66 h. ago Labour vows to sort out 'appalling mess' of HS2 rail left by the Tories

Labour has vowed to the HS2 rail project back on track after accepting the recommendations of a damning report into the huge waste of taxpayers' money

Politics

67 h. ago HS2 is an 'appalling mess', won't open on time and the cost is soaring

The previous £66bn budget looks set to be a massive under-estimate

Politics

69 h. ago UK transport secretary calls HS2 an ‘appalling mess’ as she confirms delay

Heidi Alexander vows to ‘sort out’ HS2 project; UK inflation dips to 3.4% as transport costs ease while food prices jumpUK inflation eases to 3.4% amid falling fuel and air fare pricesInflation pressures remain sticky in the UK, according to Rob Wood, chief UK economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.Looking ahead, we continue to expect CPI inflation to average 3.4% for the rest of the year as strong wage growth, minimum wage hikes and tax increases pass through to retail prices. We think headline inflation will struggle to dip below 3% before April 2026. By that point, inflation will have been above target almost continuously for five years, risking further deanchoring of inflation expectations and persistent wage pressure.Granted, US president Trump’s trade war could lead to some diversion of Chinese exports previously bound to the US, which could cut UK inflation. But war in the Middle-East has boosted oil and natural gas prices, adding 10bp to our forecast inflation peak and risks p...

Politics

69 h. ago HS2 rail line branded an 'appalling mess' and its opening is delayed past 2033 as focus switches to saving money after costs rose by £37BILLION

Heidi Alexander branded the building of a new line linking London, Birmingham and the North an 'appalling mess' and told MPs she saw 'no route' to getting trains running by 2033.

Economics

3 d. ago UK politics live: Labour attacks Tories over ‘appalling mess’ of HS2 with billions wasted and delays past 2033

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander will also address allegations of fraud by contractors

Politics

2 w. ago UK supermarkets exploit tax loophole to produce cider at ‘pocket

Campaigners say ‘super-strength subsidy’ puts pressure on the NHS, as some ciders cost same as apple juiceSupermarkets such as Tesco, Aldi and Lidl are exploiting a tax loophole to produce and sell cheap cider that harms health and causes social problems, alcohol campaigners have claimed.Over recent years, ciders – sometimes containing as much as 7.5% alcohol – have become cheaper or barely risen in price, despite the cost of beer, wine and spirits soaring, according to research by Alcohol Change UK. Continue reading...

Economics