported by low inflation levels and anticipated rate cuts.

**Economic Indicators: GDP Growth and Inflation Projections**

India’s GDP growth reached a five-quarter high of 7.8% in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025-26, rising from 7.4% in the same period last year. Despite this, nominal GDP growth slowed to 8.8% compared to 10.8% in the previous year for the same quarter, according to Crisil Intelligence.

On the inflation front, the report projects that consumer price index (CPI) inflation will ease to 3.5% in the current fiscal year, down from last year’s 4.6%.

**Inflation Control: Factors Influencing Inflation Rates**

The report emphasizes that robust agricultural growth is expected to help keep food inflation in check, though the full impact of recent excess rainfall is still under evaluation.

Additionally, lower crude oil prices and stable global commodity prices are likely to contain non-food inflation. These combined factors will play a crucial role in managing inflation in the coming months.

**Policy Outlook: RBI Likely to Implement One More Rate Cut**

Regarding monetary policy, Crisil Intelligence anticipates that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will implement one more rate cut during the current fiscal year, followed by a pause.

The RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee had already cut the repo rate by 100 basis points between February and June 2025. The central bank is now expected to wait for the full transmission of these past cuts before making any further decisions on interest rates.

—

In summary, while high US tariffs present notable challenges to India’s economic growth, strong domestic consumption, controlled inflation, and supportive monetary policy are poised to sustain India’s growth momentum in the near term.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/us-tariffs-could-impact-india-s-growth-crisil/story

Finance Ministry Issues Advisory To RBI & Other Financial Institutions To Stop Wasteful Expenses Like Festival Gifts To Curb Non-Essential Expenditure

Posted on by
Reply

**Finance Ministry Advises Against Festival Gifts to Promote Fiscal Discipline Ahead of Diwali**

*New Delhi:* Ahead of Diwali, the Finance Ministry has issued an advisory to all financial institutions, including the Reserve Bank of India, urging them to stop wasteful expenditure such as festival gifts. This move aims to promote fiscal discipline and curb non-essential spending.

Citing an advisory from the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), the Department of Financial Services (DFS) has directed entities under its administrative control to adhere to this guideline, sources confirmed.

The advisory emerges at a time when the government is actively trying to boost consumption and encourage public spending. Earlier this year, as part of Budget 2025-26, the government provided income tax relief targeting the middle class to stimulate consumption.

Additionally, the government has reduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on approximately 375 items through the next-generation GST 2.0 reforms. These reduced rates came into effect from September 22.

According to government estimates, the combined impact of the tax rate cuts and GST 2.0 reforms is expected to add around Rs 2.2 lakh crore to India’s GDP, which is approaching the USD 4 trillion mark. These measures also help mitigate the effects of a steep 50 percent tariff imposed last month by the U.S. Administration on shipments from India.

As part of these efforts, the government is also celebrating the GST Bachat Utsav across the country.

Government-run institutions are among the largest consumers and significantly influence demand, especially during festive seasons. However, the DFS, quoting the DPE advisory, has instructed that no expenditure should be incurred on gifts or related items for Diwali and other festivals by Ministries, Departments, and other organs of the Government of India.

The advisory emphasizes the importance of promoting fiscal prudence and responsible use of public resources. “It has been noticed that there is a prevailing practice of incurring expenditure on gifts on the occasion of Diwali and other festivals in certain Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs),” the DPE advisory dated September 19 stated.

“In the interest of economy and judicious utilization of public resources, it is imperative that such expenditure be discontinued. Accordingly, all CPSEs are requested not to incur expenditure on gifts, etc., for any festival,” the advisory added.

—

*Disclaimer: This story is from a syndicated feed. Only the headline has been edited.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/finance-ministry-issues-advisory-to-rbi-other-financial-institutions-to-stop-wasteful-expenses-like-festival-gifts-to-curb-non-essential-expenditure

Southern States of Mississippi and Louisiana Go Back to Teaching the Basics in School – Now Lead Liberal States Like California in Literacy

Posted on by
Reply

Anyone who follows education news—or simply has children in public schools—knows that we are facing an education crisis in this country right now. Grade school students in multiple states cannot read or do math at grade level. The problem existed years ago, but school shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic made things even worse.

Now, some states in the South have discovered a solution: going back to basics and teaching foundational skills like phonics. It’s amazing—if you focus on teaching kids to read rather than prioritizing subjects like social justice and gender theory, they actually learn to read. Who knew?

Kelsey Piper writes at *The Argument* on Substack: *Illiteracy is a policy choice*.

This month, the Department of Education released its latest edition of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the standardized tests better known as the Nation’s Report Card. The results have left me blazing with rage.

In my home state of California, for instance, only 30% of public school fourth graders can read proficiently. Fully 41% cannot even read at a basic level—which means they cannot truly understand and interpret written text at all. Eighth graders look almost as bad.

But scores are not slipping everywhere. In Mississippi, they have been rising year over year. The state recovered from a brief decline during COVID and has now surpassed its pre-COVID highs. Its fourth-grade students outperform California’s on average, even though California is richer, has a more educated population, and spends about 50% more per pupil.

The difference is most pronounced when you look at the most disadvantaged students. In California, only 28% of Black fourth graders read at or above a basic level, compared to 52% in Mississippi.

But it’s not just that Mississippi has raised the floor. It has also raised the ceiling. The state is one of the nation’s best performers when you look at students who are *not* economically disadvantaged.

And it’s not just Mississippi. Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee have adopted the same strategies to stem the bleeding experienced in other states—and they have seen significant improvements.

This is the part of the story that has gotten the most attention: teach phonics! And you should, indeed, teach phonics. But making schools adopt this approach took more than a mere nudge.

