Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin also said it was unlikely that a new administration would be formed before Christmas.

The Chancellor suggested the risk of economic shocks meant she could not guarantee there would be no further tax rises.

Highlighting the “human” as well as “financial” cost of the backlog as he spoke to the Commons Justice Committee on Tuesday, Mr Parkinson said: “Some defendants are taki ...

The ban, which will come into effect in October 2025, will mean ‘unhealthy’ products cannot be advertised before the watershed.