Home news in brief
Taylor Swift’s lockdown album set for top spot
Taylor Swift is on course to claim her fifth UK No 1 album, with her surprise release Folklore. The singer’s eighth studio album outperformed the rest of the top five combined, according to the official charts update, and was the most downloaded and streamed album over the weekend. Three songs from the album are on track to debut inside this week’s official singles chart top 10 – “Cardigan”, “Exile” (featuring Bon Iver) and “The 1”. The pop superstar announced the album last Thursday, revealing it had been recorded during lockdown and that many of the songs were co-written with Aaron Dessner of the National. It was released in the early hours of Friday morning. Swift previously topped the album charts with last year’s Lover, Reputation in 2017, 1989 in 2014 and Red in 2012.
Plan to tax over-40s to fund social care
Over-40s could be asked to pay more tax to fund the cost of elderly social care under plans reportedly being considered by ministers. It is one of several ideas being examined by Boris Johnson, with those in the age bracket either compelled to take out insurance, pay more national insurance or income tax. The prime minister’s new health and social care task force is drawing inspiration from Japan and Germany, reports The Guardian, as the group studies models for covering the expected £7bn soaring cost of care. The cash raised from the payroll contributions over a person’s later working life could then be used to pay for a stay in a care home, or fund home visits for elderly people who need help at home with washing, dressing and other activities.
30C temperatures on way after wet start to week
Wet and windy weather will give way to sunshine later in the week, with high temperatures expected across the UK by Friday. After a rainy Monday skies will be brighter today, except in the northwest where showers are expected. By tomorrow most places will be dry with lighter winds but northwestern areas may still see some rain coming into Thursday. Britons can expect a bright and warm end to the week, with a possible high of 30C in the southeast on Friday.