98 m. ago Rachel Reeves seized her moment – whatever the future brings, Labour’s economic course is now set | Martin Kettle

The chancellor is no mere technocrat: her spending review revealed a visceral commitment to social and economic mobilityThe consensus has long been that the 2025 spending review would be a defining moment for Keir Starmer’s government. For once, the consensus proved spot-on. The government’s main priorities were set out on Wednesday in a blizzard of Commons announcements from Rachel Reeves, some economically substantive, others more for show. The upshot is that the shape of the British state, as Labour intends it, is now decided until the eve of the next election.There are further crossroads still to come, some of them major, as the years covered by the review unroll. Taxes are likely to rise, probably as soon as the autumn budget, to pay for Reeves’s big ticket boosts on Wednesday for defence, health and housing. Council tax could rise too, with possibly dramatic results. The review’s emphasis on capital spending means current spending could be squeezed again, perhaps heralding pay...

Economics

5 h. ago PETER HITCHENS: The private school pupils refused NHS care show we're becoming a People's Republic by stealth

We are becoming a People's Republic by stealth. The warnings are increasingly urgent, but is anyone listening?

Events

8 h. ago Whether wistful or euphoric, Brian Wilson made pop’s most overwhelmingly beautiful music

He was the Beach Boys’ resident genius, seeping melancholy into even peppy teenybopper hits. Beyond all the myths about his life, that brilliance is still intoxicatingBrian Wilson, visionary creative spirit for the Beach Boys, dies aged 82Brian Wilson: a life in picturesIt’s fair to say that no one who bought the Beach Boys debut single in 1961 would have realised they were in the presence of genius. Surfin’ sounded exactly like what it was: one of dozens of cheap, hastily-recorded singles released on a tiny independent label to cash in on the burgeoning craze for surf music, albeit a regionally-successful example of type. You might easily have expected to never hear of the band who made it again.But the 19-year-old Brian Wilson was determined – he was the taskmaster that had relentlessly drilled his unwilling younger brothers Carl and Dennis into learning to harmonise – and a quick learner. The leap in quality between Surfin’ and its 1962 follow-up Surfin’ Safari was striking. The ...

Politics

9 h. ago Love Islanders enter Hideaway for steamy night after just 56 hours in show first

Two Love Island stars have reportedly entered the Hideaway, a private love den with a bed, after a mere 56 hours in the villa as part of an ITV series first as "producers change the rules"

Politics

9 h. ago Brian Wilson: Beach Boys star who surfed the waves to success

The band shaped 1960s American pop with hits such as Surfin’ USA, I Get Around and California Girls.

Politics

10 h. ago With retail cyberattacks on the rise, customers find orders blocked and and empty shelves

A string of recent cyberattacks and data breaches involving the systems of major retailers have started affecting shoppers

Economics

11 h. ago Japan's Princess Kako addresses Brazil's Congress, meets with Lula in presidential palace

Japan’s Princess Kako of Akishino, a niece of Emperor Naruhito, was welcomed by Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at a private ceremony

Politics

12 h. ago Married teacher had sex with pupil in school cupboard at top private school

Philip Culling's actions were said to be an 'open secret' and he was allowed to quietly resign after having an affair with a student.

Politics

13 h. ago Apollo delays hiring junior bankers after pressure from Dimon

Private equity group’s boss Marc Rowan said he felt ‘compelled to agree’ with recent criticism

Events

13 h. ago Apollo delays hiring junior bankers after pressure from Jamie Dimon

Private equity group’s boss Marc Rowan said he felt ‘compelled to agree’ with recent criticism

Events

14 h. ago Rebekah Vardy boards private jet to friend's lavish French wedding after putting huge £9.7m Portuguese villa on the market amid £4m bill for Wagatha Christie trial

The WAG, 43, and her husband Jamie, 38, are selling their Portuguese abode for an optimistic £9.7million.

Economics

14 h. ago King Charles has special reunion with old pals as he hosts secret Palace party

King Charles, who is now the armed foreces Commander in Chief, held a special private reception at Buckingham Palace today for his old shipmates who he served with in the Royal Navy

Society

14 h. ago King Charles holds emotional private reunion with former Royal Navy mates at Buckingham Palace

The King has held an emotional private reunion for 'old shipmates' from his time serving in the Royal Navy at Buckingham Palace - even sharing a few 'salty tales'.

Politics

14 h. ago King reunites with old Royal Navy shipmates for trip down ‘memory sea

Charles hosted a private reception on Wednesday afternoon for his former comrades who attended following a personal request from the monarch.

Politics

14 h. ago NHS bosses who denied boy, 8, treatment because he attends a private school could be guilty of 'indirect discrimination' says barrister

Daniel ShenSmith, a practising lawyer and internet personality, said such a move would be 'unethical' and could breach the Equality Act 2010.

Economics

15 h. ago UK and Spain strike deal over Gibraltar’s future and borders

People to be able to move across land border with no checks, and airport to have Eurostar-style dual border checksThe UK and Spain have struck a deal over Gibraltar’s future, concluding four years of on-off negotiations.The two sides have agreed measures to ensure people can move freely across the land border between Gibraltar and Spain with no checks, and to introduce Eurostar-style dual border checks at the airport. Continue reading...

Economics

15 h. ago Voices: How Labour’s spending review was shaped by Reform UK

The chancellor insisted her choices were “Labour choices.” But as I watched her deliver her statement, I couldn’t help thinking that much of it was aimed at seeing off the rising threat to Labour from Nigel Farage, writes Andrew Grice

Politics

16 h. ago Michelle Keegan reveals the five fashion items she'll be packing for her summer holidays

'Co-ords are a holiday non-negotiable for me,' says the actress.

Politics

16 h. ago Michelle Keegan reveals the 5 fashion items she'll be packing for her summer holidays

'Co-ords are a holiday non-negotiable for me,' says the actress.

Politics

16 h. ago ‘Painful’ budget measures likely, say economists as Chancellor lifts spending

On Wednesday, Rachel Reeves said it was non-negotiable to meet her fiscal rules.

Economics