AN absolute cap on “rip-off” energy tariffs has been announced by the Government under draft legislation published on Thursday.

Ofgem will bring in a cap on poor value standard variable or other default tariffs, having effect initially until the end of 2020 but extendable until the end of 2023 at the latest, under the Draft Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariffs Cap) Bill to help more than 18 million customer accounts in England, Wales and Scotland.

The bill would require Ofgem to consult and impose the cap “as soon as practicable” after the legislation is passed.

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Routine operations could “cease for several months” if hospitals have to deal with a major flu outbreak this winter, an expert has warned.

Planned – or elective – operations such as knee or hip replacements could be put on the back burner if the NHS struggles to deal with the additional demands of a bad flu season, the Society for Acute Medicine (SAM) said.

The comments come as a separate poll found that more than nine in 10 health and care leaders across England are “concerned” about their organisation’s ability to cope this winter.

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Officers were called after a “family dispute” at the home of Harvey Weinstein’s daughter on Wednesday as the scandal surrounding the disgraced Hollywood movie mogul continued.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed they were called to reports of a “disturbance” at the house but said no crime had been committed. Weinstein was not there when officers arrived.

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