PM criticised for failure to tackle cost of living

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [View online]( May 11, 2022 [Morning Headlines]( 1 / [Boris Johnson accused of abandoning families to poverty]( Boris Johnson has been accused of abandoning British families to a life of poverty, after his legislative programme for the coming year contained no new measures to deal with the cost of living crisis. One think tank described the package set out in the Queen’s Speech as “cosmetic surgery for an economy facing a heart attack”. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also denounced it as “a thin address, bereft of ideas or purpose” delivered by a government “whose time has passed”.   2 / [Al Jazeera journalist shot dead by Israeli forces while covering raid in West Bank]( Shireen Abu Akleh was hit by a live bullet while covering Israeli raids in the refugee camps of the Palestinian city Jenin 3 / [UK faces ‘record’ heatwaves this summer – and it’s not a cause for celebration]( ‘We don’t represent Covid deaths using pictures of people in lockdown enjoying a beer in the garden’ 4 / [Vladimir Putin could go nuclear if he thinks Russia is losing Ukraine war or his regime is under threat, US intelligence chief says]( ‘Next few months could see us moving along a more unpredictable and potentially escalatory trajectory,’ Avril Haines says 5 / [Seven most explosive moments from first day of ‘Wagatha Christie’ libel trial]( Footballers’ wives Rebekah Vardy and Coleen Rooney meet face-to-face in the High Court     The Big Question What was in the Queen's Speech? A package of measures unveiled by Boris Johnson with a promise to get Britain “back on track” after the Covid pandemic contained no new support for households struggling with the cost of living. Announcing his legislative programme for the year ahead, the prime minister acknowledged that families are “anxious about the future” and promised to monitor the situation over the coming months and help “where we can”. But he poured cold water on any further imminent steps to ease the burden of skyrocketing inflation - predicted to top 10 per cent before the end of 2022 – warning that any such measures will have to be balanced against the need to keep public finances on a “sustainable footing”. Mr Johnson attempted to use the Queen’s Speech to draw a line under Covid and the Partygate scandal and reset his premiership on a more positive course for the general election due by 2024 at the latest. [Read the full story >](   Watch/ [Lancashire Police give Middlesbrough football fans lift to pub in riot van](   NUMBER OF THE DAY 71st – One of the [world](’s [biggest]( great white sharks, measuring over 12ft and [weighing roughly 452kg (71st)](., has been spotted prowling close to the United States [coast](.   QUOTE OF THE DAY “This Queen's Speech shows the Tories don't have a clue what life is like for ordinary people.” – Labour MP Zarah Sultana [has criticised the measures laid out in the Queen’s Speech](, saying the government has failed to “outline any plans to solve” the cost of living crisis.       Other stories you might like   [UK ticket-holder wins record-breaking £184m EuroMillions jackpot](   [Elon Musk must think twice about letting Trump back on Twitter, says Sadiq Khan](   [Asylum seekers in Rwanda wait years for decisions and two thirds are rejected, says Home Office report](       Articles available exclusively to subscribers John Rentoul, The Independent: If [Johnson and Starmer have fought enough – now it’s time to refocus](   Other newsletters you might like [US morning headlines] US Morning Headlines Weekdays, 12pm (UK time) Written by Andrew Naughtie [Sign up]( [Climate warrior] Climate Warrior Every Wednesday, 8am (UK time) Written by climate activists [Sign up](   If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.