The Southern Surge states have used a combination of earmarked funding, guidance to districts, and outright mandates to accomplish universal adoption of phonics-based instruction.

When schools embrace topics like gender and social justice at the expense of basic and necessary skills like reading and math, they rob students of the learning they need to succeed in life.

Every school in America needs to return to the basics. It is an absolute crime for a young person to go through years of schooling only to emerge unable to read.

Southern states are showing the way—and it works.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/09/southern-states-mississippi-louisiana-go-back-teaching-basics/

Philadelphia school board extends superintendent’s contract through 2030

Posted on by
Reply

Superintendent Tony Watlington Sr. will continue leading the School District of Philadelphia through 2030, following a unanimous vote by the Board of Education to extend his contract. His original agreement was set to expire in 2027, falling a year short of his five-year strategic plan.

Under the new extension, Watlington will receive a 3% annual raise on his current salary of $367,700.

“Dr. Watlington, you have led with energy, vision and a deep commitment to our students,” said Board of Education President Reginald Streater during a recent board meeting. “Under your leadership, we have seen measurable progress. The board firmly believes that with you at the helm, we can continue to accelerate progress and deliver on our commitment to Philadelphia students,” he added.

Watlington expressed appreciation to the board for their continued confidence in his leadership. “It has been an honor to work under your leadership,” he said. “We’re going to roll up our sleeves and go to work. We’re going to do you proud.”

Appointed in 2022, Watlington was chosen by the school board from over 400 candidates to become superintendent. He previously served as superintendent of Rowan-Salisbury in North Carolina and is the first superintendent chosen by a locally governed school board since David Hornbeck in the 1990s.

Under his tenure, Philadelphia public schools have seen their first enrollment and graduation increases in over a decade, improved test scores for grades 3–8, and over 1,400 fewer dropouts.

The school district recently finalized new three-year contracts with two unions: the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) and the School Police Association.

The PFT represents approximately 14,000 members, including educators, counselors, nurses, paraprofessionals, and other school staff. The School Police Association represents about 350 School Safety Officers.

Joyce Wilkerson, board member and president emeritus, praised Watlington’s handling of contract negotiations with both unions. “You came from a jurisdiction that did not have unions,” Wilkerson said. “You’ve done a stellar job building relationships with our unions. You’ve encouraged us to focus on our children. There are huge challenges remaining, but I have confidence in your ability to lead us going forward,” she added.

Arthur Steinberg, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, said the district is experiencing a level of stability it hasn’t seen in years.

“Superintendent Watlington has demonstrated his respect for our members in the only way that matters: a strong, on-time labor contract,” he said in a statement.

“For veteran Philly public educators like myself who endured politicized, anti-educator and anti-labor leadership under the SRC, the respect and alignment on priorities such as state funding and improvement of staff hiring and retention are a long-fought achievement,” Steinberg continued. “I look forward to continuing to build on a productive and mutually respectful working relationship with superintendent Watlington,” he added.

—

**Community Guidelines**

To maintain a positive environment, please observe the following:

– Keep it Clean. Avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist, or sexually-oriented language.
– PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
– Don’t Threaten. Threats of harm will not be tolerated.
– Be Truthful. Don’t knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
– Be Nice. No racism, sexism, or any form of degrading -ism toward others.
– Be Proactive. Use the ‘Report’ link on each comment to report abusive posts.
– Share with Us. We welcome eyewitness accounts and insights related to our stories.

—

Stay informed and connected — subscribe to *The Philadelphia Tribune* NOW! [Click Here]

—

**Upcoming Event**

*The Philadelphia Tribune* hosted its 2025 Most Influential African Americans event on Thursday evening, September 18, 2025. The event celebrates and honors Black Philadelphians who are making a significant impact throughout the area.
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philadelphia-school-board-extends-superintendents-contract-through-2030/article_255714e5-2956-459c-8605-046b0d28ef79.html

FAA extends flight restrictions at Newark Airport until Oct. 24, 2026

Posted on by
Reply

Air traffic controllers who handle flights arriving and departing from the airport faced significant challenges earlier this year due to multiple communications and radar outages. These issues led to thousands of cancellations, disrupting travel plans for many passengers.

While the FAA continues to limit flights, the number of takeoffs and landings is gradually increasing by four per hour, now reaching 72 operations per hour. However, this figure remains well below the more than 80 flights per hour that the airport experienced before the current caps were put in place.

United Airlines, which operates a major hub at Newark, has expressed support for limiting the number of flights into the airport. CEO Scott Kirby emphasized the importance of this approach, stating, “The reduced operations, along with continued focus on technology upgrades and ATC staffing increases, are critical milestones toward Newark’s long-term operational certainty. Things will only get better as we head into the fall and winter seasons.”

In testimony before members of the House in June, former acting head of the FAA Chris Rocheleau projected that by October, the Philadelphia air traffic control facility—which manages flights in and out of Newark—would reach healthy staffing levels and resolve ongoing technology issues.

The FAA has reported a successful transition to a brand-new fiber optic communications network linking New York and the Philadelphia TRACON. Staffing numbers have also improved, with 22 fully certified controllers and five certified supervisors currently on duty. Additionally, 27 controllers and supervisors are in training to further bolster the team.

These developments signal progress toward restoring more stable and efficient air traffic operations at Newark, with continued improvements expected in the coming months.

—

*The-CNN-Wire*

—

**Get Eyewitness News Delivered**

– More New Jersey news

– Send us a news tip

– Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

– Follow us on [YouTube]

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News.
https://abc7ny.com/post/newark-airport-flight-restrictions-extended-faa-will-continue-limit-arrivals-departures-october-2026/17883402/