90 minutes ago Hiking national insurance could prove Labour's 'poll tax', business leaders warn Rachel Reeves

Hiking national insurance will become Labour's 'poll tax', Rachel Reeves has been warned. In the most vehement criticism yet, business leaders reacted with fury as the Treasury refused to rule it out.

Events

2 hours ago Landlords call for Budget tax breaks to boost supply and control rents

Organisations representing the private rental sector said landlords are facing uncertainty ‘on a number of fronts’ as demand grows.

Economics

13 hours ago Boy, 7, killed in Newcastle house explosion as emergency services swoop area

This is a breaking news story and is being constantly updated by our reporters as the breaking news story develops

Events

13 hours ago Rachel Reeves 'could need £40BILLION of tax hikes and spending cuts' in Budget bombshell after public sector pay splurge

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is said to be looking for the enormous sum to balance the books and bolster services after Labour's splurge on public sector pay.

Economics

14 hours ago Five policies expected in Rachel Reeves' budget that will hit pensioners and savers

The chancellor will make her first budget speech on October 30

Events

14 hours ago TV panellist says 'sneaky' Labour has 'lied' to people ahead of Rachel Reeves budget

She disputed Labour's pre-election pledge about not increasing National Insurance

Politics

16 hours ago UK inflation falls below 2% for first time since 2021 in boost to Rachel Reeves

Surprise annual drop to 1.7% in September raises chance of interest rate cuts, increasing budget leewayAnalysis: Sharp inflation drop gives green light to more aggressive rate cutsBusiness live – latest updatesInflation in the UK has fallen to its lowest level in three and a half years, giving a pre-budget boost to Rachel Reeves as expectations grow for the Bank of England to cut interest rates.Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the consumer prices index dropped sharply to 1.7%, down from 2.2% in August, in a bigger than expected fall than anticipated in financial markets driven by lower air fares and petrol prices. Continue reading...

Economics

17 hours ago Rachel Reeves 'rolling pitch for big tax rises' in Budget with £40billion plan briefing, says top economist

IFS director Paul Johnson believes Labour will break its election manifesto on tax

Economics

17 hours ago Rachel Reeves boosted by big drop in inflation as she seeks £40bn in Budget tax rises

The fall in inflation comes as Rachel Reeves looks for £40bn of spending cuts and tax hikes in the October 30 Budget

Economics

18 hours ago Rachel Reeves 'could need £40BILLION of tax hikes and spending cuts' in Budget bombshell after Labour pay splurge

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is said to be looking for the enormous sum to balance the books and bolster services after Labour's splurge on public sector pay.

Economics