Sunak makes VAT U-turn after presenter’s collapse ends leadership debate

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [View online]( July 27, 2022 [Morning Headlines]( 1 / [Sunak makes VAT U-turn after presenter’s collapse ends leadership debate]( Rishi Sunak has promised to temporarily scrap VAT on domestic fuel bills if he becomes prime minister, despite opposing the move for months while chancellor. Labour has long called for the levy to be lifted as the cost of living crisis bites millions of families. But Mr Sunak voted against the move in January, and in February told the House of Commons it would “disproportionately benefit wealthier households”. He later said it would be “silly” to offer additional help with bills ahead of an Ofgem decision on the energy price cap in October. Mr Sunak’s U-turn – worth £160 a year to the average household at a cost of £4.3bn to the Treasury – is a bid to counter the appeal of Tory leadership rival Liz Truss, whose £30bn package of tax cuts promises has helped her build a commanding lead in polls of party members. She denounced Mr Sunak’s national insurance rise as “morally wrong” last night in the early moments of the abandoned TalkTV debate.   2 / [England surge into Euro 2022 final with thrashing of Sweden]( The Lionesses weathered an early storm before exploding into life to book a first major tournament final place since 2009 3 / [British tourist, 22, killed by helicopter blade ‘while on his phone’]( Greek police have arrested the pilot as investigations into the accident involving Briton Jack Fenton begin 4 / [British geologist Jim Fitton to be freed from Iraqi prison after smuggling conviction quashed]( Briton, 66, had faced 15 years behind bars after collecting 12 stones and shards of broken bottery as souvenirs 5 / [Rise in long Covid sufferers unable to work costs UK £1.5bn a year]( Around 110,000 people are off work with condition at any one time, new research estimates     The Big Question What are the long-term consequences of our increased alcohol intake during lockdown? Thousands of extra alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions are set to be reported over the coming 20 years as a result of increased drinking habits acquired during the pandemic, new research suggests. A study from the University of Sheffield, commissioned by NHS England, found that while lighter drinkers cut their consumption during lockdown, heavier drinkers drank more and may never return to where they were, leading to serious health complications for many. The research examined how alcohol-related hospitalisations and deaths are likely to increase post-Covid. It found that, in a worst-case scenario, there will be 972,382 additional hospital admissions and 25,192 additional deaths, at a cost of £5.2 billion to the NHS, in the next 20 years. Here is what else the study had to tell us. [For the full story click here >](   Watch/ [Moment TalkTV Tory debate dumped off air after presenter faints](   NUMBER OF THE DAY 100,000 – The number of people in the UK who may have a potentially fatal heart condition without realising it, [according to new research](.   QUOTE OF THE DAY “I remember the referendum campaign and there was only one of us that was on the side of Remain and Project Fear, and it was you, not me.” – Tory leadership contender Rishi Sunak lays into rival Liz Truss over her Brexit U-turn during Monday night’s heated BBC debate between the pair.       Other stories you might like   [Instagram’s pivot to video may be its death knell](   [‘No shower, cooker or freezer’: Thousands of older women face stark choices in ‘apocalyptic’ cost crisis](   [Ukrainian family of nine evicted from UK home fear becoming homeless after being rejected by 15 landlords](       Articles available exclusively to subscribers Marie Le Conte - [The Tories don’t need another TV debate – they need group therapy](   Other newsletters you might like [The Race Report] The Race Report Fortnightly, 7am (UK time) Written by Nadine White [Sign up]( [Inside Politics] Inside Politics Weekdays, 8am (UK time) Written by Matt Mathers [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](.