Afternoon briefing Friday 16th October

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1:21This is Times Radio's afternoon briefing on Friday the 16th of October. President Zelensky has praised what he called the European Union's real leaders in what could be perceived as a subtle attack on President Trump. The Ukrainian leader was addressing reporters as he arrived at the EU Council in Brussels to attend the second day of a summit. Trump's commitment to Kiev has been called into question recently following his move to ease sanctions on Russian diesel and the subsequent disruption to Starlink, the satellite communications service used by Ukraine's military. I'm so thankful that we have such huge support from EU council commission and leaders, real leaders, that they stay with us from the very beginning of this war.

2:07It's crucial and we count on the support and really our agenda is energy needs. The Chancellor John Healy is being warned of the dangers of erratic measures amid reports he could increase taxes on British banks to help offset a potential£12 billion hole in the government finances. The Times has learned he's looking at several options to increase revenues before he delivers his first budget later this month. One plan is to reverse a cut in the bank profit surcharge, which is paid on top of corporation tax. Douglas McNeill was the chief economic advisor to Rishi Sunak when he was Prime Minister.

2:40Speaking to Times Radio, he suggested such measures may not be a good look for the Chancellor. I suppose it could be said that the banks are doing pretty well at the moment. They had a decent year last year, they'll have a decent year this year. So on one view, there is scope, therefore, to increase their taxes. But it's not a good look for the UK, I don't think, if every time a particular sector has a good couple of years, the government decides that it needs to be hit with a whole bunch of extra taxes. A member of the SNP has told Times Radio the Prime Minister is threatened by the party's recent electoral success, as well as polling that suggests growing support for Scottish independence.

3:17Delivering a speech in Lanarkshire today, Andy Burnham will invite Scotland's First Minister John Swinney to work with him to devolve more power out of both Westminster and Holyrood in an attempt to tackle unemployment in every region. But his speech coincides with the SNP's annual party conference in Aberdeen, prompting questions over its timing. Neil Gray, the MSP for Airdrie and Schott, says the SNP would be willing to work constructively with the UK government. The Prime Minister has been wrong-footed as a result and is in Scotland in order to try to challenge that position. Of course, we will work constructively with the UK government, but they need to respect the mandate that the SNP has received in order to allow the people of Scotland to choose their own future.

4:03And a suburban housing development in South London has won the UK's most prestigious architecture award. Lion Green Road in Colesdon, which is made up of 157 homes, was praised for its sensitive design as well as its integration into the surrounding landscape. The project also combines affordable and private housing for Croydon Council. There's more on these stories throughout the day on Times Radio. Thank you.