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Can't really help with 9,8...a term I'd never heard of, but confident in the solution I parsed. The first word is a synonym of 2 consecutive words in the clue, the second parses as 1, 3.

Hi Roof,

9,8 - This is tricky because the phrase is the opposite/"U-turn" of what it is usually called. Think of a Government policy to spread opportunity more fairly across the whole country and then reverse it.

9 letter "making flat" + single letter "denial at first" + 3 letter "have".

Thanks Brendan and Geeker

I just got it and you both confirmed it. What a beast this crossword it.

I can only see two words to fit in 1d, so I've filled them in.

I've just got to see if the answer helps me to get 12ac now to complete the top half. Still lots of gaps in the bottom half. But my husband tells me dinner is ready - so a short break now.

Hi Geeker I think I've got 14d now from your hint above.

My hint for 14d was wrong!
Parses as 4 ("mark") followed by 1 ("Charlie") inside an anagram of a 5-letter word in the clue.
Sorry.

Thanks, all, for all the hints - currently about half done.
Could we each pay something to do away with the ads?

Still struggling. Any hints on 12A please? Or refer me to other posts already made.
3 others remaining but I'm going to keep working on them.
1D was clever but 11A isn't in my SOD but got it anyway.
16A pretty good too.

12a: defn. "heavily beaten", parses as (4, 3) where the 4 is a 5-letter word with the first letter removed. I had a little trouble with the 3-letter word, but it seems to be UK usage.

Hi Jenn..,

12a - 5 letter "mistress" minus first letter/'face obscured' + 3 letter "belt" as verb (as in 'move fast') - definition is "heavily beaten" (as in a battle or attack)

Hello all

Phew! What a slog - I'm so humbled by the likes of Brendan and Geeker who can crack this in an hour. Or anyone else who can finish in less than five!

One to go, 24, I have W_I_E. Any hints?

Cheers

Phil