16 h. ago Cannot run public finances based on who gets most dramatic headline – O’Dowd

The Stormont Finance Minister was responding to comments made by the chief constable last week.

Events

19 h. ago Can’t run public finances based on who gets most dramatic headline – O’Dowd

The Stormont Finance Minister was responding to comments made by the chief constable last week.

Events

57 h. ago UK national insurance hike is inexplicable if growth is target, says Robison

Scotland’s Finance Secretary said the increase was bad for both business and public services.

Events

3 d. ago Tell us: have your pension savings been affected by turbulent stockmarkets?

We’re interested to hear how people’s invested pension savings have been faring amid sharp ups and downs in recent months and years, and how this may affect themUS president Donald Trump’s trade war, political elections and societal shifts ushering in dramatic change and dire public finances in multiple countries, the war in Ukraine and the Covid pandemic have been creating tumultous conditions on international markets for the past few years.We’d like to hear how people’s invested pension savings have been affected by this series of economic shocks. Has your invested portfolio sustained big losses, or have you enjoyed staggering stockmarket gains? How may you and your plans be affected by it all? Tell us. Continue reading...

Economics

3 d. ago Tell us: have your pension savings been affected by turbulent stock markets?

We’re interested to hear how people’s invested pension savings have been faring amid sharp ups and downs in recent months and years, and how this may affect themUS president Donald Trump’s trade war, political elections and societal shifts ushering in dramatic change and dire public finances in multiple countries, the war in Ukraine and the Covid pandemic have been creating tumultous conditions on international markets for the past few years.We’d like to hear how people’s invested pension savings have been affected by this series of economic shocks. Has your invested portfolio sustained big losses, or have you enjoyed staggering stock market gains? How may you and your plans be affected by it all? Tell us. Continue reading...

Economics

4 d. ago MSPs launch probe into public inquiries amid concerns over 'significant' costs

Holyrood's finance and public administration committee will examine whether inquiries represent value for money

Politics

4 d. ago Watch: Starmer refuses to rule out further benefit cuts after Trump’s tariffs

Sir Keir Starmer has refused to rule out a fresh round of benefit cuts ahead of the autumn Budget, with Donald Trump’s tariffs threatening to blow a hole in the UK’s public finances.

Politics

4 d. ago What will Trump do when his tariffs backfire? | Nils Pratley

The US president’s tariffs are almost certain to have dire consequences and he is not impervious to market decline or public opinionSo much for the idea that “liberation day” would free financial markets from their fear of the unknown. Publication of precise tariff rates, went a cheerful line of advance thinking, would at least allow investors to assess the probable trade effects on the basis of hard information. True optimists clung to the idea that Donald Trump would not wish to risk a truly severe market reaction.That narrative was blown apart when the president reached for his pub-style display of wares. This really was a case of going back to the tariffs rates of the 1920s or 1930s. Not even the penguins of Heard Island and the McDonald Islands were spared. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago As austerity bites, Starmer must give the public something to hope for

Editorial: There are things to be optimistic about and the government should highlight them, as well as continuing to make the case for placing the public finances in a secure foundation in a troubled world

Politics

9 d. ago Who is running Britain’s economy – Rachel Reeves or Donald Trump?

The chancellor’s careful calculations for her spring statement are likely to be blown out of the water by a looming US trade war• From more tax to rewriting budget rules: six alternative ways Reeves could raise moneyAs Rachel Reeves powered through her spring statement on Wednesday, telling the country she was “restoring stability to the public finances” few in the House of Commons chamber seemed to know what to make of it all.Reeves’s message did not seem to resonate with the underlying mood of uncertainty and anxiety at home and abroad. Many Labour MP nodded loyally along with her, trying to impress the whips. Others on the government benches looked grave. Growth forecasts for this year had been halved. Money would have to be raised to meet the chancellor’s own fiscal rules, and the poorest would be the ones bearing the brunt. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Employers National Insurance: How April 2025 increase will impact you

The UK Government is making the move 'to help fix the foundations of the public finances and invest in public services', but experts warn that businesses could make moves to save money in other ways

Politics

1 week ago US debt burden to top second world war peak in coming years, CBO says

Congressional fiscal watchdog’s forecasts come after Moody’s warned on the country’s public finances this week

Events

1 week ago US debt burden to top world war two peak in coming years, watchdog says

Congressional Budget Office’s forecasts come after Moody’s warned on the country’s public finances this week

Events

1 week ago These groups now worse off in DWP, PIP and Universal Credit cuts but four will gain

The Labour Party chancellor confirmed welfare cuts of £4.8bn, but insisted the government's priority was to restore stability to the public finances in the face of rising global borrowing costs

Politics

1 week ago Wrexham's astonishing finances made public as Ryan Reynolds' true value emerges

Wrexham saw their annual turnover increase by 155 per cent to £26.7million in the financial year ending in June 2024, but still posted a loss in the latest accounts

Politics

1 week ago Rachel Reeves defends benefit cuts and denies further tax rises likely in autumn – UK politics live

Chancellor confirmed welfare cuts of £4.8bn in spring statement, but insisted the priority was to restore stability to the public finances Nick Robinson is interviewing Rachel Reeves on the Today programme now.Q: You promised just one budget a year, but yesterday you had to announce drastic cuts. What’s gone wrong?We’re not at the moment at a position where we want to do anything to escalate these trade wars.Trade wars are no good for anyone. It will end up with higher prices for consumers, pushing up inflation after we’ve worked so hard to get a grip of inflation, and at the same time will make it harder for British companies to export. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago ‘At odds with reality’ – British media react to Chancellor’s spring statement

While some warned of further uncertainty, others accused Ms Reeves of mismanaging public finances.

Politics

1 week ago Rachel Reeves sets out £14bn plan to plug hole in UK public finances

Chancellor makes long-awaited announcement ahead of £24bn in tax rises from next month

Economics

1 week ago Rachel Reeves warned of tax rises ahead despite £14bn plan to fix public finances

Chancellor makes cuts to welfare spending as economic forecasts slashed

Economics

1 week ago Rachel Reeves sets out £14bn package to repair UK public finances

UK chancellor makes long-awaited announcement ahead of £24bn in tax rises from next month

Economics