11 h. ago ALEX BRUMMER: A reckless plan risks a return to boom and bust

HBOS collapsed after embarking on a mad dash to become Britain's largest consumer and mortgage bank. It had abandoned the prudence which should be at the core of safe lending.

Events

4 d. ago ALEX BRUMMER: Neglect of UK innovation happening before our eyes

Barely a day passes without intellectual property nurtured and supported in Britain passing into overseas hands.

Politics

9 d. ago Labour needs to wake up to the folly of wealth taxes that are an own goal: ALEX BRUMMER

Ask Sir Jim Ratcliffe, retailer Sir Philip Green, F1 star Sir Lewis Hamilton et al. They voted with their feet long ago.

Economics

1 week ago ALEX BRUMMER: Chancellor's emotional rollercoaster set to continue

The U-turns on welfare and winter fuel, together with likely revisions to OBR growth assumptions, suggest the opening of a £20billion to £30billion funding chasm to be closed in the autumn.

Politics

2 w. ago ALEX BRUMMER: Labour has trapped us all in a doom loop of ever higher taxes and welfare spending. Things are bad now but, with four years to go, this is how much worse they can get

As every football fan knows, the moment the club chairman is forced to quell rumours of the manager's imminent demise by issuing a vote of confidence, the gaffer's days are numbered.

Economics

3 w. ago David Lammy repeatedly declines to say whether British government believes US strikes on Iran were illegal – UK politics live

Keir Starmer backs strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities and calls on Tehran to return to negotiations but warns of ‘risk of escalation’ in Middle EastArmed forces minister Luke Pollard also appeared on the media round today, and stuck to the government line of not commenting on US action against Iran.He told viewers of Sky News that “it’s not for me to comment on the particular US action, but we’re assessing the battle damage at the moment to understand the true extent of the strikes.”I’m sorry that (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) has since been breached, of course I am, but that’s why the international community is ultimately committed to this. And let’s be clear, if Iran is able to enrich beyond 60%, is able to get a weapon, what we will see is nuclear proliferation across the Middle East, the world will be seriously more dangerous than it is at the moment, that’s why it must be stopped.I went straight to Geneva to sit with the Iranians. I spent seven hours in Geneva to ta...

Politics

3 w. ago ALEX BRUMMER: All that Lady Thatcher achieved will now go up in flames like an oil drum brazier on a picket line...

The potential damage to an already stuttering economy, weighed down by the Chancellor's growth-sapping £40 billion of tax rises, doesn't bear thinking about.

Politics

3 w. ago The Bank of England never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity, says ALEX BRUMMER

The latest minutes from the Bank of England show that after an unexpectedly firm start to the year, the British economy has descended into gloom.

Politics

3 w. ago Now it's Labour's turn to face the music when global events turn sour: ALEX BRUMMER

Yesterday's claim by Chancellor Rachel Reeves that Labour's number one mission is to 'put more money in the pockets of working people' does not stand up to scrutiny.

Politics

3 w. ago Fed chief Powell's stubborn defiance on interest rates risks an avoidable downturn, says ALEX BRUMMER

The Federal Reserve's rate hold should come as no surprise. Chairman Jay Powell is determined to preserve the US central bank's independence.

Events