12 h. ago Reeves’s spring statement almost as unpopular as Truss’s disastrous mini

Just one in five voters believe Rachel Reeves is doing a good job, as chancellor’s approval rating plunges towards that of her predecessor Kwasi Kwarteng prior to him being sacked

Events

22 h. ago Self employed to face higher fines for paying late tax returns

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the new measure during the Spring Statement.

Economics

29 h. ago Keir Starmer is one of Labour’s most rightwing prime ministers. And one of its most leftwing, too | Andy Beckett

The PM offers a political hybrid designed for a fickle electorate. There are short-term electoral gains to be won, but risks in the long termFor more than eight months now, since shortly after Labour won power, more and more people have been outraged by the government’s moves to the right. Starting with its decision to keep the Conservatives’ cruel two-child benefit cap last July, the government has regularly given these critics reasons to feel shocked, betrayed or just disappointed.From deportation videos to Keir Starmer’s declaration that “I like and respect” Donald Trump, from repeated public sector cuts to the chancellor Rachel Reeves’s talk of “tearing down regulatory barriers” in this week’s spring statement, Labour has often behaved as if the boundaries between its supposedly centre-left politics and the politics of the right or even the far right have simply melted away. Continue reading...

Politics

39 h. ago Chancellor Rachel Reeves refuses to accept welfare cuts will push children into poverty

The UK Government chancellor visited Wales for the first time since her party's election successes in 2024 and a day after her Spring Statement

Politics

47 h. ago ‘Good chance’ Reeves will have to raise taxes in autumn budget, thinktank says – UK politics live

Institute for Fiscal Studies also warns Reeves over her focus on sticking with fiscal rules regardless of real world eventsIn an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, said she would not accept free tickets for concerts again in the future.Asked about the controversy about her decision to accept two corporate tickets for a Sabrina Carpenter concert at the O2, she repeated the line that she used at her press conference yesterday – that a family member wanted to attend the concert (presumably one of her children, but she did not say that), and that she accepted tickets for a corporate box because security concerns meant it was not deemed safe for her to get normal tickets for the auditorium.I’m just saying I wouldn’t do it again. I felt I was doing the right thing. But I do understand perceptions.I am absolutely certain that our reforms, instead of pushing people into poverty, are going to get people into work.And we know that if you move from welfar...

Politics

47 h. ago The Chancellor is hopelessly boxed in and higher taxes are sadly inevitable

Big changes in the world order require big changes in fiscal policy - something is going to have to give

Politics

48 h. ago Rachel Reeves confronted by PIP claimant who fears being made homeless

In a series of interviews today Chancellor Rachel Reeves attempted to defend the controversial measures to cut sickness and disability benefits at her Spring Statement

Politics

49 h. ago Rachel Reeves 'certain' benefits cuts won't push people into hardship amid growing Labour unrest

The Chancellor was also forced to defend Treasury minister Darren Jones who compared the benefits cuts to taking pocket money away from his children

Politics

50 h. ago Wriggling Reeves vows not to take any more freebie gig tickets after furious backlash at £600 trip to 02 to see Sabrina Carpenter

Chancellor Rachel Reeves insisted she 'understands how people feel' as she was grilled again on attending the Sabrina Carpenter concert with a family member.

Economics

50 h. ago Reeves denies welfare cuts will increase poverty amid warning poorest set to be £500 a year worse off – UK politics live

The Resolution Foundation says the UK’s poorest will be £500 a year worse off by the end of the parliament due to the spring statementIn an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, said she would not accept free tickets for concerts again in the future.Asked about the controversy about her decision to accept two corporate tickets for a Sabrina Carpenter concert at the O2, she repeated the line that she used at her press conference yesterday – that a family member wanted to attend the concert (presumably one of her children, but she did not say that), and that she accepted tickets for a corporate box because security concerns meant it was not deemed safe for her to get normal tickets for the auditorium.I’m just saying I wouldn’t do it again. I felt I was doing the right thing. But I do understand perceptions.I am absolutely certain that our reforms, instead of pushing people into poverty, are going to get people into work.And we know that if you move ...

Events

50 h. ago Trump tariffs: Britain scrambling to strike last minute deal to avoid 25% levies on car imports to US

The US president’s tariff on cars move came only hours after Britain’s budget watchdog warned the levies could force Chancellor Rachel Reeves to raise taxes or cut spending

Economics

51 h. ago Trump tariffs: Reeves says UK isn't planning to retaliate 'at the moment' after US President slaps 25% levies on car imports

The move came only hours after Britain’s budget watchdog warned Trump’s threatened tariffs on the UK could force Chancellor Rachel Reeves to raise taxes or cut spending

Politics

51 h. ago Chancellor Rachel Reeves visits Wales today amid backlash over benefits changes

Wales is set to see a new £250m investment in a boost the manufacturing sector

Politics

52 h. ago Donald Trump imposes 25% tariffs on car imports dealing new blow to UK and global economy

The move came only hours after Britain’s budget watchdog warned Trump’s threatened tariffs on the UK could force Chancellor Rachel Reeves to raise taxes or cut spending

Economics

59 h. ago ALEX BRUMMER: The Office for Budget Responsibility must be stripped of its powers or all our wallets will suffer

ALEX BRUMMER: Of all the blunders Rachel Reeves has made since becoming Chancellor, none has been greater than her empowerment of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

Politics

59 h. ago Backbench revolt grows over 'cruel' benefit cuts that could push families of 50,000 more children into poverty

MPs lined up to round on Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the Commons after her Spring Statement.

Society

62 h. ago Royal Navy could bring four laser 'death ray' weapons that can destroy a £1 coin from a kilometre away into service in just two years under defence spending boost

The spaced-aged 'death ray', dubbed 'DragonFire', is used to blow up missiles, jets and swarms of explosive suicide drones - with a former head of the Royal Navy hailing them 'war-winners'.

Economics

65 h. ago PIP claimants with 'fluctuating conditions' to be hit 'profoundly' after Spring Statement

EXCLUSIVE: Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed sweeping changes to the welfare system aimed at saving £5billion per annum as daily living element of PIP is to be targeted by the Labour Government

Events

65 h. ago Spring Budget 2025 RECAP: Chancellor Rachel Reeves outlines spending cuts in Spring Statement

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered her Spring Statement, confirming the 2025 growth estimate for the UK has been halved to 1 per cent by the government's official forecaster

Economics

66 h. ago Spring Statement 2025 LIVE: Rachel Reeves warned economic plans could be derailed as UK growth forecast slashed

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has presented her first highly-anticipated Spring Statement to parliament.

Events