1 hour ago UK business activity shrinks for first time in a year as confidence in Labour slumps

Many companies report worsening conditions following rise in employers’ national insurance contributions

Politics

1 hour ago UK business activity shrinks for first time in a year as confidence in Labour falls

Many companies report worsening conditions following rise in employers’ national insurance contributions

Politics

3 hours ago PM: Government is ‘for farmers’ and most will be unaffected by tax change

Farmers and supporters rallied in London over Budget measures which included imposing inheritance tax on farms worth more than £1 million.

Politics

6 hours ago Budget's hammer blow to Britain: Private sector shrinks for first time in a YEAR after Labour's massive tax raid

Closely-watched PMI figures for this month were worse than analysts had pencilled in amid mounting fears of a slowdown.

Economics

9 hours ago The inheritance raid on farmers is another bodge job in Britain's terrible tax system: SIMON LAMBERT

The Budget change means the very wealthy still get an inheritance tax break on land, while genuine farmers face the threat to their livelihoods of big IHT bills.

Society

30 hours ago Public sector pay rises and debt interest costs push up UK government borrowing; Bitcoin nearing $100,000 – business live

UK records the second highest October borrowing since 1993, while crypto-friendly Trump pushes bitcoin towards $100kThe jump in UK borrowing last month (see opening post) makes it hard for Rachel Reeves to reverse any of the unpopular tax decisions in last month’s budget, says Sandra Horsfield, economist at Investec:Certainly, the pressure on public finances looks here to stay, unless the Chancellor receives unexpectedly good news on growth and therefore tax revenues in future.Tempting though it may be politically to reverse some of the more unpopular decisions taken in the Budget, Labour’s hands to do so, without offsetting other unpalatable choices, look tied for now.“After a good start to the period, helped by strong back-to-school sales, we saw increased trading volatility in Octobe...

Economics

40 hours ago Scottish hospitality ‘on its knees’ without tax cuts after 'catastrophic' Budget

The hospitality industry in Scotland has been described as ‘down on its knees’

Economics