36 m. ago The true cost of Labour: Britain faces highest inflation in G7 but lags behind on growth, warns IMF... while unemployment hits a four

In a setback for Rachel Reeves ahead of the Budget next month, the global watchdog forecast UK inflation of 3.4 per cent this year and 2.5 per cent in 2026.

Events

56 m. ago France set for financial meltdown as Macron faces yet more humiliation over economic failure and out

French president Emmanuel Macron faces another humiliation, after the country's independent fiscal watchdog said his government's budget plans 'may simply not materialise'.

Economics

90 m. ago Sir Gavin Williamson: ‘Many mistakes made’ with Covid school closures

The former education secretary told the UK Covid-19 Inquiry things should have been done differently.

Politics

95 m. ago I fear Rachel Reeves is coming for your savings in the Budget but I've seen the fatal flaw: SYLVIA MORRIS

There are fears of cuts in Rachel Reeves' Budget on November 26. Let's hope the Chancellor sees sense.

Economics

1 hour ago The House at Hallow End review – home renovation horror finds emotional heft among the terror

Angela Gulner’s tragi-horror debut trades jump scares for depth, as a family home turns into a mirror of loss and madnessNew mum Harper (Katie Parker) and her baby daughter move in with her mother Sadie (Patricia Heaton) to help finish sorting out an old fixer-upper of a home, bought with intent to flip. Also along for the ride is Bette (Emma Fitzpatrick), a live-in carer who turns out to be pregnant. But the path of property renovation never did run smooth, and soon, the weird noises and shadows and visions of a strange figure with a beak-like face start to take their toll on Harper. But how real is the threat? Is it all simply the projections of a frayed psyche or is something supernatural going on?Initially, it seems that writer and director Angela Gulner’s debut (previously titled The Beldham) is akin to a low-budget version of The Babadook, the breakout hit from 2014 that saw Essie Davis’s young widow living perpetually on the verge of a breakdown. There is indeed a similar int...

Events

1 hour ago Live updates as Mark Drakeford presents draft budget for Wales

The budget process begins today in what could be a politically delicate time for Labour

Politics

2 h. ago Budget situation is ‘desperate’, Reeves warned as experts say she has no choice but to raise big taxes

Labour chancellor told a ‘Scrabble bag’ of smaller increases will not rejuvenate UK’s faltering economy

Events

2 h. ago New calls for pension tax lock to protect retirement savings

More than 15,300 people have signed an online petition calling for changes to pension withdrawals in the Autumn Budget.

Economics

3 h. ago Your ‘heartbeat budget’ may be the latest number to become a marker of health

Our heart rates are one of the clearest windows into how our body is coping with life’s demands

Politics

3 h. ago RIG R5 Spear Pro HS review: A good wired gaming headset for a budget price

Officially licensed by Sony, these old-school wired 3.5mm plug-in cans deliver booming explosions and clear highs while offering a decent onboard mic for online gaming

Economics

3 h. ago Households on Universal Credit and PIP being underpaid due to making key mistake – check if you’re due cash

HOUSEHOLDS on certain benefits could be missing out on cash due to making a simple mistake. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) pays welfare benefits to around 23.7million people. To get these benefits, people need to meet certain eligibility criteria and the amount of money they can get depends on their circumstances. You need...

Politics

3 h. ago I fear Rachel Reeves is coming for your savings in her Budget... but I've seen the fatal flaw in her plan. This is how you can protect yourself and your money: SYLVIA MORRIS

There are fears of cuts in Rachel Reeves' Budget on November 26. Let's hope the Chancellor sees sense.

Economics

4 h. ago I'm 6ft 9ins and want a boyfriend – but my exes are mistaken for being my sons'

Katie Woolls, 27, from London, is 6ft 9in and says her height has always been a problem when it comes to dating - with one of her exes constantly mistaken for being her son

Politics

4 h. ago Labour's Plan B on growth bulldozers! Desperate Rachel Reeves hopes slashing more planning rules can ease Budget crisis

Fresh additions to the Government's flagship planning Bill are aimed at speeding up the building of new water reservoirs, onshore wind farms and large housing schemes.

Events

4 h. ago Bellway calls for Government to ‘commit’ to addressing home affordability issues

The housebuilder nonetheless said it sold more homes over the past year.

Politics

4 h. ago Shoppers slash festive spending ahead of November Budget as retailers brace for further tax raid

British retailers have seen a sharp sales slowdown ahead of the all-important 'golden quarter' as shoppers slash spending in fear of looming tax hikes in the November Budget.

Economics

4 h. ago Best boozy advent calendars for Christmas 2025: Top picks across wine, beer and spirits from budget to luxury

Festive merriment loading

Politics

4 h. ago Home Bargains' 'gorgeous' £10 accessory adds 'charming' and 'cosy' touch to home

Shoppers have been going wild for the budget chain's new accessory, which they're adding to their front doors

Economics

4 h. ago US treasury secretary accuses Beijing of trying to damage global economy; silver hits record high – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsWhy has US-China trade war restarted and how have markets reacted?A flurry of takeover talk speculation has pushed up shares in budget airline EasyJet this morning.EasyJet’s shares are up over 7%, leading the risers on the FTSE 100 share index.“[The group] does not believe the redress methodology proposed by the FCA appropriately reflects actual customer loss or achieves a proportionate outcome.“...the FCA’s proposed approach to assessing unfairness does not align with the legal clarity provided by the supreme court judgement in respect of the “Johnson” case, which confirmed that the test for unfairness is highly fact specific and must take into account a broad range of factors. The group will continue to engage with the FCA in respect of these points.“Many motor finance lenders did not comply with the law or the rules. It’s time their customers get fair compensation. Recent court judgments show that liabilities exist no matt...

Events

5 h. ago Young people are biggest victims of UK’s fragile jobs market

Firms too scared to take a chance on youngsters when taxes and minimum wages are higher, expert saysUK labour market shows signs of stabilising after job lossesBusiness live – latest updatesSo much about the UK jobs market is influenced by Rachel Reeves. Without overdoing the blame, say many experts, the chancellor’s tough budget last year and the likelihood of a repeat next month hangs over employers and how they recruit and pay staff.The latest official figures show a rising number of young people out of work in the three months to August. More broadly, unemployment rose to a four-year high and the number of vacancies fell. And then there was the stubborn increase in the public sector wage bill, which outpaced the much more modest increase in private sector wages. Continue reading...

Events