4 h. ago Boosting productivity will be main priority of my autumn budget, Reeves says

Exclusive: Chancellor says ‘investment and reform are our tools’ as she pushes back against mounting tax speculationRachel Reeves: Labour has fixed the foundations – now we must build a stronger economy for a renewed BritainRachel Reeves has promised to use her autumn budget to prioritise fixing Britain’s dismal record on productivity as she sought to downplay mounting tax speculation with a focus on economic growth.Setting out her priorities for the budget for the first time, the chancellor said tackling the efficiency of the economy through higher investment and a fresh assault on planning rules would form the backbone of her tax and spending plans. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago Boosting productivity will be main priority of autumn budget, Reeves says

Exclusive: Chancellor focuses on investment and planning rules as she dismisses talk of tax rises as ‘speculation’Rachel Reeves: Labour has fixed the foundations – now we must build a stronger economy for a renewed BritainRachel Reeves has promised to use her autumn budget to prioritise fixing Britain’s dismal record on productivity as she sought to downplay mounting tax speculation with a focus on economic growth.Setting out her priorities for the budget for the first time, the chancellor said tackling the efficiency of the economy through higher investment and a fresh assault on planning rules would form the backbone of her tax and spending plans. Continue reading...

Politics

35 h. ago Reeves orders fresh planning overhaul for ‘critical’ infrastructure projects

Officials asked to draw up proposals for second bill that would include scaling back judicial reviews for major works

Politics

3 d. ago Jennifer Saunders and Ade Edmondson in new planning row over £250k Dartmoor extension

The celebrity couple have owned the Grade II-listed property in Devon for 30 years

Economics

3 d. ago Ab Fab and Bottom stars Jennifer Saunders and Adrian Edmondson face fresh planning battle over £250k extension to their £2m Dartmoor home

The Absolutely Fabulous and Bottom stars are planning to move to their £2million country manor house in Dartmoor National Park full time as they scale down their work commitments in London.

Events

5 d. ago Arsenal left facing Eberechi Eze issue if fresh Rodrygo transfer plan fails

Arsenal are keen to add another winger to their squad before the window closes amid links with Real Madrid star Rodrygo and Crystal Palace wideman Eberechi Eze but there’s a decision for Gunners chiefs to make

Sport

5 d. ago The Guardian view on Israel’s Gaza takeover plan: a destructive act that must be stopped | Editorial

Benjamin Netanyahu has embarked on an operation that guarantees fresh miseries and will solve absolutely nothingIsrael’s planned takeover of Gaza would be an act of destructive futility. It would solve absolutely nothing. It will merely pile fresh military, humanitarian and political problems on to the mounds of those already created in the conflict. It will make every human agony worse, not better. Governments around the world must do whatever they can – the US above all – to stop it.There is still time. The plan announced on Friday is for an operation to take military control of Gaza City, home to a million displaced Palestinians. They will be forcibly evacuated, yet again, to the southern Gaza Strip over the coming weeks. Aid distribution is certain to be a secondary consideration, logistically challenging and woefully inadequate for a population where malnutrition is already severe. The threat to life in Gaza, including to the remaining Israeli hostages captured on 7 Octobe...

Politics

4 w. ago Man Utd plans to finally land Bryan Mbeumo suffer fresh blow as bid rejected

Manchester United have been heavily linked with a move for Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo and the Bees are seemingly planning for life without the Cameroon international, but they've hit a problem

Politics