4 h. ago Shock poll shows Nigel Farage IS on track to be PM as Labour and Tories struggle but will YOU have a Reform MP?

Analysis of a survey of 5,180 people predicts Reform would secure 25 per cent of the vote if a general election was called now, with Labour and the Conservatives tied on 23 per cent each.

Events

32 h. ago Glasgow Labour leader calls on UK Government to scrap plans to cut disability benefits

EXCLUSIVE: Long-serving councillor George Redmond claimed the proposals were something a Tory chancellor could have announced.

Politics

44 h. ago Trail hunting a ‘smokescreen’ for illegal fox hunts, MP says in jail terms plea

Labour MP Perran Moon called for a ban on trail hunting, which he warned was being used as a ‘smokescreen’ for illegal fox hunting.

Events

48 h. ago VAT on private school fees is ‘wrong tax’, says father in legal challenge

Several private schools, children who attend them and their parents are bringing legal action against the Treasury over the imposition of VAT on fees.

Economics

57 h. ago Legal challenges to VAT on private schools fees to be heard at High Court

Nearly 20 families and several faith schools are bringing legal action against the Treasury, claiming the new VAT on fees is discriminatory and a breach of human rights law

Events

58 h. ago Legal case against tax on private school fees reaches court today

Nearly 20 families and several schools are bringing legal action against the Treasury

Economics

5 d. ago Team of barristers lined up by Rachel Reeves to fight High Court case against her school fees tax... are all privately educated themselves

The Chancellor who has previously called private school parents 'snobs' is spending taxpayers' money fighting the legal challenge to her 20% VAT on school fees tax.

Economics

6 d. ago US consumer confidence hit by tariff fears; Thames Water’s finance chief leaving within days – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsOver in Germany, the number of people out of work has risen at the fastest rate since October of 2024.The German labour office said the number of unemployed increased by 26,000 in seasonally adjusted terms to 2.92 million. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected that figure to rise by 10,000.“March marks the start of the so-called spring recovery on the labour market. This year, however, the economic slump is noticeably slowing it down.”One bright spot was the impressive 1.9% q/q (CE forecast 0.7% q/q) rise in consumers’ real incomes in Q4. The 4.2% rise in 2024 as a whole suggests households experienced the strongest real income growth in nine years.With consumer spending hardly rising, at 12.0% in Q4 (up from 10.3% in Q3), the saving rate remains unusually high, suggesting households are choosing to save rather than spend the bulk of those gains. Continue reading...

Economics

6 d. ago Tariff uncertainty risks ‘significant economic damage’; Thames Water’s finance chief leaving within days – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsOver in Germany, the number of people out of work has risen at the fastest rate since October of 2024.The German labour office said the number of unemployed increased by 26,000 in seasonally adjusted terms to 2.92 million. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected that figure to rise by 10,000.“March marks the start of the so-called spring recovery on the labour market. This year, however, the economic slump is noticeably slowing it down.”One bright spot was the impressive 1.9% q/q (CE forecast 0.7% q/q) rise in consumers’ real incomes in Q4. The 4.2% rise in 2024 as a whole suggests households experienced the strongest real income growth in nine years.With consumer spending hardly rising, at 12.0% in Q4 (up from 10.3% in Q3), the saving rate remains unusually high, suggesting households are choosing to save rather than spend the bulk of those gains. Continue reading...

Economics

6 d. ago China’s Xi urges global CEOs to protect trade supply chains; UK’s 2024 growth revised higher, but households hoard cash – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsOver in Germany, the number of people out of work has risen at the fastest rate since October of 2024.The German labour office said the number of unemployed increased by 26,000 in seasonally adjusted terms to 2.92 million. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected that figure to rise by 10,000.“March marks the start of the so-called spring recovery on the labour market. This year, however, the economic slump is noticeably slowing it down.”One bright spot was the impressive 1.9% q/q (CE forecast 0.7% q/q) rise in consumers’ real incomes in Q4. The 4.2% rise in 2024 as a whole suggests households experienced the strongest real income growth in nine years.With consumer spending hardly rising, at 12.0% in Q4 (up from 10.3% in Q3), the saving rate remains unusually high, suggesting households are choosing to save rather than spend the bulk of those gains. Continue reading...

Economics

6 d. ago Sewage spilled into England’s rivers and seas for 3.6 million hours last year

Labour has called the figure ‘disgraceful’

Politics

6 d. ago Sewage spilled into England’s rivers and seas for 3.6m hours last year

Labour has called the figure ‘disgraceful’

Politics

7 d. ago Sewage spilled into England’s rivers and seas for record of 3.6m hours last year

Labour has called the figure ‘disgraceful’

Politics

8 d. ago Since Bridget Phillipson slapped private schools with VAT eight have closed and as many as 200 more are at risk

If private education is singled out for any further punishment then what is already a crisis will become a disaster. So why has Bridget Phillipson yet to visit a single school in the sector?

Events

8 d. ago Since Bridget Phillipson slapped private schools with VAT eight have closed and as many as 200 more are at risk BUT the minister for class war hasn't visited a single one

If private education is singled out for any further punishment then what is already a crisis will become a disaster. So why has Bridget Phillipson yet to visit a single school in the sector?

Politics

9 d. ago Readers' Letters: Labour has lost right to call itself 'people's party'

Labour is letting down the people who need help most, says reader

Politics

1 week ago Education secretary to review guidance on smartphones in schools amid calls for outright ban

Bridget Phillipson commissions probe into smartphones after pressure from MPs to go further to tackle harmful effects of social media

Culture

2 w. ago Labour dubbed ‘nasty party’ as it rejects call for winter fuel payments apology

A Conservative motion seeking further data on the impact of the cut was defeated in the Commons.

Politics

2 w. ago Union boss calls for ‘fundamental restructure’ following Labour reforms

Labour's proposed benefit reforms have been hit with a wave of backlash

Economics

2 w. ago Russian politician had his children's £40,000 UK private school fees paid for by his brother

Dmitrii Ovsiannikov, 48, accepted the cash from Alexei Owsjanikow, 46, and his wife paid him another £76,000, it is claimed.

Economics