2 h. ago Biggest squeeze on British living standards for over 18 months as fears mount over Budget tax raid

In a bleak report today, the Office for National Statistics said inflation remained stuck at 3.8 per cent in September, the third month in a row.

Economics

4 h. ago It's always the same story. Dogs bark, ducks quack and Labour hits the middle class with tax rises

Tax rises are a choice - and an extremely unwise choice, given that the private sector is already groaning under the heaviest tax burden since the 1940s.

Events

13 h. ago Middle class foragers are desecrating the countryside by copying influencers who romanticise berry and mushroom picking

The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust recently reminded visitors that foraging is strictly not allowed at any of its reserves.

Politics

15 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 22 October: Inflation surprise lifts stocks, Barclays rallies despite car loans redress

Rachel Reeves was handed a pre-Budget boost today as the rate of inflation unexpectedly remained unchanged at 3.8% in September.

Economics

16 h. ago Rachel Reeves to launch £2 billion Budget tax raid on wealthiest

The Chancellor is expected to use the Budget to bring in a new charge on people who use limited liability partnerships as she tries to fill a £30 billion hole left by the Tories.

Economics

17 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 22 October: Inflation surprise lifts index, Barclays rallies despite car loans impact

Rachel Reeves was handed a pre-Budget boost today as the rate of inflation unexpectedly remained unchanged at 3.8% in September.

Economics

18 h. ago Rachel Reeves targets GPs and lawyers in £2billion raid on middle classes: Chancellor ignores warnings economy could 'spiral out of control' with new budget plot

With inflation figures this morning expected to bring more gloom, Rachel Reeves yesterday conceded that the economy is 'not working as it should' but attempted to blame Brexit.

Economics

18 h. ago Inflation remains at 3.8 per cent ahead of Rachel Reeves' £2billion Budget raid on middle classes

The rate of Consumer Prices Index inflation remained unchanged at 3.8 per cent in September, the Office for National Statistics said this morning.

Economics

18 h. ago UK inflation unexpectedly remains at 3.8% for third month in a row

Annual September rate confounds forecasts of a rise, as pace of food price growth slows for first time since MarchBusiness live – latest updatesUK inflation was unchanged last month at 3.8%, confounding expectations of a rise, in welcome news for the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, as she plans for her crucial budget next month.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that inflation measured on the consumer prices index remained at the same level in September as in August and July. Continue reading...

Economics

24 h. ago Rachel Reeves targets GPs and lawyers in £2billion raid on middle

With inflation figures this morning expected to bring more gloom, Rachel Reeves yesterday conceded that the economy is 'not working as it should' but attempted to blame Brexit.

Economics

27 h. ago Labour's declaring war on the middle class, says JEFF PRESTRIDGE: This is what I'm doing to shelter myself

Slowly but surely, the Budget jigsaw is taking shape - and we now have a clearer picture of the Chancellor's direction of travel.

Events

39 h. ago Can we keep antibiotics working? Yes, but the world needs to follow the EU and the UK | Devi Sridhar

Unless more countries drastically cut back on antibiotic use in food production, these vital drugs will lose their efficacy for humansWhat we’re putting into our bodies can either nourish us, or make us ill. With that in mind, I wrote recently about the role of food consumption in terms of the risk of colon cancer. But what about food production?Across the world, we are seeing the rise of cheap meat: largely driven by demand from a rising middle class who finally can afford beef, pork and chicken, which used to be out of reach, given their cost. Approximately 45% of global consumption growth is occurring in upper-middle-income countries including China, India, Brazil, Indonesia and the Philippines. Poultry is set to take an increasingly large share of that growth (projected to grow by 21% by 2034), because it is relatively cheap, widely acceptable and requires fewer resources per kilogram compared with beef or pork. By 2034, it is estimated that poultry will provide 45% of the prote...

Politics

39 h. ago Beef, pork, chicken: the world loves cheap meat. If people knew what really goes in it, that love affair would be over | Devi Sridhar

Antibiotic use in farming is now rampant and you should care about that. How meat is produced in China may mean the drugs you need here won’t workWhat we’re putting into our bodies can either nourish us, or make us ill. With that in mind, I wrote recently about the role of food consumption in terms of the risk of colon cancer. But what about food production?Across the world, we are seeing the rise of cheap meat: largely driven by demand from a rising middle class who finally can afford beef, pork and chicken, which used to be out of reach, given their cost. Approximately 45% of global consumption growth is occurring in upper-middle-income countries including China, India, Brazil, Indonesia and the Philippines. Poultry is set to take an increasingly large share of that growth (projected to grow by 21% by 2034), because it is relatively cheap, widely acceptable and requires fewer resources per kilogram compared with beef or pork. By 2034, it is estimated that poultry will provide 45% ...

Politics

4 d. ago The rise of Britain's middle class witches: How career women are turning to spells, 'angel cards' and even Chat GPT 'magic' for a happier life

Forget black hats and broomsticks, there's a new, glossy breed of modern witches who say they'd rather reach for spells and sage than more conventional remedies.

Politics

5 d. ago Are we earning enough? The new squeeze on the middle classes

A likely further tax raid in the Budget will only add to pension and mortgage woes

Politics

6 d. ago HUGO DUNCAN: Millions of middle class families are in Chancellor's crosshairs

HUGO DUNCAN: Don't be fooled by the Chancellor ruling out a 'wealth tax' on Thursday - even if she quashed hopes among lefty Labour backbenchers of a full-blown attack on the rich.

Society

6 d. ago 75% of Americans report soaring prices as Trump claims inflation ‘over’

Exclusive poll: Inflation remains a concern despite president’s pledge to reduce prices on ‘day one’Nine months after Donald Trump took office, promising to reduce prices on “day one”, a clear majority of Americans say their monthly costs have risen by between $100 and $749, according to an exclusive new poll conducted for the Guardian.The president has continued to insist that there is “virtually no inflation”. “Prices are ‘WAY DOWN’ in the USA,” Trump wrote on social media in late August. Continue reading...

Economics

6 d. ago Stop 'bleating' and pay more tax! Rachel Reeves declares war on the 'rich' ahead of Budget as she dismisses 'scaremongering' about wealthy fleeing UK

Chancellor Rachel Reeves sounded defiance amid growing alarm that another massive raid is coming at the Budget next month.

Economics

8 d. 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

8 d. ago Tax warning as UK households told 'more families will be caught out'

Experts are raising the alarm for middle class families that are unknowingly ‘sleepwalking’ into tax bills

Events