6 h. ago Voters could abandon centrist parties if budget fails, warns former cabinet secretary

Simon Case says voters will look elsewhere if chancellor cannot find solutions to tax, spending and debt problemsVoters will look elsewhere if Rachel Reeves does not use next week’s pivotal budget to show that “centre-ground” politicians can fix the UK’s entrenched economic problems, the former head of the civil service, Simon Case, has said.Case told the Guardian that at the time of last year’s general election, when he was still cabinet secretary, he believed Labour would be forced to break its manifesto promise to not raise taxes because of the state of the public finances. Continue reading...

Events

9 h. ago Pension change warning issued to Rachel Reeves ahead of Autumn Budget 2025

'Any limitation could cause long-term damage to people’s retirement prospects'

Events

12 h. ago Falling stock markets and high shop prices push US consumer confidence down; bitcoin hits nine

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsShares are falling faster than wickets in Perth at the start of trading in London, as fears of an AI bubble rip through markets again.Following losses on Wall Street last night, the FTSE 100 share index has dropped by 104 points, or just over 1%, at the start of trading to 9423 points. That’s a one-month low.it’s been a truly remarkable 24 hours, with a sequence of moves that were almost impossible to predict .After the world’s largest company reported spectacular results, the stock was up around +5% by 3pm London time. It closed down -3.15%. The broader market followed a similar pattern: the S&P 500 initially climbed +1.93%, only to fade and close down -1.56% as doubts about AI valuations crept back in. That marked the biggest intra-day swing for the S&P since the six days of extreme market turmoil that followed the Liberation Day tariffs in early April. Adding to the negative backdrop for crypto were lingering quest...

Economics

12 h. ago Full list of tax changes that could be announced in the Autumn Budget 2025

Here are some key tax changes that may be announced at next weeks budget

Economics

12 h. ago How much DWP benefits will increase by at Autumn Budget 2025

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will outline her plans for the economy on November 26

Politics

14 h. ago Markets on track for worst week since April, and bitcoin hits nine

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsShares are falling faster than wickets in Perth at the start of trading in London, as fears of an AI bubble rip through markets again.Following losses on Wall Street last night, the FTSE 100 share index has dropped by 104 points, or just over 1%, at the start of trading to 9423 points. That’s a one-month low.it’s been a truly remarkable 24 hours, with a sequence of moves that were almost impossible to predict .After the world’s largest company reported spectacular results, the stock was up around +5% by 3pm London time. It closed down -3.15%. The broader market followed a similar pattern: the S&P 500 initially climbed +1.93%, only to fade and close down -1.56% as doubts about AI valuations crept back in. That marked the biggest intra-day swing for the S&P since the six days of extreme market turmoil that followed the Liberation Day tariffs in early April. Adding to the negative backdrop for crypto were lingering quest...

Events

15 h. ago Use our income tax calculator to see how the Budget could affect YOU

HOUSEHOLDS may have been spared by an income tax hike, but there are still plenty of other ways YOUR pocket could be picked in the Budget. A stealth tax raid expected to be announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her Budget next Wednesday is set to hammer households. Millions of workers and pensioners face being...

Economics

15 h. ago Markets on track for worst week since April as AI bubble fears mount; UK borrowing exceeds forecasts in October – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsShares are falling faster than wickets in Perth at the start of trading in London, as fears of an AI bubble rip through markets again.Following losses on Wall Street last night, the FTSE 100 share index has dropped by 104 points, or just over 1%, at the start of trading to 9423 points. That’s a one-month low.it’s been a truly remarkable 24 hours, with a sequence of moves that were almost impossible to predict .After the world’s largest company reported spectacular results, the stock was up around +5% by 3pm London time. It closed down -3.15%. The broader market followed a similar pattern: the S&P 500 initially climbed +1.93%, only to fade and close down -1.56% as doubts about AI valuations crept back in. That marked the biggest intra-day swing for the S&P since the six days of extreme market turmoil that followed the Liberation Day tariffs in early April. Adding to the negative backdrop for crypto were lingering quest...

Economics

16 h. ago Autumn Budget 2025: Is Rachel Reeves really going to scrap stamp duty next week?

Property experts agree tax changes are needed to unblock the stagnant housing market, yet London’s high prices and dearth of affordable new homes are also significant barriers to buying

Politics

17 h. ago Rachel Reeves sick of people ‘mansplaining’ how to be chancellor

As she prepares to deliver her budget next week, Reeves speaks of pressure of being UK’s first female chancellorUK politics live – latest updatesRachel Reeves has said she is sick of people “mansplaining” how to be chancellor to her as she prepares to deliver her budget next week.Reeves made the comments in an interview with the Times in which she spoke of the pressure of being the UK’s first female chancellor and the subject of constant political attacks. Continue reading...

Politics

21 h. ago Millions of UK households to see energy bills rise from January

Ofgem said wholesale prices were currently stable, but conditions remained “volatile”

Economics

40 h. ago Budget 2025: Millions of households expected to save £80 a year on one household bill

Brits will find out the full extent of Labour's plans for the economy when the Autumn Budget is delivered on November 26

Economics

43 h. ago DWP confirms Universal Credit health element changes will start in April

New Universal Credit changes will see around four million households get an annual income boost estimated to be worth £725.

Science

47 h. ago What does the left want? A wealth tax. What will that accomplish? Very little | Aditya Chakrabortty

Imposing a 1% levy on the super-rich isn’t a policy, it’s pantomime. Tackling inequality in Britain will require much more far-reaching changesBy this time next week you will be digesting the budget, you lucky thing. Yet even before Rachel Reeves has commended a single damn thing to the house, her efforts have been written off as a “shambles”, from a “chaotic” government that is Labour in name alone. Which begs the question: what is the leftwing alternative?Because there is one, on which agreement stretches from Labour backbenchers to many of their opponent MPs and far beyond. Whether you listen to Zack Polanski or Zarah Sultana, the TUC or the YouTubers, they all call for a wealth tax – stinging the rich to pay for schools and hospitals. Who could be against such a thing?Aditya Chakrabortty is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Economics

48 h. ago Budget 2025: Consumer confidence falls as speculation ramps up

Budget 2025: Consumer confidence falls as speculation ramps up - but London mayor welcomes major rail investment  Sky News

Politics

61 h. ago Budget 2025: Is Rachel Reeves planning to raise income tax next week?

Rachel Reeves will announce the full extent of her plans for the economy at the Autumn Budget

Economics

63 h. ago Budget 2025: Which tax rises could hit you as Chancellor Rachel Reeves targets millions with new levies?

London and the South East are set to be most impact by a wave of tax changes to plug a shortfall of around £20 billion

Economics

3 d. ago Tony Blair’s think tank joins calls for £300 cut in energy prices ahead of Budget

A report by the Energy Crisis Commission has called for next week’s Budget to include details on how the government will reduce the gap between electricity and gas prices

Economics

3 d. ago EU confirms it wants UK to pay into its budget in exchange for closer ties

‘Politically realistic’ for UK to make financial contribution so it can access European single market, Irish minister saysThe UK must pay into the EU budget for future participation in the European single market, it has been confirmed, in what could become a major test for the post-Brexit reset.Ireland’s Europe minister, Thomas Byrne, said EU member states had decided the UK should make a financial contribution for closer ties: “Ireland wants to see Britain getting the benefit of closer engagement with the European Union. Continue reading...

Economics

3 d. ago Autumn Budget 2025: Could Rachel Reeves scrap stamp duty tax?

Property experts agree tax changes are needed to unblock the stagnant housing market, yet London’s high prices and dearth of affordable new homes are also significant barriers to buying

Economics