Here are the answers. Further down, the 'restored' sentences are listed.

Across

2 cep

6 altogether

8 two

9 other

11 axis

12 mange

14 yuk

15 nub

17 saver

Down

1 zero

3 Taiwan

4 delve

5 Vesta

7 lasso

9 obey

10 rumpus

11 arson

13 emir

16 bag

Here are the restored sentences:

Across

2 It's hard to avoid the ubiquitous minCE Pie at this time of year!

6 Ex-royAL TO GET HERself a new place to live, it's reported.

8 Far from improving in 2025, most things goT WOrse.

9 Will the political tide carry on shifting tO THE Right in 2026?

11 Rather than pay the mansion tAX I Sold my house.

12 Hark the sweet sounds issuing froM ANGElic choirs!

14 Talks to end the war? PitY UKraine wasn't invited along.

15 Hi santa. CaN U Bring me loadsa dosh 4 xmas? Thx. Rachel

17 2025 waS A VERy good year for BP, Shell et al.

Down

1 Will Nigel be down the booZER On Christmas Xmas morning?

3 Tell that SanTA I WANt a proper peace prize for Xmas. DJT

4 WanteD: ELVEs to fill sacks. Apply S. Claus. N Pole

5 I'm spending my pension pot to stop ReeVES TAking it all!

7 'Chimneys aren't ideal,; said Santa. 'There's dead birds as welL AS SOot.'

9 Dear Santa. I'd love tO BE Your leading light. Rudolph.

10 Does TRUMP USe a sunlamp to get that orange hue?

13 IIF that KEMI Rings again from Tory HQ, I'll say you're out, Nigel.

16 Could a lawsuit cost the BeeB A Great deal in 2026?